My car broke down last month forcing me to rely on mass transit to get to work while I try to find a new car. This has effectively doubled my total daily commute time to 3:30 hours, not counting the time to the train station, and involves 4 transfers between buses and trains. As bad as that may sound, its actually a lot less stressful than driving in rush hour traffic. I can easily pass the time reading, YouTubing, and people-watching. It does however expose me to the elements. I’ve really felt it these last couple of days when the weather dipped below freezing here in Chicago prompting me to put aside my green teas in favor of roasted oolongs and blacks.
This is a basic but pleasant dong ding with chocolate and toasted nut overtones. Along the way, there are hints of spice, wet rock minerality, and a peach-like fruitiness. I also picked up whiffs of chocolate chip cookies (Chips Ahoy to be precise) and s’mores in the wet leaf but didn’t taste it in the tea. It’s warm and toasty without ever tasting burnt even when hit with boiling water. The roast on this tea is mellow thus allowing you to taste more of its underlying character. I’m a little disappointed though in how quickly it fades. The flavor starts to drop off around steep #4-5 leaving behind kind of an oily aftertaste. Then again, it’s a budget tea so expectations need to be adjusted accordingly.
Flavors: Almond, Caramel, Chocolate, Cookie, Mineral, Roasted Nuts, Stonefruit, Wet Rocks
Preparation
Comments
Funny how intense cold weather brings us closer to the darker teas. Good to hear that you are not too tormented by the commute.
Absolutely, I find myself changing teas with the seasons. Tea lattes are warming in the winter too. Commute is what it is but hey, there’s always an upside to things.
I also find myself gravitating toward roasted oolongs and black teas during the winter. I can go months without wanting a Wuyi oolong and then go through most of a bag in a couple months. And yes, good tea can definitely make things better.
Funny how intense cold weather brings us closer to the darker teas. Good to hear that you are not too tormented by the commute.
Ouch with the commute. Stay warm!
Absolutely, I find myself changing teas with the seasons. Tea lattes are warming in the winter too. Commute is what it is but hey, there’s always an upside to things.
Agreed. Amazing how much good tea helps ameliorate almost any situation.
I also find myself gravitating toward roasted oolongs and black teas during the winter. I can go months without wanting a Wuyi oolong and then go through most of a bag in a couple months. And yes, good tea can definitely make things better.
I sipped down two teas during a recent car break-down crisis myself as a coping mechanism. Tea is the universal emotional balm!