I thought it would be nice to include a little more on the origins of tea after last week's post.
Tea in China:
It is impossible to know whether there is any truth to this story but tea drinking was popular in China many centuries before it had even been heard of in the West. Containers for tea have been found in tombs dating from the Han dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD), but it was under the Tang dynasty (618-906 AD) that tea became firmly established as the national drink of China. It became such a favorite that during the late Eighth Century a writer called Lu Yu wrote the first book entirely about tea, the Ch'a Ching, or Tea Classic.
Tea in Japan:
Tea was first introduced to Japan by Japanese Buddhist monks who had traveled to China to study. Tea drinking has become a vital part of Japanese culture, as seen in the development of the Tea Ceremony, which may be rooted in the rituals described in the Ch'a Ching.
Tea in Europe:
In 1560 A.D., the Portuguese missionary Jesuit Father Jasper de Cruz was the first European to encounter and write about tea. After its arrival in Portugal, it was shipped to Lisbon, then to France, Holland and the Baltic countries.
Tea Arrives in England:
Although we assume that tea originated in England and the British culture, it is interesting to find out that the first sample of tea reached England when Catherine de Braganza brought chests of it in her dowry for her marriage to Charles II in 1663. Charles and Catherine's affinity for tea quickly popularized it amongst the upper classes and the British tea trade began in earnest in the 1670's, thanks to the British East India Company. By 1880, afternoon tea had spread to the homes of the upper classes and to tea shops across the country. There were two types of tea traditions: low tea and high tea. Low tea was for the wealthy aristocrats. It was served elegantly with menus centered around small cakes, dainty sandwiches, assorted sweets, other gourmet tidbits and, of course, tea and where the emphasis was not only on presentation but conversation. Midway through the Industrial Revolution, working classes adopted a variation of high tea for themselves: a heavier meal served with tea at 5 PM, upon their return home from work and consisted of meats, vegetables and tea. The U.S. has a slightly different focus on some aspects of afternoon tea and the terms high and low teas have changed in today's society, as people often associate the term "high tea" with the wealthy and "low tea" with the working class.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
The Tea Tradition
A unique event request I received this week was for a special tea for two by a fiancé who is planning to propose to his sweetheart on Valentine's Day. How sweet is that? This matches a request I received last year from a gentleman who wanted to serenade his wife at the office with a "Sing-A-Rama" to a Luther song.
Therefore, it is natural that this week's article will be about tea. Let's begin by looking at the History of Tea.
The Legendary Origin of Tea:
Although tea is typically thought of as being a British tradition, we have been drinking it for over 350 years. The story really begins in China. According to a legend of the Chinese Mythological Emperor Shen-Nung (a renowned herbalist and healer) was taking a break from his expedition, sat under a Camellia Sinensi tree while boiling drinking water when some leaves from the tree fell into the water. He decided to try the infusion, he liked what he tasted and felt energized very quickly. He therefore decided to collect some leaves in order to further experiment on them, which then resulted into the drink we now call tea.
Some Great Tea Facts:
• A cup of black tea has half the amount of caffeine of a cup of coffee.
• In one day, an experienced tea picker can collect around 70 pounds of tea! That's enough tea to make 14,000 cups!
• There are four main types of tea: white, green, oolong, and black. But depending on the influence of culture, these four types can turn into thousands of varieties.
• The most interesting of tea facts is that all tea comes from the same plant, Camellia Sinensis.
• Did you know that tea can help abate your appetite? Good news for people who are dieting.
Above facts from The Color of Tea.
Some Necessi-Teas:
Other Interesting Tidbits:
• How many of you know that there is an Annual Coffee and Tea Festival in New York? This year's event will be on February 19th and 20th from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and registration is now open.
• The evolution of the tea cup began in China and spread through Europe in the 17th century as a handle-free vessel. Chinese teacups had no handles and were held by the thumb and forefinger at the lip and base of the sup. European's intolerance of the hot temperature eventually led to the addition of the handle.
• During the 17th century, Mme de La Sabliere, a French hostess of an influential literary salon was credited for being among the first to add milk to tea.
• During both world wars, teacups helped denote status, as officers sipped from china, and enlisted troops drank from metal or tin cups.
Above tidbits from the January issue of Tea Time Magazine.
Therefore, it is natural that this week's article will be about tea. Let's begin by looking at the History of Tea.
The Legendary Origin of Tea:
Although tea is typically thought of as being a British tradition, we have been drinking it for over 350 years. The story really begins in China. According to a legend of the Chinese Mythological Emperor Shen-Nung (a renowned herbalist and healer) was taking a break from his expedition, sat under a Camellia Sinensi tree while boiling drinking water when some leaves from the tree fell into the water. He decided to try the infusion, he liked what he tasted and felt energized very quickly. He therefore decided to collect some leaves in order to further experiment on them, which then resulted into the drink we now call tea.
Some Great Tea Facts:
• A cup of black tea has half the amount of caffeine of a cup of coffee.
• In one day, an experienced tea picker can collect around 70 pounds of tea! That's enough tea to make 14,000 cups!
• There are four main types of tea: white, green, oolong, and black. But depending on the influence of culture, these four types can turn into thousands of varieties.
• The most interesting of tea facts is that all tea comes from the same plant, Camellia Sinensis.
• Did you know that tea can help abate your appetite? Good news for people who are dieting.
Above facts from The Color of Tea.
Some Necessi-Teas:
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| The World In Your Teacup by Lisa Boalt Richardson |
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| Five-Piece Silver Tea Set |
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| Tea Strainers for loose-leaf tea |
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| Elegant Porcelain Teapot |
Other Interesting Tidbits:
• How many of you know that there is an Annual Coffee and Tea Festival in New York? This year's event will be on February 19th and 20th from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and registration is now open.
• The evolution of the tea cup began in China and spread through Europe in the 17th century as a handle-free vessel. Chinese teacups had no handles and were held by the thumb and forefinger at the lip and base of the sup. European's intolerance of the hot temperature eventually led to the addition of the handle.
• During the 17th century, Mme de La Sabliere, a French hostess of an influential literary salon was credited for being among the first to add milk to tea.
• During both world wars, teacups helped denote status, as officers sipped from china, and enlisted troops drank from metal or tin cups.
Above tidbits from the January issue of Tea Time Magazine.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Unique Brag Bag Items and Wedding Favors
If you are looking for brag bag options or wedding favors, you have come to the right place. Events2Remember has some fabulous ideas and products as a selected supplier of Weddingstar! Whatever the occasion, be sure to select the perfect favor/gift bag item that will reflect your own personal style, flair or cultural background.
Here are a few samples of unique favors for you next beach-themed event:
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| Flip Flop Note Pads |
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| Mini Folding Beach Chairs |
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| Mini Woven Beach Bags |
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| Thank You Flip Flops |
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| Personalized Water Bottle Label |
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| Personalized Wine Bottle Label |
Not planning a beach-themed event? Don't worry! We have a variety of favors to fit any theme! Whatever the occasion, you want your favors/brag bags to be distinctive, not similar to ones from the last event your guests attended. If unique is what you are looking for, you have come to the right place! Here are some samples:
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| Personalized Playing Card |
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| "Sole Mates" Mini Shoe Polisher |
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| Novelty Popcorn Cartons |
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| Typewriter Placecard |
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| "Luck of the Irish" Wine Bottle Label |
Sunday, January 2, 2011
The Color of the Year - 2011
I can't believe how fast 2010 has come to an end and it has been a year since my posting on the 2010 color trend! Well, the New Year is here and Pantone has announced the Pantone 2011 color of the year! It is the PANTONE 18-2120 Honeysuckle!
Pantone says that it is "A Color for All Seasons! It is Courageous. Confident. Vital. A brave new color, for a brave new world. Let the bold spirit of Honeysuckle infuse you, lift you and carry you through the year. It's a color for every day – with nothing “everyday” about it."
They further state that while the 2010 color of the year, PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise, served as an escape for many, Honeysuckle emboldens us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigor.
A dynamic reddish pink, Honeysuckle is encouraging and uplifting. It elevates our psyche beyond escape, instilling the confidence, courage and spirit to meet the exhaustive challenges that have become part of everyday life. "In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going – perfect to ward off the blues," explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. "Honeysuckle derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother color red, the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum."
Some Suggestions from Pantone:
Wedding Apparel
A flattering hue for wedding attendant apparel and accessories, Honeysuckle is now one of the nearly 200 PANTONE WEDDING Colors available from Dessy, a leading manufacturer of bridesmaid, social-occasion and flower-girl dresses.
Fashion
Honeysuckle always works with the standard basics of black, navy, charcoal or light to mid gray. But using complementary bronze greens like Willow PANTONE 16-0632 and/or Tapenade PANTONE 18-0840 adds a new sophistication to the combination that showcases the energy of Honeysuckle. The green tones can be really interesting in accessories for Honeysuckle tights and top. Another great and unique combination is Honeysuckle with a pinkish brown like Apricot Brandy PANTONE 17-1540. Think of a warm cashmere turtleneck in Apricot Brandy with a matching skirt and shoes to blend and flatter the legs. A Honeysuckle cashmere scarf and belt create a luscious combination. And to blend all the colors, try a big and bold patterned bag with every color mentioned above.
Paint
Honeysuckle is one of 3,000 colors available in Pantone's line of superior-quality, eco-friendly paint. PANTONE Paints combine the accuracy of PANTONE Colors with the beauty of high-performance Dutch paints.
Home Interiors
Honeysuckle is upbeat and dynamic when used on large areas like the entry area of a house or an apartment. It is an appetite and conversation stimulant when used on the dining room walls. In the kitchen, it adds a fun touch on the table in placemats and other linens (patterned or solid), colored glassware, candles and small appliances. Honeysuckle is a great color to cover up shabby kitchen cabinets, or, if that's too much of a color statement for you, try repainting knobs and drawer pulls. But be warned – once you try this arresting shade, it can become addictive.
Packaging
Honeysuckle is an excellent packaging color for products that speak to something active or festive, or are suggestive of sweet tastes and scents. It’s an especially good shade for delicious food or drink packaging. The name Honeysuckle is evocative of these perceptions.
They further state that while the 2010 color of the year, PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise, served as an escape for many, Honeysuckle emboldens us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigor.
A dynamic reddish pink, Honeysuckle is encouraging and uplifting. It elevates our psyche beyond escape, instilling the confidence, courage and spirit to meet the exhaustive challenges that have become part of everyday life. "In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going – perfect to ward off the blues," explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. "Honeysuckle derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother color red, the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum."
Some Suggestions from Pantone:
Wedding Apparel
A flattering hue for wedding attendant apparel and accessories, Honeysuckle is now one of the nearly 200 PANTONE WEDDING Colors available from Dessy, a leading manufacturer of bridesmaid, social-occasion and flower-girl dresses.
Fashion
Honeysuckle always works with the standard basics of black, navy, charcoal or light to mid gray. But using complementary bronze greens like Willow PANTONE 16-0632 and/or Tapenade PANTONE 18-0840 adds a new sophistication to the combination that showcases the energy of Honeysuckle. The green tones can be really interesting in accessories for Honeysuckle tights and top. Another great and unique combination is Honeysuckle with a pinkish brown like Apricot Brandy PANTONE 17-1540. Think of a warm cashmere turtleneck in Apricot Brandy with a matching skirt and shoes to blend and flatter the legs. A Honeysuckle cashmere scarf and belt create a luscious combination. And to blend all the colors, try a big and bold patterned bag with every color mentioned above.
Paint
Honeysuckle is one of 3,000 colors available in Pantone's line of superior-quality, eco-friendly paint. PANTONE Paints combine the accuracy of PANTONE Colors with the beauty of high-performance Dutch paints.
Home Interiors
Honeysuckle is upbeat and dynamic when used on large areas like the entry area of a house or an apartment. It is an appetite and conversation stimulant when used on the dining room walls. In the kitchen, it adds a fun touch on the table in placemats and other linens (patterned or solid), colored glassware, candles and small appliances. Honeysuckle is a great color to cover up shabby kitchen cabinets, or, if that's too much of a color statement for you, try repainting knobs and drawer pulls. But be warned – once you try this arresting shade, it can become addictive.
Packaging
Honeysuckle is an excellent packaging color for products that speak to something active or festive, or are suggestive of sweet tastes and scents. It’s an especially good shade for delicious food or drink packaging. The name Honeysuckle is evocative of these perceptions.
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