3044 Tasting Notes
The weather guy this morning said he felt like he was giving the forecast for “September 42nd” instead of mid-October. But we did have one viably autumnal day earlier in the week. Cool and deliciously damp, so I threw open the office window (old school building with windows I can control myself!) and used up some scraps of these nice leaves
It took me years to learn how I like lapsang: weak and wimpy. But this version is light enough on the smoke, I can steep it for a “grown-up” length of time without it tasting like campfire ash. The good-quality tea base is still detectible, too.
Lots on my mind to distract me this evening, so when I grabbed the sample pouch that came from the natural health store, I had no inkling it was intended to be iced. I just popped the single-size bag into a cup and let it steep 5 minutes (that I did read off the bag).
Inattentiveness wins in this case! An odd-duck mix of everything from apple to aloe to sea buckthorn is sweet (but not too), pink (but not hibby-heavy), and … I’m getting buttery!
The actual for-sale tins evidently contain pitcher-sized pouches, and I can see that this would be really tasty iced, but thanks to my sloppy serendipity, I wouldn’t mind seeing it in single-serve bags.
Definitely in the running for the “long past the due date” category, but sealed and stored away from the light of day, it’s held up pretty nicely. Caramel and apple flavors are both present and accounted for; a pretty even balance. With milk, it’s a nice substitute for several far less healthy dessert options I’m currently craving.
Teasippers sugar cookie tea note reminded me of the Celestial seasonings factory and tea room in Boulder. I have a free Saturday afternoon and I’m in the Denver area, seems like a good time to go to their tea room. This one seems like a good one to try, but do you have any other suggestions?
Oh, how fun! I have always liked their Roastaroma (chicory/carob) and Morning Thunder (black tea with mate), especially when fall weather kicks in. They’ve got a Sweet Harvest Pumpkin, but it’s pretty stevia-heavy…you have to be a fan.
I agree that Roastaroma is a good one to try. Mist of their zinger line is good if you like Hibiscus. Bengal Spice has a strong cinnamon flavor. Mandarin Orange Spice has a pleasant orange flavor and is light on the spice. Their Lemon Ginger tea is unique in that it has a noticeable lemon candy flavor.
Passed on to me by a church friend whose evaluation was, “It tastes like it smells.” I wasn’t able to sniff at the time, as I was supervising The Fifth and Sixth Grade World Speed Checkers Relay Championship. (You really need to hang out with us on Sundays…it’s a hoot!)
However, once I was home and could consider it properly, I decided that her loss was my gain. I prefer my EG’s to have a little something else to balance out the bergamot, and the sweet cream flavoring does so in a very classy way. Want to try the next cup with milk to make it a Earl Grey creme deluxe.
Hope your Saturday was pleasant! Between welcome rain showers, we took a quick break from the usual round of piled-up household needs and strolled the grounds of our little burg’s 150th birthday party next to the baseball diamond. Burgers on the grill, handful of craft tents, a decent local band, and a petting zoo with a pot-belly piglet that was a third the size of our biggest cat. Took about 10 minutes to see all there was to see ;)
Local do’s signify the beginning of fall, and with the weather cooperating, I was in a chai mood this evening. This little gift tin sat neglected all summer, but I think it’s going to be fun to work my way through it. The cacao chai is pleasant and the spices don’t overwhelm the cacao vibe. I’ve had one cup with milk and one without; neither with sweetener. Both tasty, but I think I like it unadorned best.
Another sample I might not have selected for myself. I like Earl Grey when it doesn’t taste like soap, and I like it even more when it doesn’t taste like soap and has a little extra something added to balance out the bergamot. This works perfectly. The orange isn’t overpowering or bitter and complements the traditional Earl Grey blend. It also adapted well to imperfect work steeping parameters—another plus.
The most upscale of our local health food grocers keeps a basket of sample goodies by the counter, and this was in it…probably wouldn’t have sprung for an entire canister of what, at least from the ingredient listing, looks like a garden-variety nightcappy blend.
But tonight, I’m tired inside and out and glad to have this on hand. Just enough rooibos and rose to tone and sweeten the lavender and chamomile. Nothing unusual or unique, but nicely balanced.
As unflavored decaf teas go, this isn’t a Range Rover, but it isn’t my 1972 AMC Hornet with an air conditioner drip that got my feet wet, either. Let’s just call it a reliable Buick sedan. It isn’t powerful or punchy, but neither is it weak and soapy like a lot of grocery-shelf decaf options. Suitable for evenings when you just want a goof-proof warm cup that won’t contribute to insomnia.
