Just got home from work – and everything is shaping up to be a really good evening! First thing I did was check the mail, and my latest swap with VariaTea arrived today (have you gotten mine yet?)! I just finished adding everything to my cupboard (98 – a personal high, yet again – which is scary considering how much more is on the way still), and like last time she was too kind and through in some extra stuff.
It was incredibly thoughtful of her to give me a few more Stash bagged teas to try out (my favourite bagged tea brand) after noticing how much I like them!
Then, I got into the appartment and, in an optimistic mood, started trying to work out what to make for supper because, despite only getting 4 hours of sleep and working a shift twice the length I expected to, I’m really energetic and feel like cooking! Much to my surprise, I opened up the fridge to see MILK! I haven’t had milk in well over two weeks! Tre went and picked some up today while I was out (and it’s about time – it was his turn). So, I’m cooking up some creamy garlic/dill scalloped potatoes while I munch on the home baked bread he brought home yesterday (he made it in his Siast course, and there’s a third loaf in our kitchen now that wasn’t there yesterday!). Yum!
I also decided that it was time I try out the cold brewed tea in the fridge that I made up a few days (two?) ago. I set this up to cold brew as per Tre’s request for iced tea. I used 5 tsp. of the blend and let it cold steep for 18 hours, after that I strained it and it’s been sitting in the fridge since. I’ve noticed the jug gradually become more empty, so Tre must be drinking it while I’m not home (I find that he wont drink tea, without my asking if he wants any, while I’m home).
Dry – this smell heavenly. There’s an overwhelming smell of tangy kiwi, sweet pear, and mellow melon which creates this overall very fresh and spring/summer like smell which is accented by incredibly subtle notes of rose. It’s also a really pretty blend to look at. Once again, Tea Desire has really opted to use large chunks of things (which makes this a bit expensive because it’s quite heavy), such as big pieces of kiwi and whole rose buds.
As for the taste? I’m just blown away. The pear, melon, and kiwi are very sweet and juicy while still tasting realistic. There’s a freshness to this that I have yet to get from another cold brewed tea. Yes, I’ve gotten similar – but in those blends the freshness was achieved by there being mint in the mix. Honestly, this is the first kiwi tea I’ve that I’d buy again – and the yummy melon notes, while certainly being different, are pretty close to on pare with the tasty melon notes in Butiki’s Watermelon Xylophone. If I didn’t know better, I might guess at there being a small amount of strawberry in the blend too, but I know there isn’t. The presence of rose in the tea adds depth and, as a cold brew at least, does not come off as perfumey (I would hope so though, since this utilizes TONS of actual rose).
I’m interested to eventually getting around to trying this hot to see how everything would differ – but as a cold tea this is probably the best cold brewed tea I’ve ever had. Yes, better as a cold brew than my beloved Tropicalia. I’m happy I have at least another cup worth of this in the fridge. I’ll have to make sure I drink it before Tre gets to.
Anyway – HIGHLY recommending this to anyone who likes pear, kiwi or melon (and especially if you like two or more of those).
