71
drank Four Seasons by Samovar
828 tasting notes

Today was the day. I got my Samovar package in the mail. I’d already had my caffeine dose for the day, but it was a rough one, and I couldn’t resist breaking out the adorably tiny teapot (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lauren_pressley/4438902539/ ). When I opened it, I said “this is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.” My husband questioned if that was really true. It’s probably not, but it’s definitely the cutest thing I’ve seen in the past few days.

Four Seasons has been fantastic, too. I’m on steep five, and it has been getting better with each one. The first was quite vegetal, and the second was as well. Things started getting really interesting around the third: more floral and at one point I almost got a mint like quality.

I’m certain I’m not steeping this as well as I could, but it’s working for me at this point. I put 1.5 teaspoons of tea in the tiny teapot, rinsed with boiling water for about 20-30 seconds, then took the set up to the living room so we could watch the pilot episode of The Pacific. So, the first steep wasn’t quite boiling, but it was really close to it, for 3 minutes. I let that cup cool enough to drink, then steeped from the same pot of water for 4. This last steep was 7 minutes, but the water wasn’t really all that hot either.

I am looking forward to lots of experimentation with this one…. but I’m also looking forward to the rest of the Samovar teas… and I still have the Golden Moon sampler to go through… so many teas, so little time!

Jillian

That’s a cute teapot!

BTW what did you think of The Pacific?

Erin

that teapot is ridiculously cute!

JacquelineM

Wow, wow, wow!!!! It IS adorable!!!!!! I’m supposed to take delivery on thurs – can’t wait!!!!!

laurenpressley

@Erin: I know, right?!?

@JacquelineM: It really is… even more than I expected. I’m excited you’re getting yours tomorrow!

@Jillian: it’s good! Have you seen it? I’m not sure how it will hold up to Band of Brothers, but I’m willing to give it a try when it all comes out on DVD.

Jillian

No I haven’t seen it though the previews looked pretty cool.

To be honest I’m a bit wary of Amercian-made WW2 stuff because it tends to be all “We saved the day and destroyed the Nazi’s single-handedly and the Brits, Canadians, Russians, and everyone else was just chopped liver.”

JacquelineM

laurenpressley – what a surprise! My Samovar order came today! The tea pot is SO SMALL and SO CUTE!

Did you feel 1.5 tsp of leaves was good for 4 oz of water a shot or do you think a little more or a little less next time. I’m having trouble deciding how much leaf to use for that little pot because the samovar video says 1 teaspoon of leaves for 10 -14 oz of water (after the initial rinse which you throw out). I’m so confused!

Jillian – did you ever watch Foyle’s War? It’s my favorite WWII era show :)

Jillian

My cable package doesn’t include the BBC unfortunately, which is a shame since there are so many good programs being aired in the UK (Top Gear, whoot!) :(

JacquelineM

Jillian – I see them on DVD. Def worth a viewing if you are interested in WWII. I haven’t seen the latest season since it isn’t available on DVD in the US yet.

Jillian

I’ll have to have a look the next time I’m in Future Shop, thanks for the rec. :)

laurenpressley

JacquelineM: I know! It’s hard to know how many leaves are good for it without specific instructions. I forget (already!) where I came up with the amount, but it might have been that I read somewhere to use a tablespoon per cup of water?

Jillian, I totally know what you mean about the US centric views in most of those movies/shows. It’s interesting, but you do get a sense you’re not getting the whole story. The Band of Brothers was nice because it was so character driven. I have the same hope for The Pacific.

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Jillian

That’s a cute teapot!

BTW what did you think of The Pacific?

Erin

that teapot is ridiculously cute!

JacquelineM

Wow, wow, wow!!!! It IS adorable!!!!!! I’m supposed to take delivery on thurs – can’t wait!!!!!

laurenpressley

@Erin: I know, right?!?

@JacquelineM: It really is… even more than I expected. I’m excited you’re getting yours tomorrow!

@Jillian: it’s good! Have you seen it? I’m not sure how it will hold up to Band of Brothers, but I’m willing to give it a try when it all comes out on DVD.

Jillian

No I haven’t seen it though the previews looked pretty cool.

To be honest I’m a bit wary of Amercian-made WW2 stuff because it tends to be all “We saved the day and destroyed the Nazi’s single-handedly and the Brits, Canadians, Russians, and everyone else was just chopped liver.”

JacquelineM

laurenpressley – what a surprise! My Samovar order came today! The tea pot is SO SMALL and SO CUTE!

Did you feel 1.5 tsp of leaves was good for 4 oz of water a shot or do you think a little more or a little less next time. I’m having trouble deciding how much leaf to use for that little pot because the samovar video says 1 teaspoon of leaves for 10 -14 oz of water (after the initial rinse which you throw out). I’m so confused!

Jillian – did you ever watch Foyle’s War? It’s my favorite WWII era show :)

Jillian

My cable package doesn’t include the BBC unfortunately, which is a shame since there are so many good programs being aired in the UK (Top Gear, whoot!) :(

JacquelineM

Jillian – I see them on DVD. Def worth a viewing if you are interested in WWII. I haven’t seen the latest season since it isn’t available on DVD in the US yet.

Jillian

I’ll have to have a look the next time I’m in Future Shop, thanks for the rec. :)

laurenpressley

JacquelineM: I know! It’s hard to know how many leaves are good for it without specific instructions. I forget (already!) where I came up with the amount, but it might have been that I read somewhere to use a tablespoon per cup of water?

Jillian, I totally know what you mean about the US centric views in most of those movies/shows. It’s interesting, but you do get a sense you’re not getting the whole story. The Band of Brothers was nice because it was so character driven. I have the same hope for The Pacific.

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Bio

I’ve been into tea, at some level, since college with a first tin of loose tea brought back by my parents from Oxford. My love of tea increased with a visit to Boston and a chance cup at Tealuxe. Since then I’ve only gotten more interested in tea and have developed more of an appreciation for it.

tea rating guide
(updated 12/2010)

100: a perfect cuppa. these are the teas I’ll keep in my cupboard and tend to be one per type of tea.

90-99: will definitely get more of this tea

80-89: likely to get more and perhaps it will become a favorite with time

70-79: very good, depending on my mood or the season

60-69: wouldn’t actively try to get this tea, but also wouldn’t avoid it in a tea shop or restaurant

50-59: run-of-the-mill tea for me

40-49: decent, would hit the spot in some moods, but probably wouldn’t purchase it for my cupboard

30-39: okay, will try again, maybe

20-29: meh. I’d try this tea again if no other were available

10-19: drinkable, but a forced cup

0-9: didn’t even finish the cup

Location

Seattle, WA

Website

http://laurenpressley.com

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