2891 Tasting Notes

It’s too early for the seasonal glums, but it’s cold and gray and I was in need a little pick-me-up. Thanks to derk, I have one: a little packet of cheeky, chimpy, perky, cheerful tea with banana bits and a flavor that reminds me of bright yellow banana Runts. I’m getting more fudge in the scent than in the flavor, but I didn’t steep very scientifically, either.

Lancelot Link and Mata Hairi (you’ll just have to Google it) would have approved.

ashmanra

So glum here we are putting up the tree tonight and we NEVER decorate this early.

gmathis

That’s on the books for next weekend. Our hard and fast rule used to be “NO TREE UNTIL IT’S DECEMBER,” but now it’s, “if it’s going to be up for less than a month, it’s too much work."

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drank Orange Grapefruit by TeaMaze
2891 tasting notes

I’m about three cups into my sample pack of this herbal concoction, and although I have concluded more leaf, more time, and more cowbell helps boost the flavor, it still seems a little thin to me. The carrot is a nice touch and makes me feel exceedingly healthy. Tonight’s cup was accompanied by a slice of candied ginger, and it paired so nicely, next time, the ginger may just go into the cup from the get-go.

LuckyMe

Ohh, candied ginger is great add-in. I’ll have to try that with some of my fruity herbals.

gmathis

I’ve had the ginger jar for an embarrassingly long time, and aside from being a little sticky, it was still perfectly acceptable.

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This one is really growing on me. I do keep it light on the steep time (3:30) to diffuse the smokiness, but there’s a caramelly-fruity underpinning that makes it really pleasant on a cold morning.

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89
drank Random Steepings by Various Artists
2891 tasting notes

Regarding unexpected non-pregnancy cravings, Mom would say, “Your body is trying to tell you what it needs.” I needed chamomile last night—not something I usually seek out, but I was tired down to the core and needed a good, hard “reset” sleep.

So…home brew…large helping of chamomile, couple dried orange slices, cinnamon stick and a Tylenol p.m. chaser. Sleep happened!

As to the DIY nightcap, the orange and cinnamon was a nice offset to the dried-flower vibe. Recommended.

ashmanra

Sounds lovely! Back it up with some tulsi for a more peaceful day!

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Good morning. It was nice to wake up with the sun for a change instead of an hour before it. (That said, I hate time changes. By 6:00, husband and I will be ready to chuck it in!)

So since I have the grace of a little extra time this morning, I’m using it to enjoy my Spice and Tea Exchange splurge—I snagged a four ounce bag of Warm Bread Pudding to sweeten the winter months.

Nothing new to say about it; you can easily pick out the mild lemon and a distinctly raisin-y vibe, especially with a little milk. I suppose the vanilla is supposed to substitute for the bread—nothing tastes especially yeasty. But it’s a lovely, dessert-y rocking chair treat. (Some teas need a little back-and-forth motion to be fully appreciated.)

Michelle

I change time zones all the time, but it’s something unnatural about the sun setting an hour earlier or later that makes daylight savings time a miserable invention.

AJRimmer

Ha it just meant I woke up at 10 AM instead of 11 AM…

Martin Bednář

While we changed the time a week before you, I feel you! This year it hit me hard!

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drank Orange Grapefruit by TeaMaze
2891 tasting notes

Been a bit of a drudgey week, and as citrus is supposed to be a mood-boosting superstar, I broke open my packet of this fruity little treat to evoke a little celebration for making it until quittin’ time Friday.

Dry, the fresh orange scent is nothing but natural. I steeped the first cuppa at four minutes, maybe a bit warmer than the recommended 175 degrees. While it was still hot, I was a little bit underwhelmed—-flavor didn’t catch up to the scent. However, as it cooled, I picked up the “freshly squeezed juice vibe” as advertised.

I think this will be a nice nightcap after a little twiddling with the parameters.

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When this first arrived in the kitchen, I transferred the bags to a small tin…tonight I had to brush dust off the tin, so that tells you how often it is accessed.

However, this seems to be the week to trot out neglected things and give them a little love.

Other reviews tend to lean toward “where’s the maple?” and after three years, I echo their opinion. The maple was a little easier to ferret out when the bags were fresh. However, the ginger heat has always been pleasant on a raw evening or a dubious stomach, and that’s still the case.

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My general opinion of Touch Organic Teas is that they are, snitching a word from Bill McNeil of WNYX (you had to be around in the 90’s), adaquatulent. Not very strong, any of them, but neither are they finicky. And because I am just too weary to lift the bag out of the cup, this one has stayed in mine for a good 10-12 minutes now without being bitter, and proving its apricot-i-ness nicely.

It has adaquacifity.

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drank Bella Luna Blue by Adagio Teas
2891 tasting notes

Blue just fits the mood tonight. This packet is getting a little old and tired. That fits, too :)
All the same, there’s still enough lemon in the lemongrass and berry in the dried blueberries they can both be identified, and it’s colorful and calming. As I mentioned in previous reviews, I’m also grateful for the omission of hibiscus.

Time to finish appreciating it or take a big batch to my Sunday kiddos for Christmas tea-and-cocoa day.

ashmanra

Tea and cocoa day sounds awesome!

Ashman has decided he really wants the refill for the Fortnum and Mason advent, which is over 600 grams of tea, so I have decided that all guests and students are allowed to open ANY doors and choose a tea they like to drink regardless of the actual date and we will share it out that way. I think the young folks will especially enjoy getting to open all the doors and find something they aremeager to try.

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Bio

Steepster “geezer;” tea barbarian who has no systematic method for storage, preparation, classification, or rating; lover of strong unleaded builders’ tea. Never quite grew up—I cut and glue, play with Legos, design kids’ curriculum, and play with fifth graders every Sunday.

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Southwest Missouri

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