Specialty Tea Gift Baskets

Each of our baskets is unique. We have searched far and wide in many nooks and crannies to find just the right pieces to fashion the special gift that will come to you.

Birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, showers, new moms, sympathy, hostess gifts, thank you gifts, or whenever you find a need for a special gift, we can make a custom tea gift basket to suit your needs and price range! Give us a call at 410-254-2277 or email for information about a custom tea gift basket that we can design to be just right for the occasion. If you live in the Baltimore metro area we can arrange for you to pick up the basket, or we can deliver it to you for a small delivery charge. We can also arrange to pack and ship your gift directly to the lucky recipient who resides outside of the Baltimore area.

         

Tea Talks

We will come to your group or organization to discuss with you the many aspects of tea.

Intimate personal tours to tea rooms and other venues have been selected for your personal enjoyment. Our tours are local, national, and international.

Upcoming Tours:

Watch this space for future tours!

TEA TIP OF THE MONTH

January: There is a delightful poem called "The Duel" by Eugene Field. Perhaps you remember that it starts: "The gingham dog and the calico cat side by side on the table sat . . ." Whenever I think of that bit of poetic whimsy, I also tend to think about "cambric tea". This is an age-old combination of milk, hot water, sugar and tea given to children to drink for their introduction to tea. The name comes from the beverage color, named after, cambric, a thin white material similar to linen, originating in France. If there are young children in your world, introduce them to the delights of "taking tea" with their own cup of cambric tea. Just mix 1 teaspoon of sugar, about 2/3 cup hot water, 1/3 cup hot milk, and 1-2 tablespoons hot, strong tea (decaffeinated if you prefer) in a small teapot (This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled). Pour into small cups and serve. Find a copy of "The Duel" or another favorite poem of your childhood to share while you sip with your young guests. Memories are made of this!

TEA RECIPE OF THE MONTH

January: As a new year opens, many of us think back to those with whom we shared memories of years past. One favorite of mine harks back to the days of going to a local department store, which had a tea room on its top floor. There, dressed in my best, "shiny shoes" and many petticoats notwithstanding, I would sit with my mother and/or grandmother, quietly in awe of my surroundings and trying to wait patiently for the treat of tea to come. If you remember something similar, then this recipe may bring to mind a trip to the department store tea room of your past. Enjoy with a cup of your favorite tea on a cold January afternoon.

Neiman-Marcus Bars

1 box yellow cake mix
4 eggs (or egg substitute)
½ cup stick of butter or margarine, melted and cooled
8 oz. softened cream cheese (regular or fat-free)
1 1-lb. box of confectioners' sugar

Combine cake mix, one egg, and melted butter or margarine. Spread in a greased (or buttered) 9-inch by 13-inch pan. Cream together the cream cheese and confectioners' sugar, then add the remaining 3 eggs. Beat until smooth. Pour over cake mixture in pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Cool completely before cutting into bars. Makes about 32 small bars.
This recipe can be adapted to your taste. Some people prefer to add the zest of one lemon, lime, or orange (to balance the sweetness of the sugar) when beating the eggs, cream cheese, and confectioners' sugar. You might try using a different flavor cake mix, too.

We are four friends who love to share our passion for tea. To us tea means warmth, peace, comfort, and escape from the busy world.

Because we believe in sharing our blessings, a portion of our profits go to women's, children's, and animal rescue charities

For more information contact:

Friends for Tea
P.O. Box 18929
Baltimore MD 21206
Phone: 410-254-2277
Fax: 410-665-5155
friends@friendsfortea.net