Due to a busy agenda, I have had to combine the July and August newsletters.  It feels great to be back and settling in.  I’m just now finding the time to sift through the many pictures of China and the amazing memories are pouring in!  Last month’s newsletter discussed the importance of establishing friendships with China. This month I would like to focus on the people of China. 

The amazing opportunity that this trip afforded me was to not only meet corporate officials, but I also had the opportunity to meet local townsfolk and have ‘discussions’ as best we could, with the language barrier.  Many times, it was difficult to talk with the local people.  But if you take a moment to step back, observe their gestures, watch their movements, you can sometimes have a discussion without words.  I have had to learn, in past years, to be more keen to others movements and spoken language through expression.  This helped me express my thoughts in a similar manner to the locals in China.  I was sure to ask beforehand for their permission to take pictures.  Some did not agree, but others were thrilled.  Especially those with children--they loved to have their child’s picture taken!  But whether they were corporate officials, tea pickers, or someone passing by, I tried to grab the pulse of what China was all about. It is an amazing country! More pictures can be viewed at my “Exploring Tea in China” lecture at the New Boston Library on Oct. 12th. 

Here’s a bit of China ‘etiquette’ I learned during my visit. With the China officials we met, I noticed that almost without fail, the first person to enter our meetings was the senior official of the group.  When exchanging business cards, they will always provide their card first, with their name facing you, held in both hands.  Afterward, they would nod slightly. I followed by exchanging my card, held by both hands, with the company information facing them, and a slight head nod. I also learned that all the cards must be placed on the table, facing me so I could read them, and were absolutely not to be put away in my purse.  (I learned this quickly by receiving an angry look from one of the officials during a business card exchange.) 

I had heard that when eating dinner, it is not polite to turn down food when offered.  I knew this would be a big issue for me, since my palette is limited to the basic meat and potato type of meal.  I managed to steer clear of this, with the exception of one evening.  By default, I found myself sitting next to the VP of the company.  He quickly realized chop sticks were a foreign object to me and tried several times to teach me how to use them.  My overall grade was a C at best.  Then he proceeded to place food on my plate for me.  (Those of you who know my fish aversions can imagine the look on my face!)  I tried my best, but failed. (I even tried to offer some to Judy Larkin, one of my fellow delegates and tea friend…she was quite amused!) 

One last item of etiquette…gift giving.  I was told that I should bring small items from my state as gifts.  Not anything extravagant, just something to say thank-you.  I had forgotten this, but my husband, Will, managed to pick up a bunch of small bottles of New Hampshire Maple Syrup (which they don’t have in China) and had wrapped them for me. Several came home with me, but I did find the opportunity, to give some of them to the dignitaries we had met.  One very special business acquaintance comes to mind from Shanghai, who taught me quite a bit about Chinese culture while on one of our long bus rides.  He explained that in China, family comes first and business is always second for them.  While speaking to him, he excused himself for a phone call.  The look of joy on his face was amazing!  After the call, he explained that it was his only grandson (4 years old) who calls him every day to say hello.  There was no need for words…his expression said it all.  It was a wonderful way to end the day. 

IN THIS MONTHS NEWSLETTER, you will find the following news items:

• More Tea News…

• This Months Featured Teas – Teas for Iced Tea

• Up-coming Events

• Summer Contest  - TIME IS RUNNING OUT…ENTER TODAY!

• Spring Contest Winner!

• Health News

MORE TEA NEWS…

The Cozy Tea Cart and Victorian House Scones has collaborated to provide a fantastic new INDIAN CHAI Scone mix!  Being in the tea business, we pride ourselves on offering the freshest scone mix available on the market, at the most affordable price. Debbie Anderson, President of Victorian House Scones, does not believe in using dry buttermilk powder, butter substitutes, or preservatives in her mixes.  And their bags contain twice the amount of scone mix on the market for the same price!  You will find the Cozy Tea Cart’s Indian Spice tea in every mix, which is a black tea from India and offers the intoxicating aromas of cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and pepper.  It is the key ingredient in every bag of the Indian Chai Victorian House Scone mix.  Now you can enjoy the health benefits of tea in your scones!  Stop by the tea shoppe and pick up your bag today!!

The Cozy Tea Cart joined the Gift of Comfort Project to remember and comfort the families of our fallen soldiers and veterans. This is a non-profit collaboration between businesses and citizens of America to show they care.  Yvonne Ametller Dunetz, author of “Until Death Do Us Part, A Letter To Our Loved Ones,” has created this beautiful Gift of Comfort Box.  She has collaborated with the U.S. government, and through her persistent efforts has been successful in developing this project – a project that was originally asked of her by the mother of a soldier.  Please take a moment of your time to view this web site and make a full or partial donation. 

THIS MONTHS FEATURED TEAS

TOAST TO YOUR HEALTH WITH A TALL GLASS OF FRESH BREWED ICED TEA!!

APRICOT/PEACH MEDLEY

This is a fruity medley of hibiscus blossoms, apple bits, currants, apricot bits, pineapple bits, elderberries, lemon peels, peach bits, marigold blossoms and all natural apricot peach flavoring.

Loose Tea - 2 oz - $5.90 ($.14 per cup!)

STRAWBERRY GREEN

If you love strawberries, this is the tea for you!  It is a blend of organic green sencha tea, organic fog tea, Pai Mu Tan white tea, Lung Ching green, Genmaicha green, strawberry bits, all natural strawberry cream flavoring, and sunflower blossoms.

Loose Tea - 4 oz - $7.35 ($.09 per cup!)

RASPBERRY BLACK TEA

A Ceylon black tea blended with dried raspberries and all natural flavoring.  Absolutely wonderful hot or iced!

Loose Tea - 4 oz - $7.00 ($.08 per cup!)

UP-COMING EVENTS

Check out our Events page for tea tastings and events in your area!  (Note:  This list is constantly changing, and some private functions are not listed.  To secure a date, please call 2-3 months in advance.)

WE HAVE A  SPRING CONTEST WINNER!!:

HEALTH NEWS

A Cup of tea eases frazzled nerves, helps your heart, and may even help fight cancer.

By Jenie Lerche Davis, WebMD Weight Loss Clinic – Feature

Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

It's a rite of summer, setting out the sun tea jar. With all the health benefits of black tea, sun tea is even more welcome than ever. There's compelling evidence that tea reduces the risk of heart disease, and possibly even helps prevent cancer and Alzheimer's disease.

Indeed, tea is considered a superfood -- whether it's black, green, white, or oolong tea. All those tea types come from the same tea plant, Camellia sinensis. The leaves are simply processed differently. Green tea leaves are not fermented; they are withered and steamed. Black tea and oolong tea leaves undergo crushing and fermenting processes.

We hope that you have enjoyed reading through our newsletter. Your comments and suggestions are a valuable part of The Cozy Tea Carts growth and development. Please continue to email or call us.  We love hearing from you! 

Teafully yours,

Danielle Beaudette

The Cozy Tea Cart

603-249-9111 

www.TheCozyTeaCart.com 

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