The Art of Food: plums

Preserved Plum Tea

{Tea is a religion of the art of life.}

quote by Okakura

One cannot help but love the ceremony of making and drinking tea. Warm tea offers a comforting invitation to slow down, sip and savor life's quiet moment. Iced tea provides a welcome and refreshing repose to the hot summer humidity. However this beautiful crimson-colored tea is served, choose beautiful cups that will delight the senses as much as the tea itself.

Enjoy it in the spirit of the ancient tea masters.

To make preserved plum tea:

1 tea bag or 2 Tablespoons loose plum, pomegranate, or strawberry tea

4 Bella Cucina Organic Plums in Syrup

Bella Cucina Organic Acacia Honey

In a tea kettle, heat spring or purified water until boiling.

Cut the plums in half and remove the pits.

Pour the water into the tea pot with the tea bag and plums.

Steep 4 to 5 minutes, then remove the tea bag.

Serve warm with honey or stir in honey to taste and refrigerate until cool.

If serving cold, pour chilled and sweetened tea into glasses filled with crushed ice and a sprig of garden herb {mint, marjoram, rosemary or lavender}. Garnish with a slice of preserved plum.

Preserved Plum Tea {photography Andrew Thomas Lee Photography}

Plum Mint Fizz

4 Preserved Plums, reserve one for garnish
1 Tablespoon syrup from plums

2 wedges Preserved lemon

3 lemon leaves

1/2 cup Gin or vodka

2 cups soda water

ice

In a medium saucepan add the syrup and 1 preserved lemon wedge. Cook over medium heat just until boiling. Turn off of the heat and add the mint stems. Allow the syrup to steep for 30 minutes. the syrup directly into a blender. Add the plums and puree until smooth. Strain the puree, then pour into a pitcher and refrigerate until chilled. When ready to serve, add the gin and one cup soda water and mix until well-blended. Fill glasses with crushed ice, add a slice of the remaining preserved lemon and plum. Pour the chilled mixture into the glasses. Top off with more soda water.
Garnish with mint leaves.

Preserved Plum Tea: a Reflection

Plum Mint Fizz