85
drank Spiced Fall Evenings by Cuppa Geek
1548 tasting notes

Smells and tastes like some autumn-themed Yankee Candle in the best of ways. Really. I’m getting a major hit of chamomile in the form of apple, not in the pollen-sweet way and certainly not dusty. Mildly sweet, plenty of cardamom, which in the case of cardamom means there is probably only a sprinkling. Then I notice the warm spiciness and slight drying of woody cinnamon and ginger. The appley taste brightens up in the back of the mouth becoming tart, where it morphs into what I’m guessing is the pumpkin spice flavoring? Some grounding sweet cocoa taste lingers in the aftertaste. Then a bit later comes the returning sweetness of a lightly bitey honeybush in the throat. And lastly, the marshmallow root gives a touch of body. This is blended very well. Smooth flavors! And it can’t be oversteeped! What more could you ask for before bedding down?

The normal low 80s of this week will give way on Sunday to 5 or 6 days of 90s and 100s. At least it will still be in the 50s at night, so this herbal tea will remain in rotation.

Book pairing: The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis

Flavors: Apple, Cinnamon, Cocoa, Flowers, Ginger, Honey, Mineral, Pumpkin Spice, Spices, Spicy, Sweet, Tart

Preparation
Boiling 8 min or more 1 tsp 6 OZ / 177 ML
gmathis

Oh, Narnia! Lots of good memories reading those aloud with my son. The final chapter of “The Last Battle” is just the best ever!

ashmanra

I remember reading these aloud to my kids. I have never heard of them until I had kids! As I sobbed through the death of Aslan, my then six year old son patted my shoulder telling it was going to be okay!

I bought this tea for myself, as well! I enjoyed it, and can’t wait for cool temps to return so I enjoy it in my rocker at night!

derk

Children’s fantasy comforts more than tea when I’m exhausted.

gmathis

Have you ever tried the Redwall series by Brian Jacques? I love to recommend those to my advanced-reader fifth and sixth graders. Swashbuckling mice, hedgehogs, and nefarious badgers and weasels. Written intelligently!

Mastress Alita

Redwall is great! (I have not read all of them, have enjoyed those I have read).

derk

I feel like one of you has dropped Redwall before. I will keep it in mind, thanks :)

gmathis

Somehow I missed Madeline L’Engle when I was a kid, but a dear friend and mentor recommended all her stuff—-both her children’s fiction and adult everything. On my wish list.

Mastress Alita

I know I read L’Engle when I was a kid. My favorite book of all-time is a children’s book, and I re-read it typically once a year — I have three copies on my shelf (and a digital version of the graphic novel edition!) It’s “The Giver” by Lois Lowry. Quick read and I feel like I get something new from it each time. Or at least always get overwhelmed with a deep feeling of appreciation for all the things in life we take for granted every time I read it.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

People who liked this

Comments

gmathis

Oh, Narnia! Lots of good memories reading those aloud with my son. The final chapter of “The Last Battle” is just the best ever!

ashmanra

I remember reading these aloud to my kids. I have never heard of them until I had kids! As I sobbed through the death of Aslan, my then six year old son patted my shoulder telling it was going to be okay!

I bought this tea for myself, as well! I enjoyed it, and can’t wait for cool temps to return so I enjoy it in my rocker at night!

derk

Children’s fantasy comforts more than tea when I’m exhausted.

gmathis

Have you ever tried the Redwall series by Brian Jacques? I love to recommend those to my advanced-reader fifth and sixth graders. Swashbuckling mice, hedgehogs, and nefarious badgers and weasels. Written intelligently!

Mastress Alita

Redwall is great! (I have not read all of them, have enjoyed those I have read).

derk

I feel like one of you has dropped Redwall before. I will keep it in mind, thanks :)

gmathis

Somehow I missed Madeline L’Engle when I was a kid, but a dear friend and mentor recommended all her stuff—-both her children’s fiction and adult everything. On my wish list.

Mastress Alita

I know I read L’Engle when I was a kid. My favorite book of all-time is a children’s book, and I re-read it typically once a year — I have three copies on my shelf (and a digital version of the graphic novel edition!) It’s “The Giver” by Lois Lowry. Quick read and I feel like I get something new from it each time. Or at least always get overwhelmed with a deep feeling of appreciation for all the things in life we take for granted every time I read it.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

Profile

Bio

This place, like the rest of the internet, is dead and overrun with bots. And thus I step away.

Eventual tea farmer. If you are a tea grower, want to grow your own plants or are simply curious, please follow me so we can chat.

I most enjoy loose-leaf, unflavored teas and tisanes. Teabags have their place. Some of my favorite teas have a profound effect on mind and body rather than having a specific flavor profile. Terpene fiend.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Georgia, Japan, Nepal and Darjeeling. While I’m not actively on the hunt, a goal of mine is to try tea from every country that makes it available to the North American market. This is to gain a vague understanding of how Camellia sinensis performs in different climates. I realize that borders are arbitrary and some countries are huge with many climates and tea-growing regions.

I’m convinced European countries make the best herbal teas.

Personal Rating Scale:

100-90: A tea I can lose myself into. Something about it makes me slow down and appreciate not only the tea but all of life or a moment in time. If it’s a bagged or herbal tea, it’s of standout quality in comparison to similar items.

89-80: Fits my profile well enough to buy again.

79-70: Not a preferred tea. I might buy more or try a different harvest. Would gladly have a cup if offered.

69-60: Not necessarily a bad tea but one that I won’t buy again. Would have a cup if offered.

59-1: Lacking several elements, strangely clunky, possess off flavors/aroma/texture or something about it makes me not want to finish.

Unrated: Haven’t made up my mind or some other reason. If it’s pu’er, I likely think it needs more age.

bicycle bicycle bicycle

Location

California, USA

Following These People

Moderator Tools

Mark as Spammer