We are finally getting some much-needed rain, and nothing goes better on a grey, rainy day than a nice, hot cup of tea! It is especially enjoyable when paired with a leisurely perusal of TEA WITH JANE AUSTEN by Kim Wilson (2004: Jones Books, Madison, WI). While “tea” as a meal was a later innovation, tea as a beverage was very popular in Jane Austen’s time, and this beautiful little book combines tea history in general, tea in relation to Jane Austen and her life and her writings, and some delicious recipes based on those contemporary to Jane Austen. Interesting facts regarding tea equipment, such as “sugar nippers”, proper tea sets, and so forth bring the references to tea in Jane Austen’s novels to life. A special pleasure to me was the information that Twinings, my favorite tea brand, was a purveyor of tea to Jane Austen! (My personal favorite, Earl Grey, alas, was most likely blended after Jane’s time.) This book is crammed with all kinds of details to interest a serious historian or a lover of period fiction. I can’t think of a better way to spend a rainy afternoon than to curl up with this lovely book and a cup of my favorite blend.
4 Replies to “Would you care for a cup of tea?”
Comments are closed.
I once enjoyed Twinnings; but for some years now I’ve taken Dilmah, a fine Ceylon tea, which came onto the market here in Australia in 1988, in fact it was the worlds introduction to this tea. I don’t know if it’s available in the US but if it is, I recommend it most highly.
Dilmah is a small family company and the head of the fmily pours most of his profits back into the community in Ceylonl now known as Sri Lanka . You might find this link very interesting; http://www.dilmahtea.com
Thank you, Brian! I’ve never seen or heard of Dilmah, but I’m hardly an expert. It may be available elsewhere and I wouldn’t be aware. I would certainly look for it. I’ve also recently become acquainted with a company called Upton’s which has some lovely tea.
This will help your search in the USA.
http://www.teadog.com/Dilmah-Tea-s/318.htm?gclid=COrIp-HZrNICFYaYvAodCnoMDg
As you’ll see there is now quite a lot to select from
Upton’s seems to be a small specialist company in Holliston, Massachusetts, they don’t seem to export.
Isn’t that where all the trouble over tea started in Massachusetts? Boston Tea Party and all that 😀
It is, just one of the reasons i’m keen to try it! 😀