Shae Send Message

I brought two teas from Saint Simon’s to work with me today. Since it’s cold and the sky is threatening snow, I thought the spiced tea would be the way to go. It’s lightly spiced – the most prominent taste is rooibos. I’m sure I should have shaken the bag more.

This tea smells strong, like a breakfast tea. I’m sure it would have been perfect this morning. I’ve had so much caffeine already today that I’m not sure how it will settle with me this afternoon. I’m hoping it’s enough to warm me up but not so much that it makes me feel jittery and off balance. After adding a little cream, the color is a deep reddish brown. The cream doesn’t completely mix here but it does well enough. To me, this isn’t as good as I remember it being before. It’s astringent and a little bitter in the aftertaste. I’ll probably drop my rating on this one.

Someone at work left a full box of this tea on the counter in the break room so I grabbed one before they were all taken. I’m always on the lookout for a new favorite. A 2-3 minute steep time didn’t seem long enough for me so I upped the time and dropped the temperature so it wouldn’t be bitter. This has a taste like cinnamon Red Hots candy. It’s not bad really. After reading the reviews I was expecting it to be worse. This doesn’t re-steep well, but I expected that.

This is a favorite and I’m down to the last of it, maybe 2-3 cups left. I’ll probably finish it off in the next week or so, but it will go right back on my wishlist next to the Coconut Chai for my upcoming Satori Tea order.

This one brews up so deep and dark that I’m almost tempted to put cream in it. I’m not sure how that would work with a rooibos though. I noticed a menthol smell both before and after steeping with this tea.

The last of my coconut chai. I was reading one of my past notes that said this tastes like gingersnaps and it really does. I’ll miss this one but plan to pick up more once I can place another order with Satori Tea.

I haven’t had this one in a while and had forgotten how much I enjoy it. In one teaspoon of tea I had two cardamom pods so this doesn’t skimp on the spices or the flavor. The black tea has a good dark flavor and the spices are there but not overpowering. I wish this was a good one for re-steeping, but my past notes say that it’s not. I may try anyway just because I like it so much.

I’m breaking away from my current favorite (Nepal Black from DAVIDsTEA) to have this old favorite. It’s equal parts floral and fruity with the rose and stone fruits shining through. I love anything with rose anyway, and mostly anything floral, so pairing this with a good black tea is of course a win for me.

I think my tealog lately consists only of this tea with maybe a few others sprinkled here and there. I haven’t wanted anything else. In fact, my supply of this is getting low and I’m a little bummed since I’ve put myself on an unofficial buying hiatus until I can clear out some of my older teas. Today’s was an especially good cup and I’ve actually already finished it in the time it’s taken me to type the first three sentences. I have no self-control when it comes to favorites. There can be no sipping here.

Second Steep
8 ounces water + 205 degrees + 20 minutes

I had to have a second cup of this because it’s usually just as good on the second steep. The chocolate is still there and it’s creamy and sweet. Nearly as perfect as the first.