55 Tasting Notes
This one was purchased over the holidays for a mar"tea"ni recipe. For the mixologists among us, it makes an interesting “tasty beverage,” and maintains a fun blue-ish color when combined with vodka.
The tea itself is a bit astringent and my preference is to take it with sugar (or, the aforementioned vodka, when appropriate.) It might be a good candidate for iced tea, too.
Preparation
Meh.
Mostly spice, not much plum. Disappointing body (too watery feeling in the mouth). It just feels like something is missing. Kept bringing the tea bag back for additional steep time but it just added more spice, never rounded out. Maybe I will try blending in more black tea next time.
Preparation
It is 9 am, and time for tea. And I need a minty punch to kick my butt into gear. Since getting up (late) this morning I have accomplished the sum total of this: 1. Decided I needed some tea (1.5 seconds); 2. Chose Chocolate Mint and heated the water (5 min.); 3. Selected my Teavana Tea Harmony tumbler from the cupboard (5 seconds); 4. Discovered the infuser had not been stored inside it and disassembled entire kitchen looking for it (22 minutes); 5. Found it! (But will not be able to find anything else in here ever again, in the wake of my infuser search…); 6. Made fresh heated water; 7. Logged on to share my agony.
If you have stayed with me this far, you have probably had similar moments. I really need this tea break!
As for the tea itself, the aroma is already bringing me out of my sleep-fog. Mint just shakes me into consciousness, and it is the prominent aroma. It is also the prominent flavor, which is why I add some Half & Half — the milk seems to bring the chocolate into focus and balance everything out. No sweetener for me, though I know many do like this tea sweetened.
Now maybe I can decide on what to wear to work and get on with the day. Thanks for listening.
Preparation
Brought this home from Jungle Jim’s International Market in Hamilton, Ohio. It is a regional mecca for foodies in my region, and many treasures were purchased that are not easily available in my hometown (mainly Asian ingredients, this trip.)
My favorite sushi bar served up this toasty tea which I like very much, and I have demonstrated great lack of restraint by tearing into it upon ariving home. It is not fancy, just satisfying in a homey kind of way.
