The 2019 PA Tea Festival was held last month in the gardens and way back of The Rosemary House and Sweet Remembrances. Susanna hosted gardens tours twice daily. She featured "A Weed for Every Need" and also "Herbs for the Tea Pot and the Cooking Pot". As she led attendees around the herb garden, they sniffed, touched, listened, learned and even sampled a Darjeeling tea brewed with fresh scented rose geranium leaves for a unique twist.
Our tea leaf reader and intuitive guide, Rhonda (L) of Dancing Moonbeam was tucked in the gazebo. For a small fee, Rhonda would read your tea leaves and answer questions.
David Brill, herbalist at The Rosemary House offered samples of home brewed Kombucha. This fermented, lightly effervescent, black or green tea drink is said to offer numerous health benefits. David shared tastings in the morning and again in the afternoon. He also discussed the preparation for kombucha, an ancient and fascinating beverage.
Set up in the garden, Sachiko shared individual whisked bowls of Matcha. Representing the Urasenke school in Philadelphia, she presented a wonderful introduction into the world of Japanese tea and the cultural aspects related to the tea ceremony.
The garden was a buzz of activity between vendors, garden tours, several tea tastings, and outdoor seating for Sweet Remembrances Tea Room. The tea room offered cream teas and a one-plate Afternoon Tea along with a pot of tea. Table side service was either inside or outside.
We were blessed with beautiful weather for both days of the festival.
Slow to visit, but I am so glad you posted on the tea festival. It looks like it was a very special event. I like the Literary tent, what a good idea. I would love also being able to do a fuller tea plate like you did for our event in Portland, but haven't figured out how to pull that off. Very nice!
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