93
drank Intensely Buttermint by Twinings
6444 tasting notes

Today I had a cheat day on my diet and went out with friends to one of the restaurants (Bent) hosting Summerlicious, an event that has many Toronto restaurants serving 3-course prix fixe menus at reduced costs (similar to a DineLA or a DineNY). It was definitely an awesome way to go off the diet because it meant I got to have a little bit of everything (my 2 friends and I ended up ordering one of each option and just sharing them all). And to top it all off, we went for ice cream in Kensington market afterwards because why not :P. Anyways, by the time I came home, I felt like I could roll into my house but I wanted tea so I decided to make the easiest one I could think of – this since it is premeasured in its bag and I can steep forever and it would still be good. Plus, its mint and you get mints at the end of big meals so it just seemed like the right pick.

Anyways, I was about to get ready to settle in for the night and drink my tea but then my brother told me we had to go to the park to fight at a Pokemon gym so off we went, leaving my hot tea sitting on my night stand. Well, we did manage to take over the park and then went in search of a supposedly nearby Haunter. Unfortunately, he ended up being on the other side of a row of houses and when we looped around (as opposed to cutting through people’s backyards at 11:30 at night) we lost him. So, I returned home, showered, and am now finally getting to drink my cold tea. Tbh, its still just as good. Honestly, it is creamy and buttery and has just the right amount of mint to keep things fresh and clean. Though the hot cup would have been preferable, this is still a nice way to end off the day.

Arby

That tea sounds really good! I’m surprised I’ve never heard of it/tried it. I don’t suppose you can spare a tea bag of it?

Christina / BooksandTea

Where did you go for Summerlicious? My family will be going to Aviv Restaurant (near Casa Loma) for that next Saturday.

VariaTEA

@Arby I should have one I can spare. Message me and we can set something up.

@Christina We went to Bent restaurant

Super Starling!

I HATE IT WHEN THEY DISAPPEAR.
Do you ever pop it back in the microwave to re-heat it? I feel like that’s considered gauche, but I totally do it all the time.

Evol Ving Ness

How was Bent? Would you go back again?

And Christina, please tell us how you enjoy Aviv too!

VariaTEA

@Starling It was very disheartening. And I dont usually microwave them because I dont mind drinking them cool but also my mugs aren’t microwave-safe so best not to risk it

@Evol It was good. I usually don’t like salmon but we had a salmon tartare that was awesome and then a tandoori salmon dish that was also quite nice. Of course there were other dishes and all were good. One of the friends I was with has gone to a Summerlicious nightly and says usually they are just fine but Bent is her favorite so far. As for me, I liked it but I am happy having gone once and don’t necessarily need to return. It was a nice meal but nothing was so mind blowing that I NEED to go back.

Evol Ving Ness

Thanks, VariaTEA! I did go more frequently some time ago, but the thrill is gone for me these days. Either that or I tend to avoid crowds and events that create a buzz. However, your friend’s smittenness makes me consider trying it one of these days.

I have been to Lee on King, and it was ok. Not wow, but ok. And then, I got food poisoning from the past date lychee juice they served me, so the ok factor got reduced even further.
Evol Ving Ness

All that said, I tend to save up my foodie excesses for Montreal.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

People who liked this

Comments

Arby

That tea sounds really good! I’m surprised I’ve never heard of it/tried it. I don’t suppose you can spare a tea bag of it?

Christina / BooksandTea

Where did you go for Summerlicious? My family will be going to Aviv Restaurant (near Casa Loma) for that next Saturday.

VariaTEA

@Arby I should have one I can spare. Message me and we can set something up.

@Christina We went to Bent restaurant

Super Starling!

I HATE IT WHEN THEY DISAPPEAR.
Do you ever pop it back in the microwave to re-heat it? I feel like that’s considered gauche, but I totally do it all the time.

Evol Ving Ness

How was Bent? Would you go back again?

And Christina, please tell us how you enjoy Aviv too!

VariaTEA

@Starling It was very disheartening. And I dont usually microwave them because I dont mind drinking them cool but also my mugs aren’t microwave-safe so best not to risk it

@Evol It was good. I usually don’t like salmon but we had a salmon tartare that was awesome and then a tandoori salmon dish that was also quite nice. Of course there were other dishes and all were good. One of the friends I was with has gone to a Summerlicious nightly and says usually they are just fine but Bent is her favorite so far. As for me, I liked it but I am happy having gone once and don’t necessarily need to return. It was a nice meal but nothing was so mind blowing that I NEED to go back.

Evol Ving Ness

Thanks, VariaTEA! I did go more frequently some time ago, but the thrill is gone for me these days. Either that or I tend to avoid crowds and events that create a buzz. However, your friend’s smittenness makes me consider trying it one of these days.

I have been to Lee on King, and it was ok. Not wow, but ok. And then, I got food poisoning from the past date lychee juice they served me, so the ok factor got reduced even further.
Evol Ving Ness

All that said, I tend to save up my foodie excesses for Montreal.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

Profile

Bio

My cupboard has grown exponentially since joining this site and I have a lot to share. Feel free to snoop through my cupboard and message me if anything interests you – I am always happy to swap!

For me, flavored teas are definitely my sweet spot. I will most often reach for black teas and rooibos or honeybush blends but I do keep some flavored whites and greens around for when the mood strikes. I have a few herbals/tisanes but most of the time I find myself disappointed by them as they often smell deliciously sweet and then end up tasting tart/sour. I have a little bit of an aversion to pu’erh and oolong teas. I am also wary of florals, earl greys, and chai teas. I do not like overpowering citrus flavors nor do I usually like hibiscus, licorice or chamomile. I love dessert teas – caramel, vanilla, toffee, cookie, cream, and other sweet flavors make me smile. Fruits like strawberry, peach, mango, and pineapples will often catch my attention as well.

I have also realized that although I really enjoy adding frothed milk to some of my teas, if I do not like the tea with zero additives (just in plain water without milk or sugar), I probably won’t drink it. The one exception is flavored matchas which I will happily drink in cold milk if I do not like it mixed with hot water. My theory is if the tea can’t stand on its own then it is not for me and I will more than likely try to swap it out for something else.

Tea Ratings Guide (as of December 10, 2017)
90-100 Teas I NEED on hand at all times
80-89 Teas I want to keep around for a cup every now and then
70-79 Teas I am glad I have around and can experiment with but probably don’t need more than what’s in my cupboard
60-69 Teas I would not turn down a cup of from a friend but that would probably be enough
50-59 Teas I can see why someone would enjoy but are not for me
Under 50 Teas I really did not like and most likely got dumped

Location

Waterdown, Ontario

Following These People

Moderator Tools

Mark as Spammer