Tea Traditions for Every Occasion

Tea Traditions for Every Occasion
When I think of tea traditions, I think of tiered plates of edible goodies such as tea sandwiches and petit fours, and pretty teacups paired with a vintage teaspoon and petite vessels of milk and sugar. Tea parties make for a lovely setting for any occasion you may be celebrating. You can create your own special occasion tea traditions to share with friends for years to come from these classic and contemporary ideas.

Fall Tea Traditions


Cozy, cooler days and nights, fluffy blankets, a hot cuppa, and fresh-baked pumpkin muffins set the scene for fall tea traditions. Pumpkin-spice-everything has become the essence of autumn, and the perfect beverage for this is Deluxe Pumpkin Spice Tea. Featuring pinches of both black tea and flavorful honeybush tea as well as lots of autumnal spices, this is a seasonal blend you’ll want to squirrel away to have at your fingertips year round.
Muffins are a terrific treat at tea time, and this super – I mean, super duper – simple recipe for Pumpkin Spice Muffins will absolutely tickle your tummy with goodness.


Pumpkin Spice Muffins Recipe



Ingredients:
  • 1 box spice cake mix*
  • 1 can of pureed pumpkin, 15 oz (not pumpkin pie filling)

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 12-count muffin pan with cooking spray or use muffin liners.
Mix the pumpkin puree and spice cake mix together in a bowl. The mixture will be thick, but have patience and it will mix together. If it’s just too thick, add a splash of milk or applesauce to loosen up the batter.
Scoop the batter into the muffin pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
*Optional: If you can’t find spice cake mix, you can substitute vanilla or white cake and two teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice.

Another fall tea tradition must-have is chai. Full Moon Chai is a classic masala chai tea with an added splash of vanilla and butternut extracts. This simple twist adds a depth, warmth, and vibrancy to this tea, and also imbues a hint of sweetness and creaminess.
What spices are in chai that make it such a warm and delicious fall tea? It may not be astounding to learn there’s cinnamon, clove, and ginger, which are some of my favorite warming spices. However, you might find it a surprise to discover black peppercorn contributes to the spiciness of this tea. Also, cardamom, a distinctive spice used to flavor both sweet and savory dishes, lends its flavor profile to chai – as well as to many delightful cardamom recipes.

Christmas Tea Traditions


Depending where you live on the globe, the Christmas season may be welcomed by frosty white snow or warm golden sunshine. Wherever you may be, seasonal tea traditions abound, such as sparkly Christmas-themed tea parties and sweet holiday baked treats.
One of my favorite baked goodies from my family recipes is a lightly sweet and flaky Almond Puff Pastry. There are three parts to this recipe: the pastry crust, the egg-y pastry topping, and the icing. If you’re a fan of almonds, you’ll adore this recipe, making it a staple in your holiday baking repertoire.
If you’re hosting a Christmas tea party, your menu may include traditional offerings of tea sandwiches and bite-sized desserts. You might consider such savory treats as creamy soups or mini quiches, or a sweet offering like gingerbread coffee cake.
Mulling spices are a delightful tea tradition to incorporate into your winter tea party. A festive and fun refreshment, nothing beats the traditional pairing of orange, cinnamon, clove, allspice, and vanilla. Simmer with wine or cider for incredible aromatics and cozy comfort. These warm and wonderful mulling spices are just what you need to add to your winter holidays.

Valentine’s Day Tea Traditions


Valentine’s Day offers many tea traditions that start and end with all things heart-shaped. Chocolates and roses are traditional Valentine’s Day gifts, but I like to spark new joy for this holiday by presenting friends and loved ones with gifts on the more creative side.
Pressed tea hearts are a very unique valentine for any tea lover or burgeoning tea aficionado. These intriguing dark tea hearts are made from a Chinese tea similar to pu’erh. Aged and fermented, dark tea has a wonderfully rich and complex flavor. The heart shapes are just the right size for a cup and are easily popped into an infuser and brewed as normal.
Then there are tea gifts for your Valentine that go beyond sweets, like a monthly tea membership. This organic tea of the month club is a wonderful gift that can keep on giving for three, six, or even 12 months! It’s a wonderful community of folks, too, who offer support and laughter in both good and tough times.

Birthday Tea Traditions


Cake and cookies are birthday traditions, and a fresh-baked tea cake makes for a beautiful birthday table centerpiece. How about a Cookie Butter Tea Cake for your guest of honor? The flavorful butter adds richness and moisture and spreads the most luscious fragrance through the house while it bakes. Served warm with salted butter, this tea cake recipe will absolutely become a delightful addition to your birthday tea traditions. Simply top with candles and let the singing commence!
Start a new birthday tea tradition with your friends or family with tea leaf reading. Anyone can do this, and a birthday is the perfect time to peer into the bottom of your teacup to divine the future of the year ahead. Reading tea leaves came about in the 1600s; the idea is that your energy gets infused into the tea leaves, which then form themselves into symbols in the cup to be interpreted.
Birthday tea traditions are always likely to include a gift for the guest of honor. Tea gifts are the best as they check the boxes for both practical and fun. For example, a fabulous birthday gift for new and experienced tea drinkers is the Perfect Tea Maker teapot. I use mine every day for brewing tea, and honestly, it’s my can’t-live-without tea accessory. It’s such a clever tool that makes brewing tea super no muss, no fuss. Place your loose tea in the tea maker along with the hot water, and allow the tea to steep. When it’s ready, set the teapot atop your teacup or mug, which will push up a valve underneath, releasing the tea and straining it cleanly through stainless steel mesh. Like magic!
Tea traditions are truly about your unique way of enjoying and sharing your love of tea. I hope these suggestions bring new inspiration to you so you can continue to grow your collection of tea party ideas to share with those you love.

Tasha Standridge

Tasha Standridge is a native Californian who loves animals, road trips, and quotable quotes. An avid observer of her surroundings, she writes about her thoughts on navigating life on her blog, positivelytasha.com.
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