MATBA Gathering at the Doehrn Tea Company, Oxford, MD

The Quarterly Meeting of the Mid Atlantic Tea Business Association was recently held at the Doehrn Tea Company in Oxford, MD on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Owner Monica Mraz operates her tea business from her home where you can purchase teas on most Fridays. You can also find her vending tea at the Easton's Farmer Market on Saturdays.

After our morning reception, we were introduced to Tricia King, owner of  "The Gluten-Free Bakery Girl". Tricia shared her knowledge about gluten free baking and offered suggestions for hosting an afternoon tea that caters to the gluten free diet. In addition, she touched on vegan baking. Following the program, we were served a Gluten Free/Vegan Afternoon Tea. We were welcomed to Monica's home where tables were set up in preparation for our specialty tea. The menu was placed at each seat.

Members were able to select their teas from an extensive collection. Shown here is a delightful Chunmee, a refreshing Chinese green tea. The first course featured Gazpacho, a flavorful chilled tomato soup. This is always a good choice on a hot summer day.

The tiered tray held a variety of sweet and savory gluten free and vegan options. Seated at another table are members Susanna Reppert from The Rosemary House (PA), Deb Raab from Tea-for-All (NJ) and Cindy Washburn from Oxford Hall Celtic Shop and Café (PA).

The sandwiches included  a Cucumber Sandwich, A White Bean and Artichoke Spread with tomato and lettuce, and a Dolma, a grape leaf stuffed with seasoned rice and veggies.

The gluten free scone was served with whipped 'cream', and petite jars of orange marmalade or strawberry jam. Fresh strawberries garnished the plate.

The dessert medley included a Petite Chocolate Whoppie Pie and an Almond Tea Cake. Lemon Sorbet with fresh blueberries was served as its own course.

 Following our tea, a business meeting took place. Members headed back home after a very  tasty and informative session with plans to attend the next quarterly meeting to be held at Tea for All in Trenton, NJ in October.

Honey Still for Tea, Shippensburg, PA

Honey Still for Tea is a monthly pop-up offering an authentic English Afternoon Tea experience held at a local bakery, Jane's Art of Pie Café in Shippensburg. Tea dates are announced on their Facebook page, typically two months in advance. As it is a small location, the dates fill quickly. We were greeted by the owner and offered a complimentary glass of Prosecco Rose or a sparkling non-alcoholic beverage.

Cheers to teatime!

Although the tea selections were limited, there was a range of choices including a plain black tea, the ever-popular Earl Grey, an orange cinnamon herbal, and a decaffeinated black. 

Once tea was served, the tiered tray was presented. It's a family affair as the owner's daughter and her grandson were the waitstaff for the day we were there.

Just the girls at tea.

The assortment of Sandwiches and Savouries included Egg Mayonnaise with watercress on wholewheat, Sausage Roll (crisp flaky pastry filled with seasoned sausage), Coronation Chicken on Whole Wheat, Herb and Garlic Goat's Cheese with Beetroot on White Bread.

The middle tier held English Fruit Scones served with Wild Blueberry Preserves. Printed on the menu.... English tea without scones? Unthinkable! Spread cream first, then add jam... or jam then cream! It's an age-old argument between the English counties of Devon and Cornwall!) 

And the top tier, the Sweet Selection, featured Lemon Eton Mess, described as billowy lemon cream with crispy meringue, a new English summer favourite, a Fruit Tart, light pastry base, filled with Creme Patissier and Fresh Fruit, and chocolate Shortbread, in house made, now famous, shortbread, drizzled with dark chocolate.

The name of the tearoom is derived from a famous 1912 poem by Rupert Brooke, renowned poet and soldier, titled "The Old Vicarage, Grantchester". In the poem, Brooke expressed his feeling of homesickness while in Berlin in 1912. He expounded on the essence of his beloved Grantchester in Cambridgeshire, from the landscape to the culture and everything in between. The very last few lines of the poem read "Stands the Church clock at ten to three? And Is There Honey Still for Tea?”