A Genteel Cup

At Wild Brews, I'm all about the... well, brews -- including tea. Add to this a cheerful brigade of Steampunk friends, and you get a lady with an interest in things Victorian as well as herbal. I've begun going to a Tea and Handwork meetup every week or two, where I and a few friends enjoy a variety of teas: A Japanese sencha with strawberry notes or a chocolate chai one week, a South African rooibos or rare Silver Needle white tea from China the next. In addition, we snack on crackers, berries, fruit and sometimes even scones, while relaxing with crafts such as embroidery (my current project, an edgy Sabers sports logo for my team scarf, may not be feminine even if the craft itself is, so don't feel like this sphere is too prissy for you), knitting, sewing or crochet. Our humor is warm, our talk at times bawdy, and most importantly, bonds of community are strengthened. As is said in the book "Three Cups of Tea," with the first cup, you're a stranger; after the second you're a friend; after the third, you're family. Would that we should be so linked at heart.

Naturally, as a result of my interests, I've begun writing a couple of little Wild Brews booklets about tea and Victoriana. Did you know Victorian-era folks had a whole code language based on flowers? Half those flowers have healing properties in addition to secret meanings. Then there's Tea itself, Camellia sinensis: the single plant responsible for the hundreds of different brews that fall under the heading of true teas, unlike so-called herbal "tea," which is more properly a tisane, or infusion. Tea culture is rich, subtle, elegant, flavorful, beautiful... and begs to be explored.

Watch for my two upcoming books on the topics of traditional and flower-based teas.

A delicate cup of pale yet surprisingly pungent strawberry sencha tea. Note the pinky finger, not stuck out ludicrously (one of many misconceptions) but in the position to best achieve a balanced hold on the cup with its small handle

Rooibos tisane and afternoon teatime snacks

Don't miss Trader Joe's delightful new blueberry poppyseed cookies! Tasty yet not too sweet, bite-sized, I find them perfect for tea.