First prompt for June – an African tea! And it is one of the best African teas I have tasted.
First, it is filthy, ridiculous hot outside. A family cancelled lessons today so I have some free time and I decided to plant the flowers that have been languishing ever since I put my back out last week and haven’t been able to stand without screaming. My back was better today, so I figured I had better get them in the ground.
Just as I got too hot, a shepherd’s hook fell over from the weight of a freshly watered basket, and I had to throw the hose and catch the very heavy basket while the hose drenched the blanket I was using to kneel on to plant the flowers in the beds. Sigh.
When I finally got inside, I wanted cold tea FAST and I remembered Verdant email about flash chilling gong fu tea in a cocktail shaker and how it develops a foamy head. I chose this tea, and man oh man, was that a good choice.
This tea came out sooooo burnt caramel flavored. It is golden with a foamy top. I got a phone call from Ashman just as I poured the water, wandered off, and forgot I was making tea for a minute, but wandered back in time. I am sure it is a little oversteeped, but it is still really, really good.
This is a great method when you want good quality tea without sacrificing its flavor and with no sugar. (Most of our iced tea is sweet.) Since it isn’t sweetened and it s good tea made gong fu style, there isn’t the issue with it needing time for the flavors to meld. I plan to do this again – probably often – this summer.
I still have half a flat of vincas to plant and it is pushing 100F. Sigh. Back to it.
Edited to add: finished planting and came in and made second steep. Timed it properly this time. Golden sweet, light, and burnt sugar now more than burnt caramel. Still foamed when shaken, although I think greens foam even more, probably due to natural saponins.
Comments
OK, I’m just envisioning your garden adventures in slow motion …. ;) Is your back still OK after all that?
Ahh White Rhino. This was my all-time favourite from Butiki and I never managed to find a replacement. But you’ve reminded me this one is on my wishlist and I really need to look at the What-Cha webshop!
OK, I’m just envisioning your garden adventures in slow motion …. ;) Is your back still OK after all that?
Ahh White Rhino. This was my all-time favourite from Butiki and I never managed to find a replacement. But you’ve reminded me this one is on my wishlist and I really need to look at the What-Cha webshop!
Gmathis: it is a little stiff just from kneeling to plant the flowers, but the basket incident does not seem to have done additional harm!