Cycle 12 – Item 306
7 (Sun) November 2021
Some (Eternal Summer) Kool Aid and Toast
3.0
by me
at home
-Changgok, Sujeong, Seongnam, Gyeonggi, Republic of Korea-
with the Family
Newbery 100 Medals, 100 Meals (68) (see 100 NEWBERY M&Ms)
While reading the 100 books that have been awarded the annual Newbery Medal since 1922, I am attempting to create one dish for every book, a dish that is directly referenced in or indirectly inspired by the events of the book. The dishes will be featured as posts on Give Me This Day.
The Summer of the Swans (1971) by Betsy Byars. The book is about 14-year-old Sara Godfrey, whose younger brother Charlie goes missing one morning.
It was okay. The search and rescue storyline is not so much about finding Charlie as it is a vehicle to follow Sara’s character arc from a self-absorbed, resentful girl to a caring, responsible young woman. Charlie’s mental handicap makes the transformation that much more meaningful. Catnip for Newbery readers.
[in pertinent part]
“Sara!” Aunt Willie called from the kitchen. “Come and get your breakfast, you and Charlie.”
He was not in his bed. She walked into the living room. Lately, since he had learned to turn on the television, he would get up early, come in, and watch it by himself, but he was not there either.
In the kitchen, Aunt Willie was spooning oatmeal into two bowls.
“Oatmeal again,” Sara groaned. “I believe I’ll just have some Kool-Aid and toast.”
“Don’t talk nonsense. Now, where’s Charlie?”
“He wasn’t in his room.”
She sighed. “Well, find him.”
TWG Tea is a Singaporean tea company. Founded 2007. The name derives from its original parent company The Wellness Group. Sells packaged teas and operates teahouses, currently in 14 countries.
I am shocked that the company is based in Singapore Until now, I had assumed that it was English, because, well, I don’t know, tea just seems like the quintessential English beverage. The Singaporean origin makes sense, now that I look back at my experiences on Singapore Airlines, which offers a TWG tea menu in business class and piles of TWG teabags in the business class lounge.
I am also shocked that the company is so young. I had assumed that it was found in 1837, as per the logo – wow, talk about clever branding.
Other than Singapore Airlines, my other previous experience with TWG was in the Philippines, where a TWG teahouse was located in BGC, near home.
Recently, I came across TWG at Lotte World Mall.
I was overwhelmed by a desire to begin learning about teas.
Eternal Summer is a TWG tea blend. According to the website: “A fragrant South Africa red tea embellished with notes of sweet summer rose blossoms accented with raw berries, which finish with a lingering aftertaste reminiscent of ripe Tuscan peaches. A theine-free tea to be enjoyed hot or iced at any time of the day.”
I was introduced to Eternal Summer at the TWG in BGC.
My preferred method is to steep the tea in hot water, and store it cold in the refrigerator. Makes an excellent iced tea, bright and fruity – kinda like Kool-Aid for adults.
It paired well with the toast, on my homemade bread, with strawberry jam.
(See also GLOBAL FOOD GLOSSARY)
(See also RESTAURANTS IN KOREA)