Brewing

What is the Japanese Tea Ceremony?

mariannerusso — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 21:33:39 +0000

Continuing our celebration of Japanese Culture for the month of April, the Japanese Tea Ceremony, or Chado (translated, The Way of Tea), perhaps epitomizes the collectively precise, demure, and gracious core of Japanese culture. Based in centuries old tradition and history, the ceremony today is studied at length in various schools which have evolved and been passed down from Tea Masters of centuries ago. Those who study Chado commit to months and years of tutelage and practice under the direction of a Tea Master, enduring hours of learning to sit on mats in kneeling position, rising from the floor and kneeling again, and performing the elements of the ceremony in a graceful, gracious, and welcoming manner. Months are devoted to learning the names of the tools used during the ceremony, arranging the space in a just so manner after carefully choosing the simple decor, learning to prepare and present the very special Matcha tea along with the traditional sweets that are served with it. The steps of the ceremony are as a carefully choreographed dance or tightly directed stage presentation. In our more casual lifestyle of the 21st century, slowing down to partake of this lovely traditional enjoyment is like taking a weekend vacation to a quiet mountain lake from which one returns refreshed, calmed, and reminded of all the reasons it is so important to occasionally slow down the hectic pace of our lives.

As an invited guest, there are expectations for us when we attend the ceremony, sort of like Emily Post lessons of etiquette. As we arrive at the tea house, we are first struck by the quiet clam of the surroundings outside the tea house. As we leave the noise and bustle of our everyday lives, we stop to notice the quiet trickle of water nearby and the whisper of wind through the pines. Further along we admire the stone basin, perhaps well aged by its moss cover, where we stop to wash our hands, and all the flora surrounding our walkway. As the stone path brings us to the entrance of the tea house and room, we remove our shoes and enter to quietly admire the carefully chosen scroll placed just so, and the simple, seasonal flower arrangement carefully chosen for the day. Our thought and conversation turn only to the here and now, leaving all worries and frustrations at home. Here we are focused only on the present, the graciousness of our host, and the delicious traditional sweets and tea which we are served. Lovely tea bowls have been chosen especially for our enjoyment on this day at this time, and our thoughts and comments turn to the artistic soul which crafted and decorated our beautiful bowl, to the bright green deliciousness of our sips of foamy tea, and to the delightful intent of such an invitation from our gracious host. Although it is expected that guests will know how to behave, just as civilized Western society is expected to know the rules of Emily Post or Amy Vanderbilt etiquette, the role of the host is to honor the guest by making the tea service as pleasant and comfortable as possible. As we leave the tea room and return to our usual life, we can carry with us the feelings of being in the moment and one with our surroundings. Chado…The Way of Tea.

Sakura; Celebrate Japanese Cherry Blossoms

mariannerusso — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 03:44:04 +0000

There is perhaps nothing more beautiful than the fleeting season of Sakura, Japanese cherry blossoms, in the spring. The delicate colors, the papery thin petals, and the sweetness of their blowing showers to the ground, all come together for a brief period every spring. In Japan the season is celebrated with festivals and colorful pageantry. Spring kimonos are brought out of storage, the cherry blossoms are incorporated into foods, beverages, and preserved in salt for later use. Branches of flowering cherry tree are displayed in vases, and illustrated on fabrics, scrolls, and ceramics. We’ll be featuring our Japanese teas this month, so be sure to stop by.

St. Patrick’s Day is Coming! How does Tea Fit In?

mariannerusso — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 16:35:35 +0000

When we think of St. Patrick’s Day, most of us envision a lively pub where the Guinness is flowing, the music and singing are rousing, and perhaps people are enjoying their favorite Corned Beef and Cabbage or Irish Stew. But tea is an important piece of Irish culture as well. Did you know that Ireland is the largest per capita consumer of tea? It is enjoyed strong and black, with perhaps some milk and sugar added. The tea most often consumed comes from India, usually a malty, bold Assam black tea. Sometimes the Assam will be blended with a bold Kenyan black tea as well. Favorite accompaniments to tea might be a tasty Irish Soda Bread, warm from the oven; or perhaps a nice hot pasty, a hand held turnover filled with savory meat, potato, and onion baked in a lovely pie crust. Mmmmm, I can just smell it and taste it. And don’t foget the lovely scones, the perfect accompaniment to tea.

Be sure to stop in and see us; we’ll have a nice assortment of Irish treats on our menu for your enjoyment, along with our own blend for the holiday, our Top O’ the Morning Tea!

Tea Memories Shared

mariannerusso — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:48:05 +0000

I recently was invited to serve tea at an event celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Girl Scouting in America. As a former Girl Scout from 2nd grade through 12th grade (and I might add, our troup had the same two, highly committed leaders that entire time), I was delighted to take part in this memorable occasion. This celebration was organized by all the scouting troups in the City of Portland for the scouts and their families along with their leaders, as well as any former Girl Scouts living in Portland. Held at The Irish Heritage Center, the tea turned out to be a lovely afternoon event for 140. Scouts from Daisy Troups through Senior Troups attended, dressed for tea. Displays of vintage uniforms, handbooks, equipment, pins, and other memorabila were fascinating (and all too familiar to me .

As I watched the color guard enter the hall, I was struck by how the basics of Scouting have changed very little. They begin at a younger age, as when I was a Brownie, the entrance time was in second grade, but the reverance for the flag is the same. The Girl Scout Promise is the same, and some of my favorite songs are still being taught, like Make New Friends but Keep the Old. Gatherings still begin and end with the Color guard, and the friendship circle with the hand squeeze making its way around the circle, still marks the end of the gathering.

I was especially delighted that this group chose to have a Tea Party as one of its many celebratory events. The civility and friendship of having tea is so closely linked to all that Girl Scouting represents, and would have been an integral part of the social scene in the era of Julliette Lowe at the start of Girl Scouting 100 years ago.

One of my Girl Scout leaders recently celebrated her 90th birthday. Her daughter and I remain good friends, and Mrs. Palmer suffers from severe Alzheimers. But when I sent her her birthday card, I was so thrilled to be able to share with her that I was serving tea to celebrate the scouting anniversary. I am absolutely certain that those are memories she still retains and hope they give her as much pleasure as they do me.

I write this with gratitude to Mrs. Dorothy Palmer and Mrs. Margaret , whose gifts to all of us in Troop #211 of Lexington, Ohio contributed so greatly to making each of us who we are.

January is National Hot Tea Month ~ Let’s Celebrate!

mariannerusso — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:08:11 +0000

Try to imagine a world without tea; no kettle on, no homely, or delicately shaped tea pots around the house, no delicate tea cups handed down from one generation to the next, no steaming cup of tea offered to a friend or a sick family member to calm the tummy, or nerves, or to linger over with a friend or new acquaintance. I can’t imagine it. So, this month we celebrate that cup which soothes, lubricates, and alerts us all at the same time. After more than 5,000 years the leaf is gaining a widespread appreciation around the world. Always revered in Asian countries where it was native, tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world after water. Having been the subject of espionage, wars, trade, and numerous legends and myths for millenia, the western world is becoming increasingly appreciative of all this good plant has to offer. The coldest month of the winter is the perfect time for us to celebrate it. Have a tea party and invite friends in; break out the prettiest tea pot and the delicate tea cups that are never used. Make tiny fingerfoods, or hearty comfort food to have with it. And most of all, be sure to inhale the aroma when you drink it and mentally observe its effect on your body as you sip.

In honor of National Hot Tea Month, we are offering free tastings ever Saturday this month, with a focus on a different type of tea each week. Here is the lineup:

Saturday January 7th: Focus on Flavored Teas

Saturday January 14th: Focus on Black Teas

Saturday January 21st: Focus on Oolong Teas, and our Lunar New Year Celebration

Saturday January 18th: Focus on Green and White Teas

Be sure to stop in and celebrate with us; you might just find a new tea you’ll enjoy!

A Very Merry Cup of Christmas Tea!

mariannerusso — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 17:07:34 +0000

In our family, we celebrate Christmas. So if you do not, please know that in wishing everyone here a Merry Christmas, I send you not only a religious greeting, but a broader wish for Peace in your lives and on earth, for belief in something greater than yourselves, and the hope that accompanies that. I have often thought that if world leaders met over tea rather than any other beverage, it would be much more difficult to wage war on one another. May you be surrounded by those you love during this joyous season, and may you always have a full cup of tea!

Winter is Spring?…Inside

mariannerusso — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 20:56:17 +0000

Despite warmer than usual temperatures, the first day of winter is fast approaching and the holiday season is upon us. But I’ve recently noticed that inside, things are budding and blooming. At the shop, my Camellia Sinensis (tea plant) has finally opened it’s delicately fragrant, single blossom. And at home, both the Peace Plant and the Christmas Cactus are blooming. My amaryllis is not flowering yet, but I expect that it soon will push up its bud. This will be very exciting when the snow hits the ground. There may be nothing more homey than being surrounded by fragrant blossoms, drinking a cup of my favorite tea, with the cold wind and snow blowing outside. We hope you’ll join us often in the coming weeks and months of winter to warm your hands and your hearts with tea.
In the coming week

‘Tis the Season…for Tea!

mariannerusso — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 04:23:39 +0000

I’m still so full from our Thanksgiving Feast. I hope you had a wonderful day as I did surrounded by my family who I love more than they can ever realize.

Tomorrow begins the craziness of the whirlwind shopping season that will lead up to Christmas; actually, I should say tonight, as some stores were opening before midnight to begin their Black Friday bargains. I have to say, Black Friday has always been a turn-off for me. So it’s no surprise that at Nellie’s, we’ll be moving through the holidays at a slower and more relaxed pace. Although we will not have the super slashed bargain prices that you might encounter in the wee hours and mobs of people at the mall, we do endeavor to always offer the highest quality teas and other products at a good value with very personalized service. And you will always be able to earn rewards as you buy tea; for every 16 ounces of tea purchases accumulated, you will receive a free ounce of any tea of your choice. And, by bringing in your clean tin for a refill, we will deduct the cost by $.50 for 4 ounces or more, and $.25 for under 4 ounces. We also will be offering some great prices on a variety of items. Be sure to check out our 50% off table every time you come in; new items are placed there all the time.

Here at Nellie’s, we offer a respite from the craziness of the malls or Super Stores. Stop in to enjoy a quiet moment over a cup of tea, maybe a scone to go with it, and find gifts for the tea drinkers on your list. At a small additional cost, we will gift package your selections in our signature glossy black box with printed tissue and beribboned in our beautiful green with gold ribbon…ready to put under the tree! We have gift certificates as well.

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving surrounded by loved ones.

Join Us Tomorrow Evening at Ladies Night of Indulgence

mariannerusso — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:45:53 +0000

What: A ladies only evening of fun, pampering,

sampling, shopping, and prize winning

Where: The Portland Regency Hotel

20 Milk St.

Portland, Me. 04106

When: Friday September 28, 2011

5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Register Now and receive $5.00 off the preregistration fee. All registration fees are donated to The American Heart Association.

Questions? :Call 207-396-5695

More than 20 door prizes will be given away during the course of the evening, each with a minimum of $25.00 reatail value. Each attendee will receive a bag upon entering, and the first 100 arrivals will receive a bag filled with goodies and samples.

WE’RE IN AND WE’RE OPEN!

mariannerusso — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 15:12:43 +0000

I’m pleased to announce that we are all moved into our new space and we are open our regular business hours. It will take us a while to get settled and work out the functionality kinks, but we love our new space and know you will too. Be sure to stop by soon and check us out.

During our move we discovered we have too much stuff, so we have a sale table with everything on the table at 50% off; we keep adding more items to it all the time, so be sure to check it out.

Stay tuned for updates and news coming soon.