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I’ll admit, my interest in this tea was mostly because my Pakke’s family is from the section of Friesland that lies in The Netherlands. After tasting it I’m very glad that I decided to purchase it.

I’ve had this twice since my package from Upton tea came in yesterday. It is a very enjoyable tea with or without milk though I wish I had some cream so I could try it with it’s traditional presentation. The first infusion requires precisely 4 minutes, anything over and it starts getting quite bitter. If you go for a second infusion you can be much more lenient with the time, I forgot about it while dealing with my kids but even at 10 minutes there was no bitterness.

One of the random teabags that Dan sent to me. I really like this one, can’t say as I’ve had a good apple-flavored tea before. This was juicy and slightly tart, very much like a Gala or Pink Lady apple, though not tart enough for Granny Smith.

Many heartfelt thank yous go out to Dan for his generous gift of this fascinating tea! I have been waiting for enough money to be able to order it for months now only to find out last week that the company had closed up shop. Needless to say, I was quite disappointed but then Dan stepped up with his generous offer of a sample of this tea and I must say I was over the moon.

But of course Murphy had to have a good joke on my behalf this morning. As I was waiting for my tea to steep my son needed to use the bathroom. Being just under four he still needs someone in there to make sure he washes his hands. Just as he was turning on the faucet I caught a glimpse of the time on my watch and I let out an expletive. MY TEA! Rushing to the kitchen I hurriedly removed the leaves from the pot and looked at my watch again. 8 1/4 minutes! I had oversteeped it! This tea I had been waiting so long to try and would never be able to buy more of. Not one to waste tea and being much more hopefully optimistic than most (or just plain mule-stubborn!) I poured a cup, added sugar and waited for the liquid to cool a bit.

Oh my goodness! I was overjoyed to find that this is one of those rare teas that do not go bitter when mildly oversteeped. The toasty, nutty notes hit my tongue first. It wasn’t until about halfway through the cup that I picked up the vaunted cocoa flavor that had hit me full in the face when I opened the sample package. I certainly tasted it through the rest of the pot though!

Currently working on my second pot (9 minute infusion) and the flavor is just as lovely as the first steeping.

Again, many many thanks to Dan! I’m looking forward to trying the other teas he sent as well :)

Still loving this. It is definitely going on my list of “teas to keep in stock AT ALL TIMES”

Going camping this weekend and for some reason the thought of campfires and tents made me start craving some of my favorite tea.

You know, I’d originally bought this because the description said there were coco notes. I keep drinking it because of the subtle smokiness and the earthy-sweet flavors. I am still amazed by how much I like this.

Having this tonight and I made up a mug for the hubby too. His exact words: “Odd. Not something I would expect to be hot.” He’s still drinking it though XD

I tried having this yesterday and completely miss-read my previous notes on it. Complete disaster. The only thing more guaranteed to ruin my day than not having tea at all is ruining good tea, especially one of my favorites. Determined to have a better day today I decided to take another shot at this. So glad I did. I’m on my fourth infusion and looking forward to even more.

You know, this makes me think of a certain spot I used to visit when I was a kid. Hidden away in an area of pine woods, granite outcroppings lifting out of the hillside, a little area with tumbled granite boulders and a comfortable dry granite cave tucked into the hillside. It had obviously once housed human occupants because someone had hollwed out a shelf large enough to sleep on and there were large rocks wedged together over the doorway to fill in a natural gap.

I think I might have to try finding that place again so I can bring my kids. I’ll have to bring a thermos with this tea along as well.

Wanted to have this last night but I was good and went to bed instead. So of course I have to have it when I get up!

Two infusions. 1st – 5 minutes, 2nd – 5 1/2 minutes. My son tried the second infusion and thought it was yummy :o My son, a tea connoisseur at the ripe old age of three years, seven months XD

Oh, I think it’s official now: I’m in love with this tea. Bumping the rating up to 100.