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I could swear I had this tisane a second time already. I remember picking the apple pieces out to eat off the top of the tea before I removed the filter the second time I had it. The first time I had it, I ate them out of the filter after I removed it from the tisane. This time I did not eat them at all.

I do think the rating’s going up several points, to a 70 at least (middle of my good range, 60-80). But I’m still not sure exactly where I want it so I’m going to drink it a few more times to decide before bumping it up.

A bit more chippies were used this time for a cup with a nice full taste. While I like it, I don’t think I’d drink it several evenings in a row. I should mention that I like apples quite a bit, but they prolly aren’t one of my favorite fruits and I only want to eat them by themselves sometimes. So I think that’s why. I also enjoy this tisane best before it hits the lukewarm temperature.

So I’ve been saying more bergamot than black tea for the past few tealogs on this one. The night before last I decided to do something about it. I’d add some plain black tea to it. Out of my plain black teas, I thought the Tiger, Thomas, and A&D’s Ceylon might pair the best. I decided to start with the Tiger.

So yesterday morning, I steeped a 1/2 Tiger:1/2 EG ratio. The first steep was mostly Tiger with a hint of EG. The second steep was a wonderful and delicious blend of the two. This seems to be a successful idea. I’ll just need to tweak the black tea:EG ratio. I think I’ll definitely be more interested in drinking up this EG this way.

PS This is only the second time I’ve blended two teas. I’m happy it went reasonable well since the previous attempt was only so-so. I now have a bit more confidence to keep trying.

2nd steep: 5 min 30 sec.

I had Earl Grey again this morning. This EG definitely is better by itself rather than as a London Fog. It’s likely it’s also better without any milk as well. This EG is more bergamot and less tea and that’s okay. It’s yummy but it’s prolly not my ideal EG. I think I’d prefer an EG that had more balance between the two, or one with a tasty strong black tea where the bergamot was noticeable. While I definitely like this tea, I think it may end up being my least favorite of all the A&D teas release thus far. I’m also noting that the second steep today was nearly as strong and flavorful as the first.

2nd steep: 7 min 30 sec.

I used up the last of the lemonade making a Strawberry Matcha lemonade yesterday. I used even more lemonade than the last time and again I could taste the matcha and the strawberry more than when I’d used less. Why that is, I don’t know. I need to buy more lemonade now as I’m addicted to the Strawberry Match and I’m not sure I could drink it made with the water and milk combo I like for it hot in this heat. I’m also quite happy that upon further inspection of the interior of the pouch I’ve found that I still have at least 3 servings left.

After the Strawberry Matcha lemonade, I still wanted more green tea. I wasn’t feeling any of my usual green teas so I pulled this one out of the back of the cupboard. I think I could have used more leaf or longer steeping times as it was weaker than I remember. It tasted more of cherries than green tea. I think I just had a odd set of steeps tonight.

2nd steep: 1 min.

Oh no! I only have 2-3 more portions of Strawberry Matcha left. I don’t know what I’ll do then. (Frank, you HAVE to reblend! Or do more matcha blends!)

Made a Strawberry Matcha lemonade after dinner. I use more lemonade than usual and oddly I could taste the matcha and the strawberry more than before. The best one I’ve made yet.

After not acting on my desire for Earl Grey as my morning cup yesterday, I decided to make a London Fog this morning. I think I’ve come to the conclusion that A&D’s Earl Grey doesn’t make a good London Fog. It just doesn’t have a strong enough black tea taste to make the London Fog taste like tea. I used a bit extra leaf and steeped the tea for about 10 minutes today and used only a bit of milk. I got milky vanilla orange water, more vanilla than orange actually.

Second half of the pair of my back-to-back same tea days. I did consider going Earl Gray briefly. It was a bit watery today. I didn’t realized that the mug I used was much bigger than mugs I normally use, which is what I think did it.

2nd steep: 5 min 30 sec.

Sometimes you just know you want the Tiger. Yesterday, it was a day for the Tiger. Strong and bold. Two good cups.

2nd steep: 5 min 15 sec.

This tea looks really cool. Looong slender twists. Mint greens, reddish tans, and green blacks. The smell is sharp and musty, reminding me of polish, perhaps shoe, and mahogany. Wet, the leaves are muddied browns and olive greens. No smell. Then after a few steeps, burnt honey. They slowly uncurl.

1st steep: 3 min.
Leaves still mostly coiled. Taste is very light. Reminds me of young sweet peas.

2nd steep: 3 min 15 sec.
Leaves starting to uncoil. Stronger taste. Like fresh peas and pea tendrils and boston bibb lettuce. Buttery. Starchy pea-like mouthfeel.

3rd steep: 3 min 30 sec.
Leaves look like spiral curls. This steep is grainy, slightly roasted, reminds me of cereals. Like an oolong-lite.

4th steep: 3 min 45 sec.
Leaves only loosely curled. Buttery. Chestnut taste and mouthfeel. Dry at the end of the sip.

I could have steeped this tea more. I had a zucchini, onion, and feta cheese omelet for dinner and didn’t feel like green tea afterward. I was surprised by the difference in tastes among the steeps, and that I could close my eyes and sip and realize what the taste was like. I’m rating this tea a 78 initially, high on my good range (60-80). I’m pretty sure the rating will be moved into the really good/great range. One reason is that I’ve been thinking about drinking it again since I tried it. It’s just been hot and I haven’t been drinking afternoon teas.