Clam Shells are for Clams
On August 11, 2019 by Speranza
An artist friend of mine who never had a great deal of money always used to say that no matter what, he always made sure that his soap and tea were of the best quality that he could afford since they were among his few luxuries and would be used daily. I have never forgotten this sentiment since it struck a chord with my own measured, Capricornian (but not completely stoic) sensibilities.
A few Christmases ago, Frasier spoiled me by presenting me with loose-leaf Vanilla tea made with Assam tea leaves. The whole ritual and build-up to the tea drinking itself is an exotic event and the scent when the boiling water plummets through those leaves is ambrosial, amber, vanilla steamed heaven in a (porcelain) cup. I now find that it is the only tea that I really enjoy and will squinge in many other ways in order to purchase. (The tea is not being flown in by leer jet by the way, just a lot more expensive than my traditional Tetley’s. I am also haunted by a sneering tea sommelier who once told me in a special voice that tea bags were made from the sweepings off the floor and did I know that?)
I did not. And I said “Pshaw!” in my mind in the name of working class tea drinkers everywhere and nor did I have any wish to faff about with tea balls and straining and all that.
Um, till the day Frasier bought me This Other Tea …
Even The General, who is very frugal about such things and prides himself on getting the largest box (of anything) for the cheapest price has also become a devotee of the tea; however, since it just keeps appearing in the cupboard, he may also have been wowed by how long this tea really lasts rendering it astonishing value …
Speaking of value, here is one of my favourite General stories:
We were in a large big box store and passing by some pillow-sized “pastries” – oily pinwheels smeared with thick toothpaste frosting and studded with eerily round raisins – when I noticed that somehow we suddenly had a crinkly clam shell of our own in the shopping cart!
ME: (Aghast) Seriously?
THE GENERAL: (Defensively)The price is right! $1.99!
ME: They’ll be able to see you from space after eating one of these. Do you actually like these?
THE GENERAL: (Defensively) Well, NO – but look, you’re getting six of them!
An invigorating rant ensued about the cost of food, the Eisenhower years (and how they are no more, there really is no $2 hamburger) but I was able to convince him that even back then, “pastries” like these would remain like frosted weights in one’s colon for many a day.
We did also agree that Buying in Bulk may not always be the answer.
And I think we may have established that homemade Peach Cobbler often is 🙂
I’m curious about what sort of tea and soap your artist friend used! And this splendid new tea you’re drinking sounds wonderful. I’m with the General – a big box of Tetley or Red Rose on special works for me. As far as soap goes, however, I am faithful to Pears.
He loved any French soaps- those hard, long-lasting kinds, often lavender based – and tea had to be a strong Scottish breakfast kind. Think: bracing.
As for Pears it was always my favourite too till very recently when I noticed that the scent had changed, likely the unhappy result of now being made elsewhere 🙁
Hey Sue….I hear you on the Assam tea leaves, while I haven’t tried the Vanilla Assam, I was blown away by the Marshall Bros.&Co. Special Edition Assam from The Tea Haus in the Covent Market. They reproduced it for the event at the main branch library outside the London Room, where parts from the original shop were rigged up on the walls with large photo of the Bros. who ran the old shop on Talbot St.. There was a big opening for the event and they served this special tea, I took one sip and knew that I’d found my tea! I’d never fancied black tea much but oh my, the Assam is divine. Give it a try Sue!