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. The 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.
TEA TRAVELS
CAPTIVATING DAMMANN
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.
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ANGELINA
Paris, France is a storybook city filled with classical architecture that was built over the centuries by royal families that reigned for over one thousand years. The city is filled with beautiful palaces and royal keeps that were created not only to beautify and provide a regal backdrop for Europe’s prestigous leaders, but these edifices were created with an eye toward high art, beauty, design and nature. It was the goal to mesh these elements together to inspire awe, envy and a sense of belonging to greatness. There is something beautiful to look at every turn in Paris. One of my favorites is the Luxembourg Palace and the surrounding Luxembourg Gardens. The site is now home to the French Senate and also the beloved Marie De Medici Fountain.
It’s customary for the French to repose in their parks. There are designated areas for children to play, laugh loudly and shout and in these areas it’s perfectly fine to make noise. The rest of the park is for rest, contemplation and distressing from the daily demands of city life. It’s expected that persons repose quietly. Meditation, reading books or conversing quietly is how to deport oneself in a beautiful Parisienne park. Even the Gardners move quietly and without attracting attention while they meticulously complete the daily manicuring. Within the peaceful setting is located another Parisienne great, Angelina. A Parisienne staple for the who’s who of Paris. Angelina is a cafe that is and was a stomping ground for artists, writers and designers. Coco Chanel loved to frequent Angelina. Angelina came to life during the Belle Epoque at the turn of the century. It was founded by Anton Rumplemayer, Austrian pastry designer and chef. His confections were so well loved, that he was awarded the title “Confectioner of The Court” by the Austrian royal family. Angelina is known for delicious pastries, teas and coffee and most famously for it’s African Hot Chocolate comprised of cocoa from Niger, Ghana and The Ivory Coast. Served with a decent portion of fresh cream to mix in if a creamy consistency is desired. Angelina has several locations in Paris now and has gone what we call “commercial” in the US. They have gone full blown into the marketing spectrum and it’s easy to buy their products now. The Angelina I visited was situated on the edge of the Luxembourg Gardens, in a lovely quiet alcove. The cafe is somewhat small, with gorgeous floor to ceiling glass patio doors that open into the gardens. I sat on the patio overlooking the cafe patio and the entrance to the Luxembourg Gardens. It was a great location to watch passerbys and get a taste of city life. I have to admit I wanted to order their famous African hot chocolate with fresh cream, but I decided to go with tea instead, since I still had quite a bit of walking to do. It was all served on beautiful china at a lovely table with fresh linen and service wear polished to the hilt. The servers were attentive, but non-intrusive. As I drank my tea, I listed to the birds sing and watched impossibly thin and well dressed Parisiennes go about their daily life. It was one of the most relaxing and enjoyable experiences I’ve ever had.
I ordered a chicken salad sandwich for an early dinner. It was beautifully presented and just as delicious as it was beautiful. The tea was The Angelina signature Oolong melange consisting of a blend of exotic fruit, pineapple, marigold and safflower petals. The bouquet of the tea was light and floral with hints of citrus and was smooth and refreshing.
Combined with the awesome tea, food and view, a sense of well-being and peace settled over the cafe. Sounds from the gardens and fountains of children laughing and playing, water splashing, birds singing and the traffic passing mixed; as if by a sound board master to create a soundtrack of the perfect Parisienne afternoon. I wondered if the ghosts of Marie De Medici and her royal cohorts looked down and smiled at their legacy that had managed to maintain it’s presence into modern times.
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Matcha Break Lupicia Paris
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 a 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 for making tea from around the world. It was all beautifully designed in a contemporary setting. By the I left Lupicia, I felt completely refeshed 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 the same time compliments the experience so well.
Photo by Louis Hansel on Unsplash
People around the world love tea. Tea has been integrated into almost every culture and it’s rituals. It’s an integral part of the cuisine and is utilized in a broad array of fascinating ways. Put On Your Clothes Blogging For The IE is partnered with Victoria Goods And Trading Company and will be posting on Tea Rooms and Tea Travels and just about anything to do with tea. You’re officially invited on the journey for fun, inspiration and entertainment.
Photo by Bram Naus 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
Take a tour of the world and Tea Travel with Secret Food Tours, click on the link below!
MATCHA TEA IN SOCAL
It’s the color of forests, it’s 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.
