Featured & New Tasting Notes
I cold brewed this a week or two ago and just found the empty envelope in my cupboard (sipdown!), but I clearly forgot to log it.
The OCD in me can’t let that slide, so here I am.
I really enjoyed this tea cold and suspect I’d still like it hot. I see DT still stocks it, so I will likely pick up a small amount, I liked the creamy coconut with the raspberry. Yum!
There, I feel better now. All is right in my world :)
So I start my first actual in-store shift tomorrow at 11am. I didn’t find out until 10 tonight so now I am freaking out a bit and trying to make sure I have everything I need and know everything I should know. Also, during the interview process I was told me friend who recommended me would be training me, which was relaxing given that if I did something stupid, she would be the only one who would know but now she doesn’t start until a couple hours into my shift so I am a little more neurotic than I would have been otherwise. I have been hounding my poor friend for the past hour or so asking a million questions and just generally freaking out. Honestly, I will more than likely be fine but it is still intimidating so, to help me relax, I am enjoying a favorite before bed as I review some of the policies. Wish me luck :)
Goodness, this is an excellent tea. It’s biscuity with deep cocoa notes. There’s also a nuttiness and a smooth, sweet caramel finish. I lowered my water temp to 205° F, and it kept the tea from having any astringency. This is probably the way I’ll prepare this one from now on. It really is delicious. I think I fall in love with this tea a bit more each time I drink it.
I’m bumping my rating up to 100. This is a tea I adore.
(previous rating 98)
Preparation
I love this one too
I have four teas rated at 100, and three of them are from Whispering Pines. I might be addicted. :)
Yeah, it’s a problem. I have the same problem with Mandala and Verdant too
This makes me smile :) So happy that you’re all enjoying my stuff! :D
Good stuff.
I need this one!
@Brenden – I totally agree with MzPriss, good stuff. :)
:) I’m excited for the good stuff that will be released on July 1st! :)
@MzPriss – You and kimquat have me hooked on Mandala. Thank you. ;-)
You are very welcome. It’s good stuff too. And Garret is awesome.
Stuff that was out of stock or new stuff? Or both?
Both.
Marzipan – you really do. Reeeeely
Oh mercy. I made a new deal with myself that I will only make one online order a month. Looks like July will go to Whispering Pines. :)
WOOOOOT! :D
It was out of stock last time there was a % off code. :(
That’s because it’s so f-ing good
Truth! I have never sold out of a tea faster than this one!
Yeah, I have no doubt there will be a rush on this one again. Too many of us only bought one ounce last time. Won’t make that mistake again! I want to try the Bi Luo Chun, too!
Hehe…that’s why I hoarded on it…muahahaha!!!
sooo much to do today. Just catching up on a few backlogs from yesterday. this was another one that i had – i blended this with the cream from tea G to have a caramel cream. i have to say, i am really digging the teas from tea G. i don’t know that i ever want 100g so i may need to only shop there when i’m in chicago…or do split orders with people but their flavours are tasty and i enjoy the base that they use.
Yes, curse you for putting this one on my wishlist!! ;)
haha if i ever do an order via my tea mule i’ll let you know. or if we end up in chicago again – i may have to go for work this summer
That would be sweeeeet :)
I need to try to take a trip to Chicago to visit the harp factory & various tea places. Maybe in the fall.
time it with meeeeeeeeeeeeee!
THAT would be cool! Let me know next time you’re going, & I’ll try to go then too…if I can!
This morning’s project was S’mores with S’mores tea! I think it was a huge success!
I used 1 tbsp of tea per cup, 208 degrees, and steeped longer this time (5 min). I added about 1/2 tbsp of cacao nibs to the steep also, because why not?
I used salted chocolate for the actual s’mores, and since I am not camping and don’t have a gas stove, I toasted the marshmallows in the oven. Broil on high, ONE min per side. Seriously, time it.
I melted the chocolate on a graham cracker for about a min in the micro. That was too long. 30 secs should do it. It may not look completely melted, but it continues to melt after it comes out. Don’t ask me how I know.
The tea and s’mores are amazing together. Salty sweet chocolate smokey creamy goodness.
I had some extra marshmallows, so I threw one in each cup of tea. They weren’t melting fast, so I just put the marshmallow in my mouth and drank the tea. Yumz.
Here are pics of the operation:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/124304184@N02/14500425813/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/124304184@N02/14479086634/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/124304184@N02/14500425323/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/124304184@N02/14293852837/
Preparation
Oh yum! Those look awesome! And I love your Weeping Angel mug. I love the ones I got from that lady – I got a baby sloth doing yoga and a Ganesh. sigh I want s’mores now.
I’m such a dork with that mug. I have one at work, and one here. Exactly the same. It is my fave mug for sure, LOL. I really love her work, but I don’t think I’d ever use another mug now. :p
Come over and I’ll make ya some s’mores :)
BTW – your tea should be there tomorrow…
I’m a dork with all of my tea stuff.
That is super. Thanks for sharing! I hope your trip went well. Are you home now?
Those look fabulous.
Is that the BonaVita gooseneck kettle? How do you like it? I was looking at one but I worry that the long spout would lower the water temp between the time it leaves the main pot and enters my mug.
Haha this is awesome :) Do you mind if I share one of these photos on my Facebook page?
Kaylee: It is, and it’s the love of my life. Don’t tell my boyfriend, though I suspect he already knows. I haven’t noticed any temp issues. If you were concerned, you could always add a degree or 2 to compensate. That is the greatest thing about this kettle. If you’d like 178 or 207 degrees, instead of the standard presets, you can have exactly that!
Brenden: I never deny photo usage to tea mixologists. Feel free! :)
Yay! :) Thanks so much! And I totally thought I was following you already. Weird…
Yes, I’m home and my trip went fine, thanks for asking. I travel a lot for work and also for pleasure – this was a work one. I hope you like the Zhu Rong. You too Brenden.
:)
IOU some tea, MzPriss, so if you see anything you like in my notes or stash, let me know! :)
Hahaha, s’mores tea & S’mores at the same time, now that’s true decadence!
I have that exact same kettle in my office, & I SO love it! My old electric kettle is around the corner in the kitchen, & it’s great for when I first wake up & want a full boil, but I love the variable temp so much.
Awesome, now I crave them as well. Maybe I’ll bring them up North next weekend!
Nice idea! I will have to try this tea at some point.
We have the same kettle! :)
I’m actually already nearly out of the s’mores tea, so I have to order more soon. See what you started, Brenden!
Variable temp, FTW!!!!!! I wish it had a bell though, so it would ding when it’s done!
Yum!
Don’t tell anyone, but I kind of wish my kettle would die so I could get a new one :D It’s finicky about letting you do variable temp and the buzzer is just annoying. Does the Bonvita have an annoying beep?
no beep on the Bonvita
I was able to get one because one of my sons gave me aa Amazon gift card for my Bday back in January
Oh good. I will put it on my Amazon wish list for when this one dies. Mine is a black & decker one, and the beep sounds like a server hardware error warning, so it gives the husbeast a twist.
The Bonavita is totally quiet. Too quiet, maybe. I think it’s up to something….
A friend of mine is going through something awful and there isn’t much I can do to help and it makes me sad…
So I turn to Laoshan Black this morning cause it seems to be my comfort go tea whenever I feel life is being unfair.
Its beauty and craftsmanship reminds me that there will always be beauty in this world no matter how bad things get sometimes.
Thanks for the welcoming and warming feeling LB, that’s just what I needed.
(Sorry, see some other notes for “real” description)
Hugs to you and the friend, both. It’s hard when you can’t fix it.
Feeling powerless is an awful feeling, especially when it is in relation to a situation that is affecting someone you love. I am sending of positive chi, warm hugs and sloppy baby kisses and smiles from my little one. Hang in there to the both of you.
All the good vibes!~
You guys are just the best, thank you XOX
Aww…sloppy baby kisses… Will try to channel all the good vibes towards my friend…thanks.hugs I’m thinking a good thought for you and your friend
Big hugs to you and your friend. Seeing someone you love struggle is never easy. I wish you and your friend lost of peace and comfort.
Hope things get better! It blows having to watch people you love struggle, but sometimes just for them to know they have your support is a big help!
It’s awful to feel so helpless in the face of someone you care for struggling through something awful. All I can say is that your support and love probably means more to them than you can understand. Hugs.
I can tell you are a wonderful friend, TF, & sometimes that is all one can be, & sometimes that is all one needs. I’m sending some good vibes from St Louis, on the wings of plucked harp strings.
I hope things turn around for your friend. I’m glad they have someone nice like you to stand with them.
Thank you so much for your kind words all of you…I am in awe at how nice and caring this community is…I’m sending all the good vibes to my friend, she really needs them.
@ all y’all – my cobbler is smelling pretty dadgum good
:)
I can smell it all the way in St. Louis!
It turned out really well Terri – it works really well with the blackberries. I mad some coconut whip to go on it and its great! Thanks for the recipe :)
Now I’ll need to make some this week
Maybe I’ll make some coconut milk black raspberry ice cream to go with it!
Oh that sounds so good
Queued post, written May 17th 2014
Auggy shared this with me in the yearly care package. It’s not yearly by design, btw. That’s just how long it happens to take collecting good things. The care package is largely about sharing really good and/or interesting things. Mine to her is nearly ready I think.
This year, due to a number of things, the care package is a little different because I suspect it contains things that were ‘cleaned out’ because she can no longer have them. There are certainly a couple of head-scratchers in here. :)
Anyway, there is also some really good stuff, this one included. Auggy pretty much keeps me in A&D as she has shared samples of most of it with me. I can purchase this myself, the shipping being below my limit, but the times I’ve done it it has been a bit of a hassle because their site wouldn’t accept my foreign address, so I had to go the email and paypal route. It’s possible, obviously, I did it with Joseph Wesley recently and I did it with Shang Tea a few years ago as well, but it feels like such a hassle. Good thing I’ve got Auggy to show me what I would otherwise be missing then.
I had to choose a tea for the morning and I couldn’t remember what was in this one, but it was A&D and so therefore couldn’t be completely off the mark.
It smells… red. That’s all I can really say about it. It smells red, and I can’t think of any other words. Perhaps a bit wood-y? Maybe with a smidge of honey? I’m not certain at all. It just smells red. Hello synesthesia! Haven’t seen you around in a while. Why is it only sometimes? Why is it only certain smells and flavours? You’d think it would be all the time, wouldn’t you? Perhaps I haven’t actually got it really, and the colour/shape/gender thing is something that just steps in to hide the fact that my imagination is failing me?
I think there’s Darjeeling in this. Or a high grown Ceylon. It tastes strongly Darj-y with the floralness and the grass and the slightly sour aftertaste. The latter there is tempered by whatever else is in there. Something stronger and maltier. Maybe Assam and/or Keemun. It’s not very grainy so I’m leaning more towards Assam. I can even catch a bit of cardboard-y notes in it as well. That’s usually an Assam tell-tale. I just really think there’s a third thing in here as well. The more I think about it the less I think it’s Keemun. I think we’re in Ceylon territory here. A mid- or low-grown one. Unfortunately when people add Ceylon tea to something, though, they don’t bother stating which area it’s from. I wish they would. Just look at all my Project Ceylon posts, the differences are HUGE between high-, mid- and low-grown and Sri Lanka produces tea at all three altitude ranges. Anyway, Darj, Assam and Ceylon is my guess.
I should have liked it better without the Darjeeling, but that’s hardly news. I find it quite tolerable in this blend, though, because the other teas mute the things I dislike about Darjeeling somewhat. It’s a bit like the Afternoon Blend from Jeeves and Jericho, which I recall as being very similar to this one. I can happily drink a tin, but then I don’t need to buy another afterwards.
We got two steeps out of this one, the second steep being just as strong as the first one. That’s unusual for Indian/Ceylon teas in my experience.
This tea grew on me. I wasn’t impressed at first, but I like it a lot now
I have a tin, but it hasn’t made much of an impression on me yet. I feel like I should brew some up now because we just saw a hawk sitting on our neighbor’s back fence, but I’m still full from lunch. I’ll probably brew up a few pots here and if it doesn’t talk to me much, I’ll take it into work and drink it there. That’s the fate of all of my lesser loved teas in any quantity.
Skulleigh, that sounds like a great reason to brew the tea! :)
This tea is not my favorite of the A & D collection, & not a tea I can drink on an empty stomach because of it’s brightness & astringency, but for people who like ceylon & darjeeling teas, I’m sure it’s loverly, & I’m thinking it might make a good cold tea.
Oh yeah, it does make a good cold tea – I forgot I iced some leftover tea I had of this a couple weeks ago, with lime juice in it (I was out of lemon) and it was really good.
I recently ordered the green tea sampler for novices from Den’s Tea. I really love that they offer something like this to new customers. It’s only $3 and I got two tea bag samples plus four loose samples plus a booklet. AND they give you a coupon code for $3 off your next order of $15 or more, making the sampler free if you make a purchase later. Fantastic, thanks Den’s!
I’ve been curious about genmaicha for a while now, so this had to be the first one I tried. I actually got both a sachet and a loose sample of this tea, so it’ll be interesting to compare the two. The packet didn’t have brewing instructions and their instructions for genmaicha were tuned for a very small amount of water, so I read through some notes from other people and decided on a two minute steep. The dry sachet smelled mostly of matcha and vegetal green tea and there was quite a bit of matcha dust clinging all over it.
I was amazed by how roasty the brewed tea smelled! It basically smelled like all toasted rice with some of the green tea peeking in from the background. Yum yum! I was so impatient while waiting for this to cool so I could try it! XD I must say, this tea is delicious. It’s an excellent mix of spinachy green tea and asparagus-like matcha with a strong toasted rice flavor in the background, supporting the other flavors. The aftertaste is slightly bitter, but in a pleasant way when combined with the rice. I can’t wait to try all of these other green teas.
(holding off on the rating until I try the loose version!)
Flavors: Asparagus, Bitter, Spinach, Toasted Rice, Vegetal
Preparation
If you don’t like the bitter tones you might want to try a lower water temperature. I’m not sure if this tea was made with bancha or srncha, but bancha especially turns bitter at higher temps.85°C is about the highest temp I use with green tea, but like everything it’s what ever works for you. Glad you enjoyed your first Genmaicha experience.
I believe it is bancha (assuming it’s the same as the loose) but I actually did like that little bit of bitterness at the end. I used the high temperature because that was what was recommended for genmaicha by Den’s. I think there’s enough loose leaf for more than one cup, so I’ll try a comparison of temperatures. :)
OK, I admit it. I loveblack teas from Yunnan.
I also love pretty much every black bi luo I’ve ever had, & this one is no exception.
Deliciously honey malted, with an almost creamy mouth, it’s naturally sweet, pastry, yumminess.
Thanks to TeaFairy for my first sample from whispering pines.
I like this one a lot too and I am sad it’s out of stock :(
July 1st :)
Yay! :)
Brenden – Can you put me back some(more) GO to go with a July 1 order that will include the Bi Luo so I don’t have to do two? Pretty please?
You mean blend it now and set it aside for you? I’m sure I’ll have plenty of GO left on the 1st :)
Oh OK – I just didn’t want you to run out before I did my order – because that would make sad.
Ahh, no worries :) I’m all loaded up on the stuff! :D
That makes me happy. I want some to put back for later because I love the way it changes over time. Happy Solstice Brenden
Happy Solstice to you, too! And also Terri! Golden Orchid has hijacked your post. Oops :P
Black Yunnans rock, So glad you liked it Terri!
How bout Ailaoshan black, will you have plenty as well, or should I consider hoarding some more?
Tons! :)
That makes me happy (might still hoard just a little on july first though, I’m insecure)
Laughs! You remind me of me
Haha! And you of me :-) lol, now that we have TONS of tins, why not hoard right?
We’re prepared anyway. Although I have things to go in pretty much most of the ones that are coming
I haven’t tried the Golden Orchid, but tomorrow I’ll probably sample the ailaoshan black :)
Hope you like it Terri!
I’m having the rest of Yi Mei Ren from YS that you sent me. When I reviewed it a few days ago, I wrote that it reminded me of Oriental Beauty, it’s even more the case tonight, so sweet and honey like, I’m loving it!!
Aaah… I’ve had a good morning so far.
Got out of bed at 4:30am in order to go outside and watch the sunrise… a cup of Ailaoshan in hand, my dog Dexter by my side.
Love the feeling at that hour of the day, it’s like the world stopped, everything got suspended in time for you to admire. It’s so quiet, it has you think you are the only one blessed enough to witness such beauty.
That feeling is ephemeral, cause a few minutes later, nature starts its joyful symphony, and you are quickly reunited with life.
I love this tea. It fills my head with beauty and happiness, starts my day in the best possible way.
Still getting those sweet and salty caramel notes, with some nice cocoa feel.
Love the fruitiness of it, dried dates and figs.
A favourite of the morning….Forever and ever.
Good morning! :)
And good morning to you as well ;-)
Sssshh… I’m still sleeping. :p
(Oops, Okay…sorry ;-))
Seriously, you have inspired me to try to get up early and see a sunrise. I think it’s been over 15 years since that happened, and it wasn’t from getting up early, it was from staying out late!
Nothing beats that feeling…
Haha! I’ve had those wasted sunrises as well dear…memory lane. Mind you, I went to bed past 2am, so it was almost that!
This makes me want to start dragging my butt out of bed earlier, at least once in awhile!
I love the freshness of the early morning, & of course the birds & their songs!
My problem is I also love the silence of late night & my creativity seems to always awaken & peak from 10pm to 2am.:)
I understand the night creativity…then just be like me, a night AND a morning person ;-)
TheTeaFairy, do you get that beautiful blanket of cool mist in the mornings?
Brenden, yes I do… Especially on cooler nights like yesterday. A blanket is right, this morning, it was only at ground level, so dense I could not see through!
My favorite :) I had a fair bit of fog here last night and I went for a walk. Truly beautiful stuff!
I work in the night time Indiana woods. Last night a mist enveloped my world. A very special sight/feeling. :)
I so love that feeling inranger…glad to know the sight doesn’t get old even for you, as it is part of your job to see beautiful nature canvases every day :-)
Yes, I am blessed. :)
Every day!
Count me in also :-)
Love these comments!
Brenden, I go night walking as well, but only when there’s a full moon. Then it gets really magical!
Then jump in KS, you are always welcome :-)
The smell of thick fog in the forest is my absolute favorite thing <3
Or after it’s stormed all night and the sun is hitting the trees and you get that unexplainable freshness…mmm
Ok stop! You’re going to cause a massive human migration to the woods…how could anyone resist all that?
Right?! Well, I could only do about 5 minutes in the woods today to get some mushrooms I was letting grow a bit more…It’s mosquito hell out there today!
Understand the night and morning person thing. I just have to watch out for the phase out in the middle of the day thing bred into me by years of boredom at school.
Yyz, hate napping in the afternoon, it’s screws me up more than my insomnia!!
Brendan, mmm, fresh mushroom…what kind do you get? Have to be careful though…
And mosquitos have been the worst here this year, they are so big, and they give me allergic reactions, i have a bite the size of an orange on one leg, dammit!
I went to the opening night of a musical that my friend wrote tonight; it was about a zombie-human love story. So funny! Then we went out for some beers. Now I’m home and NEED TEA. Or tisane. You know what I mean lol. This tea smells DIVINE (translation: like chocolate). At first sip, there is a weird artificial taste that also kind of tastes like nothing. It’s hard to describe. The chocolate only comes out to play after the sip is done. BRB, adding splenda to try to coax the chocolate out sooner. OK, yes that totally turns this around. Now it’s super milk chocolately goodness with no wood chip rooibos taste! Thank you carol who for this and all the other caffeine-free options you sent! That’s an area of my cupboard that I really need to expand.
Flavors: Chocolate, Cream
Preparation
Also decent with the addition of a bit of vodka. And X-files. Fox Mulder is just as cute as I remember.
Sounds like you had a lovely evening!
Awww, in LOOOOVE with Fox Mulder (and David Duchovny for that matter, sexy as hell in Californication)
I watch old x-files all the time :-) I miss that Scully/Mulder chemistry…A reunion in a third movie would be so awesome!!
I liked Gillian better back then, when her face still moved.
The other taste should be amaretto. And you right, I think it really pops with a bit of sweetener. It is REALLY good with a shot of amaretto!
I’ve been in love with Fox Mulder since an age when it was entirely inappropriate haha. And I agree, I loved David Duchovny in Californication too.
I just saw Gillian Anderson again in The Fall and in Hannibal. I was totally creeped out by both those shows, but she was pretty good.
If only I’d had amaretto…
I just noticed that Scully back in the X-files days looks a lot like my mom! HOW HAVE I NEVER NOTICED THAT??
I decided I had time for one more cup of tea before I have to spend all afternoon working in the hood and I am super glad I threw this in my bag to bring to work with me. Nina’s Paris is batting 1000 with me so far! This tea is just delightful. I like it even better than the Nina’s Japon. The raspberry and the red currant are fantastic together and then caramel and vanilla mellow out the tartness. I’m glad I split my sample in two and risked underleafing it because I definitely want to have this again soon. Thanks for sharing your Nina’s with me, Ost!
Flavors: Caramel, Raspberry, Red Fruits
Preparation
Where is everyone getting all these Nina’s Paris samples?! I want some! XD
If you email them they will send three free samples (sometimes anyway, I don’t know if it’s going on now).
Thanks, I’ll email them and ask about it. :D
Well, I got the two I’ve reviewed in a swap with Ost. I didn’t know about the free samples either! I just emailed them. Thanks *Marzipan!
I already got a response back! They are still sending free samples :-)
Those jerks didn’t email me back yet! :O
Did you email [email protected]? If not, what the heck
I meant If so, what the heck
Nice! Glad you liked them! :D
Yesterday, I’ve started a “purge”. Meaning, I am throwing tea in the trash. There, I’ve said it.
I know, I know, why trhow it, why not send it to someone who might want to have it?
Well see, there are rules to qualify for the purge…
1) must be a tea that’s been in the cupboard for over two years
2) the tea was given a fair chance. Meaning, it has been steeped at different temperatures, iced, cold brewed, even mixed with some other tea to tone it down. All have failed.
3) the fear of ever drinking it again must still be very present. I gag when I think of it.
4) I’ve asked someone to try it, and was later accused of homicidal intent.
5)I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.
6) if I’d send it in a swap, I’d be reported to Steepster for tea malpractice and therefore, would be forced to close my account. Goodbye Fairy :-(
I tried really hard to give Sour Sap some love. Before I gave it a final farewell, I cold steeped it to comply with the list of rules. It failed…miserably.
Sour sap…there are no possible description for it. Sour bile maybe? That’s the closest to a “note” I can get.
Sorry, it just wasn’t meant to be…
R.I.P. Sour Sap. 06/19/2014
hahaha i’m the same way. There are rules to throwing out a tea..but it DOES have to happen sometimes.
Thanks sil for not judging :-)
It was good for something, it got me to look at Tea Sante’s website for the first time. :)
Haha! I enable even when I don’t want to…
FYI, They are located here in Quebec, Montreal. Good service, super fast shipping, but I was not super impressed with their teas. I haven’t tried many though, maybe you’ll be luckier than I was if you decide to give them a chance. :-)
If you ever want to try Montreal’s finest, here’s a link. Camellia Sinensis is the real deal, and one of the most beautiful and informative website I know (free shipping even in the USA!)
I’m familiar with Camellia Sinensis. One of my first tea education purchases was their book. I still refer to it on a regular basis. I do intend to try their teas someday.
That,s great. Yes, the book is really nice. I used to have tea in their shop often when I lived in Montreal. Wish I could take their tea classes, must be so interesting…
Does this mean that the icky apple one can’t be purged re not being 2 years old?
Lol, an addendum has been written for “icky apple” : must qualify for at least 5 of the 6 rules…I don’t think it will better itself with age…(IT’S NOT STAYING!!!)
I need to purge too! I’ve got a whole box of bagged teas I picked up at the grocery store and ended up not liking very much. I would feel bad sending them to people…they’re not good!
That’s exactly how I feel..I mean, I don’t want to swap my bad stuff to people, it wouldn’t be very nice. Sometimes, you just know it’s not a question of taste, it’s just BAD, that’s all!
(Nice new pic BTW mj :-))
Thanks, Tea Fairy :-). That’s me drinking butterbeer at Harry Potter World!
I’m pitching some old tea this weekend. I don’t feel bad – I wouldn’t want anyone else to have to drink it.
Haha, very cute!
mj1851 wasn’t it delicious?! I’m going back this fall, can’t wait to have some more Butterbeer :)
So dellicious, whatshesaid! I’m so jealous you’re going in the fall and you get to see the expansion and ride on the Hogwarts express!!!
Also, I have a recipe for butterbeer. It’s pretty much spot on, if you’re interested
I’d love to have that recipe!
And yes I’m super excited for the Hogwart’s Express and Diagon Alley :)
Here you go whatshesaid! It’s a total pain but fun to have every now and then
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByLDTxpzm4N2ZVRza1VJWFRpQ2c/edit?usp=sharing
I think your guidelines for trashing old and/or crappy teas are spot on! It doesn’t happen often, but I have occasionally sent a tea to the compost pile, where I feel it will be more useful than it has been in my cupboard.
So I wonder if sour sap tea is suppose to be soursop flavored?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soursop
Ooh thanks MJ!
I laughed…
really hard.
@Terri: Soursop…never heard of it but never heard of sour sap either so yeah, could be, good job on that one!
Arshness, glad it gave you a good laugh…but it only gave me a sour face!
Do I like this tea? No, not really. I think maybe I did at one time, but now it just tastes medicinal to me. I’m only drinking it because I just got home from playing a kickass gig, & I’m wired, naturally high as a kite on music, good vibes, adrenaline, etc. So I’m drinking 2 bags of this in my usual cup, with a double dose of Valerian tincture added, in hopes that I will come back down to the planet’s surface & be able to sleep soon.
Tomorrow will be known as ‘The Day She Planted Sweet Potatoes’.
Silly me, I ordered 24 sweet potato plants, 4 each of 6 different varieties from http://www.tatorman.com/
Vardeman, Red Japanese, Nancy Hall, Beauregard, Carolina Ruby, & Bunch Porto Ricans.
I always grow alot of sweet potatoes, & we eat them all fall, winter, & spring, but the local stores still don’t have plants, & they only ever have one variety anyway.
Of course, it’s insane that I bought so many, LOL, but they arrived today, & they are adorable, & I’m very excited! Tomorrow the entire day will be dedicated to getting them in the ground!! I wanted to get some of the purple japanese ones, but you have to buy 12 plants, & that would be 36 plants total! Maybe next year…
Hopefully this year I’ll remember to save one of each kind for starting next year’s crop.
I also almost ordered more garlic for the fall from another company. I currently have 5 varieties, but you can never have too much garlic, & there are some really interesting heirlooms, including a few amazing sounding Italian ones, & I also want a few shallots to add to my shallot collection. The company I order those from doesn’t take paypal though, so that order will have to wait until I actually have some money in my bank account.
That & my Laoshan Black order (not like I need any, I just want a bag of the new crop for comparison sake).
Sipdown…I have no idea what my total is though…
Wish me luck falling asleep…
Just checked my sipdown total. I’m at 373!
(Not counting any new teas that have arrived since June 1st…I’ll add them on July 1st)
Sounds like a fantastic garden! I’ve never eaten any different varieties of sweet potatoes, as far as I know. I’ll have to see if I can find some at the farmer’s market.
Maybe I should have realized, but I didn’t know there were other types of sweet taters than what we grow. Garlic – We have tried multiple times to grow garlic, never with success. The Amish fellow I last got them from assured me it was simple. Maybe for you and him. Hat’s off to you and your green thumb.
For years I just ate ‘the’ sweet potatoes from the store. Then one year I noticed there were too kinds: Garnet & whatever the other one was. They were both great. Whole foods carries Garnet, the other one (whose name I can’t recall right now, it’s too early), & japanese. So hopefully 3 months from now I’ll be in sweet potato heaven!! KS, some years are better than others. Last year wasn’t as great as the previous 2 years.
Regarding garlic, this will be my first successful year growing, LOL. I think I finally know what I’m doing :)
Anyway, I consider the whole thing a grand experiment, a mix of permaculture (“are you gonna pull those weeds?”), raised beds, companion planting, containers, strange trellising formations, etc. Most people who take a walk with me in my garden view it with either wonder, amusement, disbelief or possibly they are appalled, or maybe a mix of all of the above. I just view it as heaven :)
I haven’t stepped foot in your garden and I am impressed, and amused. :) Last year we had a good crop of red, white, and sweet potatoes. Pretty much nothing else did good.
My little piece of earth is basically 99.9% clay, & after years of double digging in my previous garden (different house, different lifetime), I’m basically too old for that crap. So I layer in soil, newspaper, compost, cardboard, manure, and anything else I think will decompose. I just keep piling stuff on each year, & the worms & moles take care of the rest. Most of my beds are edged with the trimming of my various trees & straw, which initially help hold things in place, but eventually help hold water, etc. There are deep layers of straw everywhere! And piles of dead weeds.
Hey if it weren’t for weeds we would have no lawn at all. And can definitely identify with the clay. That’s why the grass won’t grow. The potatoes were grown in raised beds with bagged dirt and compost. With what we have had to do it is cheaper just to go buy them but that isn’t the point.
I dream of you your garden at night…
K: I know what you mean! We made several runs to get bagged soil today, & then I started realizing how much soil I was gonna need…yikes! I had to alter my planting plan somewhat…
TeaFairy: me too! :)
Oh Soba Cha!
So enticing I want to eat chunks of my mug, that how good it smells while I drink it.
Buckwheat pancakes, roasted grains, toasty cereals, it’s such a treat!
Ok, I pretty much NEVER add anything to my tea, not that there’s anything wrong with that, just not my preference.
But, this, THIS, with almond milk is like having a liquid bowl of your favourite cereals. Why don’t I make a giant pot of this instead of a cup?
My 4oz tin won’t last very long, I can tell you that!
I can’t ever thank my friend Dexter enough for introducing me to this wonderful tea from H&S :-)
This tea sounds fantastic! It’ll probably be a while until I order from Harney (I have a tea buying queue…) but I’ll definitely be grabbing some of this. :D
You are very welcome my friend. I totally agree with you – liquid bowl of cereal!!! A touch of sweet and a splash of milk and this just makes me HAPPY!!!
I need to try this one.
I feel the same way, MzPriss. Every time I see this reviewed I really want some.
OH MAN this sounds so magical.
That’s exactly what this is: a happy tea :-)
OK, any tea that inspires mug-biting has my attention!
It is totally mug-bite worthy gmahis!
Pro-tip: Keep an eye out for roasted buckwheat or “Kasha” at your healthfood store. It’s the same thing as this. I got 11 ounces from the bulk foods section for $2.50. :) They let you buy as little or much as you want :)
Thanks for the tip madametj, will look it up for sure :-)
its not the same. Groats of kasha are much larger. i have on hand both – kasha and tea. And buckwheat has a tendency to get spoiled without fridge.
http://www.recipetips.com/kitchen-tips/t—1009/grain-storage-guide.asp
Tastes the same
Soba cha is roasted buckwheat as a tea. Kasha is roasted buckwheat as a cereal.
Interesting idea, I could just pick some up at bulk food store and stick it in the fridge, good suggestion! Probably tastes the same anyhow, maybe just a bit less flavorful if the bits are bigger
I’m not sure where you guys are buying this, but I’ve looked and asked at several health food stores and bulk stores – haven’t been able to find anything roasted. I did buy some straight buckwheat, gave it a quick roast in the oven – that didn’t work very well. Will keep looking for it…..
I am so sad that I forgot to add a sample of this to my H&S order…
Because John Harney made tea….I saw an acquaintance buying it at Barnes and Noble. Because I saw her buying it, I got her more for Christmas and we became good friends and I bought an extra tin for me. Because I had GOOD tea, my new neighbor Sandy shared a cup and then introduced me to even more varieties of loose leaf and high quality teas of every type and kind and we began to explore puerh, white, yellow, and more! Because I became obsessed with tea, I invited more and more people over, and made new friends, and new tea addicts.
And this is one of the first loose leaf H&S teas I bought, the very first being Royal English Breakfast in sachets. Smokey and chocolate-y, good plain but takes milk and sugar well, which is how I first started drinking tea until their Golden Monkey enticed me to drink my tea sans additions.
Thank you, Mr. Harney, for being excited about tea. Thank you for your part in enriching my life. Thank you for the stories your family shared about you handing out wrapped sachets everywhere you went, making friends, showing kindness. May you rest in peace.
I found out late last night about the recent passing of John Harney. I have enjoyed teas from Harney and Sons for years and years (Hot Cinnamon Sunset was one of the first teas I fell in love with!), and I thought I would make my morning tea another H&S favorite as my way of saying thank you to Mr. Harney.
Golden Monkey is a jewel of a tea. The leaves are beautiful. Black and gold, kind of small, and tightly twisted. Once steeped the tea is malty with a honey like sweetness and notes of caramel and cocoa. I wouldn’t describe it as a thick tea, but it does coat the mouth with a light sweetness that’s very nice. The interplay of flavors here is so enjoyable. This is one of the teas I could drink all day and enjoy every sip.
Thanks again, Mr. Harney.
Preparation
Yum, golden monkey…great choice!
This tea has spoiled me. :)
Hot Cinnamon Sunset was my first H&S tea :)
Paris for me
@mj1851 – I wish they’d change the name back to Hot Cinnamon Sunset rather than Hot Cinnamon Spice. It’s silly, but I love the first name so much more!
@boychick – Paris is the tea that hooked my daughter. She drinks it almost every day. :)
@Veronica, I totally agree! It’s so much more poetic!
In mid summer, while I worked in the Chapleau Crown Game Preserve tracking Black Bears, we would reach a point where half the bears would dissapear from their home ranges as they left in search of food. That population is basically dependant on the success of the blueberry crop for survival. Once they started to leave their home ranges we would spend part of the day tracking/searching for our wandering bears, and part of the day sampling blueberry plots among other duties. After which we had tons of berries to freeze, eat and turn into many baked goods. At the study site we had two species of blueberries; Vaccinium angustafolium, which had smaller tarter berries and smooth leaved shorter plants, and V. Myrtilloides which had furry leaved taller plants and big sweet berries that tasted a little like blueberry bubble gum. This tea reminds me of the latter, with a rich sweet syrupy scent and flavour that reminds me a little of a blueberry pancake breakfast drank with a hearty rich tea.
This tea does a really nice job of balancing the flavours between the base tea and the flavouring. The scent and the taste are of those large bubble gun tinged blueberries I picked in the field up near Chapleau, with a nice sweet slightly syrupy notes, all over a malty and slightly biscuit noted base that has a slightly tart fruit reference. The sweetness of the flavouring is tempered by both the tannins in the tea and the blackberry leaf. The base tea is only slightly astringent, but has enough texture and tannins to give it a nice density in the mouth. Despite the flavouring and scent being quite distinct they do not overpower the base and the tea does not require sweetners for the flavouring to pop. Well done Tea Brewery At the moment this is my favourite blueberry tea in my cupboard.
You have a cool job. Bears are awesome!
So was that job as awesome as it sounds? ’Cause it sounds pretty great (as does the tea!).
Such a cute story, I can understand why this tea triggered such memories :-)
It was a very cool job! We lived at a field camp on the lake with a population between 4 and 20. The study’s focus was population survivorship and fecundity. In the spring we spent the morning checking our lines of live traps for bears, whom we would weigh measure, take fat pinches and blood samples if they were a recapture. New bears would be tagged and more in depth measurements and samples were taken. Females were always coloured, males not so often, as they tended to through the collars. We had early GPS collars that were huge as well as normal radio collars. We tracked the bears in the afternoon and sometimes well into the evening until there was a change of government that changed my bosses good will for ‘extras’. We also did botanical monitoring and staging. In our free time we went rock climbing of fire tower climbing, hiking, biking and canoeing and occasionally wolf howling. It was a fascinating job bears are fascinating to observe behaviorally,have an interesting social organisation and a really interesting physiology. It is definitely among my favourite job experiences. Ironically I think I experienced greater culture shock coming back from that job than from some of my overseas experiences.
Just wow…
What TheTeaFairy said!
That sounds like the coolest job ever.
Woooooooooooooooooooow.
I picked this one up at the Palais des Thes store. I didn’t even realize at the time that it was not their tea but another company. No matter – this smelled soooo good.
It was very tasty hot, but even better cold. Blueberry with mild coconut hot but as it cools off a buttery note sneaks in. I think this is one to be careful with as it could be bitter if not handled with attention. But I will enjoy this tin, I think. Trying a cold steep of the used leaves tonight.
Oh, and here’s a picture of how bad I was on my trip…http://s1165.photobucket.com/user/dagony/media/Tea%20collection/IMG_3464_zpsed958e8c.jpg.html?filters[user]=131747557&filters[recent]=1&sort=1&o=0
(oh, and I should note that the tiny adorable little pot there is not my doing…someone sneaky and exceedingly generous gave that to me while I was there…:)
Preparation
neat
Not sure – there might be too much coconut here for you… but some may make its way north someday… :)
but i do love me some blueberry…
I’ve browsed Lov Organic’s website before and they have some very interesting and tasty-sounding blends. :)
Bad… bad… Nicole! :-) Buying so much lovely tea! None of the rest of us would evvver do that! We all have wonderful self control! Looks good!
Did you hear that Mr. Harney died yesterday?
I didn’t! That’s sad. They just started a 30th anniversary promotion, too. :(
Blueberry coconut—never would have thought of the combo, but it sounds tasty.
They have a pineapple mint green rooibos!
Oh wow! Nice haul. So did you get your Kusmi tins refilled too or are these brand new ones?
Hmm I’ll have to check that out. One of the local grocery stores has/had a lot of Love organic teas. I’ll have to see if they have that one.
I ended up taking 2 tins to refill. The others are new.
Funny aside: I was looking at the Løv site and they said in Scandinavian countries it means leaf so that’s why they chose the name. I asked my husband (he is Danish) and he said Løv technically means leaf, but not like a tea leaf. It means the kind of leaf a deciduous tree has. Hah.
I usually don’t cold steep spent leaves unless I drink oolong or pu’erh, they have so much to give, I often stop my sessions and just cold brew the rest.
Yesterday, this one was weak for me at the third cup. I would normally just dispose of it. But I thought that maybe the vanilla bean in it could still gift me with some goodness, so I tried.
It filled a 24oz jar for 20 hours in the fridge. I thought this is way too much water for such a little bit of tea, it will probably taste like noting…WRONG!
OMG!!! It’s hot here today and this is soooo refreshing!
It tastes like vanilla sugar, so deliciously yummy.
I conclude that this tea might be expensive but out of 1/2 tablespoon, I got three hot 8oz cups and a 24oz jar of iced tea!
I’d say not a bad yielding ratio :-)
Oooh! Good to know. Now I just need to buy some.
I love coldbrewing this one! I don’t think I’ve ever actually tried to make something with old Port leaves and been disappointed by flavor – it really seems to just keep giving!
Sounds like a bargain to me!
Cheri, can’t wait to hear what you think about it!
Inranger, it is when you look at it this way instead of just price tag…
Brenden, I like this one wayyy too much! Now I feel like having it cold steeped all summer long…will try the same with Golden Orchid when it gets here.
Well, I’ve already got an imaginary order with WPTC going…hopefully next month I can come off tea buying hiatus and actually place it. (It’s looking good. I need to double check the credit card statement when it comes and make sure I get through the rest of the month accident free.)
Well I hope your imaginary order becomes reality ;-)
Just waiting on the Ailaoshan Black for my first order. According to my calculations that means in about 2 weeks I can enjoy me some WP goodness. Anticipation is a wonderful thing. :)
Oh, inranger, don’t I know, anticipation IS wonderful…as long as it doesn’t last too long :-) But Ailaoshan is totally worth the wait! Have you decided on the other teas you are getting from WP?
Yes, a savant fairy gave me a suggestion list which is now saved on my WP wishlist, then Brendan suggested on more that I’ve added. My list must be up around 8 or so teas by now. :)
Haha! never been called a “savant fairy” before, but I do know great tea when I see it ;-)
What ever you choose, I’m sure you’ll be happy with it!
Very interesting. I’ve seen posts about cold steeping “used” leaves before. I am going to need to try that, starting with my Port!
I frequently take all of the leaves from each tea i’ve steeped over the day and make a pot of it all together coldbrewed. I have not once had a pot that didnt taste delicious :)
It’s also fun too, because each pot of tea is totally unique and not something that can really be re-created easily :)
Awesome idea :-)
I’ll be interested to find out what you think Sarsonator.
I’d like to start out by thanking Angel & Teavivre for this wonderful sample. This is the most amazing looking green tea, absolutely beautiful. It looks like fronds of some exotic sea veggie, with iridescent shades of green that I can’t even begin to describe. Dried & pressed into long bud sets, averagine 2 to 2.5 inches long! It’s so beautiful that I took pics & posted them on my FB, for those who might like to see.
https://www.facebook.com/terri.langerak
The dry aroma is rich, thick, & buttery. I rehydrated single frond, just so I could watch it unfurl alone, & take photos of it. I gave the entire 5 G sample 1 minute at 180F in my test tube steeper, & the resulting liquor was a pale apricot color, with a sweet, thick, & buttery green taste, delicate & refined.
2min: still rich & buttery, with a yellow taste, bring to mind yellow flowers. As I continue with this cup I also taste saffron & pumpkin seeds.
3min: a little tangy-er, fruity like apricot, but also savory like buttered asparagus. Slightly astringent, slightly bitter.
4min: sweet melon/pumpkin taste.
I used TeaVivre’s Tai Ping Hou Kui in my new photo art because it is SO GORGEOUS https://www.etsy.com/listing/193212314/beautiful-tea-poster-photography-collage
Wonderful pics! I love the test tube for green teas, isn’t it the best?
That poster is awesome!!
And yes, I love my test tube steeper! :)
I was wondering about the test tube steeper…
Haha! Teaware addict, busted!!
Haha! Just love your accent ;-)
You gotta have one missy prissy!
Good morning Steepster!
This is such a delicious Ceylon, normally I’m not a fan of Ceylons, I can find them too bitter and wine-y. This has such a delicious flavor profile of cherry and a bit of menthol. It’s also “hefty” and has great body which is not something I normally associate with a Ceylon.
SOT says: One of the classics, this is what an Uva Ceylon can and should taste like!
I agree, it puts most of the other Ceylons I’ve had to shame. Evidently I’ve been drinking crap Ceylons but this is one I will gladly restock once it runs out. I’m also excited to be getting a couple of other things from them (hopefully this week).
There’s one other Ceylon that I liked equally as much and that was the Sam Bodhi by Palais de Thes. I just haven’t bothered restocking it that one because there weren’t too many other things from Palais de Thes that really “wowed” me & you have to spend $75 to get free shipping.
I’m still sick, although I am feeling like I’m a bit on the mend. I hope I survive the day, as I have writing class tonight that goes until 9 pm.
Preparation
on to the wishlist hahaha
I’m getting a SOT order together. I may add this to it.
I’m glad you’re starting to feel better finally. :)
Veronica & Sil – you need some. he he he!
Cameron – TY!
Glad your feeling a little better. I love cherry notes in Ceylon’s. My Lumbini estate one fits that need for me right now but maybe I’ll try some from this estate in the future!
I need some “cosmic” sheng to cheer me up!
Took my bird to the vet this afternoon. She has a tumor on her tummy :( Anyway, it is growing, and there is nothing they can do for her. Luckily for now she is maintaining her weight (which means she is feeling well enough to eat properly.) She’s getting to be an older birdie, so I am trying to take solace in the fact that up until this point she has had a very pleasant life, and trying to wrap my head around the fact that sometime in the not too distant future I will have to deal with her slow (hopefully not painful) death and all I can do is comfort her as best as I can!
Sorry to be a downer…ANYWAY, I got new birthday present TeaUrchin sheng samples! YAY! So far everything I’ve tried from TeaUrchin has been top notch. This one is pleasant. I think there is something extra special about Autumn harvests, as much as I have raved about a few first flush green teas in the past, heh. My vocabulary for describing sheng flavors is still in its infancy, but this one is rich and somewhat herbal/floral tasting. It has a nice balanced pleasant bitterness/astringency. When I inhale as I am sipping I feel the camphor-like vapors seem to permeate my entire being. Good sheng. Sheng good.
Aw :(
so sorry…
Sorry to hear about your bird :(
What kind?
I used to have a lot of birds, but now I only have the ones that frequent my garden :)
I’m so sorry to hear about your birdie. Pets are such an important part of our lives.
She is a Pacific Parrotlet, and she likes head scratches http://twitpic.com/d3dr7p What kinds did you have, Terri?
Aww. Sorry to hear that. I had a pet rat that got a tumor once and we ended up putting her to sleep.
I’m so sorry to hear about your bird. She’s such a little cutie too.
Sorry to hear about your bird :(
So sorry …she looks beautiful.
Awww, she’s beautiful!!
I had parakeets, a pair of love birds, a cockatiel, & I raised canaries for a number of years. I love birds, & have successfully raised & released several wild baby birds, my favorite one being a sparrow I named Captain Jack :D
She’s a pretty girl
Port in the afternoon? Hey, why not!
I’m an advocate of drinking my best teas at very ordinary times. Why wait for a special occasions? Just make the ordinary extraordinary!
This is fine tea, I mean REALLY fine.
Brenden suggested I use one of those little Chinese Gongfu stainless super fine stainers for his vanilla tea. I’m all out of Golden Orchid (new batch on its way, yay!!!), but I thought I’d give it a try with Port.
I already see a difference by looking at the tea through my doubled walled mug. Last time I had it, I used a regular strainer and the infusion was a little blurry. It’s crystal clear now. The difference is subtle, but I can see how the taste seems different, “cleaner”. Hard to explain and fully grasp cause I drank Port only once before.
There aren’t many of them, but I see little hairs of red saffron in the blend here and there, and they do render a Spanish savoury flair to the cup and a beautiful bright amber copper liquor.
First thing to notice is the delectable and creamy vanilla, its feels organic and a little earthy. Paired with the exquisite and sweet black base, and the “cederness” of the roasted cedar leaves, this tea turns into a sophisticated caramel infusion, with floral and fresh evergreens notes.
Yes, it’s very expensive, but it delivers and I think everyone should experience it at least once. (The problem is I am now hooked and I know I will reorder when I’m out!!)
Just a superb creation.
This tea just sounds soooooo amazing. I love saffron.
:)
I’d never heart of saffron tea before today, and now here it is again! :) www.laperse.co.uk has a line of saffron infused teas that I recently got a sample of….i was going to give it to a friend, but now I just may try one! Port sounds fabulous!
Saffron is so good, can’t be beaten simmered in white wine to create the best shrimp rice ever, mmm, ok now I’m hungry, lol.
That sounds yummy, too! :)
I love saffron. This tea sounds interesting too! :)
Terri, when you told me you didn’t do “flavoured” teas very well because of different intolerances and allergies, I thought it included blends as well, that’s why I sent you only the straight WP, not wanting to take any chances. Otherwise I would have included this one and many more in our swap. MAYBE NEXT TIME :-)
NExt time!!
I do drink blends, I just don’t want anything with artificial flavors especially, but also sometimes have problems with ‘natural’ flavors. Blends that are actually made from real things are usually ok. :)
But that’s ok, I have a ton of tea to sample for now! :D
Oh, had to read the tea description to get the tea – thought it was Port-Port wine tea. had one once which was nice if a bit artificial.
Lucky for you, Terri (and everyone!) I don’t use any natural or artificial flavors. All of my teas are 100% real stuff :)
Cteresa, I love Port wine, I have a Portuguese friend who brings back bottles for me that are out of this world!!
WP: and it shows :-)
I almost made this this morning, but I opted to have the last of my Nutmeg Cream.
And on the wish list it goes :-)
Finally! I can “like” this.
MY FAVOURITE DREAM TEA!
I’m definitely going to pick up some more :)
Recommend Dolce Vita too :) Also raspberries and coconut with a black base.
LOL Courtney…. Go look a few reviews down on my page ;)
TeaFairy – yup, hahaha
Haha whoops! So I may be behind on reading notes. Also, ahhh I feel terrible about your experience. It’s true the coconut is barely there, but the rest, le sigh.
Oh, well it has nothing to do with you!! I’m going to keep trying! I have tons, lol
:)