I am a tea sommelier and have decided to create a tea inspired book. A tea, drink, and food adventure that uses no more than five teas that you probably already have in your pantry.

We don’t understand. What’s the book about?
I offer new twists on tea and food that you’ve never tasted before. Just wait until you try my rendition of Himalayan Tea Dumplings or the Tea salt encrusted branzino fish and shrimps as a fabulous meal for sea lovers. Experience the best tea cocktails with tea infused vodka or mocktails such as the Cucumber Sandwich, the Lychee Anna May Wong or a JC Fireball.

So it’s a cookbook? We’re still not sure how tea comes into it.
Tea is like wine in that the taste profile reflects the terroir; the land and the climate. The interest in tea has made drinkers aware of the the different types and grades of teas affecting taste. Much like the rise of the wine movement in the 1970s.

The cookbook uses tea as an essential ingredient in each recipe ranging from starters like a smoked pepper lentil dip, tea salt encrusted fish to tea cocktails. I also cover afternoon tea with traditional recipes, as when people think tea this is what comes up to mind.

That’s definitely what we think about when we think of tea. 
Educate us; you mentioned something about tea cocktails? 
Yes a tea cocktail

SUNBURST MORNING
serves 1

1 oz vodka infused Earl Grey
1/2 oz Grand Marnier Orange Liquer
1 T simple syrup
1/4 C orange juice
1/2 lemon juice squeeze
1 T grenadine
lemon and orange slice

Shake 10 times.
In a shaker add ice cubes and liquid ingredients.
Pour in martini glass, rub rim with lemon twist and garnish with half a lemon and orange slice.

What’s vodka-infused Earl Grey? Can we buy that at the supermarket? VODKA INFUSED TEA

4 oz vodka
2 tsp loose leaf tea

PREPARATION:
Infuse tea in an infuser in the vodka for 5 hours.
OR infuse directly in the alcohol and strain before bottling.
Do not leave tea in spirits as this will cause it to be bitter.

Bottle and use within 7 days.

We’re definitely going to try that.  Sounds great.
You say you’re a tea sommelier.  What’s that? We’ve heard of wine sommeliers.
A certified tea sommelier is a tea professional who is trained in teas including who specializes in tea service and food pairings. The role is similar to a wine sommelier. This is a course lasting several years with ongoing knowledge of tastings and in the field from bush to cup.

The learning never ends and it can be an adventure much like the first tea merchants who traveled to the far east in search of the perfect cup.

In history tea was more valuable than gold and in the early days in Britain the Chines coloured the exported a blue green with arsenic to hide the origins of the tea. Only when Britain start the Opium trade did the balance of trade equalize along with the Robert Fortune stealing the tea bush and starting tea gardens in other colonies did the Chinese lose the monopoly on tea.

Tell us a little about your history with tea.
I am the founder and President of the love of tea, a purveyor of specialty pure blended teas that support art and social change through its sales of tea. Tea, in fact, played a key role in the fight for women’s rights in the 19th century in North America. I was active in humanitarian aidwork including opening the first girls’ library in Afghanistan with FemAid until breast cancer when I focused my recovery on tea and interest in the culinary arts.

Did you just say tea played a key role in the fight for women’s rights?
In the 19th century women had no rights in Western society and could only legally meet at tea time. This in fact was the start of the women’s movement where they could gather to have tea, discuss and organize the movement.

Wow, we did not know that.  And it’s great to hear that  you’re keeping up that tradition.
the love of tea, my tea brand, events and cookbooks help support women’s issues. The love of tea sponsors events such as http://factoronto.org/149-2/carol-mark.

Who will this book appeal to?
Anyone who loves tea and food. Of course, the adventurous.

Do you have a website?
http://theloveoftea.ca/tea-books.html

What about social media?
twitter @theloveoftea
facebook www.facebook.com/TeanTaste

There’s a story behind your discovery of tea, isn’t there?
I was recovering from cancer when I discovered tea and thus my journey. I have been using this knowledge to share with others.

No matter what your calling is in life to remember that there are no mistakes in taking a detour. Mine was getting a double mastectomy, which lead me to the re-discovery of tea.