We met Bonnie Eng through her site, Thirsty for Tea. Like all good tea lovers, she too has found a world where tea plays a role in much of what she does. But like us, Bonnie too is interested in a modern view of what’s seen as traditional. So, of course we got talking.
Bonnie, who lives in LA, found that she could combine her interests in tea with her background in culinary arts, health education, and Asian American studies. And from this rather eclectic mix of interest emerged a site that’s gained a loyal following. Bonnie’s site now showcases her craftsmanship in the crafts and in the recipes she creates.
We asked if she would be interested in taking our teas and creating something from them. Sure, she said, and came up with this beautiful Spice Drawer Tea Sachets. If you are hosting a holiday lunch, it will make for a pretty and interesting tea setting. So do take a look at how you can make your own Spice Drawer Tea Sachets. And here’s Bonnie answering a few questions on her favorite things!
I am curious. How do you decide which teas will work for a craft, for a recipe, or just steep and enjoy?
Often, it’s a matter of wanting to highlight something interesting about that tea. Sometimes, with crafts, that might mean making use of the colors found in a tea’s packaging. For recipes, an everyday recipe calls for an easy-to-use tea, while a fancier, special occasion or holiday recipe will call for best quality tea.
With Spice Drawer Tea Sachets, I wanted to showcase the vibrancy of Teabox’s spectacular selection of Indian teas. I consider Teabox teas to be of the best quality, the type I would typically suggest for plain steeping. To push the envelope, I’m planning on incorporating one of your Darjeelings into a Crepe Cake for the holidays. That recipe has very few ingredients, and is relatively straight forward so that the Darjeeling remains the star of the show.
How do you start a project? What goes into it, and how long does it take?
I have a little blank book that I carry around with me everywhere. Often, I’ll get ideas for new projects randomly—while walking my dog, while window shopping, or sometimes (since I’m in LA) even while sitting in traffic! I write the ideas down in the book, and come back to them later. If I decide to go forward with an idea, I often find myself visiting the market or crafts store several times. A post/project typically takes a few days to put together.
There’s an aspect of evolution when you are trying to come up with blog ideas, especially crafts. Just when everything is set, the idea might take a turn. You have to take chances, and some work better than others, but the goal is always to inspire.
What’s your preferred tea and preferred tea time?
I try to drink herbals in the AM and PM, and save my caffeine buzz for the middle of the day, the traditional time to drink tea. In the fall, I love a delicate Darjeeling or peachy Oolong. In the winter, I love a robust, malty Assam with a generous splash of milk or a richer Darjeeling. (Jungpana Exotic Summer Darjeeling Muscatel Black is one of my favorites!)
How much of your home is influenced by tea?
There are suggestions of tea everywhere around my home, from the tea roses in my front yard to the tea soaking salts in the bathroom. I have two rooms purely dedicated to holding my kitchen tools, cookbooks, and crafting materials. I also have an entire closet dedicated to tea itself (I think it’s supposed to be a towel closet, but oh well!). I’m constantly in the process of organizing and re-organizing it. It’s a monumental task, but one that must be done!
The teas we sent Bonnie to make the Spice Drawer Tea Sachets were Singbulli Exotic Spring Darjeeling Flowery Oolong, Castleton Moonlight Spring White and the Halmari Special Summer Assam Black.
Photo credits: Bonnie Eng, Thirsty for Tea
