Polin Season starts today: We're ready with Bridgerton tea and scones! (and more Lady Mendl!)

We're ready for Bridgerton Season 3, with Bridgerton scones, tea and the remote at the ready!

The day has arrived, Gentle Readers, for the long-awaited story of Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington (aka "Polin").  Part one of two airs today on Netflix and we're ready! We've reserved our favorite recliner, with remote on standby, whilst we steep our Featherington Blood Orange Mimosa Tea and plate our Bridgerton strawberry scones. We expect the romance of Polin to be as delicious as our tea time treats.

Last week's blog showed BTS stocking up on Bridgerton merch.

Last week, in our Countdown to Bridgerton, Part III. . . How to prepare for Polin Season, we noted a number of Bridgerton-themed  cuppas, comestibles and candles to usher in the Regency romance's next chapter. In the short span of time from that blog to today, we've continued to follow the media coverage of the event and, kicking it up a notch, also baked up a batch of Bridgerton scones - both undertakings, I'm happy to report, resulted in success.

CBS interview with Nicola Coughlin, the "P" in Polin.

    

Lady Mendl's in March. It's the place!

                    

While the various "internets" are filled with Bridgerton news, there was one news item that stood above the rest, like Daphne's debut before Queen Charlotte:  Anthony Major's (CBS' Mornings) interview with Nicola Coughlin, the actress who plays the "P" in "Polin".  While the conversation alone is worth the watch, the added luster came from the venue in which the interview took place. Reporter and actress were chatting over tea at Lady Mendl's in Manhattan - a tearoom I visited for the first time in March of this year and, as I'm finding out, has impressive connections to many stories, including the Personal Librarian we wrote about earlier this month.

But, I digress. Back to the Bridgerton interview. . .

It was a delight to hear Nicola Coughlin, who we were first introduced to in "Derry Girls", talk about her role as Penelope Featherington and what's in store for the heretofore wallflower. Coughlin shared Penelope "really grows up throughout the season. . . she's . . . coming into her own, becoming a woman and the shapes of the dresses and corsets have reflected that." (We're on board with everything but the Regency-era spanx.)

And, now, to Bridgerton, Season 3, "the prep" . . . 

A few days ago, we made Bridgerton Strawberry Scones from WIlliams-Sonoma's exclusive mix. All that one needs to add is a cup of heavy cream and bit of patience when kneading the super sticky dough into a six-inch circle. 

Bridgerton scone mix, a bit sticky

A challenge to manipulate as well as to clean up 

Now the wiser, next time, I'll use a cutting board or generously floured counter, as the tacky consistency was a challenge for me to both manipulate and clean up after. Another slight hitch came when I discovered I was about a third short of a cup of heavy cream, so compromised with a top-off of half-and-half.

Overall, though, the scones came out quite tasty and, despite my inability to shape the clingy mix into eight uniform triangles, the end product turned out rather nicely.

 

After all that, they turned not too bad looking.

Taking a few notes in BTS test kitchen for next time.

As for tonight's tea, it could only be "Featherington's Blood Orange Mimosa Tea" from Republic of Tea. It not only features Penelope Featherington exclusively on the label, but it's also a tisane - an herbal tea with no caffeine, perfect for evening watching and apres-viewing slumber.  If, indeed, we can sleep after all the excitement.

Republic of Tea's Featherington's Blood Orange Mimosa Tea, perfect for tonight!

With a mix of ingredients that include pomegranate flavor, apple bits and orange peel, it's a robust tea, strong, confident and pretty in the cup - much like we envision Penelope Featherington's character emerging from the shadows.

In front of "Lady Danbury's House" in Bath.

Cheers, Gentle Readers, to Season 3, based on one of my favorite storylines in the Bridgerton series of books, Romancing Mr. Bridgerton. While we're rooting for "Polin", we'll be looking for familiar filming sites from our Bridgerton tour in Bath last fall. We may not be invited to Lady Danbury's ball, but we'll party in Bridgeton fashion, with tea and scones, but thankfully, we'll skip the corsets and go right to the comfy pants (staying out of view of Lady Whistledown, to be sure!). 

The first four of eight episodes of Bridgerton, Season 3, starts today. The final four episodes will air June 13th. Mark you calendar - you know we have!

Return of the Lemon Curd: Our favorite recipe and a solved mystery!

A "new" lemon curd recipe is hands (or face) down, a BTS favorite.

Although we've never left lemon curd, our favorite scone accompaniment, we are back in the BTS test kitchen after a two-year lapse to once again prepare our own. And, this, my BTS tea friends, is the best lemon curd I've ever had. 

Back in the BTS test kitchen, whipping up lemon curd after a two-year pause

This recipe came from Judy M., my son-in-law's grandmother. Judy sent this to me July of 2022, when I made my first batch of lemon curd from a recipe I found on-line (see "Lemond Curd from BTS test kitchen").

My lemon curd obsession was rekindled (granted, it doesn't take much) by a number of recent afternoon tea outings as well as reading Laura Childs' tea mystery, "Lemon Curd Killer".  The latter warrants a hearty "thumb's up's" for tea time recipes furnished at the end of the novel, a mention of one of our favorite Charleston restaurants "Poogan's Porch" and another opportunity to reunite with Theodosia Browning and the rest of the gang at the Indigo Tea Shop. 

The connection of lemon curd and its role in the murder mystery, however, is, reassuringly, not nefarious. The victim was found face down in a bowl of lemon curd (that's just where the tie-in begins and ends).

Curd at Lady Mendl's served in salt cellars

    

Curd presentation not quite the same in plastic

          

And, we'll never disagree with any inclusion of lemon curd, be it book, tea table or, ultimately, a scone.  So, with that, I was motivated to whip up my own batch of citrusy goodness. (See recipe below).

Lemon curd ingredients, we used 4 eggs

"Whisk-reward" pays off!

🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋

 Lemon Curd  

Home-made lemon curd has an excellent flavor, but a limited keeping time.  It is best to make small quantities at a time.

4 oz butter Place butter, sugar, grated lemon rind and strained 

12 oz granulated sugar juice in bowl over saucepan half filled with simmering 

3 lemons, rind and juice water.  Stir occasionally until butter is melted and sugar 

4 eggs (or 8 egg yolks) dissolved.  Stir in lightly mixed eggs (or yolks).  Continue

to stir over simmering water until curd thickens slightly. 

Makes 1½ - 2 lbs Remove from heat (curd will continue to thicken as it 

cools).  Pour into clean wam jars.  Cover and seal while

Time taken - 30 minutes hot.

🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋

BTS' test kitchen notes: I utilized the four eggs option. Also, as I noted in my lemon curd blog from 2022, be prepared to whisk a bit. I will once again state, the time spent is the "whisk-reward" for a scrumptious lemon curd. 

We enjoyed this batch of lemon curd with our Bridgerton Scone mix (also prepared in the BTS test kitchen).  For serving curd, we prefer using crystal or glass bowls. (For those who serve in plastic - while it may still taste delicious, the glass/crystal presentation adds so much to any afternoon tea table).

A great big thank you to Judy M. for this wonderful lemon curd recipe. Hands - or face - down, we've cracked this case. This is the best lemon curd I've tasted. It, along with teapot, tea cups, scones and crystal accoutrements, will be a staple on our BTS afternoon tea table. 

Trenary Toast: A Finnish tasty treat from the U.P. that's great for morning coffee, afternoon tea or late night cocoa!

 

Trenary Toast, great for coffee, tea or cocoa.

Whether you're a dunker or a cruncher, Trenary Toast, is a delicious snack.

Trenary Toast is made at the Trenary Home Bakery in Trenary, a small town in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.  The baked bread with Finnish roots, has been an area staple for over 90 years. 

Like Trenary Toast, I too, have roots in Finland as well as the U.P. (my paternal grandparents were from Vaasa, part of a Swedish settlement in Finland, and my Dad was born in Baraga, a friendly one traffic light town on the scenic Keweenaw Bay) , and while most of my relatives would have enjoyed the crispy nosh with a cup of black coffee, it isn't limited to an early morning repast. In fact, I was delighted to see the Trenary Toast package declare that it is also "perfect for . . . afternoon tea or late night cocoa".  

BTS was delighted to see "afternoon tea" cited on the Trenary Toast package.

Per the Trenary Home Bakery website, the company was started by Jorma and Elise Syrannen in 1928. Their featured product, the Trenary Toast, is a twice baked Finnish coffee bread. It had great appeal for the tiny logging town, but quickly spread beyond Trenary, a town thirty-plus miles southeast of Marquette, to become a "Yooper" favorite.

As noted in the "Visit Escanaba" blog (Bring home a bag of the U.P.'s iconic treat, Trenary Toast), the Syrannens sold their bakery to the Halliens in 1950 where it continued through a few generations before its current owners, Brianna Wynsma and Marco Dossena, purchased it in 2019.

Brianna and Marco, both graduates of Northern Michigan University, hold to the Trenary Toast tradition while adding a few variations in the mix. In addition to the cinnamon-sugar original, their other selections include tart cherry, vanilla, cardamon, and chocolate dipped (both milk and dark). 

Dunker, a bit of Trenary Toast in Earl Grey

The  new owners also set up shop in Marquette, with the Trenary Toast Cafe. Its menu features Scandinavian-style open faced sandwiches along with cinnamon rolls and a "squeaky cheese" plate. 

As far as flavor, we really enjoyed our Trenary Toast. It's like a biscotti, an Italian cookie that is also twice-baked. And, that extra bake takes out all the moisture to give Trenary Toast its impressive shelf life of up to a year. Once you open the bag, however, and take in the sweet cinnamon sugar aroma, we doubt your Trenary Toast package will still have anything remaining after twelve months. 

The extra baking time also give Trenary Toast its extra crispy texture. If you prefer not to bite into a pretty solid piece toast, you can dunk it in your tea or coffee to soften. Either way, it's very tasty.

We ordered our Trenary Toast on-line through the Trenary Home Bakery website. Their website also includes a list of retail outlets that sell their products, including many in the Lower Peninsula.

We're inspired now to add Trenary Toast to a Scandinavian-themed afternoon tea! (More details to come). My Grandmother's invitation to "coffee" always meant a table full of cakes and rolls - a meal more than a cup of java - and it always shocked, pleasantly, those new to the "coffee" custom. I think the tradition of "coffee", and some scrumptious Trenary Toast, will work well for an afternoon tea from the "Land of the Midnight Sun".  Working title:  A Sweet and Savory Smorgasbord Afternoon Tea, dunking acceptable,  Yooper hat optional. 

For more on Trenary Toast visit the Trenary Home bakery's website, trenaryhomebakery.com.

Also, see Barb's Tea Service's latest podcast, where we discuss Bridgerton, Sally Lunn and Trenary Toast. It's Podcast Number 7, starting at the 17 minute mark, on our YouTube channel, Barb's Tea Service.

Countdown to Bridgerton, Part 3: How to prepare afternoon tea and home decor for "Polin Season"

Assortment of Bridgerton merch to prepare for "Polin Season".

A week from today, an all new Bridgerton story will air on Netflix, featuring the budding romance of Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington, otherwise known as "Polin".  Barb's Tea Service is here to assist you in best preparing for "Polin Season" and that means themed teas and home decor. Grab your feather pen and take notes, dear readers.

Republic of Tea has a variety of Bridgerton tea, including one for Queen Charlotte

In previous blogs, we've written on many Bridgerton topics: resurgence of fancy teas, book and tea reviews , a line of  Bridgerton food and entertaining items  Queen Charlotte, prequel to Bridgerton , our trip to Bath and the Bridgerton Tour, and even our own BTS Bridgerton tea talk.  But there's more, much more!

First, let's set and fill the Bridgerton afternoon tea table. Republic of Tea offers an extensive line of Bridgerton teas, including the latest: Triple Earl Grey. For those of us who ardently admire that blend of black tea (and coincidentally, like Daphne, have three older brothers), it's a home run (or a well-played mallet whack in Pall Mall).

Republic of Tea's "Bridgerton Muse Gift Set, photo courtesy Barb Tabb

In addition to the variety of Bridgerton teas, including herbals, such as Newton's Ginger Biscuit, Republic of Tea also sells Bridgerton honey, jam, and teapots, perfect for the Polin tea party. My great tea friend, Barb T., purchased the teapot/teacup/tea ensemble, together titled the "Bridgerton Muse Gift Set". Per the Republic of Tea's website, visual artist Sue Tsai, collaborated with Shondaland [Shonda Rhimes production company and the force behind the Bridgerton television drama] and Netflix to reimagine a limited edition Bridgerton-inspired collection. 

Bridgerton tour in Bath, U.K.

Setting up for our February Bridgerton tea talk

Many of the same tea time items, but also a number of Bridgerton exclusives, can be found at Williams Sonoma. They have their own Bridgerton teapot, teacups  napkins and linens (which, BTS, btw, is very fond of should anyone need to know this) and most suitable for even Lady Danbury. Williams Sonoma offers a number of suitable comestibles for the occasion as well, including scone mixes and my new favorite, but as of yet, unpurchased, chocolate breakable teapots with candy jewels. Surely, the sweet tea treat will be the diamond of your tea table.

Chocolate teapots, the diamond of the tea table.

But, there's no need to stop at the dining room. Deck out your powder room for guests with Bridgerton accents from Bath and Body Works. BTS chose the teacup wallflowers fragrance plug with the Bridgeton Bee on the tea bag tag and Diamond of the Season hand lotion. Bath and Body Works also offers candles that can be supported on crown candle holders. (We are of the opinion, that crowns need not be limited to only Queen Charlotte). 

Bath and Body Works' Bridgerton collection!

Teacup scent holder & Diamond of the Season lotion

And, should you need further guidance in celebrating Regency-style, there's "The Official Bridgerton Guide to Entertaining" (available on-line, mine came from Amazon). This tiny tome offers food and drink recipes as well as some handy etiquette tips such as the art of the calling card and how to properly address royals and nobility (You wouldn't want to make the mistake of adding "of" after the "viscount" title.  We know it must be Right Honorable the Viscount Bridgerton, not the Right Honorable Viscount of Bridgerton, as the higher titles allow. IYKYK)

Eight-day Bridgerton countdown calendar, perfect for marking the days until Season 3!

Of all the Bridgeton-themed merchandise, perhaps the one most appropriate to secure now, is the Bridgerton Tea Time Tales 8-day Countdown Calendar, another exclusive from WIlliams-Sonoma.  Fashioned after Christmas calendars that host hidden surprises to be revealed each day before the celebrated event, the Bridgerton calendar has tiny tea treats behind eight covered cubby. We ordered ours in November (see our YouTube demonstration of the Bridgerton Calendar:  Bridgerton treats from Williams Sonoma and BTS' Bridgerton-inspired tea talk (New for 2024!) (youtube.com).  Needless to say, we've worked our way through the eight doors already, but it would be just the thing to kick off the next Bridgerton adventure and unveil secrets as captivating as the true identity of Lady Whistledown. 

However you chose to bring in Bridgeton, Part 3, you know we'll be watching right along with you, complete with tiara, white gloves and an extra serving of Triple Earl Grey. We're seizing - and not sneezing - this "Polin Season". 

Sally Lunn's, the oldest house in Bath: Home to centuries of history, delicious buns, trenchers and maybe even Jane Austen. But was there really a Sally Lunn?

Sally Lunn's, The Oldest House in Bath. Was there really a Sally Lunn?

For many of us, Bath, England, brings to mind the Romans, Jane Austen, and, most recently, Bridgerton - but what of Sally Lunn's?  It's not only the oldest house in Bath, but home to delicious buns and trenchers.  Although we had many places on our checklist of must-see places to visit during our stay last October in this city of epic Georgian architecture, Sally Lunn's had been lost in the shuffle of Austen landmarks and Bridgerton filming sites.  But, fortunately, we "found" Sally Lunn's during one of our walks around town and stopped in for dinner. Its story is as incredible as a rakish Duke marrying a naive Daphne Bridgerton or Mr. Darcy confessing his love and admiration to a disenchanted Elizabeth Bennet.

Sally Lunn's is housed in a building from 1482

The current Sally Lunn building dates back to 1482, but from what has been recently discovered in the 20th century, there are ties to Roman times. The old home's proximity to the Roman Baths and the artifacts unearthed below it, point to it being a place where Roman travelers ate and rested - which means that Sally Lunn's locale has impressive roots in the hospitality business, dating back 1,800 years. 

In all those years, the Sally Lunn site went through several incarnations until the 15th century, when it was rebuilt to its current state in the then popular Tudor style. Today, it is one of the few remaining Tudor buildings in a town dominated by Georgian design. 

All this history and Sally Lunn hasn't even arrived. . . yet!

A few centuries after the Tudor home was constructed, Sally Lunn came to Bath - although perhaps more in fiction than in fact. Per the Sally Lunn restaurant's website (and the main source for most references to her), Solange  Luyon, a Huguenot seeking refuge, journeyed to England from France in the latter part of the 17th century.  Legend has it that she came to Bath and started working in a bakery selling their products from a basket she carried around town. But, soon, changes were in store for Solange, starting with her name. Not terribly familiar with French-pronunciation, her English colleagues referred to her as "Sally Lunn" and it stuck. But the anglicized moniker wasn't the only adjustment for the newly minted Miss Lunn.

Inside Sally Lunn's dining room which offers history, charm and comfort food.

It turns out, Sally Lunn, had some mad baking skills of her own and began preparing "buns" using a recipe she learned in her home country.  The bun was a light brioche-type roll which caught on quickly in Bath. To this day, it is still served in the Sally Lunn restaurant, although, the recipe, like the Colonel's eleven herbs and spices, is a treasured secret and not shared with the public. 

But, according to many sources, beyond the Sally Lunn's website, the tale of Solange Luyon is pure fiction. British food historian, Laura Mason (Smithsonian Magazine, February, 2012) believes the Bath bun baker from France narrative to be a complete fabrication. Per Mason, there is no record of Sally Lunn before the 20th century. Another source cited in the article believes the story began in 1937 by a recent purchaser of the at-the-time rundown property to drum up business. 

Whether or not there really was a Sally Lunn, her eponymous dining establishment is real and so is its delicious fare. Sadly during our visit, we did not sample the renowned Sally Lunn buns, but, we are fans of an English novelist who allegedly had a fondness for them. Again referring to Sally Lunn's website, those scrumptious doughy delights may have been a favored treat for Jane Austen. A grand claim? Perhaps. But what is undeniable is that Sally Lunn's offers afternoon tea in their Jane Austen tearoom, a nod to, if not to her substantiated patronage of the signature buns, at least to the fact the author of "Pride and Prejudice" called Bath her home for a portion of her adult life.

A unexpected turn lead us to Sally Lunn's.

Trenchers on the menu - a first for us!

Adding to the list of factual data, what my husband, Chris, and I did partake in was something we had never had, or even heard of,  before:  a "trencher". This very British savory predates even the oldest home in Bath in which it continues to be served. 

Trenchers originally were meal and plate all in one.

Trencher, we learned, is a type of bread that was used before the in invention of plates (that came about around 1500). The bread is topped with meat, vegetables and gravy and eaten with its contents. Efficient and delicious. 

Hallway leading to Austen tearoom

Tea and teaware at Sally Lunn's

Trenchers remained popular during Georgian England, so, I guess, one could also speculate that the Austens may have enjoyed a Trencher or two in their time in Bath (although that is merely my inference and not from the Sally Lunn's website). 

I had the mushroom toast trencher and it was excellent. The ultimate comfort food and, adapted to modern times, even if redundant, it was served on a plate.

Sally Lunn's, scrumptious fare and a bit of spin.

Was there really a Sally Lunn? Did Jane Austen actually crave their specialty buns? Did Mrs. Austen ask Mr. Austen to pick up a few trenchers on his way home from town? With so much history, charm and scrumptious fare, a little bit of spin and an extra heaping of lore only adds to the experience.