Doulton’s Shakespeare: A Tasting Note in 5 Acts
Act 1 scene 2
“As merry as the day is long.”
Much Ado About Nothing Act II, scene 1
This tea is a comedy: Much Ado About Nothing. This was the play that I had my light bulb moment with Shakespeare in that his works are meant to be seen as plays and not just read in school. It was during Benedick’s humorous soliloquy in the garden where I found myself cracking up and realized that I was understanding the play. I was having such a great time unlike when Shakespeare was forced upon me in high school English classes.
Thus far I’ve avoided teas with any sort of chocolate in them. I really don’t care for chocolate just like I thought that I didn’t care for Shakespeare until I saw a live play. Apparently I’m fine with cocoa in tea! It’s so different than having a piece of chocolate. And these flavors are so wonderfully playful. The vanilla starts to get a bit pushy, but the caramel and cocoa seem to be doing a fine job of saying “hey nonny nonny” to both the tea and vanilla. It’s like the enjoyment of watching Beatrice and Benedick quibble and fight while all the time knowing that they’re perfect for each other. But this tea is much smoother than any of the relationships in this play. Ultimately this is a delightful dessert tea that I must always keep on hand. TG
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Wowza. I wish I could say I didn’t like chocolate. It is my downfall. Oh, the cookies I ate today out of sheer weakness. This sounds totally yum.
Totally know what you mean about the lightbulb moment. For me, it happened with Hamlet in high school, when two things happened at the same time. One, I realized that even the tragedies could have really funny moments, and two, somehow the haze around the early modern English lifted and I could all of a sudden get the gist even if I couldn’t understand every word. It was like the description in the Sarah Rose book of Fortune being able to understand Chinese after being steeped in it for a while.
Oy – I had a very traumatic experience with M&Ms as a child where I ate too many one Easter. You don’t want to know the details. I’m actually grateful for that experience considering what a huge comfort eater I am and I think chocolate could have been my downfall. I still can’t stand M&Ms, but other chocolates I can enjoy a very tiny bit at a time.
YES to the haze lifting – that’s exactly it!!!!!
And rest assured all: I am not going to love everything in the Shakespeare box. The first two are homeruns, but there’s a couple that I’m sort of dreading. Plus, I’m dying to write a scathing review in terms of tea and Shakespeare! ;)
Rabs, these Shakespeare reviews are delightful! And Much Ado About Nothing is probably my favorite Shakespeare play and literary trope (love/hate relationships and feisty feminists for the win!)
I’m glad that so many of you are giving these reviews thumbs up, because due to Doulton’s generosity there will be many Shakespeare notes. :)
I haven’t had this one yet…would LOVE to try some tho! So far the other Talbott Teas I have had I really like – even the ROOIBOS!!!!!
Wowza. I wish I could say I didn’t like chocolate. It is my downfall. Oh, the cookies I ate today out of sheer weakness. This sounds totally yum.
Totally know what you mean about the lightbulb moment. For me, it happened with Hamlet in high school, when two things happened at the same time. One, I realized that even the tragedies could have really funny moments, and two, somehow the haze around the early modern English lifted and I could all of a sudden get the gist even if I couldn’t understand every word. It was like the description in the Sarah Rose book of Fortune being able to understand Chinese after being steeped in it for a while.
Oy – I had a very traumatic experience with M&Ms as a child where I ate too many one Easter. You don’t want to know the details. I’m actually grateful for that experience considering what a huge comfort eater I am and I think chocolate could have been my downfall. I still can’t stand M&Ms, but other chocolates I can enjoy a very tiny bit at a time.
YES to the haze lifting – that’s exactly it!!!!!
And rest assured all: I am not going to love everything in the Shakespeare box. The first two are homeruns, but there’s a couple that I’m sort of dreading. Plus, I’m dying to write a scathing review in terms of tea and Shakespeare! ;)
Rabs, these Shakespeare reviews are delightful! And Much Ado About Nothing is probably my favorite Shakespeare play and literary trope (love/hate relationships and feisty feminists for the win!)
I’m glad that so many of you are giving these reviews thumbs up, because due to Doulton’s generosity there will be many Shakespeare notes. :)
I haven’t had this one yet…would LOVE to try some tho! So far the other Talbott Teas I have had I really like – even the ROOIBOS!!!!!