1403 Tasting Notes
The plan was to reach for a builder’s tea like Scottish Morn to finish up this eggnog with, but I ended up choosing this one instead.
Two spoons steeped for four or five minutes, a glug or two of this new eggnog, sweeter and thinner that the previous one.
Good. Well, I’m not a big fan of Boston, as I’ve mentioned before.
Using two spoons of leaf is a good call here though. The berry is a bit tart, but the eggnog vanilla calms down the berry candy quality of it.
My problem with Boston is that it tastes very artificial to me. However, this eggnog greatly improves it, so there’s that.
At this rate, one day, I’ll finish this tea and be done with it. And you won’t need to listen to me whine about it.
Okey-dokey then.
I purchased a matcha box from the online Quebec Tea Festival, https://en.festivalduthequebec.com/ , because I felt that it would be good to discover and rediscover matcha teas and products. This matcha packet amongst others was included, as was a matcha spoon, whisk, and small bowl.
(if you are interested, I think more discovery tea boxes are available in Canada. I have been pleased with everything I have sampled so far.)
Edit—just checked the site and only the grand cru box is left for sale. Good value though no matcha.
The matcha mood rarely strikes me, but wow, today was the day that I really had a craving for it.
Yesterday, I had purchased a different brand of eggnog from the one that I usually buy. This one is thinner and sweeter with less nutmeg. Perfect for a matcha accompaniment and so it is.
I whisked a heaping spoon of matcha powder with about a cup of 175 F water, added a glug of eggnog, and Bob’s your uncle.
This drink is divine. The matcha flavour shines as does the eggnog. A really good balance of both.
Now I need to take a look at the quality range of matcha s at DT’s. I hope I am not using the most expensive and highest quality matcha with eggnog. Maybe that would be a waste.
But even if so, this is plenty delicious, so no regrets though I may opt for a cheaper one next time if so.
I may have to go caffeine-free for the rest of the day as I’m already getting a bit of a buzz.
Edit—not the most expensive one, so yay!
This masala chai blend is heavy on aniseed, far too heavy on the aniseed.
I get around that by adding a spoon of the ultimate black tea improver, Keemun Classic by Capital Tea Ltd, and then a glug or two of store-bought eggnog.
This new, to me, eggnog I bought is thinner and sweeter that the previous one. Works well.
After more than a week of drinking only straight teas with no additions, this cup feels quite rich and extravagant.
Oh, how I love this tea!
Smoke, malt, sweet potato loveliness.
Today was the last day of the meditation retreat I was participating in. I learned a lot. I benefitted a lot. It was awesome and I am sad to see it end.
Ok, so Derk pointed out most helpfully that this is NOT the same tea as Persia Lahijian Black tea.
I have both, so today I cracked open this one and yes indeed, they are different. Still making my mind up about this one.
So far, I’ve got stone fruit, muscatel, malt, nut, wood, leather, something in the dried mint family, and a bit of the raspy back of throat thing (though chocolate is helping with that).
I’m not a fan of Boston either. Also, I just realized I didn’t have any eggnog this year!
Or last year. This past holiday season.
Thank you for that, Shae. Before I began commenting and whining about it, I had just assumed everyone loved it. Then all the Boston haters came out of the woodwork.
Poor you without eggnog! Here, it is available for the next couple of weeks, I am guessing. Maybe there too? Eggnog is an awesome tea improver for those black or rooibos, maybe others too, that you are not all that crazy about.
Yeah, I’m pretty sure I tried this one at some point (from a swap) but loved it so much I didn’t bother to leave a note :P
:)
CrowKettle, I meant to ask you—how do you feel about that Kracken rum? I was in the liquor store today, because I use it like an ATM, and saw the spiced rum there and thought I’d ask how you feel about it.
I like it – but I generally use it for mixing only. I think it’s sweeter than other types; it’s not necessarily better although it’s label art is pretty cool. I’d recommend grabbing a miniature bottle to sample first (I saw some Kraken minis at our BC Liquor stores; very cute).
Thanks. I didn’t see the minis, only something like 8oz and something huge, like 32 or 40 oz. I might get the small one, for medicinal purposes. :)
I notice that on our LCBO page, someone suggested mixing it with Bailey’s for a Kracken rising. May try it. Or not. Not much of a drinker. The idea of having a drink always seems more appealing than actually having one.
Same. I like the idea of the liquors and spirits more than actually drinking them. I buy half a dozen craft beer and they often live in the fridge for a year.
Kraken Rising sounds good though…