Sherlock Holmes and his cup of tea

Sherlock Holmes was born in this day in history in 1854. That is to say, of course, that is character was born. Let’s remember that Sherlock Holmes was a character, not a real person. It is widely accepted that lapsang souchong was the tea of choice for Sherlock Holmes. However, while it is clear that Sherlock was definitely a tea drinker there is no reference to lapsang souchong in any of the Sherlock Holmes book. All the same, we are confident that the tea, lapsang or not, led him to all those brilliant deductions. Don't you agree? Lapsang souchong (Chinese term is Zheng Shan Xiao Zhong) black tea from the Wuyi region in the Fujian province of China. It is a distinctively smoky tea, due largely to the fact that it is smoked. Tea leaves are placed in cypress baskets and smoked over pine fires. The scent is not unlike that of a campfire. While it is safe to say it is certainly an acquired teas, lapsang souchong is a fabulous with which to cook. When making soups and stews, substitute lapsang souchong for a smokier taste that is fat-free, calorie-free and vegan. Lapsang souchong can also be great when used in place of water for making rice. You might, though, want to consider a little salt, as you will be lacking all the sodium the commercial broths contain.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Other cool stuff!

Today is the birthday of one of the best kids programs in history! Schoolhouse Rock was ``born'' on this day 36 years ago. This is how I think I first came to learn that the independence of our country has something to do with tea. Actually this is how I learned a lot of things when I was growing up (oh yeah ... and I read a lot of books and drank tea, too!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofYmhlclqr4