Autumn has arrived and the crisp, afternoon fall air reminds us why this time of year fills us with delight. Treats such as apple crisp, pumpkin pie, and a warm ginger snaps all sound like a treat for the senses. The perfect accompaniment to one of these decadent treats is a piping hot cup of tea. In today’s blog we will help you create an Autumn tea that will leave your mouth watering from tantalizing goodies and your eyes enchanted by the perfect setting.

The taste and fragrance of sumptuous vanilla, aromatic cinnamon, spicy cloves, and flavorful peppercorns can make any dish served feel like fall. These decadent flavors partner beautifully with dishes that contain seasonal fruit like apples, cranberries, pears, and figs. If you want to create a savory dish they also pair wonderfully with vegetables such as turnips, sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts, and last but not least pumpkin! Pumpkin is a fantastic option to serve during an Autumn afternoon tea due to its versatility, it can be enjoyed either sweet or savory. Below you will find two recipes, one sweet and one savory, that would make any Autumn tea a hit.

Apple and Cranberry Hand Pies

Ingredients:

• ¼ c. Apricot jam

• ½ tsp. Pure vanilla extract

• 1 Large egg, beaten

• ⅓ c. Cranberries, thawed if frozen

• 4 Refrigerated rolled pie crusts

• 3½-in. Apple cookie cutters

• ¼ tsp. Ground cinnamon

• ¼ c. Granulated sugar, plus more for sprinkling

• 1 Apple, peeled, cored, and cut into ¼-in. pieces

Steps:

1. Heat oven to 425°F. In a large bowl, whisk together jam and vanilla. Add apple and cranberries, sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon, and toss to combine.

2. Working between two pieces of parchment paper, roll each crust to ⅛ in. thick. Using a 3½-in. apple-shaped cookie cutter, cut out 8 apples from each pie crust. Place half the cutouts on two parchment-lined baking sheets.

3. Divide the apple mixture among cutouts on the prepared sheets (about 2 heaping Tbsp each), placing directly in the center of each cutout. Lightly brush borders with beaten egg.

4. If desired, using a small knife, cut small slits or shapes in remaining cutouts. Sandwich filling with scored apple cutouts and press the edges to seal. Brush tops of hand pies with remaining egg, sprinkle with sugar, and bake until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes.

Sweet Potato Crostini with Brie, Pear, and Honey

Ingredients:

• 1 large sweet potato

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• Thin sliced brie

• 1 pear, thinly sliced

• Crushed pecans

• 1 tbsp honey, for drizzling

• Fresh thyme, for garnish

• Sea salt, to taste

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

2. Toss your sweet potato rounds in olive oil and sea salt.

3. Spread your sweet potato rounds in a single layer on a lightly greased baking sheet, place on the middle rack in the oven and bake for 13-14 minutes, flip each sweet potato round, then bake for another 13-14 minutes or until crispy and slightly golden brown on the edges.

4. Let them cool slightly, then assemble. Add your sliced brie, then sliced pear, some crushed pecans, drizzled honey, and fresh thyme.

The Final Touch

Once a few scrumptious treats have been prepared to be a feast for both the eyes and stomach, it's time to set the ambiance. Pull from colors of the season, rich reds, oranges, browns, golds, and ambers will help create the perfect Fall setting. A beautiful table cloth with pops of leaves or pumpkins can be a quick and easy way to decorate without having to put in a lot of effort. Utilize miniature gourds, pumpkins, and beautiful fall leaves to bring a touch of the outside, in. If possible, use a polished silver tea service or pieces of China and Porcelain that have touches of the colors listed above. For a floral element a bouquet of fall flowers such as sunflowers, chrysanthemums, and dahlias would make for a stunning centerpiece.

To wrap this up we will finish with the most important part of an afternoon tea, the tea! For tea selections we here at Chado Tea have you covered. As mentioned in our previous blog we have a few Fall teas that will please any tea drinker.

• Chado Mulling Spice

  Chado's Mulling Spice takes the perfect spices for a cup of hot mulled wine or cider to a whole new level. This blend contains cinnamon, cloves, fennel, orange, and other spices. Simply add a spoonful of spice to your favorite hot beverage for the real holiday experience!

• Margaret’s Hope Autumn Darjeeling

  This is your morning wake-up call. Bustling with the taste of crisp, autumn leaves, the bold flavor of this tea has been moving early risers to wake up and smell the roses. With its strong aromatic flavor our Margaret's Hope Autumn Darjeeling is perfect for anytime of the year, not just fall.

• Rooibos Bourbon

  A blend of South African rooibos tea and bourbon vanilla, this aromatic blend has a delicate yet not overwhelming taste. It is both comforting and grounding and provides a bright and uplifting aroma. The perfect companion to accompany your daily routine.

• Butterscotch

  Enjoy the taste of Butterscotch Black Tea, which has a sweet yet buttery taste, and a smooth finish. The steam and the aroma you inhale, and the taste that lingers in your mouth all add up to the experience of this tea. A tea that you have to sip to truly enjoy the sweetness and the buttery character.

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