I got back from a twelve-day European adventure and let me tell you, as my husband was trying every “European” Manhattan and beer he could find, I was doing the same with every non-alcoholic drink and maybe a few glasses of wine as well. Apparently, extra dirty vodka martinis don’t look as posh on an 8-month pregnant lady that can’t even seem to put her socks on without holding her breath. Who knew?
Pre-prego I was drinking about a half a pot of coffee a day. It took time to cut back on the caffeine intake but for me, it’s all about having something warm to drink and even better if it’s in a great glass or cup so I found it really interesting how different the “tea time” culture was in each country. I literally got a Folger’s black tea bag in Rome… Clearly not a priority drink, however a hot chocolate or a latte where top notch with fancy leaf designs and elegant glassware. This was my European Tea Tour.
Venice LOVED their hot chocolate and also actually encouraged me to drink a glass of champagne every time we sat down to dine. Baby Gage preferred the hot chocolate from the ninja kicks to the ribs I received immediately after two sips.
Paris was a little more into the traditional tea spirit, however, it was much posher to send yourself into a caffeine driven shake rattle and roll at 10pm after a full meal with a shot of espresso. The hotel rooms all had Nespresso machines displayed front and center in them and the tea kettle was nicely tucked away near the mini bar, which in my opinion was a pleasant surprise in itself.
Where I really started to see the true blue love for tea was on the train from Paris to London. Now we’re talking. It was a given that after the snack meal, that was nasty by the way, came around and had its turn the sweet train assistants came around with a choice of tea or coffee. Not just with a pot and a paper cup but with the whole set up. Porcelain cup, sugar cubes, side of milk, small spoon for stirring, the whole bit. I know that seems silly to get so excited for a sugar cube and a nondisposable cup but there is just something so romantic and special about the experience. The people watching while sitting at a cafe drinking your beverage, having a great convo with your mate, and just being present. Don’t get me wrong, I get a grande matcha with coconut milk from Starbucks on my way to really anywhere with the best of them hashtag basic. Typically spilling green foam down my white shirt as I fumble with keys and doors, and air getting into my car but when in Rome right?
Ok, moving on to our last spot on the what I may label the ” Must go back to Italy and France to drink ALL the wine” tour minus small human in utero. LONDON! You guys, London is such a fun city! Venice was lovely you only need a short weekend there, Rome was fantastic and unbelievably interesting with so much history and such sweet people, Paris was beautiful and delicious, but I felt most at home in London. Its a huge city with tons to see and do. The people were so friendly and welcoming, and their tea game is on point! It makes sense, with it being the birthplace of tea time but truly I was tickled pink when sitting at a rooftop bar Hubs orders a Manhattan, go figure, and I ordered a tea. They had to make two trips! One for my tea setup and another for Josh’s basic drink. Sugar cubes both white and brown in a super cool gold dish, porcelain tea set cup, plate, matching hot water pot, AND small milk pourer, and little tea cookie. I mean.. it was the most delish cup of tea. I swear the presentation made it taste better. Ok, maybe the view, being in LONDON, and finally having some sunshine helped the situation as well.
I came home with a bundle of tea cookies and Twinnings Tea boxes and also with a desire to buy sugar cubes and create a Tea Time/Happy Hour neighborhood or meet up. I have always been a fan of tea time, teacups, dishes, basically anything small, dainty and beautiful. I have a stack of my great grandmother’s teacups tattooed no my arm, I used them in my wedding decor and have a cabinet full of beautiful pieces. But when I truly think of why I am so invested in tea time is because it reminds me of my grams. She always had teapots and tea sets displayed in her oak china cabinet and she had sugar cubes in a glass jar.
So in hind site, I think I love tea time because it reminds me of her and that warms my heart. So cheers to tea time and however, you take your tea.. perhaps with a little Baileys to sub for milk?
