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A dear friend swung our mutual “a month either way” occasion observation rule to the early side, so I came home after a really stressy workweek to a lovely little package of pre-Christmas. These tea sachets, part of the contents, made me squee and giggle, because of late I have been discovering what cool stuff HEB has … and moan and groan because I live two states away from the closest one.

If it weren’t for the grocery store box, I’d be convinced these were from an upscale proprietor—large sachets with lots of room for the leaves to play, big, intact lavender buds; not crunched or crushed, and the spearmint is a really nice, sharp counterpoint to the lavender perfume. Really lovely to relax with.

This was a treat from Michelle, and a fun one at that! Breakfast tea with oarweed, which, not being a marine life expert, is a completely new revelation to me.

Didn’t read any reviews before steeping, so based on the description alone and the hefty chunks of seaweed, I expected something somewhat fishy and very salty. Not so much. There is a hint of salinity, but otherwise it’s a good, thickish English breakfast tea with a little bit of sweetness and cereal at the end of each “ship.”
(First, that was a typo. Then I decided to leave it in, matey.)

Funny story…one of the younglings at work is also a fledgling teaist and was so excited when she ordered herself a Black Friday Vadham loose leaf sampler. Until she got to this one.

Today, she carried it into my office, almost at arm’s length, with a woebegone expression. “I hate not liking tea, but I can’t stand this one. Could you use it?” I laughed out loud because I think that was precisely my first gut reaction to lapsang souchong many years ago.

That said, though it’s not a deliberate go-to for me, I fired up the office kettle and steeped a trial cup. The leaves are long and luxurious, and the smoke strength is actually mild enough to suit me. Especially nice with a couple of snagged biscotti: the holiday office snacking season is upon us.

Look who mysteriously showed up at my house for breakfast! (Any Black Adder fans out there? The dog’s head reminds me of the episode where they are trying to rewrite the dictionary…)

Something bold and beefy came in handy this morning after a lousy night’s sleep. I snarfed it so quickly, there wasn’t much time for contemplation; however, I did note that you don’t often encounter a bagged tea that is instantly and easily identifed as, “Wow, that’s Assam!” Strong and acceptable without any additives. I’ll think about it harder tomorrow.

Gloomy outside, tree is up and adding a little cheer to Shabby House on Turkey Creek, our new neighbors have a twelve-foot inflatable snowman up and blowing in the breeze, I bruised my hand playing “Santa, Cookie, Elf, Candy, Snowman” with my Sunday kids, and all of that is making me feel prematurely marshmallowy—it’s not even December yet—so what better to accentuate the mood than my favorite cookie-ish tea?

French Macaron has been a favorite ever since we started patronizing TeaMaze, but the more I drink it, the more I think it could have just as been easily titled “Almond Sugar Cookie.” TeaMaze has nailed the cookie element and like the real thing, it’s better with a little milk. Imagine Celestial Seasonings Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride on steroids with frosting.

As to the card game, it’s a holiday version of “Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza,” a silly, souped up version of slapjack. Just perfect for a bunch of 11-year-olds, or grown-ups that occasionally act that age. Recommended.

After more feasting than I needed, I had an uncharacteristic craving for straight green tea—not much of that in the house, but this is my favorite of the bunch. It’s pleasantly vegetal and not very finicky; an earlier view mentioned some sweetness at the end, but I guzzled my cup too fast to notice this time around.

Second steep had only hints of its notable characteristics, but was nice with a couple of dried orange slices.

Evidently, I only drink this on holidays…previous review was on Christmas a couple years ago, which tells me that it’s high time to steep it up. (And Happy Thanksgiving, by the way! We’ve already been out and about to find an open grocery store because, ahem, somebody forgot we were out of baking powder.)

This has held up well. The cookie aspect takes the lead today—very almond-y and pleasant. Sadly, Tea Forte has seen fit to discontinue it, so this is a sweet sipdown.

Wherever you are, and even if you’re not in a locale that’s officially celebrating, hope you take a little time to be grateful, even if it’s just for clean socks. I’m thankful for you Steepsters—you are a gracious and truly interesting bunch of people!

Another adventure made possible by derk, thank you kindly! Opening the packet, the melba toast-and-chocolate scent nearly made me swoon. Even with a sloppy steep (I forgot to turn on the timer—this is why you should not trust me to cook Thanksgiving dinner), the flavor notes were all playing my song. The crust of toasted rye bread, with a little sweetness at the end. Dries the mouth just a little. Lip-smackingly good!

You know when you’re about two teaspoons away from a sipdown and all the good bits that gave it the flavor are about gone, but you can’t stand to waste perfectly good tea? Yeah, we’re there. This is mostly just roo now, with maybe a hint of vanilla. The last cuppa is going to need some serious doctoring.

It’s been a very People-y day and despite the fun of watching my crew of kids load bags half their size and push supply carts twice their size (Thanksgiving basket day at church), it is good to come home to a quiet house, a laid-back cat, and thanks to Michelle, a new tisane to ponder.

Most minty tisanes tickle the top of my palate and sinuses, but beyond that, there’s not a lot for my tastebuds to hang on to. This one’s different and has some low-end, tip-of-the-tongue notes—apple, beetroot, chicory. Sarsaparilla is also on the ingredient list; not sure I’m picking it up individually, but it’s contributing to the whole in a nice way.