Elixir Fine Tea

TEA IS GOOD FOR FOODIES.

Hi Friends and Family, Just to let you know, as I usually do when I find a gem, I had the most wonderful time this morning at a tea shop (as I am trying to pare down the coffee intake). Anyway, we had a great experience. I realized I have gotten so used to average customer service lately, I was shocked when we had such fantastic service. It is Elixir Fine Tea at 1249 Kensington Road, besides the Kensington Wine Market. When you go, you must try the Orange Blossom Green and the Vanilla Puerh (tastes like mint chocolate)...soooo yummy...Happy Family Weekending :)love love love
-Christine

About 3 weeks ago I discovered elixir fine tea in Kensington and now it feels like sharing a cup of tea(s) and conversation with an old friend. Andrew has welcomed me with his hospitality, excellent tea and expertise. He has shared his vast knowledge of tea preparation and continues to surprise me with more insight each time I visit. I look forward to time spent in his fine tea home. The taste is to savour again and again!

WHO IS GOING TO KEEP TRACK OF THE TEMPERATURES?

There are many steeping directions out there. In general, most suggest hotter water for black tea and less hot for green and younger delicate tea. But how does one get water at 90C, 82C .... ? Do we need a thermometer each time we brew tea? That would be a pain.

When water boils, we can assume it boils at 100C (although water might boil at a lower temperature in Calgary due to its altitude). Then how to cool water down to the other temperatures? Here are a few suggested ways to cool down water from boiling:

Why do readings? The first reason to have a reading is to gain guidance, clarification and confirmation for your life’s purpose, direction and choices. You create your future though your thoughts, choices and actions. Reality is holographic, with many probable futures that reflect your level of intention and focus. You can begin today to create new possibilities and experience more abundance, fulfillment and happiness in your career, relationships and within yourself.

From "Book this tea time if you want 'a cuppa'" - Calgary Herald - Jan. 28, 2010

"There's a new tea kid on the block in Kensington called Elixir Fine Tea.

Elixir offers tea to go and loose leaf teas, as well as tea tastings accompanied by information about the teas you are drinking and a small edible treat especially chosen to complement your tea."

Read the full article

2010 Resolution?

If you have made a new year resolution to be healthier in 2010 and drink more tea, that's fantastic. However, the different types of tea, the varying steeping methods, what teapots to use, what temperature for what tea ..... all can be daunting. We can cut through all these by simply choosing teas that taste good to you. Nevermind if the tea is a Silver Needle from a certain mountain peak or if it is a Dragonwell from West Lake, China or a Gyokuro from Uji. If you deem the tea to be delicious, then keep it. Otherwise, keep exploring and sampling.