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.

gmathis

OK, I’m just envisioning your garden adventures in slow motion …. ;) Is your back still OK after all that?

Courtney

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!

ashmanra

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!

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gmathis

OK, I’m just envisioning your garden adventures in slow motion …. ;) Is your back still OK after all that?

Courtney

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!

ashmanra

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!

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Bio

I am a music teacher, tutor, and former homeschool mom (25 years!) who started drinking loose leaf tea about fourteen years ago! My daughters and I have tea every day, and we are frequently joined by my students or friends for “tea time.” Now my hubby joins us, too. His tastes have evolved from Tetley with milk and sugar to mostly unadorned greens and oolongs.

We have learned so much history, geography, and culture in this journey.

My avatar is a mole in a teacup! Long story…

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North Carolina

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