Hello, darlings! Happy National Tea Day (Sunday 21st April 2019) This luxurious fragrant tea is jam-packed with surprises – How bloomin’ marvellous! So, if you wish to be “tickled pink” by Miss Windsor - Oh, I say! whilst you relax on a “bed of roses”, as you gaze upon the globe through “rose-tinted glasses” – then please do join Miss Windsor for a scent-sational sup on this exquisite blend of Miles Lavender Limeflower & Rose Tea! Oh, and this particular blend is the perfect warm refreshment to be served during a spot of afternoon tea and must be enjoyed with a slice or two of Mrs Beeton’s Rose & Lime Saucer Cake – How scrumptious! Darlings, for those who have not had the pleasure of this superior brand of tea before now, then may I introduce Miles Tea of Porlock, Somerset - merchants of the finest tea and coffee from the West-Country. Established in 1888 and was previously known as Henry Miles & Co, then in 1971, Mr D J Miles purchased the business from his grandfather, whom since then, and now at the ripe and ravishing age of 87 years old is still tea tasting and buying three days per week – How spiffing! Okey dokey, first off, before I managed to wrangle my way into the packet, I noticed a “wee” scribed note that invites the consumer to “Enjoy a sleepy moment with Miles” – now my dear, that’s an offer Miss Windsor could not refuse! So naturally, after a hard day’s slog in the kitchen, one decided to sample this tea during the evening, followed by a rather sleepy yet seductive rendezvous with Mr Miles - Oh, I say! Good gosh, my dears! Miss Windsor became a bit carried away there - one meant to say a snuggle with one’s favourite cup and saucer, full to the brim of Miles tea, of course! Moving swiftly on, as I burst open the packet, I was greeted by the incredible fragrance of an English country garden “pot-pourri”– I say, it was the most dazzling flowery welcome I’ve ever experienced! Darlings, I recall a mesmerising whiff of pink rambling rose, coupled with a sensual waft of lavender, plus an earthy touch of zing, which I believe is due to the unusual addition of limeflower. I must say, my senses were aroused immediately, and so I envisioned a picture-postcard image of a quaint chocolate-box cottage, surrounded by a picket fence, nestled within a sleepy West-Country hamlet. This beauteous vision was enwreathed by an almost wild, yet charming bounty of fragrant flowers, shrubs, herbs, vegetables, ornamental plants, and pink rambling roses. By Jove! darlings, by now Miss Windsor’s beloved Brown Betty teapot couldn’t wait to get a brew on – the floral bouquet type, of course! Then as I gazed through the transparent receptacle which housed the cute little tea kites, I discovered the silky bags contained something similar to crushed dried herbs, not at all like pot-pourri! I describe these herby-like tealeaves as drab in colour, a bit on the beige side with a hint of grey/green, to be precise. However, it delighted me greatly when I spied a smitch of a pink rose petal scattered amongst the debris – How spiffing! Darlings, now I must say, the moment I reached in to fetch one of those silky bags, and as fast as a kite (tea kite in this case) can whizz through the wind, I was instantly swept down memory lane to Grandmother Josie’s Victorian Somersetshire abode in Clevedon! A trifle bigger than a sleepy hamlet dwelling yet boasted a vibrant coloured and beautifully kept cottage-like garden – the scent of rose, lavender, and tree bark sprang to mind, but no limeflowers, I’m afraid. “Miss Windsor, now what the Dickens has Grandmother Josie’s abode have in common with a tea bag, apologies tea kite?” Well, the moment one’s delicate snout inhaled the aromatic tones of rose, lavender, and limeflower, I was drawn immediately to Grannie’s drawers – Oh, I say! and not to her magnificent garden. Of course, Miss Windsor is referring to a “chest of drawers”, not the cotton type commonly known as bloomers, or knickers in this modern day and age! You see, this wonderful blend of tea evoked fond and rosy memories of Grandmother Josie’s grand boudoir – parsley green carpet, rose pink drapes, satin cerise bedspread and matching pillow shams, mahogany furniture, plus a vintage 1970’s “teasmade”, which I believe had been out of action since such era! Now, back to Grannies drawers – Oh, I say! well, I recall a stupendous mahogany article, a bit dog-eared but still as robust and vivid as the day it was made. So, darlings, as I pulled open one of the drawers, I spied numerous, vintage, lacey silk, pink and mauve drawer pillows that were oozing with floral freshness. I then poked my head in for an almighty snuffle, and I was instantly seduced by a scent-sation of English lavender and rose perfume created by Yardley – the finest British old-fashioned perfumer. Now, throw a bit of earthy mahogany into the mix, and BANG! It smelt exactly like Miles Lavender Limeflower & Rose Tea – How remarkable! Righty oh, darlings, let’s leave Grandmother Josie’s spectacular drawers alone, and move on gracefully to my beloved Brown Betty teapot, which was sporting a rather fetching delicate pink tea cosy. Of course, by now Brown Betty was gagging to pour Miss Windsor a cup of tea - and so, the moment my cup brimmed with liquid I took a quick sniff. I then rose from the cup quite baffled, as it smelt very much like boiled dandelion stalks, with a touch of chamomile, plus a hint of dried rose petal – How extraordinary! Now, onto the taste. Well, it was a tad bitter, and unsurprisingly, tasted rather like chamomile tea infused with dandelion stalks, coupled with a titillating touch of rose petal, followed by a lingering aftertaste of zing – that must’ve been the limeflower. You see, darlings, although it was a bit like supping on “eau de cologne”, I enthuse that it was extremely delightful, flavoursome, incredibly refreshing, and I must say, following a day’s hard graft this tea is the perfect tonic to help you unwind…… Darlings, so if you fancy being swept away with Mr Miles – Oh, I say! on a relaxing rendezvous, then why not treat yourself to a packet of Miles Lavender Limeflower & Rose Tea Kites and indulge in a cup or two of this floral brew – How fabulous!
ALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY MISS WINDSOR EXCEPT FOR PHOTOS OF GRANDMOTHER JOSIE & MR D J MILES.
6 Comments
22/4/2019 09:14:10 am
"let’s leave Grandmother Josie’s spectacular drawers alone" ... Just wonderful! I might have to seek out such a tea and try out Mrs Beeton's recipe. Thank you for brightening my day.
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22/4/2019 04:49:53 pm
Hello, darling!
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Josh Comer
22/4/2019 04:54:21 pm
Miss Windsor
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22/4/2019 05:02:50 pm
My dear Josh,
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Daniella Poke
22/4/2019 05:05:45 pm
Hello, thank you for your very interesting, funny, and glowing review of Miles tea. I really go to know grannie's drawers! I'm really taken by your style of writing. I felt as if I was there with you. You really did a good job Miss Windsor. Daniella
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22/4/2019 05:11:30 pm
My dear, Daniella.
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