INTERNATIONAL TEA PARTY

March is National Women’s History Month and today, March 8th, is International Women’s Day. 

International Women's Day has been observed since in the early 1900's and annually there are events held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future.

This year’s theme is “Connecting Girls, Inspiring Futures,” and the hope is that events will include girls in some way and thousands of minds will be inspired globally.

 

What an opportunity to celebrate with the girls in your area and host an International Tea Party to learn about and experience numerous teas produced and consumed around the world.  Here are some countries, some customs, some teas and some sweets to get you started:

 

CHINA

• A cup tea is the customary way to welcome a guest. In fact, if tea is not offered immediately by the host, it is clear that he is being either intentionally or absent-mindedly rude.
• Silver Needle White Tea – the crème de la crème of white teas, made entirely from the downy buds with a delicate, light, fresh and slightly sweet flavor

CHINESE ALMOND COOKIES
2c flour                                             
1/2tsp baking powder
1/2tsp baking soda                         
1/8tsp salt
1/2c butter                                       
1/2c shortening
3.4c sugar                                         
2 eggs
2 1/2tsp almond extract                 
1/4lb whole, blanched almonds
1 egg, lightly beaten
            Beat butter, shortening and sugar then add 2 eggs and almond extract until well blended.  Add flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and mix well to form a crumbly dough.  Form the dough by hand into two 10-12 inch logs, wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.  Cut each log into 15 pieces and roll each into a ball and place on greased cookie sheet.  Place an almond in the center of each.  Brush cookies with beaten egg before baking at 325 degrees for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Store in airtight container.

JAPAN

• Green tea's traditional role in Japanese society is as a drink for special guests and special occasions plus to drink with traditional Japanese cuisine
• Gen Mai Cha - a bit of a novelty as the green tea leaves are blended with roasted brown rice giving this a nutty, roasted full bodied taste

JAPANESE TEA SWEET
2 large grapefruit                                                              
juice of a lemon
1lb granulated sugar
          Wash and dry grapefruit skin then remove in 1” strips without fruit.  Soak in cold water overnight.  Drain, place in pan and cover with fresh water.  Bring to boil, then simmer 10 mins.  Drain, add fresh water and repeat until skin is tender – 15-30 mins.  Drain again, add fresh water just to cover then add 14oz sugar and bring to a boil.  Reduce to low temperature and cook until thick.  Add juice of 1 lemon and continue to cook again until thick.  Remove peel from pan and cool on wire rack.  Cut into 1” pieces, roll in sugar and place on waxed paper.  Repeat in one hour then let dry a couple hours and store in an airtight container.
 

RUSSIA

• Russians developed their own way of brewing a strong tea served from a samovar into tea glasses instead of cups and sweetened with raspberry jam
• Russian Caravan - a strong tea with a smoky, tarry aroma and flavor due to its smoking over pine fires

RASPBERRY TEA CAKES
1 cup butter                                                                
2 1/4 cups flour
1/2c confectioners’ sugar                                      
1/8tsp salt
1tsp vanilla                                                               
3/4c chopped nuts
            Mix and chill.  Roll into 1" balls, roll in confectioners’ sugar, place on cookie sheet and press with thumb in center.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes.  While still warm, dip again in confectioners’ sugar.  Before serving, fill indentation with raspberry jelly.

 

ENGLAND

• Tea time is a special time during the day for relaxation which is set aside daily in homes and businesses
• Earl Grey – black tea flavored with oil of the bergamot orange

BASIC ENGLISH SCONES: Combine 2c flour, 1Tbs baking powder, 1tsp baking soda, 1/4tsp salt and 1/3c sugar in mixing bowl.  Cut in 8Tbs butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Combine 1 egg and 1/2c sour cream until well blended, then add to dry ingredients until they are moistened.  Divide dough in half and pat out each into a ½ inch thick circle and cut into 6 wedges.  Place on greased baking sheet, brush with milk and sprinkle with sugar.  Bake at 350 degrees for 12 mins.

MOCK DEVONSHIRE CREAM: Beat 1c whipping cream until it just begins to clump and form butter.  Blend in 1c sour cream, 1tsp vanilla extract and 1/2c powdered sugar.  Chill and serve. (Keeps only 4-6 hours in refrigerator.)
 

INDIA

• Chai is a beverage that is more popular in India than coffee is in the US. It is also a family tradition in India to welcome your guests with cups of chai.
• Masala Chai - The word ‘chai’ literally means tea and ‘masala’ is the word for the mixture of the various spices
  
  DATE COOKIES
  1 cup butter or margarine                                      
  2 well beaten eggs
  1 1/2 cups granulated sugar                                  
  4 cups Rice Krispies
  2 cups chopped dates                                                         
  1/2 cup chopped nuts
  4Tbs milk                                                                 
  1tsp vanilla
  1tsp salt
            Melt butter or margarine in large skillet over medium heat.  Stir in sugar & continue stirring until dissolved.  Add dates & continue cooking, stirring constantly, until mixture leaves sides of skillet.  Stir in milk, salt & eggs.  Cook 2 min. more.  Stir in nuts, Rice Krispies & vanilla.  Remove from stove & allow to cool.  Form into balls & roll in coconut.
  

 

MOROCCO

• The offering of a glass of green tea with mint is a symbol of friendship, welcome and hospitality
• Moroccan Mint - blend of Chinese gunpowder green tea with spearmint plus ample amounts of sugar to create a delightfully sweet and refreshing beverage.

BENNE COOKIES
3/4c butter
1 ½ c brown sugar
2 eggs
¼ tsp baking powder
1 ¾  c flour
½ c toasted sesame seeds
1 tsp vanilla extract
          Cream butter, vanilla and sugar, beat in eggs.  Add dry ingredients then stir in sesame seeds.  Drop on greased cookie sheet and bake at 325 for 10 mins.

 

SOUTH AFRICA

• Rooibos or “red bush tea” has been a suitable substitute for ordinary tea for generations.  At social gatherings these days, it is often served cold and mixed with fruit juice, champagne or red wine in a punch bowl.
• Rooibos (Red Bush) - Caffeine free herbal known for its cool, sweet, refreshing flavor and is compared to a fine Ceylon tea. 

SPICED ROOIBOS TEA BREAD
3/4c sugar
8oz cream cheese
2 eggs
1 3/4c of all-purpose flour
1Tbs baking powder
1/2tsp salt
3/4c mashed bananas
1/2c brewed Rooibos
1tsp pumpkin pie spice
          Combine sugar, cream cheese and eggs beat until light and fluffy.  Add mashed bananas, brewed tea and spice then mix gently together.  Add dry ingredients gradually until thoroughly incorporated.  Pour the batter into a greased and floured 9 x 5" baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 60 minutes until bread tests done.

 

“Do not forget to entertain strangers,

for by so doing some people have entertained angels
without knowing it.”
I Corinthians 10:31