The Jealous Crumpet

A sweet little blog

Tea Brewing 101: Piper and Leaf

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Tea Brewing 101 at Piper and Leaf Tea.

Tea Brewing 101 at Piper and Leaf Tea.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending a tea brewing class with a local tea house, Piper & Leaf Artisan Tea Bar.  We learned the art and subtleties of tea brewing in a causal setting with other passionate tea drinkers.Piper and LeafWhile sweet, cold tea is guzzled throughout Alabama as a slight reprieve to our hot, sticky summers, coffee and, the less healthy option, Coke Cola rein supreme when it comes to a daily pick-me-up.  But recently tea houses have started popping up around Huntsville and we are discovering what the rest of the world knew centuries ago: the magic of tea.  Piper & Leaf has done an exceptional job to bring delicious tea to our community and has all of us flocking to buy their brew.  When I learned about their tea brewing class I signed up right away, which was good, because it filled up quickly. Tea Brewing 101While I won’t give away any of the classes secrets (you’ll have to sign up for the next session) I will say that we learned 5 different brewing techniques.  I especially enjoyed brewing concentrated tea in the french press, and though I own a french press, it never occurred to me to brew tea in it.  So obvious!

Brewing Tea in a French Press

Brewing Tea in a French Press

There were lots of people in the class and it was nice to be able to chat with people about their love to tea.  People were excited to be there learning new things, which is always nice.  Piper and Leaf Brewing ClassI took the class with a friend, Kami, who as a true southerner with deep dixie roots was skilled in the art of reading tea leaves, a skill she learned from her grandmother.  Kami instructed me to drink most of my tea, leaving a tiny bit of liquid in the bottom.  She then had me place my cup upside down on a plate, turn the cup clockwise three times and then lift up my mug for inspection.

As Kami looked into the cup, a roadmap to my future, she raised her eyebrows.

“Don’t say a baby!” I said, reading a look on her face.

Kami said nothing.

“Dangit Kami!” I fussed.

Every time I get my tea leaves read the reader sees a freakin baby.  I can barely handle my houseplants let alone a baby!

After a long pause Kami said, “I don’t see a baby, but I do see a toy dinosaur.  That could mean lots of things.” But I am not convinced.  I think it means a kid in the house playing with toy dinosaurs.

Kami showed the woman across our table my cup for a second opinion and she also sees a toy dinosaur.

Then Kami says, “Oh there it is, I see a baby right here.”  The woman also sees a baby, but I just see a bunch of flakes in a random pattern.  You can be the judge.  Here is a photo of the ‘baby’ Kami and the other lady saw in my tea leaves.

On the right photograph in the back lower part of the cup is where Kami says my future baby is appearing in my tea leaves.

On the right photograph in the back lower part of the cup is where Kami says my future baby is appearing in my tea leaves.

It was a good thing I was in a tea house because after the shocking news that I may be having a future spawn I needed a calming cup of tea to relax.  Piper & Leaf has numerous flavors, with lots of ingredients produced by local farmers. Piper and Leaf Tea

After the class Piper & Leaf sent us home with their delicious Peaches and Cream tea, so we could go home and practice what we had learned.  Though the class was supposed to end at 9:00 we all stood around chatting and I didn’t head to my car until almost 10:00 (on a work night, how irresponsible!).Piper and LeafPlease check out Piper & Leaf.  Happy Brewing!

Brewing Tea

Author: Sarah Bélanger

I am a freelance photographer and writer, working for various magazines, cookbooks and blogs. I love what I do, but I have a lot of restrictions depending on which brand and publication I'm working for. This blog gives me the opportunity to have fun. I'm also a pretty terrible cook, so this blog is forcing me to learn some kitchen skills, which is both thrilling and infuriating. I hope you enjoy reading the blog, half as much as I enjoy making it.

9 thoughts on “Tea Brewing 101: Piper and Leaf

  1. Nice post…a looove the blackboard ‘s photo….and let see about the “reading in tea” part….😜

  2. What a nice experience, thank you for sharing 🙂

  3. I am a tea addict. All kinds. We must meet here the next time i make it to Huntsville!

  4. I’ve never been a fan of hot tea, but I am determined to broaden my horizons just a bit (at least to include hot tea, because I have too many pretty vintage teacups to not indulge). This tea class sounds quite interesting! Hello from a fellow RCBer 🙂

    • Hello Fellow RCBer! I have to say the warm tea at Piper & Leaf is quite good, if you are not a fan of the hot stuff. Start with their chocolate tea. Delicious! Do you ever go to the RCB meetings? I wonder if we have met before. I’m still relatively new to the blogging world.

  5. Pingback: Health Benefits of Green Tea - Health - Health & Science - Trendingnewsz.com

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