YumSugar

YumSugar Gift Guide: The Tea Aficionado Grandma

YumSugar — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:00:10 -0800

There are a number of high-end tea gifts that will delight the discerning tea lover in your life. The key is to know what type of drinker she is: If she enjoys hosting afternoon tea, present her with this hand-embellished Fortnum & Mason serving set. For the on-the-go sipper, try a travel tea infuser. Is grandma a stylish trendsetter? Gift her this show-stopping teapot.

For more gift ideas, browse the selection below. Check out all the gift guides on HolidaySugar.

Yum Market Finds: Time to Warm Up

partysugar — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 01:01:18 -0800

I don't know about your neck of the woods, but Northern California has been wintry and stormy. When the weather turns for the worst, I go to my kitchen for comforting dishes. The bookmarks in the Yum Market on TeamSugar also demonstrate that it's time to warm things up. Hot drinks like mochas and teas hit the spot, while hot sauces and spicy oils add heat to main meals. How fabulous are these tea-for-one pots? Amh678 found the handy kitchen tool that comes in three fun colors, complete with teapot, strainer, and teacup.

For more warming ideas, browse the finds below.

Read geeksugar's guide to bookmarking on TeamSugar to better understand how to use this fun feature.

YiXing Teapot: Love It or Hate It?

YumSugar — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 03:29:11 -0700

TeamSugar member aimeeb bookmarked this funny fella. On one hand I love that it's literally a whistling tea kettle, but on the other it's a bit too kitschy for my personal taste. What do you think, would the YiXing Teapot ($26.95) make his way on to your table?

Chamomile Camel Teapot: Love It or Hate It?

YumSugar — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 04:05:30 -0700

A friend of mine recently moved into a new apartment. To help her celebrate, I decided to get her a cute teapot. While looking for one, I came across this chamomile camel teapot ($24). Part of me thinks it's adorable, but there's something about it that hasn't won me over. How about you? Are you in to this docile dromedary?

Yum Market Finds: Time For Tea

partysugar — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 16:11:11 -0800

It's tea drinking season and you can't have a steaming cup of heart warming tea without a cute little teapot, right? As I was looking through the Yum Market I noticed that you gals have found some pretty cool pots. Here are a few that are worth sharing:

If you have an old fashioned or country style kitchen this cast iron mustard teapot saved by ForgetMeNot will sit gracefully on the top of your stove.

This teapot doesn't really coincide with the look of your kitchen? Check out these two teapots and read more

For the gal with a sleek, modern, stainless steel kitchen add a punchy splash of vibrant red with this modern, Asian-inspired teapot. Chlyn discovered this beauty that is functional and fashion forward.

Throw a lot of tea parties? Wow your guests with a glass teapot and blooming floral tea. Atkoester found this kettle that allows you to marvel at a natural wonder in the comfort of your own kitchen. This teapot is perfect for serving gorgeously colored liquids.

Keep on saving your fabulous foodie finds in the Yum Market, I'm always impressed by all the crazy cool stuff you discover!

Shhh... Hut Up Already!

YumSugar — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 06:58:32 -0700

Weeaaaaah! (That's the high-pitched sound I made when I saw these fancy products). The folks at Hut Up have created what I consider to be some of the cutest products ever made. Their handcrafted felted wool products are so attractive, they're modern, yet earthy. The one-of-a-kind organic designs are unbelievably heartfelt and I don't know about you, but I want them all. Available over at Rose and Radish (along with several other fantastic Easter gift ideas), the Hut Up products come in several different adorable eggcozies, teapot warmers (I don't even have a proper teapot and I really want the sheep one!) and bottle covers (those trees are so great). There's even a Hut Up Rabbit for you to take home. Prices vary, but the eggcozies are around $35 and teapot warmers are around $110 - the cost is because they're handmade and each piece is one of a kind.

Mother's Day Gift Guide: 86 Recipes, Herbs & Tea

YumSugar — Tue, 08 May 2007 15:51:55 -0700

If the person you call "Mom" is a foodie at heart, here are some great gift ideas that will be sure to wow her this Mother's Day.

My favorite pick works well for moms who love to travel and eat out, or moms who like to stay in and cook. A new collection called 86 Recipes is a series of recipe boxes that contain (you got it) 86 recipes each. However these aren't just any recipes, these are recipes from some of the best restaurants in the country. Available in a New York or San Francisco edition (New Orleans is launching this summer), each box contains 86 recipes with tips on presentation, wine pairings, plus a photo, map and contact info of each restaurant. Where else can you get 86 practically-famous recipes (SF - Gary Danko, Tartine Bakery, Chez Panisse; NY - Daniel, Aquavit, Prune) in one place? Oh and why 86? That's restaurant slang to indicate that a popular item has been sold out. However each box also comes with a bunch of other origins for the name "86" - but you'll just have to get it to find out. SF edition is $19.99, NY edition is $24.99. Pick one up for mom, and pick up the other for yourself. Oh and if you're lucky, maybe you'll win a trip to NY or SF for mom too!

Two more great gift ideas for your mom, just read more

Imagine growing fresh herbs all year long. Oh and did I mention that it would be dirt and weed free? If the mom you know is into fresh herbs, but lacks a green thumb, get her an Aerogarden and watch things grow. Available for $149.99.

If mom would rather sit in the living room with a good book and a pot of tea, why don't you get her a Flowering Tea Set from Numi. This deluxe set comes packaged in a hand-made bamboo case that houses a glass teapot and a bin of Numi's hand-sewn flowering teas. The glass teapot is perfect for viewing the blooming tea, and I'm sure it will brighten mom's day. Available for $34.95.

Need more ideas? Be sure to check back tomorrow for part 2!

Come Party With Me: Tea Party - Drinks

partysugar — Wed, 21 Mar 2007 06:58:32 -0700

It's tea time! This week I'm planning an afternoon tea party. On Monday I sent out beautiful floral invitations to my girlfriends and yesterday I put together a menu full of scones, tea sandwiches, and shortbread cookies. Now it's on to the drinks, the tea of the tea party. Start by picking out which teas you will offer your guests. You could make several pots of the same kind, or a few different kinds. I am a fan of options and will brew a couple different kinds of tea. At all of my parties I like to offer an alcoholic beverage, so for those who are in the mood for an afternoon aperitif, I'll shake up a green tea martini. For my tips on brewing the perfect cup of tea and the recipe for the mar-tea-ni, read more

In honor of the tea party that I am planning this week, I thought it was necessary to go over a few basic suggestions for brewing a warm, wet, wonderful cup of tea.

To ensure freshness, store in an airtight container in a cool, dark space.

A good cup of tea is only as good as the water used, so choose fresh, flowing, cool, bottled/filtered water.
Take care when measuring out the tea because the tea's strength and flavor depends on the quantity of tea in the pot and the amount of steeping time.
Generally one bag or 1 teaspoon of leaves is considered a 1 person serving.
Do not overboil the water because once it begins to lose oxygen, the flavor of the tea will weaken.
The most important step of tea making is the correct brewing time. Brew for too long and the tea will taste bitter, brew for too little and the tea won't have maximum flavor.

Tea Brewing Time Chart
Tea Type Steep Time (in minutes)

black tea 3-5

herbal tea 5-10

green tea 1-3
Wrap the teapot with a towel or cozy to retain heat while steeping.
Strain tea leaves or remove tea bags before pouring into a cup and enjoying.
Milk dissolves the best into hot tea so plan accordingly.
Do not leave tea uncovered for a long period of time after brewing - drink or refrigerate to retain antioxidants and prevent bacteria from growing.
For the best tea, fill a teapot with hot tap water to warm it up; likewise warm up your teacups in a cup warmer or with hot tap water.

**Tea Brewing Time Chart**
Tea Type	Steep Time (in minutes)
black tea	3-5
herbal tea	5-10
green tea	1-3

Green Tea Martini
From That's The Spirit

Ice
1 ounce green tea, chilled
2 ounces citron vodka
1 teaspoon Cointreau
1 teaspoon simple syrup
Orange twist

Fill a shaker with ice. Add green tea, vodka, Cointreau and simple syrup.
Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass.
Garnish with an orange twist.

Makes 1 cocktail.

Print recipe with images | without images

What are your secret tips for brewing the best cup of tea around? Please share them with us below. Next up on the party plan to-do-list: the look.

Branching Out!

YumSugar — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 12:43:31 -0700

Yesterday CasaSugar tipped us off to a great bargain on the Viva Terra Porcelain Branch Teapot. I loved the woodsy look and it got me curious about the whole branch trend in general. I've seen it in many home-decorating elements and knew that I'd find a similar pattern in kitchenware. With that in mind I went shopping and rounded up a bunch of really neat branch items. If you're into branches I've found dishware, glassware, table accessories, serving utensils, and more. To check them all out, scroll through below.

Coffee and Tea, Please

partysugar — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 07:56:31 -0800

Unlike the seasonal changes in fruits and veggies, the consumption of coffee and tea remains constant year round. It's no surprise that even though warm weather is almost here, the Yum Market on TeamSugar is full of coffee and tea accessories. From teapots to cappuccino machines and coffee beans, you are eager to enjoy the rich brown beverages. Being an avid espresso drinker, I love this floral print espresso cup and saucer set. CupcakeGal10 saved these teeny cups that scream Spring! If you're crazy about coffee and tantalized by tea, browse the collection below.

Geeksugar has put together an article that explains how to bookmark on TeamSugar. Check it out for more details!

Tree of Life Serveware by Michael Aram - $89.00	Michael Aram - $86.00
Tree Dinnerware, Five-Piece Place Setting - $120.00	Twig Servers - $24.95
Michael Aram - $75.00	Olive Trivet - $12.95
Branch Glassware - $29.00	Mariposa Branch Candle Holder - $58.00
Bark Bowl - $34.95	Michael Aram - $160.00
Bark Vases by Michael Aram - $160.00	Pinecone Branch Candleholder - $49.95
Michael Aram Pod Dish - $79.00	Passaro Napkin - $3.95
Butterfly Study Serving Plate - $34.00	Tree Plates - $80.00