Steep City Teas

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Recent Tasting Notes

90

Sad Sip down! However, this sip down was needed as my Steep city order (a huge one) is coming very soon!

I made this iced and enjoy the contrast between the savory green with fruity berry and lemony flavors. The tartness here is really mild, making for a great iced tea with a touch of sweetener.

I did a blog review of this tea awhile back http://oolongowl.com/2013/03/08/agua-di-jamaica-from-steep-city-teas-tea-review/ I love watching the hibiscus zip down in the gravity steeper.

Preparation
Iced

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90

I had this tea last night, but couldn’t post due to steepster update time.

Very nice iced! Very fruity, lightly hibiscus, citrus with a little smokey green tea. I’m really loving my fridge with the ice dispenser – it makes iced teas so much easier and no icecube tray messes.

I keep saying I’m going to do a SteepCity order and never get around to it. It’s gonna be a big one, so maybe that’s why I’m procrastinating.

Preparation
Iced

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90

Having this iced!

Argggg! I made a nice big tea tumbler of Agua di Jamaica iced, set it on my desk in front of me, then forgot about it when I was knitting. I’m trying to design a market bag knitting pattern and having some issues with cast on stuff.

So, my drink got kinda watery from the melted ice once I realized there’s a nice cold tea in front of me. Really nice berry flavor with a citrus aftertaste! Yum!

Preparation
Iced

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90

What? I’m the first to tea log this tea?

Very juicy, refreshing, fruity and citrusy! Lots of fruityness going on in this tea with some gigantic cherries! I was worried this tea was going to be too hibiscusy, but Steep City did a great job balancing the hibiscus with the citrus and berries. This tea has a slight tart, having the berries and lemon tasting fresh.
I got a good resteep out of this tea – which showed off the savory green tea.

However, Agua di Jamaica shines when iced! The berry flavor pops and is very delicious! I can feel the sunshine and vitamins! I know I’m going to drink this tea like crazy during the hot california summer!

Full review on my blog, the Oolong Owl http://oolongowl.wordpress.com/2013/03/08/agua-di-jamaica-from-steep-city-teas-tea-review/
Hibiscus Lightning! /ZZzzzZzap!

Preparation
175 °F / 79 °C 2 min, 30 sec

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95

I am having a tea-obsessed day. I just made 4 different cups at the same time: two hot (one for me, one for the boy), started a quick cold brew, and did a hot gaiwan steep that I stuck in the fridge to drink cold later. Just one of those tea days! But with gross almost-snow-not-quite-rain weather it’s the perfect time for tea.

I have been wanting a baklava tea from the moment I really got into loose leaf. Honey, rose, nuts, bakey goodness. Mmm! In fact, I’ve been saving up to get a custom blend of it. Now… well, let’s just say this tea has fulfilled my needs even though nowhere does it say it’s a baklava blend. I got a very generous sample (if it’s over an ounce can you even call it a sample?!) of this in my second Steep City order and it was love and first sniff, but I’ve been waiting for the right time to try it. Tonight’s the night!

This tea is just… uhnf. Honey, soft floral notes from the rose, a deep nuttiness from the walnut and almond, a strong black base that adds delicious bakey noes. Of course I added honey just to make it extra pastry-like, but that signature flavor was there even before. I am in love with this tea! Another winner from Steep City, I am already planning my 3rd order…

EDIT: Second steep with rock sugar and a tiny splash of cream is divine! A lot more flavor than I was expecting.

Azzrian

GAH!!!! I want some!!!!

Alphakitty

I’d be happy to send you a sample next time I go to the post office ^^

Mercuryhime

Sounds like the tea of mine dreams!

Azzrian

That is sweet Alphakitty! Only if I can send you something in exchange!

Alphakitty

@Azzrian when I first started out on Steepster you sent me a wonderful package that helped me discover some of my favorite teas (Den’s Sakura Sencha!) so I would be absolutely fine with nothing in exchange ^^

@Mercuryhime: I’ll bring some to the meetup! It’s so good I am on my 2nd cup already

Azzrian

@Alphakitty Awee that is so sweet but seriously I would love to send you anything anytime you see something you want to try! Don’t be shy :)

Alphakitty

I’d be fine with anything that I haven’t tried really. I have a few I want to send you: I got a lemon basil oolong that’s really interesting!

Azzrian

OMG okay its officially trade time then if your up for it!
I will PM you so be selecting some you would like to try! :)

Mercuryhime

You are awesome! That totally wasn’t my intention. I just got so excited cause every time there’s a topic asking what tea flavor we’d want created, I always go “Baklava!” but still no one has made it. Or maybe they have and didn’t call it “Baklava” to throw me off! Devious! Anyways, I’m totally bringing a bunch of teas for you at our meet up!

Azzrian

Its so cool your ladies get to meet up. :)

Alphakitty

I feel the same way about baklava, I always request it as a flavor. So of course I must share with a fellow baklava lover!

Dinosara

Yum! Can’t wait to try this one!

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91
drank Miami Mango by Steep City Teas
807 tasting notes

Full review on http://sororiteasisters.com/ March 10th 2013 but here are the snippits:

Finally a tea blend using hibiscus done right! Miami Mango from Steep City Teas is refreshing, sweet, excellent hot, or iced, and just a perfect blend. Fruity, with definitive flavors of mango, and a lightly zesty flavor that makes you feel revived and energized. The hibiscus in this blend is truly necessary to give it the added zip and tang that it has yet it is not overly done as in so very many teas that have hibiscus in them!

This tea takes you right to the edge of tart but is absolutely not puckering or sour, the sweetness is just perfect, like being kissed by candied lips but not being spoon fed sugar.

Lets not forget though, through all of these sunny flavors, this is a tea, that is one thing that is fairly easy to forget as you get lost in the plentiful flavors of this blend, however there is a nice black tea base used here that is mild and compliments the true nature of this tea.

Sil

yay! this one arrived the other day at my place. Just waiting to get through a few others first

Azzrian

:) Yay I hope you like it as much as I do!

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95

I guess I’m in the mood for ginger teas. I’m having this one iced and it’s very refreshing! I love the light peach flavor with a zip of ginger!

I made a huge batch iced to sip away at while I knit. I had put down my shawl to make more Owls, but I saw a really cool mystery knit along (MKAL) halloween shawl that I want to do, so I need to get this shawl done. Mystery knit alongs work by releasing sections of the pattern over a period of time, and you don’t know what you are making. There is also a bit of a community aspect to it showing progress pictures and such.
I never participated in one, but I think I really just want to buy yarn. I’m thinking a dark blue yarn with beading. But ugg, it’s halloween, so maybe a red? Either way – I need to finish the current shawl! Off to sip away more and knit frantically!

please see previous notes for review.

Preparation
Iced
gmathis

Love the mystery knit concept!

ashmanra

That is so cool!

Lynxiebrat

That does sound cool, however that would drive me batty.

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95

Seems like I keep drinking this tea! I still have quite a bit left too, 2oz of white tea from Steep City is quite a bit of tea!

I was feeling kinda icky – sore from jiujitsu (arm pit muscles hurt!), funny stomach pains and tired out. Hoping the ginger in this will soothe everything – so far so good. Getting lots of orangey flavor in this run, must of been that big chunk of orange I found in the tea!

Now resuming to waiting for the mail guy. He has my tea order.

Preparation
175 °F / 79 °C 2 min, 0 sec

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95

Uggg, it was sooo hot here last night! I barely slept! It looks like it is going to be another really hot day today too!

You know what is really weird? I’ve lived in Long Beach for just over a year. Before moving here, I visited a couple times a year. During all this time, I have not been to a beach here. Blows my family/friends’ minds! I’m more of a museum and farmers market person. Feels like a good beach day today though!

So, I was hoping this tea would be refreshingly cool and ease some tummy funkyness. I steeped up some of this Ginger Zinger, to hopefully help out. Mmmm, very refreshing peachy orange with ginger for pep! Nice and cooling too, as I finished my lukewarm cup. Yum!

Preparation
175 °F / 79 °C 2 min, 0 sec
High Adventure

So jealous that you live near the beach! I’m also in CA, the bay, but I have to drive to Santa Cruz if I want a nice beach day. Cold-brewed tea to be enjoyed by the waves sounds like heaven… I hope you go!

Stephanie

At least you aren’t landlocked in Indiana! Boooo! I have to drive 10 hours to get to any legit beach!

Fuzzy_Peachkin

lol! NYC people don’t usually go the beach either and we’re on the ocean!

High Adventure

Stephanie, I used to be a Midwestern girl! Now I’m all about the West Coast — the winters here are so easy.

As for NYC people, I don’t understand: I would be craving nature and the ocean if I lived there. Of course, you have parks, right? To be honest, I’ve never been!

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95

I had some good tilapia for dinner – cooked it with butter, fresh lemon, garlic and tarragon. I felt having this tea afterward would match!

Ehhh, the peach flavor in this delicious tea doesn’t compliment my dinner, but still good tea!

Preparation
175 °F / 79 °C 2 min, 0 sec

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95

I cold steeped Ginger Zinger for around 2 to 3 hours. While I was making tonight’s dessert for a dinner party, http://youtu.be/N6JZx86OyXM (Custard Pudding, or I call it Leche Flan) I was sipping away at my cold tea.

Ginger Zinger is pretty good cold steeped – actually tastes pretty close to how it tastes hot, but now cold! Orange and peach is there and ginger is humming about. Very good, I think i prefer this tea hot, but cold steeped as even more refreshing!

Preparation
Iced
david

Woot glad you liked it!

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95

I made a strong cup of this tea with lunch, a sort of post workout reward. Dang, I love the peachy orange with that humming ginger! So refreshing! I really needed refreshing, my muscles are killing me! I’ve decided to step up my working out, so I’m doing Rushfit again in the mornings.

Steep City teas – you’re gonna kill my wallet. I’m saving up for another order. I wanna try the orange glam, purple peach, citrus sunshine oolong, and maybe Pom Pom, mint chocolate and a rooibos. Wahhh!

Preparation
175 °F / 79 °C 2 min, 0 sec
david

We are waiting! :) So happy you are enjoying our tea so much.

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95

Ginger Zinger is a refreshing zing of ginger, bit of smooth sweet orange with an after taste of juicy juicy peach. The white Pai Mu Tan base is juicy, slightly sweet and a teeny bit floral. The peach flavor in this tea is addictive! And the orange is really good, like squeezed orange juice – I guess it is to be expected with a Florida based tea company.

Very very good tea! One of those teas I had a cup and immediately made another cup right after. Thought about it all evening. Next day, had another cup.

Probably one of my more weirder tea blog reviews and pictures so far:
The Oolong Owl http://oolongowl.wordpress.com/2013/03/01/ginger-zinger-from-steep-city-teas-tea-review/

Preparation
175 °F / 79 °C 2 min, 0 sec
Terri HarpLady

That sounds very intriguing!

Terri HarpLady

Love the ginger crab! The crochet crab is adorable!

TastyBrew

Yum. That’s going on the shopping list!

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90

Lavish Lavender tea is one of the most soothing teas I’ve ever tried. The dry leaf smell is complex – I can’t think of a good way to to explain it. Once the tea brews, however, the scent is heavenly and I can easily smell a combination of lavender, raspberries, and citrus. Yum! This tea tastes as good as it sounds. All the flavors come together nicely and make for a smooth drink.

I’ve had several cups of this tea since I received it last weekend. It’s not going to last long at this rate! Anyway, here’s what I’ve discovered. If you drink this when it’s piping hot (but not tongue-burning hot), the tea is very tart and somewhat harsh. If you wait for it to cool down a bit, you’ll be rewarded with an amazingly flavorful brew that just melts on the tongue. Also, I’ve enjoyed the second steepings of this tea more than the first. With the second steep, the raspberry is more mild and the taste of the oolong peeks through more. It’s practically a different experience altogether – both of which are great.

Preparation
185 °F / 85 °C 3 min, 15 sec
david

Hey Sarah,
Is the tea coming out bitter?. Is it steeping for too long or water too hot? 185 perhaps… let me know!

Sarah

No, not bitter. If I drink the tea before it’s had 5-6 minutes to cool off then the raspberry is overpowering. Once the tea has cooled, it blends so much better with the other flavors. Most teas that I’ve tried taste better when they’ve cooled for a little while, but I get impatient sometimes and drink them too early. Thanks for asking!

david

No problem Sarah! If you have any questions just let us know.

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91

Mint, orange, berry… a combination made in heaven. I had so much success with the teas I ordered from Steep City my first time around that it was only about 2 weeks before I placed another order! And this, of course, was a blend I couldn’t pass up. I love Moroccan Mint but oddly enough I’ve never had any variations of it—just green tea and mint. But add in berry and citrus? Sounds like heaven!

The mint here is mild, but it still pops at the end of the sip. The berry is sweet and juicy, and there’s a bit of tartness from the citrus. And then, there’s a creamy aspect! Almost like vanilla? I don’t think there is any in here, but it really does taste like it. And last but not least, a hint of grassy smoke from the gunpowder!

This is absolute perfection iced—in fact I almost like it as much as their Citrus Sunshine Oolong (my current favorite iced tea!). Another winner from Steep City!

Oolong Owl

I’m not a big moroccan mint fan, but this sounds good! I did 2 SteepCity orders too and already planning a 3rd!

Alphakitty

I think even if you’re not a big mint fan this is worth trying, though I think the Citrus Sunshine Oolong is similar if you want something in that berry/citrus flavor profile.

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86

I love eucalyptus in teas, but it doesn’t seem very common. So of course I had to throw in a few ounces of this in my Steep City order! Usually you find eucalyptus in herbal blends, not black ones, and the name and colors are so appealing. All of the blends I’ve tried from them are so beautiful, this is no exception: the bits of purple and orange are just so striking.

I tried this one iced in my travel mug, since I’m not sure if this is a blend I’d like hot. Also, I’m totally in love with finally being able to take tea with me everywhere! This reminds me a lot of Zen Tea’s Grapefruit Orange, since they share many of the same elements, namely eucalyptus and citrus. This blend is very assertive, not for the faint of heart! Orange and lemongrass are bright and sparkling, backed up by that unique herby menthol flavor from the eucalyptus.

The black base makes this a bit more earthy and grounded than the tisanes I’ve tried with eucalyptus, though it’s still very strong. With all the different strong flavors and colors it really does remind me of a carnival!

LaFleurBleue

I recently had Eucalyptus in a black tea, Contessa Grey by Gryphon. Not sure whether you’ll be able to find some easily (I only had 2 bags and have already used them both); my review was not so enthusiastic because I guess I don’t like to drink eucalyptys outside of cough syrup… But it seemed ver natural and fresh.

Alphakitty

I’ve actually been hunting for that tea for a while, it seems nearly impossible to find!

LaFleurBleue

Not too difficult here in Singapore, even though not all places sell all varieties and the prices can vary a lot, as I saw the same box with 20 bags selling from ~15 SGD to 19 SGD (USD 12 to 15.50). Yeah I know the price seem crazy, the appreciation of the SGD vs. the USD and Euro over the last years also makes it not cheap at all to shop here.
If your craving gets stronger than yourself, let me know and we’ll try to find out something that might do it. For your information, I go only every few months to the “cheapest” seller area, and should not go there before end of April though).

Alphakitty

Oh, yes, I’d love if you’d pick some up for me! Let me know the next time you’re going to be getting tea from them and I will soot you money for it ^^

LaFleurBleue

Ok sure, I’ll let you know when I get there – I might be interested in a trade, as some US teas seem really interesting but the shipping costs from most companies are really prohibitive.

david

Glad you enjoyed!

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94

I love coconut and I love rose, but I never thought of putting them together! Tropical and floral, it sounds good but I was on the fence about ordering it… until I saw Steep City’s Citrus Sunshine Oolong. Of course I can’t order just one tea, so into the cart this went!

This is a beautiful blend, fluffy leaves and whole rosebuds. It smells very coconutty but not very rosy, a lot like Persimmon Tree’s Coconut Creme. I already have a lot of creamy coconut teas, so I was hoping this would be different once brewed.

And indeed it is! The coconut is smooth and tropical, but still quite light and airy, in part I’m sure because of the white base. The rose is subtle, but still there! There’s just a hint of floral rose at the end of the sip. I think this is probably my favorite coconut blend that I’ve tried so far!

Kasumi no Chajin

I love the idea of this tea, will have to put it on my first order with this company!

Alphakitty

I’m including a sample of this in the package I am preparing for you, should be sending it out on Monday ^^

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96

This is the tea that made me place my Steep City order. Ginger, berry, citrus and oolong? These are all things that I love, and while I usually like to buy in small sample sizes from a new company I was willing to take the 2 ounce plunge for a blend that sounds this good.

Before I talk about the tea, I am so impressed with Steep City Tea’s packaging! Sleek white with a really beautiful logo, and I love the little check boxes for size/type/temperature and time. Very creative! And this is a BIG two ounces, it’s a nice fluffy blend. I was worried it would be dense because of the berries and dried orange peel, but there’s a whole lot of this blend in my bag. Hooray!

Uhnf, this tea… this tea is heaven. There’s so much going on and it works together perfectly. The berry is subdued and not jammy or overly sweet, just a nice fruity undertone. The ginger adds a hint of spice and heat, and pairs perfectly with the nice pop of citrus. And of course there’s the base, which is really the main reason I got this. I love oolong blends when they’re done well, which means you can actually taste the base. And here you can, oh yes! Floral, buttery, a hit grassy, everything I want in a nice green oolong.

I’ve had this tea about 3 times since I got it a week ago, and I seriously think it’s already a cupboard staple. Perfect hot, iced, lukewarm, with a hint of sugar or left alone. I’m in love!

Dinosara

Hmm, this may be enough to sway me to an order. Love green oolong blends that are done well!

Alphakitty

I am loving all the blends I’ve tried from Steep City so far, they’re pretty unique and very tasty! Definitely worth an order.

Starfevre

I have loved 3 and liked 1 of my 4 tea order from them.

david

So happy that you enjoyed the blend!! We are working hard to get some delicious blends that we enjoy ourselves greatly.

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71

This tasting note is written for the cups of tea that I drank last night and earlier this morning, from memory, so it won’t be as detailed as normal. Maybe next time.

I’ve been looking for the perfect apple black tea for a while now. I keep trying different ones and they keep coming up short. This tea comes closer than most, but still isn’t exactly what I’m looking for. I can taste the apple (and cranberry and hibiscus) in the blend, but it isn’t nearly as strong a flavour as I would like it to be. So overall, this could be better, although it’s nice enough as it is, I suppose.

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 0 sec
david

Hey Starfevre, we are sorry that you didn’t enjoy it so much. We’ll try to work on the blend and see if we can improve it.

Starfevre

I wouldn’t go that far based on one review, maybe everyone else likes it. The amount of hibiscus in it is right about perfect for me. Not so sure about the cranberry, it seemed to be a competing flavour rather than a complementing flavour, but that’s just my opinion. If you do come up with a better blend, I’ll look forward to trying it.

david

Thanks Star, appreciate it.

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82

This is another nice tea from Steep City Teas. So far I’ve been a fan of all of theirs I’ve tried, although that’s only 3 teas so far. I still have another to try also.

This blend is delightfully fruity. I can’t pick out the individual pomegranate and cranberry flavours in the brewed tea but instead they blend together to make a new combination flavour that is ever so slightly tart. I can’t comment on the natural sweetness because, as always, I added a teaspoon of sugar to the 14 oz mug I’m drinking this in. Also my travel mug. I have to drink this in the next 4 minutes in order to leave for work on time so I’ll make this the end of my note. I hope everyone on Steepster has a wonderful Thursday.

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 0 sec
david

Starfevre, thanks for the comments. This tea is also delicious iced! One of our best iced teas we make on the road. So happy that you are enjoying our teas.

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88

First off, I should admit I added sugar. I always add sugar. I am a sugar addict. That being said, this is a really good tea. Another hit from my order from Steep City Teas. This is nicely fruity and all around a very pleasant blend. The black tea and the fruit are nicely balanced and neither is overwhelming. I am enjoying this mug of tea very much and I’m sure I will enjoy the rest of the pot just as much.

So overall, if you want a fruity mango tea, this is a good one, I recommend.

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 0 sec

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95

Yum.
I think my body wants to be on that cruise ship to Hawaii right now. Yesterdays Zen Tea’s Coconut Oolong and today’s Steep City’s Coconut Grove. I wanna start the fun parts of preparing for a trip: selecting clothes and shoes and tea. But I’m stuck writing instructions for the bunny babysitter, writing cheques for bills and last minute birthday and wedding cards (uggg, it was really hard to find a good wedding card for a same sex couple, it really shouldn’t be this hard!)

Yum. Love the coconut and floral flavor of this tea. I’m actually a little low and I could use more. Maybe when I’m back from the cruise, I intend to put a major dent in my tea stash during my vacation!

(see previous notes for review or blog post http://oolongowl.com/coconut-grove-from-steep-city-teas-tea-review/ )

Anna

How about a pineapple oolong next? It seems cruisy for sure.

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95

Back loggin’

NEW ANIMAL CROSSING OMG!
Yeah, spent a few hours playing and made a pot of Coconut Grove to sip on. Very nice, I love the white tea base and the floral coconutty this.
Then, I had to quickly chug the rest of the tea, so I could make it to the brazilian jiujitsu event, Metamoris II, which was okay – annnnd back home and playing animal crossing!

Preparation
175 °F / 79 °C 2 min, 0 sec
gmathis

Son was up all night with AC :) I think he re-set the clock so the stores would be open past midnight.

Oolong Owl

hahaha, I used to do that with the Gamecube version. I’d also load my bank account to get max interest, and forward the clock to get my interest payout, over years. I’m taking it slow though, animal crossing veteran here.

Shmiracles

ya man, i would do all kinda of things like move the clock forward months and years for presents!! and i also think i secretly liked all the cleanup work i had to do. and ESPECIALLY liked all the townsfolk missing me and being fake angry at me for disappearing. i would giggle pretty hard.

Oolong Owl

LOL, when I’d do that, I secretly wished for a lawn mower item. Didn’t one game have a ghost at night and he’ll pull weeds for you if you did something for him?

Or lol, one game you’d wake up with crazy bedhead and need to go to the salon to get rid of it. I’d do it sometimes just to get the crazy hair.

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95

I love this tea! I’m sipping this, with a sore tummy, after each sip going “ugggbblllelecccggg” with tummy pains. Really good tea though – nice sweet white and coconut with a lovely floral! This tea and Blushing Geisha, are my ultimate favs from Steep City so far!

I’ve been eating so many of the strawberries I got from the strawberry festival, that I think my body has had enough. Doesn’t help I ate lunch today and yesterday of just only huge amounts of strawberry. And all my snacks were strawberries.

Time to admit defeat and freeze the rest of the strawberries.

Preparation
175 °F / 79 °C 2 min, 0 sec
KittyLovesTea

My stomach does the same thing if I drink too much tea. I hope you feel better soon. :)

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