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U is for… Utopia.

My first order from Phoenix Pearl Tea Company. My husband has already had a few cups of this one and loves it. I’m really enjoying it too – it’s sweetened just enough and the coconut flavor is light and natural. I used coconut milk today but I’ve also made it with whole milk and enjoy it both ways. I do cut the amounts in half rather than making a 16 ounce mug of matcha (which I’m not sure I even own) and the 8 ounces is plenty. The bag recommends using vanilla soy milk for a blueberry muffin flavor, but I don’t normally buy soy milk so I may just add a bit of vanilla extract next time. I’m not sure where the blueberry flavor would come in since this is coconut, but if it somehow showed up I’d enjoy it.

T is for… Turmeric Tea Powder.

There was some water left behind in the kettle so I probably added 8 or 10 ounces instead of the 6 ounces I measured out. Plus the 6 ounces of coconut milk. So this cup could be a little stronger. The flavor is strong enough for me today though. I can taste the turmeric; my first sip was gritty so I’m sure much has settled and is waiting for me at the bottom of my cup.

Today has been a good day. I put my phone away (actually, I handed it to James and asked him to put it somewhere), grabbed some books and spent the afternoon reading on the porch. The break was needed after some exhausting text convo yesterday about our foster cat. Now that that the sun is going down, this cozy caffeine-free rooibos is welcome. Though I don’t taste any rooibos, only turmeric and vague spices.

S is for… Squirrely.

My phone is away for the day and I’m spending this Sunday sitting outside with a small pile of books and a cup of tea. I asked Michelle if I could try this one and she sent several cups worth. I’m so glad now that I’ve tried it because it’s delicious. Strong maple/maple candy aroma before steeping. Solid base and caramel flavor. It’s very rich, full-bodied, and overall a well-rounded blend.

Second Steep
6 ounces water + 212 degrees + 20 minutes

The second steep smells of tobacco, so I think much of the flavoring may have been used up in the first steep and now the base is free to shine a bit more.

No, I take that back – I can still taste the caramel in this second steep!

For International Mother Earth Day.

I’m a day late (what’s new?) and this sounded like a perfect pick for Earth Day. I did pick it out yesterday but never got around to making a cup. My last note said this was bitter and only tasted like chamomile, so I made sure to keep an eye on my temperature so it didn’t go over the recommended 200 degrees. I think that may have been the problem before because I can taste more than just the chamomile this time around. It’s still the dominant aroma, actually the only thing I smell before steeping and after, but now I can taste a bit of mint in the mix. We’re having breakfast for dinner tonight, so this will be a nice cup to have with our pancakes.

R is for… Raspberry Zinger.

Oh goodness, I really don’t like this one. It tastes like tart cherries not not at all in a good way. I’ve tried it hot and today I tried it iced. It’s better cold, but still not great. I ended up dumping most of it.

Q is for… Qi’Lan Fired Oolong.

My only ‘Q’ tea. This is also one of the oldest teas in my stash, way back from 2014. It still tastes fine, maybe a little drying, but it’s nice and roasty toasty.

P is for… Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle.

So cute with its little pumpkin sprinkles!

This came out bitter, even after adding my usual honey and cream. I’m sure I must have used to much tea leaf, but this is the last of it so I’ll never know. This is heavily spiced. I wish I could smell or taste the cardamom or even the cinnamon, but all I notice is the clove.

P is for… Plum Oatmeal Squares.

I remember vaguely that I didn’t love this one before, but I never wrote a note and couldn’t remember why I didn’t really like it. Tasting it now, there’s this tang that is making it feel thin. My husband says he can taste the oatmeal, but I don’t taste oatmeal OR plum.

O is for… Oolong Goddess.

Sipdown! Unfortunately this tastes only like a very watered down, very unextraordinary oolong. I can’t say for sure how old it is though, since I only have the one single sachet.

N is for… Nepal Black.

This is probably my favorite tea from DT. I love its chocolaty flavor. I reordered a few bags of this last year sometime, but this was the last lone teaspoon of an older bag that’s been in my cabinet for a while. The flavor may have faded some, but I’m still enjoying this long-time favorite.