fall, tea, and family

This past weekend was the Northwest Tea Festival in Seattle! It was a perfect fall day for tea tasting and exploring the city.

I went with my mom, aunt, and two cousins. I didn't really know what to expect... other than lots of tea. It did not disappoint. We got cute little ceramic tea cups for tasting plus a tote bag for carrying goodies.

When we arrived, Emeric Harney from Harney and Sons was giving a presentation on British Tea: Then and Now.

We sat and listened to part of it (which I enjoyed) but then decided it was time to explore the many booths of tea! Each vendor had a variety of teas to taste plus tea for sale, tea items, and lots of fun stuff. I tried so many new teas and loved most of them!

One of my favorites was a pu-erh tea sweetened with dates. I was tempted to buy some (it comes in a brick!) but it was $40. A little pricey for me. I might indulge one day...

 I couldn't help buy some other finds...

Two tins of Harney and Sons (they were only $5!)--Dragon Pearl Jasmine (a favorite) and Love Life, a blend I hadn't tried before. From the description I didn't think I would like it much, but it turned out to be quite pleasant! Plus a tagalong of Harney and Sons Vanilla Comorro (free with purchase!). I also picked up a bag of loose leaf genmai cha. SO GOOD. Mom got the Choice Rest Assured (I grabbed a few bags for myself). After the tea festival we took the monorail down to Pike Place Market...

... had lunch at Lowell's (yummy!!), stopped in at the Perennial Tea Room (where I bought a variety box of Steven Smith teas), Sur la Table, and then headed back to Seattle Center and our cars.

It was truly a perfect fall day in Seattle. I had such a great time spending time with my family--just wish my sister could have come!