Christmas Dilmah Tea.

I live in Prescott(Pres-kit as we say it)Arizona "The Christmas City".  At a town mile high in high desert where Prickly Pear cactus, Juniper, Shrub Oak and Ponderosa pines meet. Beautiful summers, with showering monsoons and in the winter snow flurries to a blizzard, ahh about every 10 years.

Within a two block radius lights filtrate the city. A Christmas parade, Christmas Light parade,  Prescott Courthouse lighting, Acker Music festival, Valley of Lights, The Nutcracker Ballet, and many more festivities that keep merchants open late at night to celebrate the holiday season. 
Arizonan's come from all over the state to enjoy the Christmas music playing all over the city from choirs to holiday shows.

Dilmah Tea was served at "Fancy That" at two of their events. All walks of life excited about shopping and getting that special gift. Couples came out at night to either to listen to the one man band outside the store or tasting Dilmah Single Estate Tea.  It was fun watching a western towns introduction to a fine pure Ceylon tea. Husbands rallied around me, coffee? Dilmah! Estate teas set in four elevations. Lovers Leap Estate- High grown (6,000 feet above sea level), delicate infusion, light and mellow. Somerset Estate- High Grown (4,000-5,000 feet above sea level). Full bodied, rounded and refreshing. Dombagastalawa Estate - Mid Grown (2,000-3,000 feet above sea level). Strong, rich & full-bodied.  Nilagama Estate - Low Grown (up to 1,000 feet above sea level). Heavy, robust and deep in color. Just like the "terroir" aspect of wine it is also in  the "terroir" of tea. Climate, topography, soil conditions, weather, geography that will affect the color, aroma and the taste of tea.  Each elevation had its turn with each spectator. Smelling, savoring and mindfully giving their take on Dilmah tea.  Lover's Leap came out in the lead again. They were not gifts for others, it was their own personal supply.  Nilagama, strong and bold had surprised the taster how smooth the taste of a strong tea could be. It was the other favorite. Dombagastalawa Estate was another crowd pleaser.  
Not only they enjoyed the tea but contemplating their experience of Dilmah tea was a great conversation.

 Dilmah Tea handpicked, harvested, and packaged at the source within days.  The key to freshness.

 Peace on earth and goodwill toward men.

Merry Christmas

Dilmah-Sustainability

Photos lead us to places. A tea kettle on Facebook post does the job. And the title "Having a Morning Moment with Julia Child" I follow through with a "click"  

Crystal is a family friend, a newlywed, to Dominic, 1940's fashion inspired, world traveler and a sustainable aid photographer.

Photos copyright by Crystaline Randazzo

Grand Adventures of C&D Randazzo
Photos copyright by Crystaline Randazzo

 I move through  her morning, reading, and she is enjoying her Dilmah Mint tea. Sounds ordinary but a transition from one nation to another, well has its........a new start with a good American breakfast with Dilmah tea will make everything alright. I had my Dilmah Irish Breakfast and she had her Dilmah Mint. Then it was back to work. 

She wrote what is dear to her "sustainability".

For the Love of Light   Link

I recently was introduced to a brand of tea called Dilmah. As is prone to happen in my life, I stumbled upon the tea accidentally. It is available at the local grocery store in Lusaka, Zambia. Shortly there after, I took some photographs of my morning activities (tea included!) which were placed on my personal blog. Directly, after that I was contacted by my friend Gloria who is actually promoting Dilmah tea on her blog in the U.S. I think my life is always full of these sorts of happy coincidences!

As you all know, I whole heartily support sustainable projects, and this support often crosses over into my professional life as I love to work with sustainable organizations. I was thrilled to learn that not only does Dilmah promote sustainable tea growing, the founder of Dilmah, Merrill J Fernando, also started the MJF Charitable Foundation that helps tea growers and underprivileged workers in Sri Lanka. The MJF Charitable Foundation represents an alternative economic model, and it is much more than a charity because it represents a genuinely sustainable and fair way of doing business.

It took Merrill just under 40 years to bring his family tea, Dilmah, to consumers. The concept of a young, middle class Sri Lankan seeking to establish an ethical, producer owned tea business was at the time both controversial and fiercely opposed. Then as now, big transnational businesses controlled the tea industry. During the four decades he fought to achieve his dream, he continued to fulfill the commitment of caring for his staff and workers as comes naturally to any family business. As his business was blessed with success, his company and consequently his social justice obligation, grew. 

As if that wasn't enough to convince you already, Dilmah makes a fantastic cup of tea! I've only tried out the sweet mint so far but it is superb!  Dilmah's core foundation is based on integrity, ethics, quality, authenticity,freshness, and sustainability. The UN uses Dilmah as an example to other nations how sustainability can change the financial climate of a nation which Dilmah has for Sri Lanka.

I encourage you to check out their newest Dilmah promotion, The Chefs & the Teamaker, where chefs from around the world create recipes utilizing Dilmah's tea and you can too! Dilmah should be the light shining at the end of the tunnel for countries everywhere looking to take back their local industries for the betterment of their country!

Dilmah Recipes with-

The Healthy Apple

Dilmah presents many tea gastronomic events, events that had stirred many culinary, health conscience, curiosities for my friends, family and acquaintances that had led me back to Amie Valpone the author of "The Healthy Apple". ( October 11, 2010 posted in GTC "Return to Real Tea with Dilmah" a Review included Risotto with Black Trumpet Mushrooms  recipe)
Amie's knowledge of Dilmah made it a perfect match for innovative  Dilmah tea inspiring culinary dishes.

My anticipation was correct. The splendor of good foods and Dilmah tea, myself and other recipe suitors our palates will be satiated.
Amie's Mission: 

To Change the Way People Eat "Feeding People Food-The Way Food Was Meant to Be"

So let's begin, here we have....

Green Tea Sweet Potato Soup

• 4 Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 large sweet onions, chopped
• 2 Tbsp cumin
• 5 large garlic cloves, peeled
• 2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 5 large tomatoes, diced
• 5 large sweet potatoes, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 2 cups fresh baby spinach
• 3 large portabella mushrooms, chopped
• 4 cups brewed Dilmah Lemongrass Green Tea
• 1tsp. sea salt
• 1/2 tsp. freshly ground white pepper
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• Greek plain yogurt for topping
• 3 Tbsp. black sesame seeds, for topping 

In a large pot over medium heat, cook onions with oil until onions are translucent. Add cumin, garlic, balsamic, nutmeg, cinnamon and tomatoes. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 15 minutes. Slowly add sweet potatoes, spicach, mushrooms, tea, sea salt, pepper and chili powder.

Transfer mixture, in batches, to a blender; puree until smooth. Ladle mixture into serving bowls; serve warm with a dollop of Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of sesame seeds, for topping. :-)

Now for your entreé...

Grilled Tuna with Green Tea Coconut Sauce

• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 cup Dilmah Ginger Green Tea
• 2 tsp. lemon juice
• 2 tsp. freshly grated ginger
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp. balsamic vinegar
• 1 Tbsp. chili powder
• 3 scallions, chopped
• 1 tsp. sea salt
• 11/4 tsp. fresh ground white pepper
• 4  6oz tuna fillets
• 3 cups jasmine rice, cooked
• 1/4 cup cashews, ground

Pre- heat grill. In a large skillet, combine coconut milk, Dilmah Ginger Green Tea, lemon juice, ginger, cloves, vinegar and chili powder. cook for 10- 12 minutes or until mixture thickens. Remove frøm heat; add cilantro, scallions, sea salt and pepper.

Brush tuna fillets with the coconut milk mixture; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill fish until opaque in center and grill marks appear, approximately 8 minutes per side. Serve fish atop a bed of jasmine rice with a sprinkle of ground cashews.=-)

For dessert a wonderful....

Vanilla Tea Infused Fruit

• 4 large plums, sliced into 1/4 inch wedges
• 4 large peaches, sliced inch 1/4 inch wedges
• 1 1/2 cups fresh raspberries
• 4 Tbls. sugar
• 1 tsp. all-spice
• 2 cups brewed Dilmah Vanilla Tea
• 1 vanilla bean

Combine fruit, sugar, all-spice and hot tea into a large bowl. Slice vanilla bean in half, add seeds from vanilla bean, then add the bean. Gently toss to coat. Set aside to cool for approximately 1 hour before serving. (yummy)

Bon Appetit!

Link "The Healthy Apple"   Amie Valpone

The Manhattan Gal Behind the Healthy Apple

Amie Valpone, HHC, AADP is a Manhattan based Culinary Marketing Consultant specializing in Gluten and Dairy Free Culinary Nutrition. After graduating with a B.S. in Management from Boston University Business School, Amie went on to follow her passion for cooking and healthy living through training at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in Manhattan.

In addition Amie is the Culinary Nutritionist for the NBA Fit Program and writes the column, "Healthy Corner" on the NBA website. Her experience as a Marketing consultant spans the hotel, spa, restaurant and FMG sector's creating menus, developing marketing and PR efforts and building brand awareness for her clients.  She serves as a brand ambassador for many well-known healthy living companies, attending conferences and food expos across the nation on their behalf. And her insights and advice have appeared on such sites as YahooShine, WebMD, StyleCaster and Livestrong.com

To visit The Healthy Apple Website enter Here