The Tea House Times Seal of Approval has been awarded to the following businesses, products, services, or books for 2008.

Read more about The Tea House Times Seal of Approval here.

The Tea House Times Seal of Approval has been awarded to Gamila Company for Quality Teastick infusers ~ Reviewed ~ Tested ~ Approved -- The Teastick - These are great.  A plastic infuser stick.  Easy to slide open. Mesh covering filters out tiny pieces.  Very handy, easy to use infuser for loose teas.  Simply fill it, slide closed, place into your cup and stir.  Top rack dishwasher safe!    Certificate.

The Tea House Times Seal of Approval has been awarded to Grandma Rae for Friendship Teabags ~ Reviewed ~ Tested ~ Approved -- Friendship Teabags by Grandma Rae are so beautiful.  Each is hand cut, individually sewn, each charmingly unique.  One is all ecru lace with a beautiful Victorian looking button on the outside along with a beautiful friendship quote.  Inside is an individually wrapped tea bag, but this slightly larger size would easily accommodate a few favorites to keep handy.  These are great for sending inside cards or giving to friends for no reason at all. Certificate.

The Tea House Times Seal of Approval has been awarded to Hand Painted Rose for Quality Hand Painted Teacups ~ Reviewed ~ Tested ~ Approved -- A glorious, most elegant, most cherished gift.  A hand painted teacup is so special and can be personalized.  The shape and hand painted designs are exquisite!  Certificate.

The Tea House Times Seal of Approval has been awarded to Metropolitan Tea Company for Quality, Selection, Variety of Teas and Accessories ~ Reviewed ~ Tested ~ Approved -- A very good selection of teas.  If you are entering the tea business and do not know where to begin, have a look at their catalog.  It is chock full of all types of teas from different regions and all in the same catalog you will find tea accessories, teapots, warmers and other fun tea time products as well.  Of the huge variety of teas sent for review, our favorites happen to be the flowering teas and flavored tea blends, but they have something to suit every taste bud and even offer blending components to experiment on your own.  Custom packaging available too.  Certificate.

The Tea House Times Seal of Approval has been awarded to Numi for Quality Organic Puerh Teas ~ Reviewed ~ Tested ~ Approved -- Numi - new Organic Puerh Teas are fantastic and if you have not previously been a fan of Puerh, you will be now.  Choices include Emperor’s Puerh, a straight black puerh - malty, rich and bold; Chocolate Puerh, with real chocolate, vanilla beans, orange peel, spices - velvety rich & vanilla; Magnolia Puerh, Magnolia scented green tea and black tea puerh blend - deep floral earthiness; and Mint Puerh, a green puerh blend - pungent, smooth and sweet.  Available in tea bags/boxes and loose tea.  Certificate.

The Tea House Times Seal of Approval has been awarded to Pino for Quality & Design of Digital Kettle Pro ~ Reviewed ~ Tested ~ Approved --

Love this!  Takes the headache out of boiling water. Plus, you can put the pot right on the table - stay cool bottom.  Cordless pot heats upon a base and is easily removable.  Set to your desired temperature - it heats very quickly - and maintains temperature!  High quality, stainless steel.  Certificate.

The Tea House Times Seal of Approval has been awarded to Royal Patrician for Excellent Quality Dynasty Collection gift boxed cup/saucer ~ Reviewed ~ Tested ~ Approved -- Beautiful floral teacups individually gift boxed in a stunning presentation.  What is unique is that each up has a floral pattern plus a beautiful sentiment written around the outer edge of the saucers, i.e. “Life is like a cup of tea. It’s all in how you make it.” Other sentiments include loving thoughts, friendship, and spiritual sayings.  A great gift!  Certificate.

The Tea House Times Seal of Approval has been awarded to The San Francisco Chocolate Company for Quality Tea Lover’s Chocolates ~ Reviewed ~ Tested ~ Approved -- Great tins of chocolate drops.  Great to nibble on or use at a tea and chocolate pairing demonstration (i.e. dark chocolate drops are best paired with black teas).  Very good and sold in compact tins.  Certificate.

The Tea House Times Seal of Approval has been awarded to The Tea Spot for Excellent Quality Teas and Automatic Teapot ~ Reviewed ~ Tested ~ Approved -- The world’s first automatic teapot removes the leaves for you at just the right time for the type of tea you are steeping!  Clever and sleek design.  The Tea Spot also offers some fabulous, bold tasting teas such as Boulder Breakfast and Green Roasted Mint.  Certificate.

The Tea House Times Seal of Approval has been awarded to Thistledown Cozies for Quality Tea Cozies and Tea Wallets ~ Reviewed ~ Tested ~ Approved -- Thistledown Cozies and Tea Wallets are high quality and made from a variety of beautiful fabrics.  The tea wallets fold up perfectly and compactly to fit inside your purse holding several tea bags.  Certificate.

The Tea House Times Seal of Approval has been awarded to Republic of Tea for Quality, Variety of Teas ~ Reviewed ~ Tested ~ Approved --“Be Well Red Teas” -  Looking for a “wellness” tea?  The Republic of Tea offers a line of Organic Rooibos blends such as Get Wellness (for immunity), Get Heart (for cardio health), Get Happy (for lifting your spirits).  We particularly enjoyed trying Get Happy  - fresh fruity lemon and lush peach flavor, rooibos blend - great hot or iced.  Certificate.

The Tea House Times Seal of Approval has been awarded to Revolution Tea for Quality Teas and Packaging ~ Reviewed ~ Tested ~ Approved -- Full leaf teas taste superior and by using a special flow-through material for the teabags, extra room allows leaves to expand, infuse, into a full bodied flavorful tea.  Pyramid infuser teas packaged conveniently in tins, individual sampling boxes, and also tins with larger infusers especially made for a full pot of tea.  Great variety of flavors and packaging sizes to meet every need.  Certificate.

The Tea House Times Seal of Approval has been awarded to Shortbread House of Edinburgh for Quality Shortbreads and Oaties ~ Reviewed ~ Tested ~ Approved -- Shortbread is so elegant and nicer than offering a cookie!  These -must have- shortbreads are available in tins, canisters, boxes, and packets in melt in your mouth varieties such as original, stem ginger, chocolate chip, and chocolate orange.  The Oaties (sweet biscuits) are also great and available plain or with chocolate chips. Certificate. 

The Tea House Times Seal of Approval has been awarded to Sugars by Sharon for Quality Artistic Sugars ~ Reviewed ~ Tested ~ Approved -- These sugars are different!  Not your typical decorated sugar cube.  These sugars are crafted into a variety of stunning shapes - floral, seasonal, etc. in a pleasing choice of colors.  The sugars melt perfectly and look beautiful. Something extra special to serve in tea rooms, use at parties, and purchase as a special treat.  Each box comes with a generous amount of sugars making it a good value in addition to the beauty. Certificate.

The Tea House Times Seal of Approval has been awarded to Victorian House Scones for Excellent Quality Scones ~ Reviewed ~ Tested ~ Approved -- The best scones yet. We really have tried loads of scones and these are the best.  The mix is easy to use and the package size is double what you normally get for the price.  Scientifically perfected blend of ingredients.  So good, we are now selling these at The Tea House Times website and available wholesale too. (Samples at The Tea House Times booth at World Tea Expo!)   Certificate.

BOOKS/OTHER:

The Tea House Times Seal of Approval has been awarded to Archana Pyatt for Excellent Quality Book ~ Reviewed ~ Tested ~ Approved -- Tea Journal for Tea Room Enthusiasts ©2007 Archana Pyatt ISBN 978-0-9797249-0-9 A beautiful soft cover journal for recording tea room visits and memories. Rate your favorites, add your own photos, etc. Includes valuable lists of resources for finding tea rooms and tea related products. Tea preparation tips are inside. Personal, hand written, journal entries from well known tea authorities make this book unique and creative. Certificate.

The Tea House Times Seal of Approval has been awarded to Barry W. Cooper for Excellent Quality Book ~ Reviewed ~ Tested ~ Approved --Silver Spoons, Mad Baboons, and Other Tales of Tea ©2008 by Barry W. Cooper ISBN 978-0-9777397-1-4  A page turner from the very first page! Not just another book about tea. This is a real adventure story leading to tea. Cooper was raised amongst the wild animals and tea fields of Kenya. He has spent his life traveling the globe in search of fine teas.  Certificate.

The Tea House Times Seal of Approval has been awarded to Copper Beech Publishing for Excellent Quality Books ~ Reviewed ~ Tested ~ Approved --Recipes for an English Tea ~ A Handbook for Afternoon Tea, ©1998 Copper Beech Publishing Ltd. Published in Great Britain ISBN 1 898617 22-8 Recipes for Dainty Sandwiches, Scones & Crumpets, Biscuits, Cakes, Jams & Jellies -- Removal of stains from linen for tea, cream, fruit, mildew and how to remove stains from china. Other great tips about the tea gown, flowers, friendship, and a perfect pot of tea. Lovely little handbook. Certificate.

The Tea House Times Seal of Approval has been awarded to Elizabeth Knight for Excellent Quality Book ~ Reviewed ~ Tested ~ Approved --Celtic Teas With Friends ©2008 by Elizabeth Knight ISBN 978-0-9793431-3-1 Another great book by Elizabeth Knight! Learn teatime traditions from Cornwall, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Fabulous recipes and party ideas interspersed with tradition and facts about tea preparation and party planning. Published by Benjamin Press.  Certificate.

The Tea House Times Seal of Approval has been awarded to Emilie Barnes & Susan Rios for Excellent Quality Book ~ Reviewed ~ Tested ~ Approved --Christmas Teas of Comfort and Joy. ©2008 by Emilie Barnes and Susan Rios. ISBN 978-0-7369-2229-6  Published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, OR    This book will certainly bring you comfort and joy through Family Traditions, Caroling, some old fashioned fun and the joy of giving.  Filled with wonderful recipes and tea party ideas to illuminate the wonders of Christmas and tea.  Paintings by Susan Rios shine throughout the book. 

Certificate.  Press Release

The Tea House Times Seal of Approval has been awarded to Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin for Excellent Book ~ Reviewed ~ Tested ~ Approved --Three Cups of Tea ©2006 by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. ISBN 0-670-03482-7 (hc) ISBN 978-0-14-303825 (pb) One of the most memorable books ever read. A true, inspiring story of Greg Mortenson whose love for mountain climbing developed a passion and pledging to build a school for children high in the poor and treacherous mountains of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Throughout this amazing story, tea is offered to welcome a stranger, do business, and share with family. His adventures and deep spirit make for an awesome and riveting read. Not to be missed. Certificate.

The Tea House Times Seal of Approval has been awarded to Laura Childs for Excellent Quality Book - Tea Shop Mystery Series ~ Reviewed ~ Tested ~ Approved --The Silver Needle Murder by Laura Childs ISBN 978-0-425-21946-1 Another page turner by Laura Childs. Theodosia has a lot going on - the Charleston Film Festival, her Tea Room, and murder. She gets herself in some hot water and in this case - swamp water. Silver Needle tea was served at the scene of the crime. Certificate.

The Tea House Times Seal of Approval has been awarded to Linda J. Hawkins for Excellent Quality Book ~ Reviewed ~ Tested ~ Approved -- The Unspoken Language of Fans and Flowers ©2007 by Linda J. Hawkins. ISBN 0-9742806-9-0 This age old romance of flowers and fans sweeps you away to a pleasing, restful place much needed in today’s rushed world. Allow yourself to get lost in the pages of this beautiful book while enjoying a cup of tea. Hardcover.  Certificate.

The Tea House Times Seal of Approval has been awarded to Mark 'Dr Tea' Ukra for Excellent Quality Teas and Book ~ Reviewed ~ Tested ~ Approved --The Ultimate Tea Diet ©2007 by Mark “Dr. Tea” Ukra. ISBN 978-0-06-144175-2 This book is a very impressive, hardcover with great recipes and easy ways to incorporate tea into a healthy diet and lifestyle. Dr. Tea’s ™ Tea Garden and Herbal Emporium offers very fine loose leaf teas - all packaged beautifully in air tight canisters. Their latest - special craving teas - will truly delight the senses! Try Candy Bar or Mint Choc Chip!  Certificate.

The Tea House Times Seal of Approval has been awarded to Jennifer Donnelly for Excellent Quality Book ~ Reviewed ~ Tested ~ Approved --The Winter Rose by Jennifer Donnelly ISBN 978-1-4013-0103-3 The much anticipated sequel to 2002’s The Tea Rose, this book is just as wonderful with some of the same old characters and the new heroine, a woman doctor - in an era (1900) when lady doctors were considered peculiar. Donnelly hopes her book will help people keep faith through hard times, keeping faith in ourselves, along with love and courage. Certificate.

The Tea House Times Seal of Approval has been awarded to Maxine Holmgren for Excellent Quality Mystery Tea Party Plans ~ Reviewed ~ Tested ~ Approved -- Murder at The Earl of Grey’s Hound Manor - a new Mystery Tea Party Plan by Maxine Holmgren.  As clever and well written as all the other party plans; in this one guests are gathered for the reading of the will of the late Earl of Grey, murdered by . . . guess who!-One of the guests at your tea. Invitations, recipes, and scripts included with instructions for running the mystery throughout your tea party. Great fun!  Certificate.

The Tea House Times Seal of Approval has been awarded to Pryor Publications for Excellent Quality Book ~ Reviewed ~ Tested ~ Approved -- TEA, The Drink of Pleasure and of Health ©2007 Pryor Publications; A facsimile reproduction, first published in 1880. It is a great, small paperback book giving a brief accounting of tea in all aspects. From growing, preparation, use, affects on health, how to make and when to take, it is a splendid introduction to the pleasures of taking tea with a step back in time.  Certificate.