Fancy That's Walpole Tea Room launches custom blend called "Smitten"

Fancy That is “Smitten” with its new House Blend of Tea

Fancy That introduces its own house blend of tea called “Smitten.”

Fancy That, a busy Victorian style tea house and gift shop in Walpole, Massachusetts, whose Facebook fan-base of over 11,000 draws “likers” from around the globe, has just launched its own blend of tea they are calling “Smitten.”  “We are proud to bring wonderful teas to the table for our guests to enjoy,” Sarah Erlandson, proprietress of Fancy That says.  “So it seemed fitting to offer our own blend of tea containing our favorite flavourings.” 

“Smitten” is a blend of Pai Mu Tan (or “White Peony”) certified organic white tea, rose bud petals that are certified organic, Lemongrass from Egypt also certified organic and Orange Flower Water from France.  The mist-shrouded mountains of the Fujian Province in China is where this white tea is grown.  White tea is the least processed of all teas – never rolled and only slightly oxidized.  It is only picked in the spring and only on days where there is no rain.  It is loaded with favonoids, catechins and other antioxidants and has a proven health benefit.  The taste is distinctively “tea” with a rich golden color to the liquid.  The addition of rose petals and French Orange Blossom water gives Smitten its gentle aroma and comforting notes of honey.

“My husband and I fell in love with the ethereal taste of Orange Blossom water while planning our wedding,” Erlandson continues.  “Our wedding cake was flavoured with French Orange Blossom water.  We have been smitten with the flavour ever since, so you can see where the name came from,” Erlandson says with a smile.  “Working with local blender GayGrace Teas (home of the original Mobile Tea Truck), we came up with the perfect combination of ingredients to create Fancy That’s signature, house blend tea.  We are thrilled to add it to our tea menu.”

“Smitten” joins Fancy That’s tea menu alongside over 30 teas from which patrons may choose when they have Afternoon Tea at the tea room.  “Initially Smitten will only be available by the pot when you have Afternoon Tea here, “Erlandson says.  “But later this year we will begin to offer Smitten for sale in our gift shop, so that our house blend can be enjoyed at home, too.”

Fancy That is a “reservation only” tea house, serving a classic Victorian style Afternoon Tea Thursdays through Sundays.  Reservations are running approximately two weeks out on weekends and one week out on Thursdays and Fridays.  For reservations call toll free 1-888-323-2832 or email reservations@afternoontea.com.  The Gift Shoppe is open to the public during regular hours, Thursdays and Fridays 10am – 3 pm,  Saturdays and Sundays 10am – 5pm.

Becoming a Tea Room - Plumbing Passed!

You may be asking yourself - where has Fancy That been the last month?  Well, getting the Prep Room ready in our path to becoming a Tea Room.  You may recall, we are now licensed Common Victuallers.  Today we passed and have approved plumbing that is required to plate the food and wash, rinse and sanitize the vintage china.  Even if you don't like the looks of plumbing, you have to admit, it is a work of art - what with all the copper!  (PVC is not allowed in commercial applications in Massachsuetts.)

Thank you to our plumber, Norfolk County Plumbing and Heating.  We highly recommend their work, their attitude, and their willingness to help!  Thank you!

On to the last two inspections.  Now that we have the proper fire extinguishers throughout the Tea Room and all tagged, the proper lighting and emergency lighting, the proper signage in the Prep Room, and a little ramp by one of the thresholds (more on that in a later post), we are near ready for the final inspection by the Building Inspector/Commissioner, and then the final inspection by our Board of Health who will then issue our License to Operate as a Food Service Establishment.

Thank you for following us as we continue on the home stretch of Becoming a Tea Room!  :)  Thanks for stopping by!