gmathis said

"Novel" teas (what to sip while you're reading)

If you’re a fan of No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, it’s obvious that you should make yourself a cup of bush tea while you’re reading.

Last night, starting “Rhett Butler’s People,” it dawned me that a pecan praline flavor would be appropriate, as would a syrupy iced glass of southern “swee’tea.”

Other obvious book + tea pairings? Interested to hear other opinions.

63 Replies

I love this discussion! I recently read the first in a series of books by Laura Childs called The Tea Shop Mysteries: Death by Darjeeling. Obviously a Darjeeling tea would be perfect!

gmathis said

It’s a fun series; don’t expect great literature—things get a little contrived in the middle ones—but who cares about the plot? I just want to know what Theodosia’s serving at the shop.

I think it makes for a good summer read…not to complex but entertaining. I agree, I just read to know what teas she is working on :)

IdentiTEA said

I love those! I have read the first two in the series so far… hoping to get more of them for Christmas. They really are great books for tea lovers.

I’ve read all of the books in the Tea Shop Mystery series & I like them quite a bit! (Obviously not great/classic literature, but fun for tea lovers.)

The only problem with them is that they make me sooooo hungry for some baked goods to go with my tea. :)

gmathis said

If you remember the old sitcom “Anything But Love” with Jamie Lee Curtis & Richard Lewis, there was a character on the show played by Joseph Maher, who, in my imagination is the spittin’ image of Drayton Connelly.

Login or sign up to post a message.

Ohhhh…I am fired up about this topic! Always looking for great ideas. Joy’s Teaspoon has a bookclub that features reviews on its’ blog (www.blog.joysteaspoon.com) – Carp Eyes Coming! We just reviewed 52 Loaves with another review going up in a few days! Can’t wait to hear what everyone else is reading!

Login or sign up to post a message.

Tolstoy+Lapsang Souchong (or more generically, Russian Classics + Russian Caravan)
Lian Hearn+Genmaicha
Proust+Paris (Harney & Sons)
A Christmas Carol+Apple/Cinnamon Herbal
Poe+Licorice

gmathis said

Salute to your “well-read-id-ness.” (When in doubt, make up a word!) Wasn’t familiar with Lian Hearn, so I just detoured to check him out. Sounds interesting! Especially with genmaicha.

Everything sounds better with Genmaicha. Seems like a good time of year to read Dickens though I am thinking I would pair it with a cinnamon black tea. I guess I am just not an herbal person.

Login or sign up to post a message.

AJ said

So far, I’ve found I really enjoy just oolongs in particular while reading. Greener ones more, I think. I don’t know, they just mesh.

Login or sign up to post a message.

gmathis said

Let’s see … Agatha Christie/English Breakfast. With plenty of milk.

Login or sign up to post a message.

I just started reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett and sipping a yummy blend of black and green tea with a hint of peach (Emporer 7 Treasures from Joy’s Teaspoon). The book is set in the south so the peach seems to fit well. The book is really good, I highly recommend it! I think that it is being made into a movie soon as well.

Login or sign up to post a message.

Janefan said

Bingley’s Teas is a new company that has created the perfect blends to go with the novels of Jane Austen:

http://bingleysteas.com/products/austen/index.html

IdentiTEA said

That is so cool! I do love a good Jane Austen novel. Thanks for the link :)

These look amazing – and a portion goes to a good cause! I guess I shouldn’t even entertain the idea of making “buy less tea” one of my New Year’s Resolutions, huh? :) The Apothecary teas look nice too. I could have used some of The Healer these last few days!

Janefan said

hmm, you should maybe check out http://austenprose.com/ if you’re interested in Jane’s works (and these teas too) hint hint

Thank you! I entered (and subscribed to the site!)! I think an Austen re-read is in my imminent future (but which ONE!?!?!).

Right now I am re-reading the essay about Bronte’s Jane Eyre in “The Madwoman in the Attic”( which is a bunch of essays about 19th c women’s lit).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Madwoman_in_the_Attic

There are a few Austen essays in there too- maybe that will help me decide which Austen to re-read first! Suggestions welcome from an expert (you!) too!

gmathis said

I am embarrassed to admit I have never made it all the way through a Jane Austen. Maybe when I’m retired and have time to concentrate…

These look very interesting! Thank you for the link. I think it’s hilarious they have an herbal blend for “Mrs. Bennet’s nerves,” (even if they did misspell “Bennet.”)

I am a huge Jane Austen fan and prefer to drink black tea with milk while I read her novels, or JA fanfiction.

Login or sign up to post a message.

I just read Stardust (Neil Gaiman) and The Princess Bride (William Goldman) this last week, and both were excellent with a nearly-continuous intake of black tea. :)

AJ said

Aaah, The Princess Bride. I read that before I knew there was a movie.

Login or sign up to post a message.

Actually, I prefer to drink black tea when I read books in my room. I like the black tea flavor that keep me comfortable feeling and ease. I always like reading at night. It takes me to a wonderful world.

Login or sign up to post a message.

Glo said

This is such a fun topic and it depends on the story location and genre. I love a good earl gray or English Breakfast when reading Bronte or Austen. Memoirs of a Geisha with some Matcha or Sencha, ect. For a lusty paranormal romance, I usually choose something with spicy , like a masala chai.

Login or sign up to post a message.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.