So after a long day out, I got home and saw I had received two things in the mail today!
The first was my most recent swap with the lovely VariaTEA! Likes always she was too kind and included some extra samples – such as this one.
And like you said in your letter, I wholeheartedly agree that we’re now unofficially officially regular swap buddies! ;)
The second package was from BrewTEAlly Sweet and was the tea and teaware I purchased from her! Just like VariaTEA, she too was kind enough to throw in some extra samples (one just happened to be very high on my “to try” list – so that’s yet another to check off!).
I couldn’t resist trying something from both packages, but didn’t really think I’d have enough time to prepare, drink, and properly review two new teas so instead I decided to try one of the teas sent by VariaTEA in the giraffe mug I purchased from BrewTEAlly Sweet!
For the tea preparation, I used 1 1/2 tsp. of leaf in near boiling water in my giraffe mug (I’m assume by the size it’s about 8 oz.) for 5 minutes! The smell of the tea brewing was sweet strawberry type candy (it reminded me of something very particular but I haven’t quite placed what). Actually, what drew me in to this one was a tasting note from VariaTEA on it where she described it as tasting like “strawberry gummy candy” – and I was curious as to how the “gummy” flavor translated to tea. I then saw that it was a white tea and had silver needle in it (my favourite kind of white tea) and I was sold on trying it! Somehow I’ve just been skimming over it everytime I go in store or check the website out…
Tre just go in from work, and let me know that when he brought the tea in before he left for work earlier today, the box from BrewTEAlly Sweet containing the giraffe mug had been hanging from our doorknob outside by an elastic band… Stupid mail delivery guy
Taste wise, this isn’t nearly as subtle as I was expecting it to be. That’s not a bad thing though, and I’m really enjoying the cup. VariaTEA was right, this totally tastes like Strawberry Gummy candy! More specifically, I think it’s reminding me of strawberry gummy bears. The white tea is also quite present which is pretty helpful in maybe negating the sweet notes of the strawberry that, without balance, might be a bit cloying.
I actually like that this isn’t super complex and is relatively straight forward in the flavouring. Sadly, I used half the sample VariaTEA sent me to make my mug, so I might be hoarding that last bit for a while. I can definitely see myself restocking this though! You can never have too many silver needle teas (plus, my “permanent” white teas, in general, are pretty few between in comparison to other tea types).
Also, the giraffe mug is too flippin’ cute! All I think in my head when I look in the mug is “peekaboo!”. Even Tre admitted it’s adorable!
Comments
Yay! I am glad you liked this, The first time I had it I was so shocked at just how sweet it was. I think I am getting more used to it but I also have a lot of this tea so if you ever want more, I am happy to share.
Yay! I am glad you liked this, The first time I had it I was so shocked at just how sweet it was. I think I am getting more used to it but I also have a lot of this tea so if you ever want more, I am happy to share.
Yay! I’m so glad you’re happy with it! Wow that took a long time to get to you