Pretty Nails and Tea: Adventures in Tea

Showing posts with label Adventures in Tea. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

A Chinese Tea House in Montreal

A Chinese Tea House
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Fearing a terrible traffic and a hard mission to find a parking spot downtown, we used the subway trains from St Laurent to downtown Montreal. From the station, we walked towards the Port {eventually to walk along Old Montreal and China Town}. On the way, I spotted this Chinese named tea house. We just finished a hearty lunch so no one was up for more food and tea. At my pleading, my friends agreed to take a peek with me. And my! it was beautiful. It really lived up to it's Chinese name.   I was transported to China! Really. {Take it from a girl who now lives in a small city in New Brunswick, lol.}

Seriously, this shop looked like one of those tea and souvenir shops in Hong Kong where a tour group would be taken on one of their touristy stops. Not one of those westernized Chinese novelty stores, to me everything was authentic. I looked around in amazement... every single thing was beautiful. The only thing lacking is a young Chinese girl in her traditional costume, demonstrating Kung Fu tea.   But I figured you could do your own tea ceremony once you order tea as it is served in tiny little Kung Fu tea sets and tray that you can play with on their beautifully carved tables. Splendid!

Tea? Who me? Oh, yes please!
I imagine a lazy afternoon armed with a book or letter writing materials, I would sit there for hours... How I envy the vast culture present in Montreal.   Although I don't think I could live with the traffic anymore. Can I just bring this shop home along with me? lol}

Our budget was limited so I did not buy any from the store. Although I thought it might be a good opportunity for me to share with you this fine Chinese style tea cup and caddy I got a while ago. Isn't it gorgeous?

"The traditional floral symbol of China, peonies are known as the flower of riches and honor. With their lush, full, rounded bloom, peonies embody romance and prosperity and are regarded as an omen of good fortune. Red is the symbol of happiness." ~ Teavana on the Red Peony Tea Set

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Monday, September 14, 2015

Moon Cakes and Tea on a Rainy Autumn Day

Hopiang Ube at Hopiang Baboy / 'Kundol'
(Purple Yum and Winter Melon moon cakes)

It's been rainy all day today. I like the rain. It reminds me of the Philippines. My sister and I used to play in the rain when we were young. There was constant rain {monsoons, really} in the city where we grew up. We would often come home from school soaking wet. This is expected and we were ready for it. Our books and school stuff are wrapped in plastic and we usually have waterproof backpacks. No rainboots thank you very much. It will only accumulate water and will make it hard to run. Rubber sandals are just fine. Now, I still enjoy the rain... as long as I'm inside dry and having tea, I'm okay {Well, a little homesick, but I'm okay}. Age is taking it's toll, maybe.

I also have a special treat that reminds me of the Philippines today: Pilipino style moon cakes.
Our Chinese friends the world over will soon be celebrating the Autumn Festival with their delicious moon cakes. These cakes are significant to them and are made of different ingredients for different flavors. A famous {and expensive} flavor is the lotus. Special moon cakes contain salted duck eggs.

For Pilipinos, the most common is hopiang baboy. Which means moon cake pig, literally. I don't know, maybe because pig fat is used as oil? It is made from kundol, winter melon. There are also many other different flavors such as ube {purple yum} and monggo {mung beans}. Real Pilipino hopia use pure ube or monggo versus cheaply done versions are made of flour that is only flavored and colored to look like the real thing {That's what is usually available abroad... sad... maybe I'll learn to make it one day?... maybe...}. Whatever the case, these treats are perfect for a meryenda {afternoon snack and beverage}.

Hubby and I visited some friends in Montreal, Quebec a few days ago and they took me to a Chinese Market full of Pilipino goodness. Me like a child in a candy store is an understatement. I got some hopia or moon cakes for myself and as presents for my friends. My Canadian friends weren't fans of this treat. But for Pilipinos, these cakes plus some green tea is like a hug from home on a cool rainy day.

Isn't this pink tea cup pretty? It's from a company called Sutherland and is made in England. I got it from an antique shop in Moncton a long while ago. Does it make you imagine of Cinderella's wedding gown in her latest movie? I thought so... ;-)

This very convenient mug is from David's Tea. I got it on sale on their last spring sale. I like it cause it has a stainless steel filter for easy infusion of loose leaf teas and a lid to help keep the tea warm. The mug is dishwasher safe though I elect to hand wash it anyway...

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Click image for more Tea Cups

P.S. Just another little trivial conversation.
You may be familiar with Pilipinos and the Philippines? The Philippines is a cluster of little islands in Southeast Asia, and we Pilipinos are everywhere! lol... The name "Philippines" is in honor of the King of Spain, King Philip. It may be logical then to call it's inhabitants, Philippinos, right? Like those from the USA are called Americans, from Canada are called Canadians, Vietnam is Vietnamese... so forth... But it is not in the natural tongue of the Pilipinos to pronounce 'f' or 'ph' sounds nor does repeating letters for a single pronunciation make sense, hehehe... So, Philippino to us is simply Pilipino. ;-)

Have a nice day friends!

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Cafe De Nattes | Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia

Cafe de Nattes
Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia

Dark clouds and scattered rain showers greeted us in Sidi Bou Said. Though the wet atmosphere did not dampen the touristy spirit in anyone, it did call for something warm and soothing. Our tour guide kept telling us about the mint tea that we shouldn't miss. It became a little quest in my sightseeing: "Where do we get that mint tea?" I thought it would be free from the tour-company. Of course not. There, at the top of the hill is a very nice looking cafe. "Oh I don't mind that at all."

We climb up the steps of an uneven staircase and was greeted by a... well, different scene from what we usually see in our common (western, franchised) coffee shops. Some would turn around and leave, not trusting the strange place. {Where is your sense of adventure? :p} My first thought was "opium wars!" (Silly, I know). A very long, intricately designed pipe, connected by a long tube to an equally unique apparatus was shared among 'friends.' Curious. I see the smoke but I don't smell it. The place was peaceful besides the normal friendly chattering, the air was easy to breathe. It is a tourist spot, a popular one indeed... What harm could there be?

It turned out to be very pleasant. We took our shoes off, and sat on the elevated mats. The tables were low, perfect height for sitting at ground level. There was a certain thrill in watching the people and observing the decorations. Everything around us tells us that we are in a different place. At one corner, two gentlemen were busy in front of a stove with a huge pot of steaming-something and a metal kettle. They were busy making tea: a dark concoction of mint and green tea leaves, delightfully sweetened and garnished with pine nuts. We wanted some soothing warmth and we had it.

I tried to replicate this tea but something was always missing. Could be the type of mint used... or could it be the touristy air of Sidi Bou Said and the sense of adventure?

Sidi Bou Said is a town in Northern Tunisia known for its extensive use of blue and white colors ~ White buildings with blue windows and doors. More photos and adventures coming up...

It would be super cool if you would follow my blog {*wink*}

Monday, August 24, 2015

Cafe C'est La Vie

Cafe C'est La Vie is one of my favorite cafes in the downtown Moncton. It's the perfect spot to fuel my imagination (my own tea house); or a corner inviting quiet time after a long walk with my elderly friend; they also have outdoor sitting perfect for mindless people-watching... (is that rude?). Support for local artists is shown in the cafe; artwork around the cafe changes very frequently to help showcase talent from the city. Musical bands and reading groups frequently perform there as well.

I like how they prepare their homemade ginger tea. Some may not agree but I like seeing those little pieces of ginger in my cup. This cafe, despite the French name (great coffee and coffee products I heard), is owned by a Korean family. That means, there's also traditional Korean food available to order besides French specialty coffees and desserts; of course, there's loose-leaf tea - that is always a winner for me.

Cafe C'est La Vie is located in Main Street, downtown Moncton.

What is your favorite beverage?

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Post linked to: Tea Time Tuesdays |

Friday, August 21, 2015

What's Your Favorite Cafe?

I think we may have found our favorite cafe here in Moncton,

with the wish that someday I would set foot on France (someday, maybe),
I shall be content (for now) with this pretty little French patisserie close to home {*mischievous laughter*}

"Pleasant dreams may come true,
it can happen to you,
when you're young at heart."

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Sunday, August 16, 2015

Under the Tea Tree

Pleasant memories under the tea tree.
For Sunday Sketches

Tea is from a tree! It's a tree!
Most of you might already know that.
Here's my story.

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