Breakfast at the Light house

guarantees a few things. You will smell tempting wafts of fresh baked

goods, probably from an innovative adaptation. You will be served tea.

And not just any tea, but fresh-brewed, gourmet, imported tea that comes

in lovely little gift boxes.

These teas and their packaging

are the cornerstone of the Lights' new business, Jennifer's

Teas. Maryann and Alan Light started in May, but Maryann's

love of teas began much sooner.

"I became hooked on tea

when we went to Ireland," she said. "At the bed and breakfast

we stayed in they had the most delicious tea, at least twice a day.

I couldn't find it here, when we got back. So I was ordering from

Ireland cases of Irish breakfast tea. That's my favorite. Now I make

my own blend."

Prior to their tea endeavor,

Maryann was in corporate finance and Alan ran his own software company.

One of his hobbies is making and playing guitars. One of hers is baking,

which fits well with the tea (see recipes to follow).

She gets her looseleaf teas

in an exclusive arrangement with a direct importer in Canada. While of

excellent quality and flavor, Maryann Light sees Jennifer's Teas

more as one-stop shopping for everything the tea drinker could desire.

They currently carry tea bag squeezers, strainers, make-your-own teabag

for loose teas, lemon squeezers, tea cups, tea pots and decorative tea

canisters.

"We're looking to

develop tea bag holders with decorative covers and tea-to-go containers.

All of our teas are packaged for gift giving," said Maryann.

"We focus only on high

quality gourmet teas from India and China," added Alan. "We

have both a retail and a wholesale aspect so both businesses and individuals

can partake."

Alan likes to point out his

wife's excellent customer service in developing custom packaging,

custom gift baskets and tea events for corporations and charities.

One tea party event will soon

take place at a church in McDonough to raise funds for a youth mission

trip. Maryann worked within the church's tight budget.

"We're doing a Starr's

Mill High School fundraiser," said Alan. "Schools can get 25-30

percent of retail sales. In fact, any charity group can use it for fundraising."

The Starr's Mill fundraiser

benefits the media center, where Maryann Light volunteered a day every

week until Jennifer's Teas sipped away her time.

The real Jennifer, the Lights'

daughter, is a senior at Starr's Mill. A successful local model with

the Elite Agency, she already has a major part of the business. She is

the advertised face and name of Jennifer's Teas, and also provides

marketing and sales assistance to her parents. Someday they hope to turn

the business over to her. She's doing her part by planning to study

marketing and advertising.

In the near future Jennifer's

Teas will host a booth at the Shakerag festival, where their entire line

of teas will be available, along with free samples, and hot and cold beverages

said Maryann.

Why give tea as a gift or drink

it yourself? Aside from the antioxidants and health benefits, Maryann

shares that tea is a way of life.

"When you sit down with

a beautiful cup and drink delicious tea together, it makes the ordinary

seem special," she said. "It's a treat for the senses."

It's possible to win $150

of Jennifer's Teas with an online contest at www.jennifersteas.com .

According to Alan Light, the last local winner

said that she tried almost

all of the teas with her office mates and friends and that she's

recommending Jennifer's Teas to all of them.

Those not wanting to wait for

a win in the contest can order online at www.jennifersteas.com

or call 770-632-6246 to talk to Maryann Light about custom orders and

corporate gifts. One bonus for Fayette Countians, the Lights will do free

local delivery of their product.

That's something to raise

a teacup to.

What to bake when tea is brewing

Recipes from the kitchen of

Maryann Light, Jennifer's Teas

Simple Sweet Scones--Maryann

developed this recipe after she couldn't find one that reminded her

enough of Ireland. She makes them with

teapot shaped cookie cutters

marketed by Jennifer's Teas.

21/2 cups unbleached flour

1 T baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

8 T (1 stick) cold unsalted

butter.

1/3-1/2 cup sugar

2/3 cup milk

Heat oven to 425F. Put flour,

baking powder and salt into a large bowl, stir to mix well. Add butter,

cut in with pastry blender or two knives until the mixture looks like

fine granules. Add sugar; tos to mix. Add milk and stir with a fork until

soft dough forms. Form dough into a ball, put onto a lightly floured board

and give 10-12 kneads. To make triangular scones, cut dough in half. Knead

each half slightly into a ball. Turn smooth side up . Pat or roll into

6" circles. Cut each circle into 6 or 8 wedges. Place on cookie sheet.

Round or shaped scones: Roll dough to about 12"x 51/2". Cut

15 2" scones. Bake 10-12 minutes.

Apple Muffins

Maryann's tip for muffins:

The heavier the weight of the muffin tin, the lighter and fluffier the

muffin.

2 eggs

1 cup milk

1/2 cup oil

3 cups unbleached flour

1 cup sugar

4 tsps baking powder

1 cup chopped or grated apple

1 tsp cinnamon

top muffins with cinnamon and

sugar

Preheat oven to 400F. Grease

muffin tins. Put oil, sugar and egg in bowl and mix well. Add dry ingredients

and milk. Mix only until moist. Do not overmix. Add apples. Fill muffin

tins and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Bake for 18 minutes.

Back

to Dining Guide Home Page | Back

to the top of the page