Indholdsfortegnelse for November/December 2025 i TeaTime

Mausumi “Mou” Dasgupta grew up in a household where tea was taken seriously. “It was serious because if the tea didn’t taste good, the beginning of the day was ruined,” the founder and owner of Brook37 The Atelier says with a laugh. Her parents always kept a kettle with water boiling on the stovetop so a cup of tea could be offered at any time to anyone visiting, whether a gardener, a housekeeper, a salesman, a cherished friend, or family. “Tea would be served for good times and bad times,” Mou says, her charming accent revealing her Calcutta, India, upbringing not far from the iconic tea gardens of Darjeeling. After completing a master’s degree in her homeland, Mou moved to the United States for a job in management consulting. “When…

At this particular time of year, you’ll probably find yourself in the midst of holiday gatherings, and friends might drop by for a visit. When they do, you’ll probably want to make a pot of tea to have with them. So, you’ll put the kettle on to make some. While the tea is steeping, one friend will tell you about her grandmother’s cucumber sandwiches and ask if you have a loaf of bread and some butter. While she spreads the butter on the bread, she’ll tell you about her trip to Florida and all the citrus trees she saw there. That will remind another friend of the best lemon curd she tasted at a tearoom. She has the recipe, and she’ll ask if you have any lemons so she can…

Deck the Table Dress up your Christmas tablescape by adding oh-so festive bow napkin rings in red, green, or navy. ($128 for set of 4, joannabuchanan.com) Seasonal Splendor Elevate your kitchen décor with a charming Winterberry tea towel set. ($24 for set of 2, aprilcornell.com or 888-332-7745) Gracious Hosting Invite loved ones to a celebratory gathering by sending darling, peppermint tea–themed cards. ($36 and up, dogwood-hill.com) Countdown to Christmas On the days leading up to December 25, discover a new tea surprise each morning with Advent calendars from Vahdam and Fortnum & Mason. ($89.95 each, 877-812-6235 or williams-sonoma.com) Evergreen Elegance Add holiday cheer to each place setting with embroidered Christmas Ribbon napkins in red and white. ($38 each, kimseybert.com or 704-949-2560) Dazzling Embellishments Adorn your tree with eye-catching, tea-inspired decorations,…

Gingerbread-Sultana Scones Makes approximately 12 These delectable golden bakes meld the beloved spices of a gingerbread cookie with traditional chewy sultanas in these tender scones sprinkled with turbinado sugar. 3 cups all-purpose flour¼ cup firmly packed dark brown sugar1 tablespoon baking powder1½ teaspoons ground ginger1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon½ teaspoon fine sea salt¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg¼ teaspoon ground cloves⅛ teaspoon ground allspice½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed½ cup sultanas or golden raisins1¼ cups plus 1 tablespoon cold heavy whipping cream, divided2 tablespoons molasses1 tablespoon turbinado sugar • Preheat oven to 375°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. Using a pastry blender or 2 forks, cut butter into flour mixture until…

In a letter to her sister, Jane Austen writes glowingly of a new acquaintance based upon a shared admiration of novelist Frances Burney and, perhaps more importantly, because she “drinks no cream in her tea.” Although many know Jane Austen from her six famous novels, much more of her personality is revealed in her correspondences and possessions, many of which were brought together for a special exhibit at The Morgan Library & Museum this year to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Jane’s birth, including the letter from the excerpt above. One-time home of Gilded Age financier J. P. Morgan, the eponymous library, located in Midtown Manhattan, recently showcased its Austen collection. In addition, it collaborated with Jane Austen’s House in Chawton, England, which loaned many of its items for the…

Even today in Georgia, one of the top 10 states for afternoon tea in the United States, it is increasingly rare to find a teahouse, such as The Emerald Chandelier, serving afternoon tea in a Victorian home. Ironically, when owner Teresa Reynolds first set out to refurbish the 1870s house she purchased in downtown Griffin, it was not to start a teahouse. Having collected antiques for years, Teresa was planning to open an antiques shop, perhaps with a coffee counter to serve browsing customers. First, she tackled the complete renovation of the home, which was sorely in need of attention—from its sunken front porch to its outdated cloth-covered electrical wiring. While preserving the building’s original roof cupola, gingerbread trim, heart pine floors, fireplaces and tall windows, Teresa decorated in grandmillennial…

COVER Royal Worcester Marquis (Newer, 1991) teapot ($339.95) and footed cup and saucer set ($21.99), Imperial Glass-Ohio Candlewick Clear low cake stand ($119.95), Royal Crown Derby Elizabeth (Gold Trim) salad plates (price unavailable) from Replacements, Ltd., 800-737-5223, replacements.com. TITLE PAGE Page 2: Johnson Brothers Friendly Village teapot, Cuthbertson Original Christmas Tree teacup and saucer set, Myott Staffordshire Royal Mail cream pitcher available for rent from Tea and Old Roses, 205-413-7753, teaandoldroses.com. MASTHEAD Page 5: [Clockwise from bottom left] Queen Anne Fruit Series footed cup and saucer set ($39.99), Duchess Winter footed cup and saucer set ($29.99), Royal Gallery The Holly and The Ivy footed cup and saucer set ($19.99), Royal Tuscan TUS29 (Apple) footed cup and saucer set ($59.99), Spode Rockingham (Gold Trim) footed cup and saucer set ($41.99), Royal…

Drayton’s EnglishCrumpets Makes 8 to 10 Somewhere between an English muffin and a pancake, this tender and buttery griddle bread is perfect for teatime. 1 (0.25-ounce) package active dry yeast1 teaspoon granulated sugar¼ cup warm (110° to 115°) water⅓ cup milk, room temperature1 large egg4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted1 cup all-purpose flour½ teaspoon fine sea salt • In a large bowl, combine yeast, sugar, and warm water. Let mixture sit until bubbly, 10 to 15 minutes. Whisk in milk, egg, and butter. Now add flour and salt, and beat until smooth. Cover and let stand in warm place for 45 minutes until dough doubles in size. • Using buttered 3½-inch crumpet rings on a buttered, low-heat (275° to 300°) griddle, pour batter into crumpet rings. Let cook until holes appear…

Dark Chocolate, Orange & Walnut Scones Makes 12 to 14 Flavored by dark chocolate chips, fresh orange zest, and chopped walnuts, these tantalizing scones are equal parts decadent and bright. 2½ cups all-purpose flour⅓ cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, divided1 tablespoon baking powder½ teaspoon fine sea salt1 tablespoon packed fresh orange zest⅓ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed½ cup dark chocolate chips½ cup finely chopped walnuts¾ cup plus 1 tablespoon cold heavy whipping cream, divided1 large egg½ teaspoon vanilla extract • Preheat oven to 375°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, ⅓ cup sugar, baking powder, and salt. Whisk in orange zest. Using a pastry blender or 2 forks, cut butter into flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir…

Gluten-free Maple-Pecan Scones Makes approximately 8 Perfect for the holidays, these scones get their seasonal flavor from maple extract in the dough and maple sugar sprinkled on top just prior to putting them in the oven. The recipe doesn’t call for toasting the pecans beforehand since they will do so naturally during the baking process. 2 cups gluten-free flour*¼ cup granulated sugar1 tablespoon baking powder¾ teaspoon fine sea salt6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed½ cup finely chopped pecans¾ cup plus 1 tablespoon cold heavy whipping cream1 teaspoon maple extract1½ teaspoons maple sugar • Preheat oven to 375°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Using a pasty blender or 2 forks, cut butter into flour…

Since 1916, M&S Schmalberg has meticulously crafted bespoke fabric flowers for fashion, bouquets, the big screen, backdrops, and more. The reputable New York City–based company—now entrusted to the fourth generation of Schmalbergs—continues to produce what many have abandoned, qualifying the business as the last domestic manufacturer of artificial blooms in America. In the industry’s heyday, “there were more than 400 feather and flower makers in the U.S. around that time,” owner Adam Brand states. “My dad jokes that we are the only ones crazy enough to still do this!” Harold Brand, Adam’s beloved grandfather and a Holocaust survivor lost everything in World War II. The Schmalberg brothers, some of Harold’s only remaining family members, helped him get to America and took him in. He joined the existing family business in…