64 Comments
Apr 16, 2020Liked by Candace Rose Rardon

Congratulations Candace! What an amazing adventure you are starting. I cant wait to read your book. I love brewing real grey with regular english “builders tea”. My beloved great aunt used to make it for me and it always brings me comfort and joy. Stay well lovely lass!

Expand full comment
author

Yes! I loved discovering builder's tea when I lived in London, and it's beautiful to read about the comfort, joy, and connection to your great aunt that it brings you. Isn't it amazing how much a single cup of tea can evoke in us? Thanks so much for sharing that, Bridget, and for your kind words as well! <3

Expand full comment
Apr 16, 2020Liked by Candace Rose Rardon

Congratulations! I have always been a tea drinker. I like it the Indian way. Black tea with milk and crushed cardamom. And with a teaspoon of sugar. Cheers!

Expand full comment
author

I will always be grateful to India for the myriad cups of masala chai I sipped there, and every time I make chai here at home, it instantly transports me back (I can even still hear the chai wallahs calling out as they make their way down the train carriages). I hope you're keeping safe and well during the lockdown, Swagata <3

Expand full comment
Apr 19, 2020Liked by Candace Rose Rardon

Congratulations on your news, Candace. Judging from your book Beneath the Lantern’s Glow, this one will be a treat too. As for the tea, nothing beats a fresh mint tea :)

Expand full comment
author

Thank you so much, Simona! And I couldn't agree more with you -- I fell in love with fresh mint tea in Morocco, and anytime I drink it now, it takes me right back there :)

Expand full comment
Apr 18, 2020Liked by Candace Rose Rardon

Congratulations! My favorite tea is PG Tips, a black tea, with a bit of milk and sugar.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, Marlene! And great choice -- I've always enjoyed my black tea milky and sweet as well :)

Expand full comment

Congratulations on a beautiful book! What an accomplishment :) And also on your marriage...you look happy and excited. I love all kinds of teas...plain old black tea is probably my favorite, as well as one called Bengal Spice.

Expand full comment
author

It's so lovely to hear from you here, Tahirih, and thank you so much! Someone else was just telling me about Bengal Spice over the weekend -- as a huge chai lover, it sounds like a tea I would love, too :)

Expand full comment

What a delightful book! I love it!! My favorite tea is usually an earl grey, but lately I am loving this Sweet Pistachio Pu’erh loose leaf tea from Tealyra. It's super special!

Expand full comment
author

It's wonderful to hear from you here, Alison! And I'm so glad you said pu-erh...I fell in love with pu-erh while working on the book, and I'll be sure to try out the one you recommended next time I'm in the States! I hope you and your family have been safe and well these past few weeks. <3

Expand full comment
Apr 17, 2020Liked by Candace Rose Rardon

Congratulations on all the wonderful news, Candace! I have loved reading your reflections on tea and look forward to checking out the book. It is so hard to choose a favorite tea, but I would have to go with a strong Assam. Take care!

Expand full comment
author

It's so great to hear from you here, Kim, and thank you so much! I also love that you mentioned Assam...I was fascinated reading about Assam while researching the history of black tea for the book. Leading up to the 19th century, England had been desperate to find its own source for growing tea, as it'd grown so reliant on China for tea, and they even resorted to sending a "tea spy" into China to smuggle back seeds and plants into India. Finally, a second variety of the tea plant "Camellia sinensis" was discovered in Assam, which became their key -- Assam is even now the largest tea-growing region in the world! While I knew before starting the book how rich the history of tea is, my mind was still blown by stories like that :)

Expand full comment
Apr 17, 2020Liked by Candace Rose Rardon

It's difficult for me to tell you about a tea I DON'T like. Earl Grey is among my favourites, and Golden Nepal, for instance.

Congratulations on your marriage!

Expand full comment
author

Thank you so much, Eva! And Golden Nepal tea sounds lovely -- I just read that it's very similar to Darjeeling since it's also high-grown, so I'll be sure to seek it out soon and try it for myself :)

Expand full comment
Apr 17, 2020Liked by Candace Rose Rardon

Congrats on your new book launch Candace and for your wedding with your fiance soon! My favorite tea is masala tea. I like the herbs infused in the tea. Thank you for asking!

Expand full comment
author

You and me both, Elisa! I fell in love with masala chai in India and still adore the delicious mix of spices with milky-sweet tea. Thanks so much for your kind words as well!

Expand full comment
Apr 17, 2020Liked by Candace Rose Rardon

Wow! What beauty and movement in stagnant times <3

I loooooove some morning chai or evening orange spice herbal tea :)

Expand full comment
author

Annie, I'm so moved by your lovely words -- thank you! I hadn't thought about this current season as still holding a sense of movement, but you're exactly right. I'm raising my own morning mug of chai to you in gratitude :) <3

Expand full comment

Congratulations! Every single morning I get up and make a cup of organic earl grey washed first for about 20 seconds to reduce the caffeine, but not affect the taste and a dollup of honey from our farm...starts the day right.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, Angelq! And that sounds like the most delightful way to start your day, especially with that lovely dollup of honey straight from your farm. Thank you for sharing that :)

Expand full comment
Apr 16, 2020Liked by Candace Rose Rardon

My favorite tea is the classic masala chai found on every street corner in India! The so-called chai tea latte found in the States is a poor substitute, tasting more like warm milk. So I tell them instead to give me a dirty chai = with a shot of espresso to make it palatable.

Expand full comment
author

I am right there with you, Pete! While I still make chai at home the traditional way, it never compares to the chai I loved sipping in tiny tea shops in Udaipur and Delhi or on the trains when chai wallahs came passing down the carriage, chanting "chai, chai, chai." Thanks for taking me back there this morning with your comment.

Expand full comment
Apr 16, 2020Liked by Candace Rose Rardon

I love Tea ! I grew up w tea as a remedy for everything

Especially a good old cuppa English breakfast not too weak

W a dash of milk served in a lovely tea cup.

love the color of your book!

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, Gabrielle! Turquoise and peacock blue are my favorite colors, so I was quite excited as well when I first saw the cover of the book :)

Expand full comment
Apr 16, 2020Liked by Candace Rose Rardon

Candace I’m so thrilled both about your 4 year anniversary and your first published book!! Congratulations!! I would love a copy of your book (and the postcards would be amazing too)! I made some Chai concentrate today and just finished a warm soothing cup as I watched the snowflakes swirl down on this chilly day (and week)!

Expand full comment
author

Thank you so very much, Treava!! And that all just sounds so delightful, sipping a homemade mug of chai while watching the snow fall...thank you for sharing that peaceful, soothing image with me today :) Sending a big hug your way always! <3

Expand full comment
Apr 16, 2020Liked by Candace Rose Rardon

Wow, congratulations, Candace! I'm glad to celebrate such great news :)

Lately I've been savoring some spring white tea from the Yunnan province in China, which a tea-obsessed friend shared with me two months ago. I have about a teaspoon of leaves left!

Expand full comment
author

Thank you so much, Rebecca! And it sounds like your tea game is seriously strong right now :) A spring white tea from the birthplace of tea itself sounds amazing. White tea was one of my favorite discoveries from working on the book, and I experienced a similar moment of sadness when placing my final White Peony leaves into my gaiwan a few weeks ago -- thanks again for sharing that with me, and for your kind words!

Expand full comment
Apr 16, 2020Liked by Candace Rose Rardon

Love your new book. Congrats on finishing it and congrats on your marriage. Blessings!

Expand full comment
author

Thank you so much, Marya -- I so appreciate your kind words and blessings!

Expand full comment