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TEA TRAVELS

Desert Cafe

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DESERT CAFE

Winter can be shocking in Southern California, the land of tequila sunrises, and purple haze sunsets.  It’s mostly warm here, but occasionally the temperatures dip low enough for it to snow all the way from the Malibu beaches to the high desert. If you take a deep dive into historic photo archives, you can find many images of citrus groves, and other surrounds with a frosting of snow.  Chilly enough to see your breath, and make the tip of your nose turn red.  

This is a great time to head out to the desert, particularly Palm Desert.  Here you can find glorious blue skies, swaying palm trees, and fresh desert air warm enough to reset your body temperature and relax. So that’s where Tea Travels went.  A getaway to experience all that the desert has to give and to warm up a bit. 

The were several takeaways from this amazing mini-vaca.  Number one, the effect of the unparalleled beauty of the Southern Californian desert. The rainbow hues that light up the sky at sunrise and sunset.  The flora and fauna, both exotic and austere.  There are easy hikes up into the canyons to get a feel for the origins of Native American mysticism and a prehistoric ecosystem that has survived the ages and is thriving  today. The scenery of the desert, lights up the imagination, and carries away even the most unimaginative beings to dreams of other worlds.  

My next favorite thing about Palm Desert was the tributes to the  history of the Native American tribes that have lived in the region for ages that are revered and celebrated.  Several tributes and gathering areas are dedicated to local Native American tribes.  Visitors are enlightened and schooled on the ongoing presence and governance of the desert by these ancient tribes that have survived natural and man-made adversity. 

The city is filled with art galleries and museums.  There are parks filled with art and sculpture.  Palm desert has somewhat Phoenician esthetic that blends well with modernism. The effect exists in the architecture and city layout. A get away for esthetic pharaohs. Luxury shops line the main boulevard.  Pristine golf courses and world class resorts stream out from the main gathering areas.  Grocery stores filled with gourmet foods and delis can be found in several locations. Gorgeous mid-century homes, low of roof and expansive in living space, rest behind adobe walls, giving just a hint of what lies behind those walls. It’s all lovely to the eye and the city still maintains a sense of community.  

And then, of course, the tea. My tea stop this time was Soto Voce.  A small modern cafe located at The Paseo, a local shopping area.  The offerings would satisfy any sophisticated and worldly tea drinker.  Conversations in languages from around the world drifted around my head.  There were a lot of darling pups. It seemed that most of the guests had brought their favorite furry pal to accompany them for an afternoon chat and treat. 

After all of this tea, history, and glorious beauty, I was thoroughly warmed up and ready to take on another week of chilly weather. This get away did not disappoint. The desert is austere, yet colorful. Quiet, yet sings with the songs of desert wildlife.  Remote, yet right there in your heart.  

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Survival Tea

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Photo by Branimir Balogović on Unsplash

 

It’s a gorgeous Sunday, the sun is shining, the birds are singing.  Yet, there are layers.  Amidst all this beauty, people are dealing with a Pandemic and putting forth heroic efforts to thwart catastrophy.  Overall there is a great success and it has come with a cost, but will ultimately, most likely result in huge steps forward in many arenas.  Healthcare, Crisis Response and building unity in times of a massive assault on the population as a whole.  We have all had to sacrifice to some degree.  We’ve had to scale back in thousands of ways, but are learning to find new paths to follow our nature to succeed, live and grow.  We are now getting ready to emerge from quarantine and learn to live together in a new and healthier way that will be good for all. Summer has hit this part of the world and people are heading out of their homes.  Walking trails and parks are now open again with social distancing laws in effect.  Beaches in Orange County are opening with the same rules.  

I wrote this a week ago, but it was never posted and it’s a screenshot of the height of quarantine and my perspective of it, I’m including it here, because I want to remember this time. A big thought on my mind right now is survival.  A pandemic is circling the globe and we are now quarantined to decrease exposure, stop the spread of the pandemic  and increase survival rates.  Most of us are shocked by the turn of the events and feel a sense of displacement and disorientation due to the complete disruption of our normal every day lives.  I go out for walks with my mandatory mask and no one is about.  I wonder if I’m doing something wrong? The streets are barren, except for a random vehicle that speeds by every few moments. It’s as if the world is asleep, taking a long nap. I wonder how can everyone be so quiet? Are they really in there, in their homes? Can children, teenagers, husbands out of work stay so still and silent?

So I keep walking, getting exercise, focus on health, strength. California is a great place to do this. We are a state of natural beauty and a place of healing. For more than a century America and the world has sent their ill here to heal and rehabilitate. Long ago, trains filled with TB patients in the last stage of the disease came to hospital spread across the Southern California as a last hope for a chance at life.  Many died on the train, but there were those that survived and lived into old age settled in the warm arid client of the Southern California high desert.  

A culture of survival is forming now due to the pandemic. It’s bringing the best out in us and forcing us to focus on what is really important in life and why we are here.  These thoughts are overwhelming at times and I find it helpful to focus on coping mechanisms and find a new way to live that may be even better than what I was doing before.  Everyday I can see Spring blossoming and exploding into life all around and it’s an amazing show. The birds are singing from sunup to sun down, playfully doing tricks in the air with other birds they are trying to attract. They are enjoying Spring to it’s fullest. The birdsong is a blessing at this moment and a reaffirmation of life.  It’s too early to tell what will happen.  If we follow other countries that are now finally healed of the spreading virus, we will hopefully enter the same phase soon. It’s difficult to stay informed about what will really happen.  All the news sources have conflicting stories, some of them out right exploitation of the current situation and confabulating statistics that we will only be able to verify when this whole thing is done. 

Photo by Kate Trifo on Unsplash

And now, here we are, one week later.  We are more hopeful, more full of fight and determined to live with hope, faith and celebrate life no matter what.  Our world is beautiful and nature will always carry on despite our continual assault on our own world health and our precious resources.  Hopefully, we will come out of the Pandemic, wiser and more willing to work harmoniously with our environment, rather than destroying it. It’s a complex and difficult task, but not unrealistic at all.  We can all see what staying at home does. We can now see what being careful and be kind with each other can be like.  The cleaner air and the peaceful environment. We are seeing that we can live peacefully together and work together for success. 

Part of this blog,  Tea Travels, is comprised of posts about travelling locally and around the world to experience the tea traditions and teas of the world. It’s more relevant now than ever due to the quarantines around the world.  I love to write about tea around the world, because it reflects human kind’s ability to harmonize and elevate themselves together via the simple routine of taking tea.  Tea, how it’s made and enjoyed are direct reflections of the many beautiful and fascinating cultures of human kind.  Tea brings people together in a very simple way for bonding, sharing history and planning for what’s ahead.  Personally, I have never enjoyed tea more and been thankful for this simple beverage, than during this quarantine.  I’ve taken tea with my Pod, I’d explored herbal teas that support immunity and health and used the time during quarantine to delve deeper into the journey of exploring tea.

Last year we travelled throughout Southern California and even to Paris, France.  It was an amazing journey and we are hoping there will be many more.  World travel has been a part of human civilization since it’s inception and hopefully it will go on. It’s important that we explore and get to know our world and to become friends with all people of the world. I want to thank everyone who checks in and reads these posts. I hope that they have provided some light and entertainment during these trying times.  I’ll end this post with a great tea from Teavana(this post is unsponsored, I just really like this tea),   for relaxation and to make you smile. Teavana Citrus Lavender with pineapple, orange and notes of sage. Caffiene free.  Here’s a bit about the ingredients: Pineapple;  a tropical fruit grown in South America for centuries.  Sweet, packed with Vitamin C and explosion of flavor. Health benefits include decreasing inflammation, energizing and boosting immunity. Orange, another South American export, a catalyst of an industry that made the US wealthy.  Sweet, tangy and juicy-packed with Vitamin C. Health benefits include boosting immunity, maintaining skin and bone health. Sage-oh Sage-now that’s a lot to write about.  Sage,  utilized to clear away bad karma and spirits. Packed with vitamins and minerals.  Boosts brain health and cognition, reduce blood sugar, ease menopausal symptoms and protect against cancers. Lavender, reduces stress, anxiety, pain, promotes calmness and wellness and is a super attractor. 

 

 

And to end this post,  on this lovely day, full of promise and hope:

We live on this speck called Earth – think about what you might do, today or tomorrow – and make the most of it.

Neil deGrasse Tyson

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Tea With Your Mom

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Photo by Sai De Silva on Unsplash

Ever go to tea with your Mom? Or had tea with your Mom? Maybe you don’t have a Mom, but maybe there is one person that is very special and you vibe with that person no matter what.  You may have known them for a long time or maybe just met them, but you have a connection.  This connection is a sensation of knowing that this person is in your life for a reason. They bring good things, lots of smiles and release from the routine of life. They enhance life, always enhance and that’s why you love to do things with them. Maybe go out to dinner, shopping, for a walk, just hang out and share.  

You keep coming back and they do too and you really don’t question it, it’s just a good part of your life. So, that’s what tea with Mom is.  We didn’t really “go to tea”, the plan was to have lunch and there happened to be tea too.  The tea was really good, so that’s how this became a Tea Travels post.  I had just returned from my tea traveling trip to Europe.  I was also going there for a reunion at The Lido, renowned cabaret in Paris, France, but that’s a whole other post and will most likely be revisited again sometime soon.  It happened to be my birthday and my Mom wanted to celebrate and she asked me to lunch.  I was really excited and thought the perfect place would be The Mission Inn Restaurant in downtown Riverside located within the historic Mission Inn Hotel.  First of all the food is delicious and the setting is magical.  When you enter the doors of The Mission Inn you are transported to another time and a place. And that is because the founder took the best of California culture and history and created a unique experience that combined everything that people loved about California during the era (1850 to 1935). It’s the perfect combination of Spanish, Mexican and California Gold Rush folklore.  We do know that the arts were celebrated here, important political relationships were developed and great business was practiced.  There is always ambiance and the best food and drink.  It’s human socialization and culture at it’s best.  

We headed off to The Mission Inn, Mom and I.   We posed for the traditional photo under the Campanario, a beautiful arch inspired by the Mission San Gabriel that graced the path that led to the front entrance. From the Campanario hung a collection of vintage bells of various shapes and sizes and a healthy growth of climbing ivy provided a lovely green backdrop.  

Once we entered the Inn, we went left towards the Mission Inn Restaurant which is open daily and is the main restaurant for guests staying at The Inn.  We were seated by a lovely host with a kind smile. The restaurant walls were inlaid with gorgeous blue tiles and mosaics.  I was reminded that Frank Augustus Miller, the founder of The Mission Inn, loved the color blue and had named his own grocery store, The Blue Front Grocery.

 The mosaics were gorgeous and colorful and rose up the walls to the curved arabic ceilings that shared common architectural elements with the Hagia Sophia. The walls embellished with hand painted murals by Tiffany Brooks, whose work is featured at the Biltmore Historic Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. 

Our waitress came over quickly and helped us decide on the daily buffet, which probably should have been called The Daily Feast.  The buffet was laid out with an array of choices that would satisfy all dietary preferences from Vegan to Hearty Meat Eater and Seafood lovers.  As usual, I ordered tea and this is where having tea with Mom actually begins.  The featured tea that day was ROAR HUMBLY EXQUISITE TEA. So ROAR is a brand that hails from the South and has quite a history. The company was founded in 1896 by Henry T. Batterton in Alabama. He started the company specializing in coffee.  In the 1950’s William E. Smith bought the company and has brought ROAR into the future with responsibly sourced coffee and tea.  They also know the lineage of all of their coffee beans and tea leaves and donate to charities that protect the environment and help communities around the world. The company has now been existence over 100 years and is a force in the world of fine coffee and tea. 

We had a great meal and chat.  The tea was steaming hot and relaxing and cleared the way for engaging conversation.  The waitress had brought out the organic green and spearmint blend.  Organic  teas are grown without pesticides or genetic modifications. The green tea produces energy and focus and the Peppermint leaves are know to soothe the stomach, have a cooling effect, freshen the breath and relieve stress. When steeped, green tea releases energizing levels of caffeine. A cup of green tea can contain around thirty-five mg of caffeine, half the amount found in a cup of coffee. It also contains catechins that are scientifically proven to improve cognitive function and possibly decrease the risk of dementia.   ROAR recommends on their packaging that the water be 185 degrees Fahrenheit and that the tea bag steep for three to four minutes. It’s important to use the right water as well.  Minerals in water bring out the flavor of the tea leaves, purified or distilled water will result in a bland tasting tea.  I didn’t think to ask the waitress what water was utilized, but the tea was full of flavor and refreshing.

We caught up on our adventures and admired the vintage beauty of The Mission Inn and how well-preserved it was.  It was heart warming to be in a beautiful setting that celebrated the past and all of the fantastical and wonderful events that had shaped the state of California. 

Photo by 童 彤 on Unsplash

TEA TRAVELS

CAPTIVATING DAMMANN

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When I think of Paris,  I think of Cafes. Since my first visit to the City of Lights, I was entranced by the cafe culture that is an integral part of French life.   I had made the assumption that espresso was the go to hot beverage of the French.   I was terribly wrong.  On my most recent visit to Paris, I quickly learned that France has as a long and enchanting history with tea.  

King Louis XIV, The Sun King, had endeavored during his rule of France, to capture the trade markets of the world. Explorers were bringing tea with them when they returned from long voyages across deserts and oceans.  He had the vision to establish and capture the tea trade and become the ruler of European tea traders.   He made it his mission to establish healthy trade with the far lands of the earth and bring their riches back to the shores of Europe.  His tradesman established houses and strong legacies that have survived the centuries. 

One of those traders, Damman, was commissioned by the king to import tea. This house preserved and reignited the legacy in the 1920’s by the Dammann brothers.  

Dammann is many things, but above all it is a company that produces many of the most exquisite teas of the world.   The company is worldwide and their mission is to source the best teas form where they are discovered, which happens to be many countries scattered over several continents. 

I was lucky that my hotel had a selection of tea from Damman and that prompted me to visit their anchor store in Le Marais. My breakfast tea had been so filled with light and enchanting flavors, I was invited to visit one of their ateliers in Paris.  

Their anchor store is located in Le Marais, so I decided to make an afternoon of it and headed out for a walk across the ancient center of the city to find Dammann. When I reached Le Marais, it was a quiet afternoon in Le Marais. Le Marais is the oldest part of Paris. Its streets are ancient and charming.  Narrow, cobblestoned streets wind through Le Marais; many leading to beautiful parks and hidden courtyards.   Le Marais has become a sought out neighborhood and many of the residents establish boutiques with fine goods there.  The stores are eclectic and colorful; offering up some of the finest goods to be found in Paris.  I found my way to the Damman boutique after a thouroughly entertaining walk through the district. The inside was paneled in dark, sophisticated wood paneling and lovely graphics were  positioned above interesting displays of tea and equipment for making tea.  With the dark, elegant decor and the walls lined with canisters of tea, it was like walking into another world, filled with elegance and a product created to delight the senses.  It was not just a store, but an experience where tea could be sampled examined and tasted.   

In several areas, there were displays of fresh tea, which could be sampled. There were also all kinds of tea cups, tea pots and tea infusers and beautiful gift boxes; some clad in leather with a snap to secure the lid that enclosed the tea. The impression was of elegance, refinement and fine tea. The teas I sampled were fresh and each possessed it’s own unique, inviting aroma.    I was especially drawn to the Jaune Lemon Green Tea in crystal sachets and brought some home with me.  

Visiting Dammann is a window to the first days of the tea trade in France.  It’s also a showcase of the finest calibers of tea available in the world. If you love tea, this is a tea shop that should not be missed. 

 

TEA TRAVELS

Parisienne Tea Traders Marriage Freres

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The aromas of ancient teas drifted slowly on the soft currents that circulated the historic tea room of Marriage Freres. The original location  in Le Marais of Ancient Paris was paneled in wood hundred of years old and saturated in tea.   I was in heaven, Paris and Marriage Freres. Old tea trading artifacts and tea trade route maps hung upon the walls and an exotic palms festooned the corners of the tea room.  Each table was exquisitely dressed in stamped linen and fine china  with the tea house insignia.  The silver was polished to a high sheen.  There was a pastry case filled with elegant and complex patisserie to accompany and compliment the fine teas.  

It began in 1660 when Nicolas Marriage was dispatched by King Louis  XIV to establish trade with the exotic East.  Marriage passed his trade to his sons and eventually the company was born and has survived through the centuries.  Marco Polo was a Venetian merchant who  traveled to the Orient in the 1200’s and brought spices, teas and exotic goods back with him to Europe. This inspired King Louis to establish his own house of trade to bring fine and exotic teas from the edge of the world.  

The tea room light in Marriage Freres is golden and colorful at the same time.  It speaks of another time; times of adventure to lands unknown filled with mysteries to be solved and magic to be transported back to the shores of Europe. The interior is filled with ancient wooden shelving and compartmentalized little cubby holes to hold the teas and equipment for making the perfect cup of tea. There were beautiful  artful silver teapots shaped like a camel, purple clay teapots from China, English porcelain teapots. It’s a museum of tea and of tea’s fascinating and enduring history.

 

I was seated at a small cafe table and I ordered the Marco Polo tea. I wanted to see how the life of Marco Polo could be captured in a tea.  A man who loved adventure, travel, art and the good things in life.  A person who had been privy to all the world’s gifts, cultures and experiences. When I think of Polo thoughts of fine silks in every hue of the rainbow, delicious confections and drinks and beautiful accoutrements to add joy and beauty to your life come to mind. 

The Marco Polo teas was described on the menu as a mysterious blend that will take you to distant lands
and unforeseen territories. Fragrances of Chinese and Tibetan flowers lend it a uniquely velvety taste. It’s extraordinary bouquet makes Marco Polo the most legendary of flavoured teas.
 
A teapot encased in silver was brought to the table with the tea steeping inside and brewing magic.   
 

I poured a cup and took a sip.  The aroma was light, floral and exotic and the perfume was delicate and smooth as it passed it over my palette.   The tea was incredibly refreshing.  After a cup, a sense of well-being  arose from within  and suddenly all was right with the world.  

As I drank the tea, I thought of the excitement of the trade routes.  Journeying on camel through vast deserts filled with nomads and mystery around every turn.   Raw and dangerous beauty that blew over the landscape.   

I became a convert to Marriage Freres teas then and there.   My server was an attractive young student that spoke several languages. We had a great discourse on what our favorite teas were and why.   He was extremely attentive and made sure that my  tea experience was relaxing and enjoyable. I was impressed by his knowledge of teas and of the various equipment to make an awesome cup of tea any how it should be brewed.  

In the US we learn about tradesman in history.  Mostly when learning about the settling of the 13 colonies and the way of life during those times centuries ago. It was amazing to actually be in the showroom of a tradesman that flourished and established a house of trade that had endured over three hundred years.   The brand had managed to stay intact and maintain the quality that had been initially suited to one of the greatest kings the world has ever known. 

TEA TRAVELS

Matcha At Lupicia Teas Paris, France

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While tea traveling in Paris, Victoria Goods and Trading Company’s goal was to locate tea rooms that specialized in favorite teas of the world.  We discovered Lupicia, which has a sleek and modern tea room near the medieval cathedral of Saint Germain Des Pres in Paris in the 6th arrondissement. Lupicia is based out of Japan and has over more than 400 teas and many tasting rooms around the world. 

Its just a few stores away from Les Deux Magots, which was the hangout of legend and my hero,  Ernest Hemingway. When I think of who I want to become as a writer, it’s Mr. Hemingway, who was dedicated to his art and lived a life of storytelling and adventure.   The two are not related, but I loved that they were practically next door to each other and found it quite inspirational.   I had just been to Musee D’ Orsay to see the Berthe Morisot exhibition and was taking the long back to the Luxembourg Gardens.  It was warm, since the last days of summer continued to linger and the skies this afternoon were clear, blue and not a cloud in sight.   I was on foot, because when you are in Paris, it’s fabulous experience to walk and be able to soak in the beauty of the architecture and art around every corner. Then, suddenly,  there appeared like an emerald green jewel, Lupicia Teas.  Visions of refreshing Matcha popped into my head and I headed in to see the tea room and hopefully refresh myself with some delicious Matcha.  

For those of you who are not familiar with Matcha, it’s origins are Japan and is a traditional Japanese drink that is hundreds of years old.  The tea is grown in  shade, which results in a sweet tea leaf. The leaves are ground with a stone mill into a fine powder, which is stored in powder form, until it is ready to be prepared for drinking.  Matcha is currently taking world tea drinkers by storm because when it’s ingested you  absorb vitamins, minerals, catechin, theanine and many other nutrients.   Matcha powdered green tea has 137 times more antioxidants than regularly brewed green tea. Matcha is calming, relaxing, boosts metabolism, detoxifies and enhances mood and concentration. 

As I entered the tearoom, I immediately knew I had made the right decision.  The atmosphere was calming and cool. The showroom was bright, with a well designed lay out for showcasing cutting edge tea making supplies and the exquisite teas that Lupicia sources from around the world.  

I was greeted by a friendly, attractive staff that was multilingual.   I had noticed this visit to Paris, that people who worked in the shops, hotel and and transportation, quickly picked up on my accent offered to speak in my language. They were extremely accommodating about it and it was very nice to have that option.  I was seated in the tearoom which was designed to provide comfort and not distract from the tea and food.  I ordered a a Matcha Satsuma and the patisserie of the day , Natsu Matsuri.  A mouth watering concoction consisting of fine layers of buttery sponge cake layered with fresh cream and strawberry gelee. 

The Matcha was sweet, cooling and refreshing with a slight bitter under taste.  It was a beautiful hue of dark green and the aroma was vibrant.  The accompanying dessert was exquisite and treat to the palette.  Sweet, light and gluten free, it paired quite well with Matcha. 

After taking tea,  I took a tour around the showroom.  There was a great selection of teas and supplies for tea making and 

the hosts were really helpful. There was a beautiful array of tea pots and devices from around the world for making tea. It was all beautifully designed in a contemporary setting.  

By the time I left Lupicia, I felt completely refreshed and excited with a host of new knowledge about teas of the world.  I would highly recommend stopping in while in Paris, it’s a  fresh alternative to the traditional sights of Paris, but at that same time compliments the experience so well.  

TEA TRAVELS

Secret Food Tours Le Marais

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When I had decided to return to Paris after a 16 year absence, I wanted it to be fun, relaxing and immerse myself in French Culture.  I searched for opportunities to achieve this goal and came across Secret Food Tours.  The company describes itself as “We are truly passionate about showcasing mouthwatering and irresistible secret foods from all corners of the globe. Every year, our experienced, local, foodie guides show thousands of people the best and most delicious foods a city has to offer. Each tour is fun, highly rated, and completely unique to its destination — no two tours are the same. We take great pride in highlighting the best secret bites loved by locals and overlooked by tourists. Our tours have over 5,000 5-star reviews, so we know you’ll love them too. Learn about each city’s history, how locals buy food, and how food has shaped the area’s culture. All our tours feature a special Secret Dish selected by our guides that you can only find out about on the tour, with drink upgrades available as well. Perfect for all ages and all occasions, we can’t wait to share with you all of our in-the-know secrets. An authentic, unforgettable experience that will leave you full and happy.” 

When I discovered this on Google, I was so excited and knew this was exactly the kind of tour I was looking for.  Secret Food Tours has created tours that explore the best of local cuisine along with traditional parings of beverages. They have carefully curated experiences to indulge in local specialities that are not always advertised to the general public.  Their websites boast tours in 26 countries around the world. In Paris, the tours cover three districts, Le Marais(SoMa), Montmartre and Saint Germain.   I liked the idea that they were well established and obviously were making every effort to make this a memorable experience. I decided to go for it.  Booking was a smooth process via their lovely website filled with beautiful pics and helpful information.  

Google describes Le Marais as ” The fashionable Marais district in the 4th arrondissement, also known as SoMa(South Marais), is filled with hip boutiques, galleries and gay bars. Once the city’s Jewish quarter, the area still hosts numerous kosher restaurants.  The grassy Place des Vosges is home to elegant arcades and the Musee Victor Hugo, where the writer lived.”

 I decided to go for the Le Marais tour.  I was fascinated by the Marais and 35 years ago,  had actually lived in an artist’s garret.  When I had decided to leave the tiny studio, it had torn at my heart to have to leave.  That’s the way the Marais was, it permeated you soul and your very being. 

Le Marais held all the mysteries of the world within it’s walls.  It was over 1000 years old and a site embedded with spiritualism.  It housed the Jewish quarter; where 80 years ago tragedy struck during the occupation, but the Marais survived.   The streets wound, twisted and turned sometimes ending up nowhere in a dead end.   The buildings were constructed of stone from the Roman Era and massive doorways of petrified, thick slabs of wood which shuttered secreted, grassy courtyards.  The courtyards were  filled with trees, and grass and birds chirped and danced among the foliage. 

So, I headed up to the Marias for a tour of the ancient district in Paris.   I say up because I was lodged in the very center of Paris for a one week stay in the Latin Quarter adjacent to the Seine River,  which flows through Paris.  So I walked down from the Luxembourg Gardens to the Metro.  Once on the Metro, the sleek train ascended to the level of the Marais and I disembarked near the starting point of the tour.   Eventhough I was a tour guide myself back in the USA,  it had been years since I’d been on one myself.  As I neared the starting point, I felt the excitement building and couldn’t wait to meet my tour guide.  

  

So the day had arrived and there I was waiting where our tour was about to launch.  I noticed a young woman standing in my vicinity.  She appeared to be searching for someone and it turned out she was there for the tour as well.   We had a nice chat and soon a very chic, Parisienne woman arrived and introduced herself as our guide. Her name was Capucine.  I immediately could tell form her genuine and engaging smile and her command of the English language, this this was going to be a very fun and interesting tour.   So, I’m not allowed to say where we went or what we ate, because then it wouldn’t be a secret anymore and it would defeat the purpose of taking a Secret Food Tour, but I can tell you why I loved this tour, so let’s begin! 

First, our guide, Capucine was amazing! She was so friendly and I felt comfortable immediately.  Her manners were impeccable and she took a genuine interest in all of her guests and answered all of questions fully. (There were actually just two of us since this was in the middle of the week, in the afternoon: myself and Anne; and lovely young woman who was amazingly accomplished and humble.)  Capucine made us feel completely comfortable and we were soon chatting, laughing and have an awesome time as we toured various award winning establishments that specialized in traditional French dishes in Le Marais. 

Capucine’s  breadth of knowledge of the Marais was in depth and layered. She knew the history from ancient times to the the present.  Her enthusiasm for the subject was evident by her smile and all of the small interesting details she provided.   No matter what questions I asked her, she answered all my questions fully with interesting information that satisfied my curiosity. I was fascinated by the rich history and how this influenced the dietary choices of the French. How history had impacted the evolution of French food. 

The next important thing I can tell you about this tour is the food.  It’s delicious! We had a broad range of food that represented traditional French cuisine from across France as well as Le Marais. The tasting ranged from sweet to savory; appetizers, wine and full dishes.  There was street food and staples of every French person’s diet.   It was incredibly fresh and well prepared and the presentation beautiful. I invested the extra 10 euros for beverages and it didn’t disappoint.  We were served carefully chosen wines that were paired perfectly with the dishes.   

Most important,  was the ambiance.   We ate in picturesque, comfortable settings, while Capucine explained the history of the dishes, the ingredients and how they were prepared.  She shared several secrets and mysteries of the Marais, that I  can’t divulge here, but she definitely captured the essence of the district and why it is so well loved and one of the most popular districts to visit in Paris. Her stories transported us from ancient times to the present and were so well thought out and presented that I didn’t realize how quickly the three hour tour passed and how far we had walked.  

The tour was three hours and it’s just enough time to experience several stops with various types of dishes and have a good leisurely stroll through Le Marais.  The experience captures the very famous way of living; joie de vivre, that the French are known and loved for.   An enjoyment of all good things that life has to offer and an exultation of spirit. So, If you are in Paris and want a fun and fascinating afternoon, this is your tour.   Le  Marais is beautiful and magical and will spirit you away to another time.  You will be surrounded by beauty, enjoy excellent cuisine and be entertained by the  best company.  And if you are very lucky, Capucine will be your guide. 

DURATION – THREE HOURS

WALKING: SLOW, EASY, UNEVEN SURFACES

EATING:  MAKE SURE YOU DON’T EAT BEFORE THIS TOUR.  YOU WILL NEED ROOM!  

BATHROOM STOPS:  MANY IF YOU NEED THEM.   

TEA TRAVELS

Where Life Takes You

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Photo by Marco Perretta on Unsplash

The full moon is in Aquarius tonight. I look out my window and see a shimmering light illuminating the earth. The trees are reflecting moon beams and the street is sparkling and silver. I know that I’m supposed to be out in it, soaking in the moon beams, refreshing my aura.  

I figure I can lay in bed and open the blinds and let the rays hit me while I rest.  It goes with the other instructions I received from my favorite astrology blog that reported it was time to spoil and pamper myself. So, ok, I will, I will lay here, luxuriate and soak in the glittering shimmering moonbeams that are glorifying the night sky.  

 

Photo by Drew Tilk on Unsplash

I can feel the magic energy in the air.  The world feels alive with possibilities tonight; as if anything  could happen.  It’s a happy night, if you can just tune in to it.  Let go, breathe, drink some tea, take a lotus pose and accept. And there you are, where life is taking you and it’s an amazing ride filled with beauty and wonder. Let the bliss wash over you.  I think of other magic full moons and illuminated landscapes.  Tall redwoods towering above the canopy of Sierra pines. Majestic and lived through thousands of full moons. Beaches with the full moon reflected in the waves as the gently roll in at low tide. 

Those places have stayed in my heart and are easily conjured up for full moon reveries. Especially now, getting ready to hit the road again and travel to the land of Kings and Castles, Europe. 

What is it about a European vacation that sets the imagination on fire and makes your heart beat hard-very hard?  I think it’s stepping back to one of the cradles of civilization.  This cradle being Paris, in particular. Paris is ancient. It’s underground filled with hieroglyphics and medieval remains(The Catacombs). Despite her age, she is eternally youthful, the city of romance, art, beauty and design.   The spirits of great artists linger over cafes and reconvene as the new generation appears. 

But it’s not just a vacation, it’s a reunion.  Having been fortunate enough to be a part of the Bluebell Dancers, artists who danced across the stages of the world in the glory days of their youth, we will reconvene soon in The City Of Lights, Paris.   We had the world at our feet because of our youth and talent and we were blessed to have this time of our lives in Paris. It was magic and we are all coming to relive and recreate that magical time in our lives for two very special days.   

So, join us,  Come on the trip!  Come sip some tea in the great tea houses of Paris and share the stories of showgirls of an era gone by. 

Photo by Carli Jeen on Unsplash

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Burbank And Tea

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I found myself making a speedy and purposeful adventure down the 101 to the 134 to make it to Lou The French On The Block before the Burbank lunch crowd.  I sped along hoping and praying that I could flow and fly through the traffic on my one hour lunch break.

I’d been obsessing about this authentic French Patisserie/coffee shop ever since I’d searched YELP for local cafes.  I had driven over a few times, but the area is so crazy busy that you have to time it right if you are just going to drop in to collect delicious treats for lunch and enough to have later too. 

Even though it had been a very long time since I had been to Paris, the memories of the cafe’s stayed fresh in my mind. It was an obsession to find a croissant that tasted like it been baked in FrEvenench Patisserie. The perfect latte was always on my mind, and every latte I’d had since I’d come home  I compared to what I’d had in France.   

Well it took me about 20 minutes and then there I was. I envisioned a parking space in from and Et Voila, it appeared before my eyes! A generous person was just loading up and quickly pulled out the space I had been manifesting.

Outside the tiny space, people were seated in around small cafe tables enjoying  the beautiful day.   I made my way in and immediately the aromas of butter, flour and baking with a note of espresso infused the atmosphere inside 

And since this is Tea Travels, yes there is tea.  Beautiful fresh, organic teas. Flavors such as Tali’s Masala Chai, Sencha Green, White coconut cream, French lemon ginger.  

And since this is Tea Travels, yes there is tea.  Beautiful fresh, organic teas. Flavors such as Tali’s Masala Chai, Sencha Green, White coconut cream, French lemon ginger.  

 

The tea rested on a case that was full of fresh patisserie.  My journey was success.  I ordered several along with a latte and then headed back out. It was a brief, but entirely satisfying journey.  

 

 

 

TEA TRAVELS

Matcha Me

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Photo Jason Leung on Unsplash

 

 

 

It’s the color of forests, it tastes of plants and fresh air. When it hits your veins a sense of well-being that’s almost indescribable infuses your existence. I can’t remember where I was exactly, the first time I had Matcha Tea. I have a vague memory of being  with my son who had just gotten off work  from his barista job at Starbucks.   Maybe we were on the way to the movies and decided to go through the drive through. He ordered a Matcha. 

I asked for a taste and that was the beginning of a journey to experience Matcha in as many forms as possible.  I’m not the only one, the obsession seems to be taking over.  There are tea rooms everywhere now. In SoCal we started with traditional English style tea rooms. Lots of chintz, hats and lovely floral porcelain tea cups.  This has morphed into modern, bright  tea rooms with a health vibe where amazing creative menus are filled with Matcha, Boba and Salt Cream teas. You can also put Matcha in your ice cream, pastries and cakes and also cook savory dishes with it if you so desire. 

Meeting Matcha wasn’t a  dramatic event. Just a delicious surprise. It was like meeting a person that you get along with instantaneously and you always want them around from that day forward.

Matcha isn’t new, it’s an ancient tea. It’s origins are rooted in Japan somewhere between 1100 and 1200 AD. Since it’s discovery it’s been treasured for it’s health benefits. What makes Matcha so healthy?  Well, it’s the very definition of green. The plant leaves are grown in the shade, which slows the plant’s growth.  This results in increased production of theanine, which is reported to work on serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain and helps your body to manage stress.  Growing the plants in the shade also results in higher levels of chlorophyll which has been shown to reduce the risk of disease, detoxify the liver and speed healing.

Once the tea leaves are harvested, they are ground slowly to preserve the flavor of the tea. The best Matcha has a deep, sweet flavor.  There are three grades; Ceremonial, premium and culinary.  Most of all, it’s just delicious and the sense of well-being that hits your system is amazing and joyful.

I’ve had some interesting Matcha of late on my Tea Travels. I was in Los Angeles, just off Melrose Boulevard and I stepped into ALFRED’S TEA ROOM to sample their wares.  ALFRED’S is located on Melrose Place; the part of Melrose that is less than funky, but filled with gorgeous creative higher end boutiques. ALFRED’S is tiny and it’s all pink and it’s quite lovely. The hostess suggested their Coconut Matcha which comes in a real coconut. It’s cold, refreshing and I literally had a high, but relaxing,  energy level for the rest of the day.  It’s fun to sit at the petite counter and watch the fashionistas strutting and take in the beautiful art work that adorns the walls.  

 

More recently, I stopped in a DING Worldwide Teas near University of California, Riverside, in my home of homes, The Inland Empire. DING TEA is known for having harnessed the essence of nature and it’s tea is  grown in high altitude tea gardens in Taiwan.   It was a rainy day and packed full of students.  The host was extremely friendly and helpful.

I had a Red Bean Matcha Latte.  Again it was delicious and energizing.  It’s fun to grab a seat at the student tables and listen to the gossip in just about every language of the world.  

I think that Matcha is a great tea for travelers and you can get prepackaged single servings that you can easily mix into a water tumbler.   It’s relaxing, refreshing and keeps your happy vibe rolling while out and about.  

With that sweet sentiment, I’m sending you on your Tea Travels with this beautiful pic of SoCal’s Inland Empire Apoppylypse.  Remember to head over to Victoriagoodsandtradingcompany.com to purchase your ownf lovely Matcha Making Set and your own personal set of Stainless Steel Save The Sea Turtles Straws-great for drinking Matcha. We will be traveling soon to Paris for more Tea Travels and will have inspired posts galore about Tea Travels and Tea discoveries in Paris.