Saturday was National Tea Day. I visited Fes-tea-val to celebrate tea at Chiswick House & Gardens. The event consisted of a few tea-related activities, the museum opened in order to visit Chitra Collection of historical teaware and tea items (which you can read in my previous post), and vendors set up to sell tea, food, and other items. (Many of the winning taste products were there to buy as well as new companies.) Before the event, visitors could sign up to a number of events, such as a visit to the museum, but I could not locate some of the events that I signed up for, and no one seemed to know about it either. I did not stay too long because I actually bought some items, and they were quite heavy to carry around with me.
The weather was perfect for the event. The vendors were organised in four main areas with two sets in large marquee tents, the outdoor stands, and another outdoor area selling food and drink with a stage. I wish that they had put events on the stage, because there actually was not too much to stay around for once the Chitra Collection and browsing the tents and vendors was complete. Most (if not all) of the vendors present had won Great Taste award.
I did see some people in fancy dress! Below are just a few of the companies that I spoke to and bought items from.
I arrived early due to trains. I am actually working in Chiswick now when I am not working from home, and it takes three trains to get to Chiswick. It can take anywhere from about 40 minutes to an hour an a half on average. Luckily, while I waited for the museum to be open, I was able to buy some "Simply Ice Cream", which has won a "Great Taste" award in 2011. They have a lot of delicious-sounding flavours, and I had the pistachio which was creamy and contained bits of pistachio nuts. "Simply Ice Cream" make their handmade ice cream in Kent with local products, and they are a luxury ice cream brand. (https://twitter.com/simplyicecream)
Newby Teas were giving away a free cup of tea and tea bags to visitors, and I had the Earl Grey. They are a luxury tea brand and sell bags or loose leaf in different flavours. I loved seeing the colourful pots of tea in the clear glass teapots. (https://twitter.com/NewbyTeas)
Next up are sweet treats by Great Bakes, a west London company that has won Great Taste award in 2013. There were actually two other vendors specialising in brownies, but I did not really speak to them although all brownies tasted very nice. I bought from Great Bakes. Great Bakes handmake their items and ship them in tins. They also have a special item which they described as a blend of a flapjack and Millionaire's Shortbread that they call 'Stickyjack'. I loved the 'Stickyjack' and just may have to buy some sometime. (https://twitter.com/greatbakes_uk)
MDTea were selling packages of different flavours of tea, which smelled delicious.
Next up is another sweet treat from "Ann's Designer Cakes", a company based from Surrey who make wedding cakes and cakes for films and magazines. They had several different flavours to choose from, and I had the Prosecco and Strawberry, which was a Victoria Sponge. The photograph below is of a cookies 'n' cream cake, and looking at it is enough to make me hungry. (https://twitter.com/AnnsDesignCakes)
The Tea Circle is a start-up. I'd actually won the raffle from them, but I had left the venue before I received the message (frown). They want to tap into the market of personalised tea to send as gifts. Visitors could try to make their own blend. (https://twitter.com/TheTeaCircleUK)
Next on the list is another product that I purchased - Bo Tree Kampot Pepper. They have different types of pepper as well as salt to buy, and all of it is produced in Cambodia. The product has won the Great Taste award in 2017. (https://twitter.com/BoKampot)
Nemi Teas is another tea company selling at Fes-tea-val, and I really liked the smell of the orange blend, which had cloves and cardamon. The Earl Grey was described as having a nice taste that does not linger with a bitter taste. (http://www.nemiteas.com)
Edinburgh Gin was also selling at Fes-tea-val, and I have previously purchased their gin in the rhubarb and ginger flavour when I visited Scotland last year. I did not need to buy anymore, but I like their gin. (https://twitter.com/Edinburgh_Gin)
One of the most beautiful displays was from Choi Time, a company selling teas with a range of health benefits. They sold flowery teas and green teas. I purchased one of the sets with a clear glass tea pot as I only have a china tea pot and not a clear glass one. I am really looking forward to trying these teas. (https://twitter.com/choitimeteas)
I also purchased cooking oils from Mr. Hugh's range. They were selling a range of different rapeseed oils, which are healthier than some of the highly refined and manufactured oils. I bought the standard one plus one infused with garlic, and I already tried that one with a stir fry and it was much better than the heavy and sticky nut oil I usually use. (https://twitter.com/MrHughsOil)
Tea Palace was another company selling tea, and their award-winning one is photographed below. It is the Organic Palace Tea, and it is sold at some of London's hotels. (https://twitter.com/teapalace)
The Tipsy Tart is a company selling flavoured gins and vodkas and their own range of Prosecco. I tried their Prosecco. (https://twitter.com/thetipsytart)
I also purchased brewed craft ice tea from Mangajo. They had samples, and I dislike iced tea, but these were flavoured and did not taste like the nasty chain brands. These include various flavours, including pomegranate and green tea, red grape and rooibos, and lemon and green tea. They are free from added colours, preservatives, and sweeteners. I have not had the ones that I have bought yet, but I thought they would go great with a small amount of gin and ice. (https://twitter.com/MangajoDrinks)
I also bought rose-flavoured HolyLama Spice Drops, and I cannot wait to try these. They have flavourings for drinks and food. Flavours include chai spice, cardamon, cinnamon, lemon, garam masala, red chilli, peppermint, lime zest, mulling spice, and more. (https://twitter.com/SpiceDropsUK)
My final purchase was PureXtracts tumeric oil to help soothe pains. I actually needed to use this when I got home as my feet hurt from walking so much (it's a 20-minute walk to Chiswick House from Chiswick Park station). It did seem to do the trick.
And that wraps it up for National Tea Day Fes-te-val! I purchased a lot of great things and can't wait to try what I have not already tried. I only wish that they had some more events going on to sit down and watch as there wasn't much to do after seeing the museum and going around to the vendors, and the events that I had signed up for were not taking place for some reason.
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