Lone Star Houston Tea Festival, Inc.

Tea around town: Linden tea (tilo) at the sh***ri (Japanese art of rope tying) workshop at TsumiCon in Houston last Saturday!

FYI

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TERRY SIGN Language Foundation for Sign language videos

A Whimsical Halloween Meets Christmas! 🎃🎄

🦇 Where Halloween haunts meet holiday cheer! 🎄 Step into Drink Me! Tea Room for our Scary Merry Christmas Afternoon Tea, blending spooky charm with festive joy. From haunted décor to holiday treats, this tea party will be unlike any other!

👻 Date: October 31 - November 17
🎄 Costumes and ugly Christmas sweaters are encouraged!

Book your table and enjoy a magical, plant-based, gluten-free tea party, perfect for the season! 💜

✨ Reserve your spot now – link in bio! ✨

A Brief Origin of Dragon Well Tea

Dragon Well tea, also known as Longjing tea, is one of China’s most esteemed green teas, celebrated for its smooth, chestnut-like flavor, refreshing aroma, and flat, jade-green leaves. Its origins trace back over a thousand years to the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD), though it gained widespread recognition during the Song Dynasty (960–1279 AD). Named after the scenic Dragon Well Village near Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, this tea has become a symbol of Chinese tea culture.

The name “Dragon Well” itself is rooted in local folklore. It’s said that a dragon once lived in a well near Hangzhou, protecting the region from droughts by summoning rain. During one particularly severe drought, local villagers prayed to the dragon, and rains followed, saving their crops. As a tribute to this miracle, they named the tea after the well. Another story suggests that the way the tea leaves dance when steeped in water resembles the ripples in a dragon’s well.

Dragon Well tea’s unique character is heavily influenced by its terroir. The mineral-rich soil, subtropical climate, and mountainous terrain around West Lake in Hangzhou contribute to the tea’s delicate aroma and mellow taste. Its cultivation requires precision; leaves are carefully hand-plucked early in spring, then pan-fired in large woks to halt oxidation, a process that defines Dragon Well tea’s signature shape and flavor.

The tea became even more famous during the Qing Dynasty when Emperor Qianlong visited Hangzhou and, impressed by its taste, bestowed imperial status upon 18 Dragon Well tea bushes. Today, these original bushes, though aged, are still revered and produce some of the world’s most expensive tea.

With its rich heritage, distinctive taste, and cultural significance, Dragon Well tea remains one of China’s most beloved teas and a sought-after choice for tea enthusiasts worldwide.

Yesterday the Tea and Conversation with Friends Houston-Galveston Metro Area Tea and Conversation with Friends Houston-Galveston Metro Area group attended a "frights and delights" afternoon tea at McHugh TEA McHugh TEA in Bellaire, Texas! Thanks to Amy and her staff for making us feel welcome! I loved the little sign on the saucer. We ended up with nine people in attendance. Six did the afternoon tea and three of us ordered from the menu. There were some group photos taken of us but I don't know whose camera they are on.
Here are my photos of the food, tea and decor. They did a great job with the Halloween theme: the tea sandwiches were shaped like skulls, pumpkins and hearts. The desserts were very festive as well. The scones were matcha and pumpkin spice.
Three bottomless teas came with the afternoon tea: the group chose Darjeeling, honeysuckle fig oolong, and wild raspberry
rose green tea. Those of us who ordered a la carte also got tea. I got the Peach Body black tea. Staff checked on us frequently to make sure we had everything we needed. I ordered a salad and three cookies for dessert. I had no idea they were going to be so big! They were Earl Grey, chocolate chip, and snickerdoodle. My husband finished them off when I got home.

Tea around town: Chai latte with almond milk, Americano coffee, and delicious European-style cookies at Epicure Cafe in Houston, Texas.

Barnes & Noble in River Oaks, Houston, has some nice tea-related items in the store! I'm assuming the other Barnes & Noble locations have the same items. I may go back and get one of the puzzles.

We are so excited to welcome you to the inaugural Tea at the George!

Join us for an afternoon filled with connection, conversation, and community as we come together to celebrate the importance of fellowship. In today’s busy world, it's moments like these that allow us to pause, share stories, and strengthen the bonds that make our community so special.

We can't wait to see YOU there!

Perfect for this chilly evening!

Retirement goals! 🤣

I would argue that afternoon tea has always been exciting.

Afternoon Tea Is Actually Exciting Now — and These Are the Tea Rooms Leading the Change From creative modern menus to informal dress codes, afternoon tea is breaking from tradition for the next generation of tea fans. Here's where travelers are seeing inventive new takes on high tea service.

Interesting article about caffeine and Alzheimer's.

Drinking Caffeine May Reduce Alzheimer's Clumps in The Brain, Study Finds The evidence is mounting.

Tea around town: chai latte with oat milk at Leeland House Galveston !

Leading the way in Texas sustainability! Proud ROC certified since 2021. Let’s grow greener together!

I've been making tea with filtered water and spring water this week.

La Croix Houston flavor hitting the shelves real soon

”Introducing High Tea! With a touch of FiLLi tradition:
“Step into an evening filled with grace & flavor with our New High Tea experience.”☕️🍪
“Pouring soon at FiLLi near you.”
🍵” 🫶

Caffe Culture – the ESTA SpecialityTea Hub brings great tea to the best café show in London, Be there, October 1st and 2nd. Click on the following link to find out more: https://ow.ly/IOzj50TtPpW