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Mastress Alita’s Monthly Sipdown Challenge
August 2022 → A melon tea

This one’s weird every time I drink it, no matter how I decide to steep it that day. Today I noticed how dark the leaves are and decided to try steeping like a black tea. Steeping like a green tea didn’t work at all for me last time, so why not? While it is a little bitter and astringent, I’m actually tasting the melon for the first time! That and, strangely, mint. It takes milk very well, definitely more like a black tea, so that’s helping with some of the resulting bitterness. Still not one I love or even like, but this definitely makes it more palatable.

Mastress Alita’s Monthly Sipdown Challenge
August 2022 → A tea that reminds you of a family member

This is my brother’s favorite tea so I’m always reminded of him whenever I drink it. We bought a pound of it when he lived here which he left when he moved out, so I still have a huge amount left. I really need to get it to him, but I don’t even know if he drinks tea now that he’s on his own. I think maybe he humored me a bit because I like to drink tea and also enjoy making in the mornings for everyone else. So maybe we’ll just have some when he comes to visit if he doesn’t want to take it home next time he’s here.

This is a strong smoky tea but there are other elements here too – spices and flowers and chocolate. This is actually the first time I remember tasting any chocolate. Must have had a few cacao nibs in my brew basket. I think this still must be one of my favorites from Gnat & Bee, if not my very favorite. It’s a seasonal tea for fall, but I haven’t seen it on her website in a couple of years. I feel lucky to have plenty left to enjoy.

Mastress Alita’s Monthly Sipdown Challenge
August 2022 → A cheap tea

I didn’t actually compare prices, but Stash comes to mind when I think of cheap tea so here we are. I don’t have anything against bagged tea, there are some that I really love. I think Stash seems cheap to me because there aren’t many Stash teas I’ve had that I’ve actually liked. Maybe only one or two. I’ll have to go back and confirm that.

This ones not bad at all though. It’s an Earl Grey without any bells and whistles but sometimes that’s all I want. It’s all I want this morning. I decided on an Earl Grey because I read that EG is good paired with prunes and I just finished making some spice muffins with prunes mixed in. Doesn’t sound at all appetizing, but I like prunes so they turned out to be really tasty. And a good match for this Earl Grey!