Brewing

TEA 101; SIGN UP NOW

mariannerusso — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:14:52 +0000

Our next Tea 101 class has been scheduled for Saturday September 25th from 1 to 3:00 pm. It will be held here at Nellie’s shop. For a descrition visit our Classes and Events page.

Cost : $15.00 per person

Stay tuned for other fun events we’re planning…

Like, A class on Pu’erh Teas,

and a Japanese Tea Ceremony…

We look forward to welcoming you to the Wonderful World of Tea!

JOIN US AT DIVA DAY, SATURDAY JULY 24TH!

mariannerusso — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:54:06 +0000

Nellie’s will be participating in Diva Day this Saturday. Stop by and be a Diva for awhile…and bring your friends.

What: Diva Day hosted by The Woodfords Club and Patriot Mortgage. Featuring over 30 vendors (including Nellie’s Tea and Gifts), a Spa Room, DJ, hourly raffles and two 50/50 drawings, and many giveaways and samples.

When: Saturday July 24th, 9 am to 4 pm

Where: The Woodfords Club

179 Woodford Street

Portland, Me. 04103

Parking available for 117 vehicles, full handicap access!

Why: Because we shuld all be a Diva now and then. Join us for a day of fun, fashion, and fabulous door prizes!

P.S. Because we will have much of our inventory at Diva Day, we will be closed at the shop on this Saturday only. Please contact us if you need something and we will arrange to meet you.

TEA 101 Class; Register Now!

mariannerusso — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 20:53:14 +0000

What: Explore the history and origin of tea, types of tea, and how it gets from field to cup. Taste at least 2 samples of the three basic types of tea, learning the professional cupping and tasting methods. Enjoy pots of teas of your choice from our large selection along with light accompaniments.

When: Thursday, July 8th

11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Where: Nellie’s Tea and Gifts

5 Industry Rd. Suite 2 C

South Portland, Maine 04106

Cost: $15.00 per person

Call ( 207.761.8041 ) or e-mail ( nellie@maine.rr.com )now to reserve your spot. Space is limited.

World Tea Expo: Always an exciting and motivating experience!

mariannerusso — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 20:35:34 +0000

Just returned from the annual three day World Tea Expo in Las Vegas, the premier conference for people in the Specialty Tea industry. Although a bit smaller in the past few years, reflecting the economy, I always come away with fresh ideas, new knowledge, and ideas for new products. This year is no exception. When jet lag has dissipated a bit more I will fill you in with a more complete report. For now, I encourage you to visit the shop in the next few weeks as new merchandise arrives. Some of the highlights include tea from Ajiri Tea, a new company importing black tea from Kenya with a heartwarming story behind it; new electric kettles with programmable temperature settings so you can steep your green teas, oolongs, and blacks at the perfect temperature, and tea infused chocolates. Also check out the new selections of the Emma Lea children’s books which chronicle Emma Lea’s experiences having tea with family, friends, and including the new Emma Lea cook book.

Celebrate Spring with us at Tea by the Sea!

mariannerusso — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 16:09:31 +0000

Reserve your spot now as we celebrate Spring at The Breakers Inn on Higgins Beach in Scarborough, Maine! Plan to celebrate with a mother, sister, brother, or good friend. Spend two hours appreciating fine teas and accompaniments, catching up with loved ones, and enjoying the views of the powerful Atlantic Ocean at Higgins Beach.

When: Saturday May 1st and Sunday May 2nd

11:30 AM or 3:00 PM seatings each day

The earlier seating each day will include tiered service of tea sandwiches and other savories, salad greens, scone with lemon curd and Devon Cream, assorted pastries and fruit, and assorted teas. Cost: $18.00 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

The later seatings each day will include scone with above spreads, assorted pastries and fruit, and assorted teas. Cost: $12.00 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

Where: The Breakers Inn

2 Bay View Ave.

Higgins Beach

Scarborough, Maine 04074

To reserve your space, Contact Marianne at Nellie’s Tea and Gifts by calling 207.761.8041 or e-mailing nellie@maine.rr.com

Please leave your name, the date and seating you are requesting along with the number of people in your party. Also leave a phone number and/or e-mail where we may contact you to confirm your reservation. Your reservation will not be confirmed until you hear back from us.

Tea for You?

mariannerusso — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:49:50 +0000

Lots of people are interested in tea because they’ve read that it’s good for them. But they tell me they just don’t like tea. Sometimes they associate it with being sick because that’s when they were given it as children. Others tell me it makes them nauseous or gives them a burning sensation in their stomach. Or they’ve tried green tea because that’s what the majority of the health related research has been on, and I’m told the tea was so bitter. So, is there a tea for everyone? I believe there is. With such a huge range of tea, from white to green to oolong to black, and then any flavor or other botanical can be blended or added to any of those, you can find something that you like. The various teas in and of themselves have a huge range of flavors, and they are best enhanced by learning to choose them carefully and prepare them properly.

The most critical aspects of making a good cup or pot of tea include:

1. Select a high quality tea. High quality tea is the most affordable luxury. Most teas can be made several times over using the same tea leaves, and with each infusion you can often taste a different aspect of that particular tea.

2. Use fresh water with a good taste…bad tasting water will make bad tasting tea.

3. Measure the proper amount of tea leaf; usually one teaspoon per 6-8 ounces of water. Then adjust to taste.

4. Use water at the correct temperature. Black teas require water at boiling, but green teas require water that has been allowed to cool for a minute or so after boiling

5. Steep the recommended amount of time… and then remove the leaves from the tea! Otherwise you will end up with a bitter, undrinkable brew.

It’s always good if you can taste some teas before you buy them, or if you can buy in small quantities to start.

So…don’t be afraid to explore the wonderful world of tea. I look forward to helping you!

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with Us!

mariannerusso — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 03:29:48 +0000

This Friday and Saturday Nellie’s invites you to join in marking the biggest festival in Chinese culture. The Lunar New Year celebration this year began on February 14th and will continue through February 28th.

Extended hours on Saturday Feb. 27th: 9 am to 3 pm

Sample classic teas from China with holiday treats

Receive 10% discount on the purchase of tea with China origin.

FEBRUARY 14th, 2010: Happy Valentine’s Day and Happy New Year!

mariannerusso — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 21:23:13 +0000

Today we celebrate Love and Romance, so to everyone I wish you wonderful moments of appreciation and passion. And for those without a romantic interest at the moment, I wish you the love of friends, family, and animals. “If you want to be loved, be lovable”…Ovid

In honor of the country who has given the world the gift of tea, we also recognize today as the beginning of the Chinese New Year, The Year of the Tiger! For the next two weeks, the Chinese will make special foods, honor their ancestors, visit with family and friends, and give gifts to those close to them to celebrate the start of a new year with good fortune and happiness. Enjoy!

FRIDAY JANUARY 29TH ONLY; Closing early!

mariannerusso — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 05:08:38 +0000

On Friday January 29th, Nellie’s will close at 3:00 PM. I apologize for any inconvenience this causes, but I hope you will come on down and enjoy the Biddeford Artwalk at The North Dam Mill. I will be there helping EYESUN Holistic Massage owner Shay Ayres, introduce her first signature tea, Calming Blend. Stop in for a taste and a demonstration on making a great pot of tea, as well as to view Shay’s Art of Tea creations. The mill will be bustling with tons of artists and atisans’ creations to see, great food to sample, and lively music.

Where: North Dam Mill

2 Main Street

Biddeford, Maine

When: Friday January 29, 2010

5 to 8:00 PM

No Admission Charge; lots of things to see and people to meet!

Hope to see you there.

Green Teas Class!

mariannerusso — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 16:05:51 +0000

Please join me for our class on Green Teas. If you have tried to like green tea because it is supposed to be so good for you, but…it just tastes like grass, this is the class for you! Believe it or not, all green teas are not created equally. The varieties are so numerous and varied. This class will introduce you to the cultivation, geography, and processing of green teas and the opportunity to taste 4-6 different teas of China and Japan, the primary countries of green tea production. Following the class, we will enjoy simple snacks with pots of tea of your choosing.

When: Sunday January 24th, 1 to 3 pm

Where: at Nellie’s Tea and Gifts

5 Industry Rd.

South Portland, Maine 04106

Cost: $5.00 per person (fee waived with purchase of $10.00 or more on day of class.

(Visit “Contact Us” page for directions to the shop.)

To reserve your spot, call 761-8041, or e-mail nellie@maine.rr.com. Please leave your name and a phone number where you can be reached in case of any changes. I’ll look forward to seeing you!