One of my favorite ways to relax is with a hot cup of tea and a good book. A comfy chair and some fuzzy socks add to the coziness.
In 2019, my daughter and I visited Victoria, BC and while there, I fell in love with Murchie’s Tea, a shop that has been in operation since 1894. My history-loving soul adores the idea of sipping a brew my characters could have enjoyed!
I found this wonderful tidbit about their heritage on their website:
As a young boy working for Melrose’s of Scotland, a prestigious tea import merchant in Britain, John Murchie delivered tea to Queen Victoria while she was in residence at Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands. Over time, John became familiar with the types of teas the Queen preferred and as his knowledge of tea grew, he started experimenting with blending teas on his own. When John immigrated to Canada and settled on the West Coast, he brought with him his passion and expertise in tea. He took this passion and pioneering spirit to establish Murchie’s Tea in 1894.
Right: Tea and scones at Government House Tea Room where we got to sample some Murchie’s tea firsthand. Delicious!
Since that visit, I have become a dedicated Murchie’s Tea drinker. I order directly from them, and after sampling many of their offerings, I’ve settled on a handful of favorite blends. I prefer black tea blends sweetened with honey, so all of the following recommendations are in the black tea family, though the have many herbal blends as well.
1894 – This is their signature blend from the 1890’s, and my favorite–both for its history and its taste. It’s an Orange Pekoe – a rich, traditional blend. They picture the port of Victoria from its early days on their box as a tribute to how closely tied John Murchie’s tea business was to the development of the burgeoning city.
Golden Jubilee – A classic, rich black tea blended to honor Queen Elizabeth II.
Prince Charles – Originally blended in 1981 to commemorate the Royal Wedding of Charles and Diana, it is a regal blend of strong, flavorful teas.
Queen Victoria – This is another of their original blends from the 1890’s, blended in honor of Queen Victoria. It’s a sweeter blend of green and black teas. This is my drink at work tea.
Editor’s Blend – This is the tea I drink at home when I need to get serious about writing. It’s a newer blend from 2011, created specifically for the Editors’ Association of Canada’s National Conference which was held in Victoria in 2011.
Library Blend – This blend of black and green teas was created in 1995 to honor the official opening of Vancouver’s Library Square. It was made to pair with books!
Not only do they make great tea, but they obviously know how to pair tea and books, for they have a book lover’s gift set that includes samples of their Editor’s Blend, Library Blend, and Baker Street Blend. This last one commemorates the classic literary sleuth, Sherlock Holmes. It also includes ten pieces of their Earl Grey Shortbread. Yum!
GIVEAWAY
Since I love books and tea so much, I’m giving away the Book Lover Gift Box of Murchie’s tea and shortbread PLUS a copy of one of my backlist titles. The winner can select from my current inventory.
Leave a comment about your favorite reading beverage to be entered for a chance to win.
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My favorite beverage is tea. I have a variety from black tea and green tea. I love a good raspberry tea. I always loved tea but when I had Covid-19 I really started drinking it. Nothing is better than a good book and some tea. They fit together perfectly.
I couldn’t agree more, Tish!
I was brought up an ice tea drinker, as was most in our area, so we are not big hot tea drinkers. We are coffee drinkers here. However, I do have an occasional cup of green tea. So, for a hot beverage while reading is coffee for me. And in the summertime I pull out the ice tea!
I enjoy ice tea as well. Oddly enough. Even though I live in Texas where sweet tea is in the southern DNA, I don’t like my ice tea sweetened. But when it comes to hot tea, I need that honey. 🙂
I checked out the Murchie (with a ‘k’, right?) website after reading your article, and found the company on IG and FB to follow. With such an excellent choices in both tea and coffee, I want to keep an eye on their products. BTW, I fell in love with Earl Gray with a touch of milk while living in Scotland. That country – the whole of GB really – is good for tea lovers.
I love hot tea whenever I can and iced tea during hot summer months. But I will never say no to a good cold brew coffee or any of my homemade coffee concoctions.
Kati – I’m not sure about the pronunciation. In my head, I pronounced the “ch” sound, but I could be totally wrong on that. I joined their mailing list and watch for sales. They have them regularly. In fact, this giveaway came about because they had a sale on their Bookish teas. 🙂 I always wait for the free shipping deals. You have to buy $50 worth of tea, but I just stock up. Plus, that is calculated in Canadian dollars, so I’m actually spending closer to $40 American.
Good to know! Thank you for this info. ❤️
My favorite beverage is hot black tea with a splash of milk/cream. I like other teas too but this one is my favorite. This looks like a fun gift box. Thanks for the chance.
My favorite beverage is rooibos tea or hot chocolate. There’s nothing like coming home in the winter and having a mug of chocolate milk ready. In the summer, I drink mostly water.
It depends on the time of year what I prefer to drink when I’m reading. Actually, I’m more of a pretzel or popcorn muncher as I’m reading and the beverage–hot or cold–just depends on my mood. Usually, I drink coffee, tea, or hot cider in the winter and water or sparkling water in the hotter months. These teas look fabulous, though!
I hear you on the hot/cold thing, Colleen. I’m so cold-natured, that even in summer, if I’m in the air conditioning, I want a warm drink. 🙂
I like to drink coffee or diet coke.
Hi, Karen, What a fun post! I like to drink a cup of peppermint or cinnamon tea while reading. Blessings!
I found a Honey Chamomile tea that I love. And it’s caffeine free so I can drink it any time of the day!
There’s nothing better than finding a tea you love! So far, caffeine hasn’t been an issue for me. My husband laughs because I can drink a hot cup of tea at 9:30 at night and fall asleep in my chair before it’s gone. The warmth puts me out despite the caffeine. 🙂
I love black teas. Going to need to check them out!
In the morning, black coffee, but if I’m reading at night I like water with lime.
My favorite tea is dandelion tea with honey! Strange I know but I love it 😊.
That seems like a wonderfully vintage flavor, Helen. I bet my characters could have sipped that one as well.
Peach tea
I really like tea and never drink coffee. I guess we got the love of tea from my Grandma. I like tea hot and iced. I seldom drink anything while reading but always have a glass of cold tea on the counter top waiting for a sip.
I’m a tried and true Diet Coke addict. But when I’m trying to improve my drinking habits, I turn to iced peach sweet tea.
Oh man, something to add to my bucket list!I’ve loved all things tea for years. I think my favorite to sip with books is probably Earl Grey.
Twinings Irish Breakfast is a favorite of mine. Sometimes adding a splash of cream.
Have you considered adding Murchie’s tea to one of your books? Maybe a traveler introduces it to one of your characters? That would be fun! I started searching for Tea Forte tea after reading about it in Dani Pettrey’s one series. I found some in HomeGoods one day and you’d have thought it was Christmas morning I was so excited! I enjoy both tea (I like to try all different kinds) and hot chocolate while reading. Thanks for linking to their website so I can check them out.
That’s a fun idea, Joy! I going to have to ponder that one. 🙂
My favorite drink of course is water, followed closely by coffee. I love anything hot – tea, coffee, cider, hot chocolate. This would be a wonderful shop to visit in person!
If you ever make it to Victoria, Carla. Be sure to stop by. It was so lovely. I also found a chocolate shop downtown that was original to the area. All the display cases were solid wood and the chocolate was divine. It was called Roger’s Chocolates. Charles Rogers was Canada’s first chocolatier.
I start my day with a cup of coffee and then drink English Yorkshire Tea in the afternoon and SleepyTime at night. Like you, there are different types that I drink while working or while enjoying a good book. Heading to England this summer so will try new teas (along with scones) at the Inn we’ll be staying in. I’m going to investigate your tea shop on line! Thank you🫖☕️
Tea and scones in England? I’m trying very hard not to be jealous of you right now, Melanie. 🙂 Enjoy it to the fullest!
My favorite reading beverage is Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice tea. It’s a black tea with a delicious cinnamon taste. It’s not an orange-spice type flavor, but more like the taste of red hots. I almost never get so wrapped up in the book that I let it get cold!
I’m sitting in my pink antique wingback chair wearing my tea socks and drinking Irish Breakfast as I read your post. How fitting! I’m excited to check out Murchie’s tea shop site. When we went to London to visit my daughter, my number one stop was Twinnings-The Strand. The history, smells, and tastes transport another, slower time into our hectic lives.
For hot beverages that I drink at home, I drink hot chocolate, but I love the smell of coffee. Otherwise, as a southerner, iced sweet tea is my go to.
I’m sitting in my pink antique wingback chair wearing my tea socks and drinking Irish Breakfast as I read your post. How fitting! I’m excited to check out Murchie’s tea shop site. When we went to London to visit my daughter, my number one stop was Twinnings-The Strand. The history, smells, and tastes transport another, slower time into our hectic lives.
Tea just seems to make you slow down and savor the moment, doesn’t it? I bet visiting Twinnings in London was wonderful!
I love either hot tea (usually Green Jasmine) or hot decaf coffee with sweetener (I use saccharin) and Peppermint Mocha coffee creamer with books. In the Houston heat, I will often drink tea I’ve made from leaves but chilled with ice or just plain ice water while I’m reading. The giveaway book lover tea box sounds delightful!
I enjoy a cup of hot tea but mainly drink coffee or vanilla Dr. Pepper from Sonic! Sounds like so many great varieties, I’m not sure where to start. A great giveaway, thanks for the opportunity to win!
I love tea! All of these sound amazing. The history behind them is fascinating and adds to their uniqueness. I don’t know if you have ever watched the Hallmark series of movies called Signed, Sealed, Delivered, but in one episode they are at a hotel having a cup of 1894 Darjeeling! So fun to see this tea in your list of favorites! Thanks for the giveaway and God bless you, Karen!
How fun, Kathy! I love when shows pay homage to things from history. Even small things like tea. 🙂
I don’t typically drink anything when I’m reading. I have always been a big coffee drinker until lately. I have completely given it up except for an occasional cup. I have been wanting to try hot tea. I’ve never really tried it. Would love to sample the tea. Thank you for doing the giveaway!
Thank you for sharing this company with us and for the fun giveaway!! I love black tea, however, while reading about the 1894 blend it reminded me that I used to love the Twining’s Ceylon Orange Pekoe tea and have not had it in forever…
Maybe this will give you an excuse to revisit an old favorite, Nicole. 🙂
If I’m reading in the afternoon, I’ll have a cup of coffee. At night, I’m either drinking water or a cup of tea. Usually lemon ginger or peppermint.
I love to relax with a cup of tea and a book too and more so if it’s one of yours 😊 What a lovely outing to visit the tea house on your trip! I went to BC once but didn’t have the chance to visit the tea shop that time so it means I’d have to go back, right? My favorite teas are cinnamon apple spice and peppermint though I like most any flavor as long as it’s hot tea. Tea and blueberry scones are the best combination for an afternoon of reading. Thank you for sharing their website and for doing this giveaway!
You definitely need to go back, Ivonne. I’m trying to figure out an excuse for a return trip myself. 🙂
I’m one of those strange people who hate hot tea, iced tea, and any type of coffee. Give me a glass of plain, cold water any day! 😀
No hard feelings, Elizabeth. I’m a water drinker, too. I’ve removed soda from my diet, so really all I drink is either water or tea. You’re probably healthier for sticking with water full-time.
Tea is a favorite beverage for me. No sweet or fruity ones for me though. I’m good with the breakfast teas or mint teas. Iced tea in the warm months though.
I love a good cup of coffee in the morning, but I also enjoy a cup of tea, usually in the afternoon. Earl Grey is a favorite, but my all-time favorite black tea was what I had in Vietnam when I adopted my daughter 19 years ago. It is the best tea in the world! It is served strong, hot and sweet … I also enjoy a glass of sweet tea … I do live in the south … 😉 I love your books!
Are you able to find that Vietnamese tea, Lora? How special that would be to have on occasion. Not only for the flavor but for the memories associated with your daughter.
Unfortunately, no … I did bring some back with me and kept it in the freezer and drank it on special occasions, but it’s been gone a long time. I checked about ordering it online, but at one time, they wouldn’t ship it to the United States. My daughter is planning to study abroad in Australia next fall, and I’m tentatively planning to join her at the end of the semester so we can travel back to Vietnam together. It will be the first time we have been back since I adopted her. Hopefully I can bring some tea back with me. 🙂
My favorite beverage is tea. I prefer hot tea, although in the summer I will drink iced tea. My all time favorite is Earl Grey. I’m not a fan of herbal teas. Black tea is my preference. I’m a bit of a tea snob, so I tend to order my tea from various tea shops. My favorite is Mrs. Kelly’s Teas, located in Minneapolis.
I’m not an herbal fan, either, Kristine. My hubby loves lemon herbal tea and other fruity herbal blends, but those just aren’t “my cup of tea.” 🙂
I am a soda drinker but my mom loves teas. She is always looking for new varieties.
My favorite tea is Peppermint tea. Thanks for sharing your tea adventure with your daughter. She reminds me of my niece, who like myself is an avid tea drinker.
Mango Black Tea is my favorite flavor but I’m not picky. I love tea!
I LOVE Murchie’s! We live in WA state, so (pre-pandemic) I’ve been a few times. I didn’t realize it, but my friend who has relatives in Canada says there are other Murchie’s, like in Vancouver. My favorite thing to do is to have breakfast there-a pot of tea (beware, I ordered a pot for 1, and it had 4 or 5 teabags in it! EEK. I love tea, but that was too stout) and a bran muffin or some other treat. Mmmm. I love black tea best with honey, just like your favorite. Thanks for all the history and the list of great black teas. Probably I will love those, since they are black. Wondering about the black/green tea mix!
How fun, Angie! My daughter was doing an internship in Bellingham, WA which is so close to the border that when friends recommended we spend a couple days in Victoria, I decided to give it a try. So glad we did!
I love to drink hot tea in winter and iced tea in summer. My favorite tea is English Breakfast. I enjoyed reading about the different teas. Your giveaway choices are perfect for the tea-drinking book lover. TY.
My favorite reading beverage is a cup of coffee or a cup of Earl Grey Tea.
Coffee is my go-to hot drink, but I really like hot tea as well. My favorite, for sentimental reasons, is Earl Grey. I was gifted a set of honey spoons and oh my! Any tea is wonderful with that dollop of honey stirred in. When I was on a mission trip in Russia years ago, we were served tea on a train, complete with lemon slices and sugar. Delightful!
Tea on a train sounds so romantic, Teresa. What a neat experience!
Two Christmases ago I was gifted with a box of Earl Gray tea bags from Fortnum & Mason. Wonderful. I would like to try Murhies tea. Thank you for telling us about it.
Fun! I enjoyed reading about the history and imagined the tastes and smells. My grandmother was Irish, so always had a “pot of tea” at hand (she didn’t use tea bags but a little stainless steel strainer if only making a cup) and a splash of milk, though I tend to prefer it “black” or in the evening with a little honey (if we have honey-my kids go through it!). Recently a friend turned me on to Harney & Sons “Paris” -a black tea, but with a fruity “currant” aroma and taste. It also comes in a beautiful tin and lovely sachet-type tea bags-perfect for a friend over chat.
But I am definitely a coffee drinker in the morning…😉
You should see my honey supply, Theresa. LOL. I buy bottles at Sams Warehouse and have stashes at my office as well as in my pantry at home to ensure I never run out. It might be the tiniest bit excessive. 🙂
Haha about the stashes. I have been known to “hide” the honey in the cupboards behind something else but my kiddos have Pooh bear noses it seems☺️
LOL!
I have that CS Lewis quote in my kitchen as I love hot tea & reading! I drink it every day like many do with coffee, and my favorite is probably Earl Grey. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity!
I just love that quote. One of these days we are going to turn our spare front room into a library, and I want to hire someone to paint that quote over the doorway that leads to the kitchen. 🙂
Tea, of course!
When I was in high school, my Mom and I took Grandma out to Victoria to visit my uncle and family out there. We apparently missed Murchie’s Tea, but we did go shopping at Monro’s Books! It was a wonderful trip and a beautiful city.
If I remember right, Murchies is practically next door to Munro’s. We went in there, too. Just a beautiful and BIG store. 🙂
I love sipping a hot cup of tea while reading a book. I’m currently sipping Hot Cinnamon Spice which is a black tea blend. My favorite is Victorian London Fog which is a black tea blend. Think of Earl Grey tea with lavender and vanilla added. Also, Paris tea is a wonderful black tea blend, too. It has a touch of caramel flavor. The blends you describe sound wonderful, too. I wasn’t familiar with them until reading your post. I’ll have to look into them. I like that the founder was from Scotland originally and served Queen Victoria at Balmoral before migrating to Canada. 💖
I love that history, too, Tammi!
I love a good cup of black coffee but black tea (of most any kind) is a close second. Thanks for a fun giveaway!
I love coffee!
My favorite tea is green tea (decaf) with French Vanilla Coffeemate. My most favorite CF genre are print Romantic Suspense, although I enjoy others CF-types as well. Would love to win a print copy of any of your books! Thanks for the opportunity to enter an exciting giveaway! Lual Krautter Email: krautter62520AToutlookDOTcom
You are speakin’ my language, Miss Karen! As a Southern girl, sweet tea is my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE (chilled, no ice, TONS of sugar :P), but I have been known to indulge in a cup of hot tea from time to time! 😉 My favorites are peach herbal tea (literally like drinking steaming peach juice…Eva and Logan would love it!), rooibos tea (such a lovely smooth flavor), and black tea with all kinds of spices (the Christmas blends that come out during the holidays are sooo good)!
I sense a kindred spirit, Grace. 🙂
At the moment, my new favorite tea is a blueberry black tea I recently found. It’s from Canada as well, and I love the sweet and slightly fruity blend with sugar and almond milk. And it doesn’t hurt that it comes in one of those cute metal collector’s tins, too! 🙂
I love those pretty little tins!
My favorite afternoon tea to enjoy while eating a homemade scone and reading a book is Buckingham Palace Garden Party Tea. It is a mixture of black tea, green tea with jasmine and cornflower petals, and delicate Earl Grey. For breakfast I drink either Yorkshire Gold Black Tea or Barry’s Irish Breakast Tea. Of course this morning it was the Irish Tea. No coffee for me; it’s tea all the way.
What an elegant name for a tea. So royal!
Great giveaway!! Depends on the time of day and the season. If I’m reading in the morning, it’s usually coffee. The rest of the day is hot tea, English Breakfast and Earl Grey are my faves. In the summer, it’s iced tea with lemon. My latest obsession is Medicine Ball tea from Starbucks!
Love this post since tea is my favorite beverage for reading and most other times, except water. I never could stand coffee. I enjoy trying different kinds of tea and appreciate the recommendations. My daughter sent me a special limited edition tea created by Twinings for Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday. I still have the beautiful tin. Our heritage is English, Scottish, and Irish, so I will check out Murchie’s. My daughter lives in California, and we found a lovely tea room in Long Beach – Elise’s – owned by a British woman. We used to go every summer when I visited, but sadly, it is permanently closed – a victim of Covid.
As for books, I read a contemporary cozy mystery series by Laura Childs, whose sleuth runs a tea shop in Charleston, S.C. Theodosia Browning has a British tea sommelier who is her sidekick in investigations. The charms of this series include the special tea parties they host and menus. Some recipes and ideas are included in the back of the book. Hope this was okay to mention.
What a fun tea-inspired book series, Betty! Thank you for sharing. It sounds delightful. 🙂
Hi Karen,
I enjoy drinking coffee, tea or hot chocolate. It depends on the season if I choose a hot or cold drink. The tea shop sounds fun!
I can’t say that I have a favorite “book-reading-drink.” In the mornings, I usually finish off my coffee while I read from my devotional book and the Bible. Later in the day, I may have some water, iced tea, or a soft drink at hand, but I don’t make a point of having something to drink when I sit down to read. If I get engrossed in the story, I tend to forget that I have something at hand to sip on.
I have to admit that I’ve had my tea go cold on me when I get too involved in a story. 🙂 I’m thankful for my insulated tumbler that keeps my tea warm while I write.
I normally drink water or a Diet Coke when reading.
I enjoy a good cup of tea in the evening, especially when it is cold or when I am not feeling well. It’s not something I drink on a daily basis.
I love drinking tea! I’m a sipper, so I usually have something in front of me throughout the day. I like black tea and green tea too (herbals not so much), I especially love peach black tea! I had never heard about Murchie’s so I enjoyed reading about it. 🙂
My go to beverages while reading would be coffee or tea, depending on my mood. If I’m in full on reading mode it isn’t unusual for me to have a cup of coffee and a cup of tea during said reading mode. My preferred coffee would be a mocha latte and my preferred tea would be either cinnamon tea or a chai latte.
I love drinking tea and have a variety of flavors. I’m so thankful that I’m finally wanting to drink tea again. Covid messed with my life in so many negative ways. Yet I can say the Lord is truly good.
So glad you’re getting your sense of taste back, Wilani, and regaining your health.
I tend to drink whatever the characters in my book are drinking 🤣 It’s not very purposeful, usually I’m just reading and think “oh, that sounds good, I’ll make some too!”
Not sure I have heard about Murchie’s Tea. I do drink lots of hot tea with sugar. Irish tea is my favorite. I buy flavored tea sometimes and like Bigelow Constant Comment–Orange flavored.
Today’s the perfect day for some Irish tea. 🙂
Tea is my favorite reading beverage. I like black blends during the day and herbals in the evening.
I have to have my morning cup of tea. I would drink it all day if my stomach could handle it. I usually read with a glass of gingerale.
Usually water.
At night or on the weekends I love my Tazo Passion tea! I went to BC a couple of times as a teenager when I lived in Washington. And picking a book from your backlist… I can’t imagine anything better to add to my collection!
Aww – Thanks, Mimi.
Oh my word! I love tea and books so much as well Karen! I was so excited to read this! I remember that picture from your FB post when you went on your trip and it made me so interested in that place. 🙂 I am a major tea fanatic. I have 5 different tea holders (a fancy wood tea chest, and four other containers) and two Russel & Hobbs tea kettles, a old fashion cast iron tea kettle and so many other tea items. 🙂 I have always loved to get the Twinings Christmas Teas. They are yummy and now you can buy them all year long. 🙂 I also am a major Chai Tea lover. There is a restaurant in Florence, South Carolina, about an hour from my house. It is an Indian restaurant and the owner mixes his own and makes fresh Chai Tea and grinds everything right there. It is an amazing exotic and sensual experience. 🙂 Yum!
Here is the Bombay Company Mahogany Teachest that I have (one is for sale on Ebay): https://www.ebay.com/itm/274343062071
Here are my favorite Russell & Hobbs teakettles: https://www.russellhobbs.com/products/coffee-and-tea-kettles/ke5550rdr-retro-style-red-electric-kettle.aspx
Here are my favorite Christmas Teas by Twinings:https://www.amazon.com/Twinings-Holiday-Christmas-Gingerbread-Peppermint/dp/B08DMLZQXW/ref=sxts_rp_s1_0?crid=1IQMVITHQVFM9&cv_ct_cx=twinings+christmas+tea&keywords=twinings+christmas+tea&pd_rd_i=B08DMLZQXW&pd_rd_r=e1a5c193-ded0-4699-9dcb-bb4707e009d9&pd_rd_w=81v5h&pd_rd_wg=hZ1om&pf_rd_p=5d10c7b7-657f-44a1-8312-8b406103e1ce&pf_rd_r=R1X2HC45H1QNC88H03HD&psc=1&qid=1647551032&sprefix=twinings+christmas+tea%2Caps%2C113&sr=1-1-f0029781-b79b-4b60-9cb0-eeda4dea34d6
Here are my favorite honey sticks: https://www.amazon.com/SBO-Honey-Sticks-Unfiltered-Non-GMO/dp/B07CMHLJDH/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=3SYXRL7GMYAC3&keywords=tea+honey+sticks+organic&qid=1647551472&s=grocery&sprefix=tea+honey+sticks+organic%2Cgrocery%2C83&sr=1-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyMDM4WFROQVgzWjNQJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMTI5NjA3RzA5WFVLUUtNODlHJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAxODEyOTMzS0UxSllGT0cwSUE4JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
How fun, Mary. Thanks for sharing your favorites. 🙂 I used to just heat water in the microwave, but after coming home from Victoria, I decided it was time to invest in a real kettle. It makes the water too hot for my insulated cup, but I use it every night for my after dinner tea. Love hearing that whistle. 🙂
🙂 Yes, a real kettle and I have some pretty teapots for steeping. I just forgot to post them. 🙂 I just LOVE all things TEA and all things Witemeyer books (OF COURSE)! Love ya tons Karen! This was fun!
After having Twinings Tea at Epcot some years ago, I started purchasing several varieties to have occasionally. Prior to that my hot beverages included basic green tea, coffee, and hot cocoa. My side for reading is more seasonal, depending on the weather. Enjoyed your sharing this story and pictures!
We went to Disney World over Christmas, and one of my favorite pictures was of me by the giant pouring teapot at Epcot. So fun!
I’m a coffee drinker mostly when I’m reading. Hot coffee in the winter and iced coffee in the summer. I do enjoy apple cinnamon spice tea sometimes though, with a bit of honey.
I loved this post! Thank you for sharing this tea shop with us. I am excited to look up their different blends and appreciate your recommendations.
I prefer black tea (not herbal) and recently ordered a variety with fruit (cranberry, apple, lemon, pear or peach flavor with black tea) from Fortnum and Mason online. So I have been enjoying those, although plain black tea is my all time favorite. If I am feeling like a treat, I will indulge in a chai latte (Big Train) or hot cinnamon spice (Harney & Sons).
Hey Karen, I enjoy a cup of Spicy Chai while reading.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
What a wonderful giveaway!
I love a lot of different teas, lately my go to has been Earl Grey.
What a fun giveaway!I love a piping hot cup of Earl Grey, or a sugar free French vanilla cappuccino with some salted caramel protein shake.
I love the post about the history of the tea and your recommendations.
I drink water all day, but I like a hot cup or two of herbal tea in the morning and on cold evenings. My favorite tea is Twinings herbal teas: pomegranate/raspberry and mandarin/orange teas.
I usually enjoy a diet coke.
I enjoy iced tea while reading on the porch and English breakfast tea if I am reading inside.
My favorite beverage is tea, and my go to is darjeeling. I can’t get through the day without my cuppa.
I usually drink water while I read. Occasionally, hot chocolate. 🙂
I love to use my England Mug and have a cup of my favorite tea, which is Harney and Sons Earl Grey decaf, when I sit down in the evening to read! Of course, occasionally I like to have a blueberry scone with it! Yum!
I love that you brought up the mugs, Emetta. That’s a whole other side to the tea-drinking fun. I have a few favorites. I love BIG mugs. I have one from the Alamo that is a favorite. I also have a mug that I got from my high school graduation over 30 years ago. I think it was supposed to be a beer stein, but it makes a great oversized tea mug. The “Class of 1989” has almost completely worn off due to so many years of washings, but it’s like a favorite teddy bear that is missing an eye here and has some loose threads there. It’s a sentimental favorite.
I like drinking mocha.
I love hot drinks while reading…tea is my favorite, but hot chocolate or a mocha will work as well. I like a variety of tea, including Bengal spice, vanilla chai, and peppermint, but if I had to choose one, it would be Typhoo tea (from England) with a dash of milk!
I like drinking hot tea in the winter and iced tea in the summer.
These teas really sound good. I usually just drink water when I read, though I will change it up a bit sometimes with flavored water, tea, hot chocolate, or Diet Coke. I’m more interested in my book than what I’m drinking.
I drink both tea and coffee with a good book and a fire.
I don’t drink anything while I’m reading. Just because I only read when I crawl in bed at night. I usually have only one cup of coffee in the morning and then throughout the day I sip on a 16oz bottle of Diet Pepsi so I really don’t drink much of anything. Once in a while if I’m really chilled I might have a cup of hot cocoa or tea. I have a variety of flavors that I keep on hand and so it just depends on what sounds good at the time. 😊
My favorite book read beverages depends on the time of day. If it’s earlier in the day and I’ve been to town a like Sweet Ice Peach Tea. Any other time I like hot tea with milk and sugar.
Summertime it’s iced peach or raspberry tea and winter is peppermint cocoa.
I also love a cup of tea and fuzzy socks with a good book! Hot tea is definitely my beverage of choice when I’m reading, working, or relaxing. Earl Gray (with milk and honey) is my favorite in the morning and then I’ll usually have a fruit or vanilla chamomile tea in the afternoon/evening. When I want to splurge a little, I’ll go get a chai latte or earl gray latte from a local coffee shop. I love trying new teas, so I’ll definitely be checking out Murchie’s!
I don’t usually drink anything while reading, as I read the most at night right before bed. But I do enjoy drinking tea in the wintertime–there is something cozy about drinking a mug of tea when it’s cold outside. Plus, it warms me up when the office I work in is cold. Otherwise, I tend to stick to water. Occasionally I will drink coffee or hot chocolate, and I always drink a cup of milk with breakfast.
What a fun post! We are a tea drinking family as well.
At this time my favorite tea is Rooibos Tea. I loved reading about it in
The No. 1 Ladies Detective Series by Alexander Mc Call Smith.
Now it is my favorite before bed treat. 🙂
How fun that you found a favorite tea from a book, Jen. Love that!
I’m a tea drinker, too. I also prefer black tea, my favorite is Earl Grey. What a cute tea shop. We have one in town called Dominion tea. You can go in and sample a flight of teas. Very fun!
Dear Karen,
What I’m eating or drinking depends on the book that
I happen to be reading at the time.
When it is cold, dreary, and damp outside,
I prefer a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows.
When the sun is shining, and the air conditioner is going full blast,
I prefer a glass of ice-cold tea, preferably with a slice of
lemon or two.
When I’m reading a mystery book, especially if it is based in England,
then I prefer a hot cup of tea with some chocolate on the side.
Thank you for entering me in your giveaway.
I like that your tailor your beverage to the type of book you are reading. Fun idea, Janet!
I enjoy hot tea occasionally. White pomegranate is one of my favorites. But, I am definitely more of a Coffee First kinda drinker!
I’m a firm believer in a cup of tea with a book! I’ve not tried this brand so I definitely will be checking it out. I love Sipology tea the most. But a cup of tea in general just sets the scene that book leads you into!
I’ve not heard of Sipology, but I love that name. So fun!
My favorite beverage is Tea. I have blueberry tea that keep in the pot warm all day.
My cup is the largest I can find and I drink tea all day while reading. Thanks for asking.
Big cups are a must! As much as I love the look of those delicate teacups and saucers, I want something bigger and studier for my tea. 🙂
I think that Queen Elizabeth II blend sounds great. I enjoy Ginger Peach from The Republic of Tea.
I like both hot tea with lemon and honey and coffee with a flavored creamer.
It’s English Breakfast tea for me. Something very comforting about tea and a book!
WE HAVE A WINNER!!!
Big congratulations to Paula Shreckhise. Random.org pulled her number from the hat. Paula – I just sent you an email with the instructions for claiming your prize.
I had so much fun reading everyone’s comments. So many wonderful tea and book lovers out there. Now, we just need to find a place to come together for a giant afternoon tea and book reading party. 🙂
Congratulations, Paula! ☕
Karen, I think a huge tea party is a great idea! 🙂
I’m a big Murchies fan as well, and love going for afternoon tea! I also enjoy preparing afternoon teas for friends and my daughter and her friends. With Covid-19 and all it’s restrictions here in Canada, it’s not something we’ve been able to do the last couple of years, but I’m hoping to plan a lovely tea to celebrate our daughter’s high school graduation in a few months. Thanks for having this giveaway, Karen!
What a special sounding place! My favorite tea currently is green tea with honey and stevia. I would love to try some of these!
Thanks so much Karen!
I love Barry’s tea from Ireland. I have been a hot tea drinker since highschool. An entire shelf of my pantry is dedicated to my teas. Those blends sound delicious! I will definitely need to check them out the next time I have tea money 😋
I am a big fan of lemongrass and ginger chai tea. There is something to be said for drinking a nice, hot cuppa of tea in your favorite mug.
It’s definitely coffee for me but tea is my choice to wind down at the end of the day. Thanks for the chance to win!
My favorite Drink as I read is green Tea with honey now although when I was young it was hot Cocoa. I mean real Cocoa made from scratch, not the kind from a instant pack. In a pan with a little water adding chocolate and sugar until it boils then adding milk and let it cool. Add whipped cream or marsh mellows.
My favorite drink is coffee, but depending on the time of day my cup could contain coffee, water OR tea. I’m multi-talented that way, lol. Thanks for the giveaway!
I drink iced tea year round and hot herbal tea when it’s cold.
I drink coffee in the morning and tea in the afternoon. I fell in love with homemade loose teas a couple years ago and love finding new ones. I bought a yellow tea pot in true Adelaide fashion to really make it homey. Can’t wait to try these teas!
I love chamomile tea, mint tea, hibiscus tea and hot chocolate. It’s very calming and relaxing to drink my tea and read at the end of a hard day; mama needs her alone, unwind time.
My sister used to live on Vancouver Island and I remember walking into Murchie’s with her briefly! It’s a beautiful space! Unfortunately, I didn’t know that I needed to try their tea (which is really quite sad given tea is my favourite beverage and book reading accompaniment).
I know that I must sound like the most boring person on Earth but my all-time favorite beverage is always ice-cold water, whether I’m reading or otherwise. As long as the water is from our well, I can guzzle a fair amount any day of the week.
I have too many favorites! Black tea with lemon, fruit-flavored herbals teas, iced tea, lemon tea to name a few. I’ve never experienced crumpets which sound fun to try!