Monday, December 14, 2009

russian tea and beeswax candles

Gradually we are getting more holiday-ish around here. On Sunday I knew I wanted to run to farmer's market for holiday beeswax candles if nothing else (I've been super un-inspired in my cooking these last few weeks--I did pick up some locally grown tangerines, though). I'm totally smitten with the strong and sure burn of beeswax candles. Interestingly, they guy who was selling these said that a lot of people tell him they prefer the sure burn of parrafin wax. I have found just the opposite--that cheap candles burn at first but then the wick gets buried and you can't burn it anymore. Hmn. I also learned that he will re-cycle any stubs I bring in (from his candles) and give me a discount on the next one. Woo hoo!
I still love Russian tea at this time of year so thought I'd post it again. It's certainly not a whole food, but it's so tasty just for the holidays. Enjoy!

Russian Tea

Combine:
1 1/4 c. Tang
1/2 c. sugar
1/3 c. instant tea
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. cloves
dash of salt

Mix some into a mug of boiling water and stir (I use about 2 big spoonfuls).

Lowbrow, maybe, but so citrus-y and spicy. You'll be surprised by how good it is.

16 comments:

Jessica said...

The Russian tea looks like it would be the perfect addition to our upcoming solstice celebration! I do love beeswax candles as well--recycling them is a great idea!

Abi said...

I had to laugh out loud when I read this. For whatever reason I was compelled to buy bologna (!) in the deli the other day? I confused the heck out of myself by doing so and wince with each bite but I wanted it. Completely low brow, for sure, but sometimes you just have to ;)

Joy said...

My mom's a huge Russian tea fan so it made me smile to see it here. :) I love the pinecone candle. Beautiful! We've been making our own beeswax candles lately. (My husband's co-worker keeps bees so we have an easy source of raw beeswax.) I can't imagine ever going back to petroleum based candles. We LOVE beeswax! :)

pilgrimama said...

I found a basket full of pinecone beeswax(from what I could tell) candles in my local thrift boutique store recently. I added one to a baby shower basket I made. Hopefully the recipient will enjoy as much as you do!

Tia said...

Tang? As in that orange stuff? Do they still make that?? Sounds delicious to me!

Aimee said...

The pinecone candle is gorgeous! And Russian Tea reminds me of my old college days...my sister would make it and put it in a big jar for me to take back to school. It meant so much to me.

melissa s. said...

a coworker of mine used to make me that tea a long time ago, but she called it 'texas tea' (she was texan). I loved it! I prefer beeswax candles, too.

Greyhaven Pines said...

Beautiful pinecone candle! We're beeswax buffs around here, too. I'm hoping to start making our own in 2010.

Warm wishes,

Elizabeth

Pussnae said...

I remember Tang from childhood-I didn't realize it was still around!

Shannon said...

I grew up on Russian tea. The recipe came with Tupperware my mom bought. Now I have my mom's vintage Tupperware and use it for Russian tea.

Allison said...

Beautiful post! I love the beeswax pinecone. Beeswax candles are on my Christmas wish list. I've never tried Russian tea, but I remember my college roommate drinking lots of it in winter. I might just have to try it sometime.

Jessica said...

Hi! I am still very much enjoying your blog, so thank you! I have a funny question: I love the light color of your wooden dining table. Would you mind telling me where you got it?

Its_Lily said...

Russian tea is one of my favorites in spite of the fact it's not a whole food. Somehow, I manage to ignore that point when it comes to this warm comfort.

Susan said...

I make this tea too! My mom made it when I was little and I have kept up the tradition. I've given it for gifts too. Love it!

Andrea said...

What a beautiful pinecone candle...I so much prefer the smell and warm glow of beeswax candles. I remember a jar of Russian tea when I was a kid; my sister made it at school, I think, and packaged it in a baby food jar with painted macaroni glued on. My mom would dole it out once in a while as a treat. Fun!

Mary Beth said...

It was fun reading everyone's remembrances of Russian tea. Thank you!

Jessica--we got the table at Ikea :).