As an Irishwoman living in the U.S, I frequently hear the stereotypical jokes about the Irish and their love of alcohol but rarely do I hear about our love of the other beverage........Tea ! Yes, you heard me tea. Did you know that a cup of tea solves all the problems of the world? It brings us together, we cry over a 'cuppa' and we laugh over a 'cuppa'. I moved to the U.S in 1996. When we bought our first house, needless to say we had various contractors in and out repairing and installing. I would offer them a cup of tea. Some declined politely. Others thought I was crazy offering tea in a cup. "What other way should I serve it?", I asked. "In a glass" was the reply. Of course, I had moved to Dallas, Texas, where the only tea that people drank back then (and even now to be truthful) was iced. More importantly, the difference was not in the temperature of the beverage but indeed, I, the homeowner was offering the hired help a 'Cup Of Tea' I grew up in Cork City, Southern Ireland and everyone had a cup of tea. My mum would put on the kettle to make a 'Cuppa' for the window cleaners. The man fixing the washing machine rarely began his task until he had a nice cup of tea. It's what we do. I sat for countless hours as a teenager with my friends drinking tea, planning our weekends, figuring out who we liked, and who was going out with who ! Tea became popular in 1901 and that was when James J Barry opened his first store on Bridge Street, Cork. Today BARRY'S TEA is still based in Cork and remains in the family. Growing up on BARRY'S TEA is a fond memory. When I first moved to London, I brought my tea with me. My sister now lives in London and packing the distinctive red box is a must in our home. You just can't leave Cork without it. Now, when I teach my cooking classes, I always make a pot of tea for everyone. My preference is to drink tea from a china cup or china mug. It just tastes better to me. The reaction is lovely. Warming reaction. Despite the vast array of teas here in the United States, this golden cuppa is received very well. Simply served with milk, and a spoon of sugar if you like, it is the perfect accompaniment to one of my Irish Butter shortbreads ! By now the customers from the grocery chain 'LUNDS & BYERLY'S in Minnesota know about BARRY'S TEA and I even point it out to them on the shelves. You see, over here, BARRY'S TEA is never where you would expect to find it..........in the Tea & Coffee aisle. No, this hidden treasure is found in the 'Specialty or Imported' section, nestled among products from Great Britain, Germany,France & Denmark. Look for the distinctive red box. In 1986, BARRY"S TEA launched their first TV ad and the slogan 'Every Day should have it's golden moments' was born. It has a uniquely refreshing taste and a bright, golden color. Blended from the high mountain slopes of Kenya and the Assam Valley of India. There are many flavors in the BARRY'S TEA range but I chose to write about my favorite ! Now, I urge you to share your GOLDEN MOMENT with me. Simply send me a photo and a few sentences telling me about your GOLDEN MOMENT, preferably over a cup of tea. You have until Jan 31st to submit. Then I will choose one lucky person and BARRY'S TEA will ship you a basket of goodies to your home. I have received several already on my Facebook page, so please feel free to post there also.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
SHARING YOUR GOLDEN MOMENT...TEA OF COURSE !
As an Irishwoman living in the U.S, I frequently hear the stereotypical jokes about the Irish and their love of alcohol but rarely do I hear about our love of the other beverage........Tea ! Yes, you heard me tea. Did you know that a cup of tea solves all the problems of the world? It brings us together, we cry over a 'cuppa' and we laugh over a 'cuppa'. I moved to the U.S in 1996. When we bought our first house, needless to say we had various contractors in and out repairing and installing. I would offer them a cup of tea. Some declined politely. Others thought I was crazy offering tea in a cup. "What other way should I serve it?", I asked. "In a glass" was the reply. Of course, I had moved to Dallas, Texas, where the only tea that people drank back then (and even now to be truthful) was iced. More importantly, the difference was not in the temperature of the beverage but indeed, I, the homeowner was offering the hired help a 'Cup Of Tea' I grew up in Cork City, Southern Ireland and everyone had a cup of tea. My mum would put on the kettle to make a 'Cuppa' for the window cleaners. The man fixing the washing machine rarely began his task until he had a nice cup of tea. It's what we do. I sat for countless hours as a teenager with my friends drinking tea, planning our weekends, figuring out who we liked, and who was going out with who ! Tea became popular in 1901 and that was when James J Barry opened his first store on Bridge Street, Cork. Today BARRY'S TEA is still based in Cork and remains in the family. Growing up on BARRY'S TEA is a fond memory. When I first moved to London, I brought my tea with me. My sister now lives in London and packing the distinctive red box is a must in our home. You just can't leave Cork without it. Now, when I teach my cooking classes, I always make a pot of tea for everyone. My preference is to drink tea from a china cup or china mug. It just tastes better to me. The reaction is lovely. Warming reaction. Despite the vast array of teas here in the United States, this golden cuppa is received very well. Simply served with milk, and a spoon of sugar if you like, it is the perfect accompaniment to one of my Irish Butter shortbreads ! By now the customers from the grocery chain 'LUNDS & BYERLY'S in Minnesota know about BARRY'S TEA and I even point it out to them on the shelves. You see, over here, BARRY'S TEA is never where you would expect to find it..........in the Tea & Coffee aisle. No, this hidden treasure is found in the 'Specialty or Imported' section, nestled among products from Great Britain, Germany,France & Denmark. Look for the distinctive red box. In 1986, BARRY"S TEA launched their first TV ad and the slogan 'Every Day should have it's golden moments' was born. It has a uniquely refreshing taste and a bright, golden color. Blended from the high mountain slopes of Kenya and the Assam Valley of India. There are many flavors in the BARRY'S TEA range but I chose to write about my favorite ! Now, I urge you to share your GOLDEN MOMENT with me. Simply send me a photo and a few sentences telling me about your GOLDEN MOMENT, preferably over a cup of tea. You have until Jan 31st to submit. Then I will choose one lucky person and BARRY'S TEA will ship you a basket of goodies to your home. I have received several already on my Facebook page, so please feel free to post there also.
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Hi Rachel.I just found your FB page and your blog today from the Barry's tea FB page.My favourite tea!.I think I may have met you at a Taste of Addison a few years ago?I find my Barry's tea at World Market in McKinney.TX where I live and of course when I go back to my native Castlebar,Co Mayo.Do you know of any other stores in the Dallas area that carry it?I must also have a look out for your short bread.Cheers,Rachel.BTW,how do I follow your blog?
ReplyDeleteMary...there is a store in Grapevine that also sells BARRY'S Tea...it is a British Import Store
ReplyDeleteRachel: I absolutely love what you wrote above and because I come from Liverpool, England, I can relate completely to every word you wrote. When I first arrived here, I was in New York alone, before heading south to meet my husband, I stopped in some small cafe in the middle of the NYC, sat at the counter and asked for a cup of tea. Imagine my surprise when this thick cup (I mean really thick cup) was plonked in front of me, with tepid water inside and a teabag hanging over the edge along with a slice of lemon. I am not kidding you but it brought tears to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteI could relate too to your mentioning the window cleaner getting his cuppa. Not only did ours get a cuppa but a couple of biscuits as well!!! And he got the same at every house on our road!!! And I know you'll remember this - if anybody telephoned to say they were on the way over to your house, your mum or dad (my brother now) would say - 'that'll be lovely. I'll put the kettle on. I could go on forever about this one subject.
I think if I go into World Market here in Charlotte, I'll be able to find BARRY'S tea. Will let you know.
Jean,I can certainly relate to your experiences as well as Rachel's.There were many foods that I missed when I came to the US in the 1970's.I always stocked up when I went back to Ireland on holidays.Still the tea bag and the lukewarm water is right there in my memory.Many years have passed and roads traveled since then.I just finished a lovely cup of Barry's tea and a slice of homemade brown bread.Cheers!
ReplyDeleteI have traveled to both England and Ireland and I have to agree that there is something about the tea there. I mostly drink it iced (I live in the desert after all), but it's something I have to have every day. I haven't tried Barry's Tea, but will have to see if they carry it at our local Irish speciality shop. Thanks for the head's up!
ReplyDeleteamy.......thanks for stopping by.....where do you live? perhaps I can locate some tea for you
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