I am officially an old Chinese woman.
I now have an insulated flask on my kitchen bench.
I resisted for the longest time, insisting that the kettle needed to be freshly boiled to make a cup of tea. But I mostly drink herbal teas, which don’t need the water to be 100°C, and Big Boy drinks mugs of hot water, and it started to irk me that we were constantly boiling and reboiling the kettle all day long.
So I capitulated and bought this Alfi thermos from Peters of Kensington for $14. It works a treat, keeping a litre of water hot enough to brew tea (to my liking) for at least six hours. Pete thinks the kettle will last longer as a result, so it’s a win all round, except for the fact that it makes me feel like my mother and my grandmother.
. . . . .
My current favourite hot drink is Turkish Fennel Tea, which I purchase by the dozen (boxes) from Arzum Market in Auburn. I find it very soothing and stomach settling…
Do you drink herbal teas? I alternate between the fennel and this Turkish Apple tea, which brews to a bright red from the addition of hibiscus flowers…
. . . . .
Remember my recent foray back into caffeinated coffee? It didn’t go well. About six weeks after I started drinking it, my joints started to ache badly – an idiosyncratic but not unheard of response to caffeine.
So now I’m back on the decaf – thankfully, EcoCaffe offer an excellent blend (Decaffeinated Supreme) so I can continue to use the Nespresso machine with a clear conscience (the pods are biodegradable)…
I’m still sipping out of my little Russian tea glasses – topped in this photo with a butterscotch brownie…
. . . . .
On a recent visit to Tokyo Bird (check out Lorraine’s review here), I tried an East India cocktail. It was so good that I attempted to replicate it at home – here’s what I came up with…
- 60ml cognac
- 90ml pineapple juice
- 15ml lemon juice
- splosh of grenadine (a wee bit more than a splash!)
Shake together with ice and strain into a glass. It results in a lovely foamy top!
Here’s how we send out cocktails to the neighbours…in a jar. I usually include one of our giant Nancy ice cubes…
. . . . .
When things are tough…in the neighbourhood…who you gonna call?
Well, call me, and I’ll send you a loaf of sourdough and a cocktail in a jar!
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
The Turkish call their delicious apple tea “tourist tea”. I love it too Celia, but confess to a also having a 4 shot a day coffee habit. The only thing that aggravates my joints is the cold!
Sandra, is that the powdered sweet Turkish tea? I think that really is tourist tea – and I don’t think there’s actually any apple in that! :) The bright red tea in the photo above isn’t sweet and I’m quite hooked on it! :)
I don’t like herbal teas…it is good old English Breakfast for me.
Yes, my Big Boy is the same, except he quite likes Irish and Russian Caravan!
I am a bit of a tea addict and trying lots of decaf alternatives. It’s great that there are so many choices available. We have a similar hot water jug at work, as we a long way from the kitchen. It does the job brilliantly.
I wish I’d bought a bigger thermos now, but at least we’re boiling the kettle two to three times a day now, rather than eight! :)
I love the idea of a cocktail in a jar – it looks so pretty too! And I think there’s something wonderfully liberating about giving into ageing (dis)gracefully :) I’m a coffee addict although I do enjoy herbal teas. Funnily enough, I have quite achey joints, maybe cutting back on the caffeine will help. Right, I’m off to tell a few young people to pick up the rubbish they’ve dropped and to give up their seats to the old biddies!!
Tanya, I gave up caffeine for ages, then went back onto black tea, then coffee. The coffee was what really seemed to make a difference – I had no idea what was going on, but my fingers were incredibly sore and stiff, as were other joints. I’ve still got some 50 yo aches and pains, but nothing like a couple of months ago, and I was only drinking a couple of shots of coffee a day!
A Jar of cocktail, a Loaf of Bread–and Thou Beside me singing in the Wilderness. My mum and grandmother went through a phase of using a giant one of those insulated flasks. It went with us on “outings” and picnics because whenever mum or grandma got too far away from the likelihood of a cup of tea it wasn’t pretty.
Fran, that’s hilarious! I can just imagine your mum or grandma on those “outings”, pouring themselves a cuppa into plastic picnic mugs! :)
Nah – I think you could do worse things to become an old Chinese Lady. This is merely a convenience & I always remember my mother having a kettle on the stove for her afternoon tea.
I don’t often have herbal teas but every time I read about some of them I want to give them a try.
Diane, I’m not a big fan of the herbal teas they have at supermarkets, but I’ve fallen very much in love with the Turkish ones. Can you get any of those where you are?
I don’t think I’ve seen any but perhaps at a specialty store. We’ve got a couple of tea stores that have just opened up not too far away. I’ll have to check…the nice thing is that they do samples.
Aah lovely Celia, that apple tea is a long time favourite and I just picked up a box of it after long absence, just last weekend. Have been enjoying it all week. Love the idea of us sharing the same brand and flavour of tea across the globe! X
How nice to be sharing a cuppa with you from the other side of the world! Next time we’re both on twitter together, we should make a cuppa and drink it together! :)
Haha, I sure wish I could call you on a rough day, that sounds the perfect remedy!! Sorry the caffein didn’t work for you. The idea of the flask on the bench seems excellent if you have lots of people drinking hot drinks. Here it is only me, most of the time. I love fennel tea, too! Happy Mother’s Day, Celia, the real one, not the Hallmark one!!
Ardys, I’m completely smitten with the fennel tea! I was drinking linden tea, but it made me pee all day long! :) And thank you – I hope you had a fabulous Mother’s Day too!
Forgot to say, the butterscotch brownies you make…my Mum used to make them 40+ years ago and the recipe called them ‘Blonde Brownies’. I always thought that was cute. xx
Ardys, I think that’s right, I think they are known as “blondies” in parts of the US!
I drink mainly herb teas, all different flavours.
I love the question and answer at the end of your post. Lol! Too bad we don’t live closer!
Oooh new momma, I’d be sending you a whole lot more than cocktails and bread!
That reminds me of my mum too! We used to always have a thermos on the bench. I should get mine out. I’ve been having liquorice tea to curb my sweet tooth.
Lien, that’s one tea I could never warm too – I tried one recently and it was so sweet I couldn’t drink it. I didn’t add sugar!
Boiling the kettle uses the most energy in a house than any other single item, so you may have become an old Chinese woman, but I would say, a sensible and frugal one too. I try to do this too- to save on power but also because I love my Chinese thermos. I drink Chinese or Japanese tea all day, but sometimes I grab a handful of verbena- that makes a lovely tea.
Wish I lived next door- that cocktail looks fabulous.
Fra, I LOVE verbena tea, especially when I’m having trouble going to sleep. We used to have a verbena bush, but it died. Must get myself some dried tea leaves – haven’t had any for ages. Thanks for the reminder!
Hey old lady! ;) You made me giggle Celia dear girl. That flask is unbelievable, I think I’ll have to take myself over to Peter’s, I blame you already for the extra things I know I will buy.
In my old age I’ve taken to herbal tea in the afternoon and evening. I drink two black coffees in the morning and that’s it. I’m incredibly fussy about my coffee, even a grain of sugar will set me whinging but with herbal tea I drink ’em all.
Happy Mothers Day Celia, I hope your boys spoil you rotten.
Rose, just don’t tell Tony it’s my fault! :) The flask has met Big Boy’s approval, he drinks from it all day long. We should have bought a bigger one, as we manage to empty this one two or three times a day, but it means we’re boiling the kettle far less than we used to, so that’s a good thing!
You truly are the perfect neighbour – bread, chocolate & cocktails!
That’s very kind love, thank you! I can throw in a zucchini (trombie) slice if anyone’s desperate! :)
Too funny about becoming an old Chinese woman! My host family had a similar flask in Germany, but they always had coffee in it. I myself am a tea drinker, can’t stand coffee. Decaf for me, caffeine gives me heartburn. Love the cocktail in a jar! I sometimes serve cocktails in canning jars. And yes to the big ice cubes. I use my silicone muffin wrappers to make big ice cubes.
Gretchen, they would be VERY big icecubes! I’m using a little square plastic box for mine! :)
Sigh, if only l lived in Sydney. What a great neighbour you are Celia:)
We’d have fun, Jo! :)
Hi Celia,
I just got my IMK post up, I hope I am not to late!!
Thanks,
Lori
Hi Celia,
I posted a comment and it disappeared so I apologize if you get two messages from me. I just posted my IMK post, I hope I am not too late! Thanks, Lori
Lori, no problem at all! It’s on the list! :)
Happy mother’s day Celia!
And to you! I hope you had a most fabulous day! x
I drink lemongrass tea or licorice tea most days. On hot days I put the tea in the fridge and we drink with with a big ice cub in it to cool us down. I love the cocktails in a jar – genius!
When I was at the Rocks Markets, there was an entire stall dedicated to licorice and I thought of you! And yes, cocktails in a jar – not only good for delivery, but you could sneak one into your handbag for emergencies! :D
I do not usually like herbal teas but I do like Turkish apple tea! I am going to try to find some here as I need to drink less black tea!
Rachel, I hope you can track some down! I think they’re available via mailorder – I find the Dogadan brand very good!
I have a love hate relationship with herbal tea – I really, really, really want to like them but I struggle – usual suspects are green tea and peppermint. I’ve brought some hazelnut decaf tea bags and a chai blend recently that aren’t bad – I do like the sound of those 2 you have though. I also think, not for the first time, that we really should be neighbours :D Jan x
Jan, I’m not a huge fan of the herbal teas they sell at supermarkets, but the Turkish ones are most fine and very reasonably priced. I’m not sure I could drink a hazelnut decaf tea! :)
I love the hot water thermos idea! I try to only boil the smallest amount of water and don’t drink as much tea as I’d like. I put my hand up for cocktails in jars! Yes please!
Clare, it’s well worth the small investment – we used to boil the kettle about ten times a day (literally) and now we’re down to about three. Every bit helps!
Eek! I must have been an old Chinese woman about 15 years ago when I got one of those insulated flasks – I made my tea in it for years. Hee hee.
I swap between regular black tea and herbal tea through the day.
I only ever have a cup of coffee – well a cappuccino when we go out for breakfast – that’s more than I can handle for a week.
I love your cocktail – such a pretty colour too.
Have a beautiful and happy week ahead Celia.
:-) Mandy xoxo
Mandy, I’m not sure anyone could ever call you old! Hope you’re having a great May, my darling friend.. xxx
So far May has been wonderful and my Pete will be home on Saturday for a week and then I will be heading off to Swaziland with him for a couple of days. How fabulous!
Hope your May is wonderful too. xo
Not old but definitely wise. I wish I lived close to you – you could mentor me on my bread production and we could share cocktails. Not sure how much would get done after a few though 🍸🍸🍸😇
Off now to locate an insulated jug.
Yes, and you could help me with sewing projects! :) Hope you track down a jug!
Sharing knowledge is always great.
I also have a insulated flask, a workplace Christmas gift, and figured I’d eventually put it to use similarly as you’ve described but I never thought to associate with attaining the status of “an old Chinese woman” but if the shoe fits, I can wear it!
I love herbal teas and am fortunate to have a wonderful source in my friend Nancy from Narrabri whose rose bud, lemongrass, green tea & lime bits, peppermint are wonderful. But it doesn’t stop there, my sister gave me lemon myrtle tea she bought in the Kimberley, although I usually get it from Perry’s at Taylors Arm. Then there is sage!
I think my favourite herbal tea is from my garden at TA when I pick a great bunch of mint from the garden, add a spoonful of honey, pour hot water over & let it steep, topping up from time to time and later drinking it cold.
ED, you’ve given me some of Nancy’s teas, and they were delicious, thank you! I’ve tried sage tea and it’s very nice, but I find the fennel even more stomach settling! And your home brew tea sounds absolutely perfect!
We are all up to be old Chinese ladies at Casa Del Aguas… now to find a nice flask. :-)
I like the idea of having hot tea all day. We mostly drink peppermint, berry tea and lemon ginger, though the hub likes Earl Grey. I need my two mugs of hot coffee with milk to get going in the morning. Hugs, Maz
Maz, I’m partial to an Earl Grey too, although less so since I’ve tried to cut back on caffeine again. Hope you find a seriously funky flask! :)
I too have been tempted to get a flask but I’m scared of the teasing my grandmother would deliver! I also looooove fennel tea but find it difficult to buy locally. I will have to step up my game and hunt harder. I also love tea that has liquorice added. And a camomile one for night times is lovely. I have one cup of coffee a day on waking and I savour every drop, but cannot have more than that or I don’t sleep (and neither does Jimmy!)
I adore the look of that butterscotch brownie, and cocktails in a jar – just genius. You have some very lucky neighbours!
See, we’re in the same boat there! My mother thought it was very funny that I was finally putting a flask on the bench! I’m so glad everyone liked the cocktail in a jar idea – I was very pleased with that one. It only came about so nobody had to drop a wine glass back to us! :)
You are the best neighbour! I love the froth on top of the cocktail. I drink herbal teas as well as I’m no good on the caffeine xx
Charlie, thank you – I think the froth is from the pineapple juice! Either way, it’s very cool, like a head on a beer! :)
You have not gotten to an age to be old Celia and love the sound of fennel tea! It indeed sounds very healthy and am sure it has lots of antioxidants!
Jo, I’m not sure about the fennel tea, but I think the apple tea (with hibiscus) is pretty high in antioxidants! :)
Celia, when my niece was born my sisters mother in law gave her one of those hot water boilers/dispensers to make it easy for her with the baby formula. We loved that when we were over we could have tea straight away :) It eventually broke down and my sister couldn’t be convinced to get another when it was no longer required for the formula. I often tell hubby that I want one but he shakes his head at me :)
Stefanie, I can understand your husband’s reluctance – we are becoming our old Asian parents! :D
Hi Celia – I’m also a decaf coffee drinker these days and I’d love to know where you buy EcoCaffe especially as it’s Nespresso machine compatible?! I’ve not seen it anywhere. I so agree with you re barista decaf coffee – it’s nearly always a disappointment so I tend to have lemon grass tea when I’m out (if it’s available!) VickiT xx
Vicki, it’s available via mailorder and also from Essential Ingredient, I believe. Maybe Harris Farm as well? Here’s the blog post I wrote about it, their Decaf Supreme really IS very good! https://figjamandlimecordial.com/2015/01/08/ecocaffe-environmentally-friendly-coffee-pods/
I love, love fennel tea and have it every day . I also like ginger and lemongrass tea . I used to drink a lot of black tea but my stomach doesn’t like it . Mmmmm, I didn’t know coffe makes your joint aches. Something to think about!
What a wonderful neighbour you are! But an old lady? I think not! : )
Cocktail in a jar, I think it is going to catch on :) I always order decaf if I am having a coffee in the afternoon and fortunately for me, I too have a nespresso machine, but my local coffee shop grinds their decaf fresh and makes a lovely cuppa :) Liz xx
Camomile tea is the only herbal I drink. I have it at my mother’s. Don’t worry that you’ve turned into your mother and grandmother, Celia. In fact, congratulations on it. In time and if we’re lucky, we all do. :)
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