A California Tea

San Jose: Before Silicon Valley

If you drive south on 280 freeway,
Gradually the stumbling skyline
Of San Jose lumbers into view–
Thin palm trees, pastel buildings,
Spanish tiles, and the spires of the old
Portuguese church, Five Wounds.
The smell of hot tomato paste
From the Cantadina cannery
Blows warmly in your open window
And is replaced a minute later
By the September stench of asphalt.
This big slow town
Where nothing has ever happened
Except the certain birth and death
Of a million apricots,
The swift wounding of tomatoes in summer
And Portuguese masses–
This big warm town
Somehow homes a million lives

Unseen under the beige haze of summer’s end.

California is truly the Golden State. It has a culture all its own inspired by people who treasure tradition and embrace innovation. It is a place of natural and man-made wonders from the towering redwoods and Yosemite to the Golden Gate Bridge and the old Spanish missions that connect this glorious state from south to north like a string of luminous pearls. California is the home of the film industry and the birthplace of the computer. Owned successively by Spain and Mexico before joining the United States, this multi-cultural paradise is also the place where the Food Revolution began. California Cuisine heralds the return of real food—fresh, natural and simply but elegantly prepared.

Our California Afternoon Tea celebrates the agricultural abundance of the Golden State. Let’s take a real or imaginary road trip on the most beautiful road in the world, Highway One, down the magnificent California coastline from the wine country, past Marin County’s dairy farms, the garlic, artichoke and berry  fields of Gilroy, Castroville and Watsonville, to the orange, avocado and pomegranate groves of the sunny south. Along the way we will honor the California farmers, vintners, fisherman and food artisans who have made this menu possible.

A California Haiku Road Trip: San Jose to San Diego

In Watsonville fog, lagoon,
New quinces and sweet peas scent watches
The cool afternoon.

 

A hawk soars over
moon, Highway 101, passing
fall An artichoke field.

 

Under the live oak
With his tail feathers fanned, the
Peacock struts and squawks

Pepper trees dangle
Over oranges;the
Loud humming of bees.

 

In the warm noon air,
A California condor
Soars down the canyon.


Sea gulls at Del Mar

Beach stand with the surfers on
The cold, foggy sand.

Near the still
A great gray heron
A rabbit hop by.

 

 

 

 

Under the full
Jacaranda blossoms
In hazy twilight.

THE TEA BOOK
The Road Back to Civilization
A Brief History of Tea
  Philosophy of Tea
     Harmony
     Humility
     Respect
     Creativity

Guidelines for the Host/Hostess

  Gathering and Greeting
  Sharing Stories
  Sharing Food
  Sending the Guests Home

Guidelines for the Guest

  Respect your Hostess/Host
  Bring a Gift if You Wish
  Practice Humility
  Monitor Your Conversation
  Arrive With a Grateful Attitude
  Help if Help is Needed
  Do Not Criticize
  Leave Gracefully
  Send a Thank you Note

A Checklist for Planning a Tea Party
Teas of the World and How to Make Tea

  A Sampling of Teas
  Herbal Teas and Tisanes
  How to Make Tea
  Making Iced Tea
  Tea Concentrate
  Brewing Tea for a Crowd

Tea Utensils and Accessories

  Tea Kettle
  Tea Pot
  Tea Cozy
  Teacups
  Plates
  Silverware
  Teacart
  Tea Strainer
  Tea Infuser
  Three-Tiered Server
  Cream Pitcher and Sugar   Bowl
  Cake Pedestal
  Trifle Bowl
  Jam Pots
  Serving Dishes, Platters, and Trays
  Silver Tea Set or Silver Tray
  Linens
  Kitchen Equipment for Food Preparation

Tea Menu Basics

  Sandwiches and Savories
  Savory Spreads and Dips
  Scones and Tea Breads

About Lemons

  Afternoon Tea and the Four Seasons

     A Spring Tea
     An Outdoor Summer Tea
     A Winter Afternoon Tea
     An Autumn Afternoon Tea

A Calendar of Tea Parties

  January:A Japanese New Year’s Tea
  February:Valentine’s Day Tea
  March:A St. Patrick’s Day Irish Tea
  April:An Easter Tea
  May:Mother’s day Tea
  June:A Wedding Reception Tea

Lemon Yogurt Wedding Cake

  July:A Picnic Tea
  AUGUST:A FAMILY REUNION TEA

A North American Family Reunion Tea
  An Eastern Mediterranean Family Reunion Tea
  A Kosher Family Reunion Tea
  A Scandinavian Family Reunion Tea

  September:An Ozark Farm Harvest Tea
  October:A Tea to Honor   Our Ancestors(Dia de los Muertos)
  November:A Post Thanksgiving Tea
  December: A Christmas Tea

  In Defense of Fruitcake:Fruitcakes and Candied Fruit

A World of Tea Parties

  A Chinese Dim Sum Tea
  A Portuguese Tea
  A Classic British Afternoon Tea
  An Indian Chai Party
  A California Tea
  A Hawaiian Tea
  An Italian Tea
  An American Southern Tea
  A Russian Tea
  A French Afternoon Tea
  A Kosher Teawith  Traditional Jewish Foods

Afternoon Tea for Special Occasions

  An Afternoon Tea for  Children
  A Tea for Our Elders
  A Honey Bee Tea in the Garden
  An Urban Tea on the Go
  Tea for One
  Afternoon Tea For a Large Group
  A Vegan Tea
  A Rose Tea