It’s Vegan Tea Time: Vegan Scones And Debby’s Favorite Tea Pots

As a longtime tea fanatic and vegan, I was thrilled to spot this sign sitting in the middle of some wonderful-looking scone mixes at a local tea emporium…

Why did spotting this little sign make me so happy? In addition to the recent pledge by Beyoncé and Jay-Z to go vegan for 22 days, Field Roast selling its products at the Met Life Stadium at the upcoming Super Bowl, and some “hot off the press” studies stating that the number of vegans in this country has doubled since 2009, this little sign is yet another indication that veganism is going mainstream.

FYI, the local tea emporium where I spotted this sign is A New Leaf Tea Emporium located at 152 Seventh Street in Garden City, New York. I was thrilled to discover this lovely store where I found my new favorite loose leaf teas, including Sencha Kyoto Cherry Rose, Long Island Strawberry Green Tea, and Cochin Masala Chai. The staff was extremely helpful in recommending teas to me based on my tastes, and I really liked that they let me sample them as well. In case you’re interested, A New Leaf Tea Emporium provides tea tastings and events, and I believe that their custom packaging would make great gifts. Click here to go to A New Leaf Tea Emporium’s website where you can shop online.

At A New Leaf, I discovered this wonderful brand of scone mixes called Victorian House Scones which was voted BEST NEW PRODUCT at the 2009 World Tea Expo. After making them the vegan way, I totally understand what all the fuss is about. Not only are they are amazing, but there are so many flavored mixes to choose from including Indian Chai, Lemon Poppyseed and Pumpkin Spice. I chose the Original Recipe to which you can add chocolate chips or sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, if you wish.

Victorian House Scones

Victorian House Scones Original Recipe

Super yum! Straight out of the oven…

It’s tea time!

If you live on Long Island and if you love loose leaf tea as I do, I highly recommend that you pay a visit to A New Leaf Tea Emporium. I also recommend that you try veganizing your own batch of scones made from one of the wonderful Victorian House Scone flavored mixes which you can purchase at A New Leaf or on the website of Victorian House Scones.

Since I’m an avid lover of loose leaf teas, I’d thought I’d provide you with a little review of my favorite teapots.

DEBBY’S FAVORITE TEAPOTS:

Sitting in the #1 spot of my all-time favorite teapots is the CHATSFORD teapot from The London Teapot Company.

The Chatsford Teapot

The Chatsford is a traditional stoneware teapot which is popular for restaurant and hotel use, as well as home use. The reasons why I love the Chatsford teapot are twofold: its extra-long spout makes pouring the tea easy and dripless, and its extra-large custom fitting removable fine mesh strainer gives the tea leaves ample room to expand thereby enhancing the flavor of the tea. Also, there is something I just love about using a traditional teapot in a style which is typically used in England. The Chatsford comes in four different sizes (2-cup, 4-cup, 6-cup and 10-cup) and 5 different colors too (green, brown, white, blue, and cream). Click here to go to The London Teapot Company’s website where you can find out more information about their teapots.

Sitting in the #2 spot of my favorite teapots are those by the brand FORLIFE.

FORLIFE Teapots (Photo taken at A New Leaf)

My first encounter with a FORLIFE teapot was at the Peacefood Cafe on New York City’s Upper West Side. I thought the stump style teapot was so practical and cute, I knew I had to have one of my own. I ended up purchasing a FORLIFE Curve design, instead of the stump style.

FORLIFE Curve

Why do I love the FORLIFE teapots? First of all, they’re adorable and colorful, and I smile every time I use mine. Secondly, the top of the pot fits ever so snugly, and stays in place when you tilt the teapot. Lastly, the teapots contain an extra fine tea infuser which allows it to perfectly brew fine teas such as Rooibos and large whole-leaf teas like Oolong tea. FORLIFE also makes some other great tea products including steeping mugs and a great Tea For One Teapot. Click here to check out FORLIFE’S website.

FORLIFE Stump Teapot

FORLIFE Tea For One Teapot

My #3 favorite teapot is the Japanese Tetsubin Teapot which is made of cast-iron. I purchased my beautiful Cherry Blossom teapot at Teavana. It contains a nice-sized fine mesh basket for the brewing of loose leaf tea, and is easy to care for requiring mere rinsing with plain water and wiping dry with a clean cloth after each use. Use of tetsubin teapots became popular in Japan between the 17th and 18th centuries with the growing popularity of Sencha Green Tea and, eventually, became status symbols because of their beautiful designs. Many people collect multiple tetsubins since they are unique, ornate , and have meaningful symbols. My Cherry Blossom teapot symbolizes beauty, eternal love and the emergence of Spring.

Tetsubin Teapot With Cherry Blossoms

Although I have many favorite loose leaf teas, I now try to buy only organic teas since I came across this article on the website Food Babe: “Do you really know what’s in your tea?” I highly suggest that you read this informative article if you are an avid lover of tea as I am. I currently buy my loose leaf teas from Rishi, The Art of Tea, The Tea Spot, Mountain Rose Herbs and A New Leaf Tea Emporium. I love all types of green teas (including Matcha Green Tea), chai teas, and “peachy” herbal teas for the evening. Please feel free to share some of your favorites in the comments section below.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed my little “Tea Time” post. You may be interested in some of these related links:

The Tea Spot’s “Steep & Chill” And My Top Loose Leaf Tea Picks

The Miracles of Matcha Green Tea

How To Make Ginger Tea And The Health Benefits of Ginger

Have a great day!

Debby

xoxoxo