London Calling

The instructions on the bag recommend steeping one tablespoon per six ounces of water. This seemed like a lot, so I cut it back. It was still bitter so I added some extra honey to tame it a bit. This has made it much more palatable, even enjoyable.

Shae’s “swap” Advent Calendar, December 2 brings …

London Calling by Cup of Té
A black tea blend, and London — that would be probably some kind of Earl Grey, right? But probably not a pure EG, so there will be something extra. Oh yeah… it is. Minty? What? It is bergamot black tea with mint? No, there aren’t any green flakes. Another sniff. It’s still minty, but there is a creamy note beneath.

Haven’t checked the steeping parameters before brewing, as I was quite in a hurry to finish the cup before lecture starts. So, stove-top kettle on the stove, quickly making some picture… water is boiling! Quick photo made (only 3 minutes today to set everything up and make the photo I liked) I changed the lens as well. Used external light source. Photo taken hour later too.

But back to the tea. I get a pretty common black tea base with bergamot, creamy notes and I feel like there is a lavender in. Doesn’t look like at all though. While I wasn’t getting any flaws, I am not happy (nor sad!) as it was quite… mediocre.

Maybe I should make it as a London Fog? Never tried that, but this tea seems like a good idea to try that. Thanks anyway Shae!

Photo: https://flic.kr/p/2kczXjY

Every time I smell/prepare this tea, I am reminded of my months developing a recipe for London Fog Cupcakes, in which I incorporated this tea in a couple different ways! I really enjoy the rich, natural tasting vanilla and strong, full bodied tea base in this blend.

A sample sent to me from VariaTEA :)

This one is not overly offensive with the bergamot, but still not my fav. I could maaaaybe get on board with a creamy earl grey. I was hoping for more creaminess here.

Thanks for sharing VariaTEA!

TTB Tea

I took a teabag (~1 tsp) of tea before I sent off the TTB. I dislike the bergamot in this – not citrusy enough, more like metallic/musty and minerally. It reminds me of the smell of car grease. I also found the base a bit “meh”, not offering any malt or cocoa notes to bring out the vanilla. I also feel like I missed out on a wonderful notes typical of Darjeeling. I would have never guessed this was a Darjeeling.

TTB. This is some strong, sharp bergamot. The vanilla holds up surprising well considering how intense the bergamot is. Added a bit of milk and it definitely enhanced the vanilla.

I can’t read the name of this tea and not get The Clash song of the same name stuck in my head, so for the last 30m or so that is what my internal radio has been playing. The base of this tea is kind of malty. I also get… green beans?! Strange. The berg was more prominent when the cup was hot and is harder to find under the other flavors now that it has chilled. There is something a little sharp on the tip of my tongue at the beginning of the sip and reappears in the finish. I’m not sure what to make of this tea, but I’m off to listen to The Clash now!
Thanks for the sample, VariaTEA!

Sipdown (244)

Normally at this time in the year I would be nose deep in the books studying. However, whether I am burnt out or checked out, I just haven’t had it in me to study. Thankfully, it seems like that feeling is being felt among most students and since we are marked on a curve, if everyone is struggling, we will all be ok. Also, I have an articling position lined up already and its not conditional on grades so as long as I pass, I should be ok. Not the best way to look at things but I also can’t be too hard on myself because there is a lot of other things going on.

So with that in mind, I haven’t done much today other than help my sister with my nephew. I needed to accomplish something and a sipdown seemed like an easy win.

I am glad to say good bye to this. It didn’t have much going for it in the first place. I was hoping it would be a lot more vanilla but its basically a straight EG the way the bergamot comes through. It’s very strong and very brisk. I am not a fan.

Samurai Travelling Tea Box – Tea #24

When I started looking into finding more black owned tea companies I could support, a TON of people recommend Cup of Te to me – so I was excited to see London Calling and a few others included in the TTB!

As a ton of you already know, I’m not a big drinker of earl grey but I have always found the cream/vanilla varieties much more approachable!! This was robust and full bodied with a subtle vanilla flavour layered over a tannic, brassy Darjeeling black tea base. It’s impressive the the vanilla is so clear without the use of vanilla or cream flavouring – though I still want more. I’m greedy like that. Like the name seems to allude to, I think it definitely has the body to hold up to being made into a London Fog or similar type of drink!