Petite Ourse

I expected to feel horrible on the morning after time change, but instead woke up feeling refreshed. Although it is November 7, we are having what feels like a lovely spring morning. Granted, it is a bit cloudy but it is warm and lovely, and the crown mahonia is full of honeybees buzzing with excitement over their full saddlebags of pollen.

I wanted to keep the sunny vibes gojng with my tea this morning, and almost went for the fruity Blueberry Green from Harney which is almost empty. I opted instead for this tea which has bright ginger and mandarin flavor and is one of my older teas and therefore in need of attention.

When hot, this is so very delicious. The ginger is just right for me, giving warmth and sparkle without burning. It doesn’t detract from the citrusy brightness. If I leave it to cool too long, it does start to border on a little more brisk than I want, but a quick ride in the microwave fixes that.

I made a huge pot because I plan to sweeten the rest and drink it iced for lunch.

J’ador TheODor.

French Friday! From the depths of the sampler bag from Dustin… thank you, Dustin! Steeped 2.5g of leaf in 350ml 175F water for 2 minutes.

Dry leaf has a fresh and bright orange aroma. Steeped tea is a pretty marigold color and smells more akin to tangerines, particularly the pithy zest of the peel. The flavor, too, is making me think more of tangerine than orange; there is something very crisp, bright, pithy, and tangy about it, with a mild citrusy tartness. There is apparently ginger also in the profile, but it is extremely mild against the bright citrus flavor; there is a subtle warming quality to the flavor, but I don’t really get a distinct gingery taste and certainly no heat. I do feel like I taste a bit of lemon peel along with the citrusy elements, which may just be my brain’s association of pairing lemon with ginger. I don’t really taste the base against the flavoring, but it provides a light mouthfeel and there is a hint of a hot hay note waxing underneath. Mostly, it is a very bright and slightly tangy tangerine-flavored tea. There is a very refreshing quality about it, and I bet it would make a very nice cold brew.

Leaves smell of ginger and mandarin. Very citrus. It with an almost floral component. Almost overwhelming. I got this as a sample with my order. I love the mystery tea bags btw. And Theodor doesn’t skimp on the goodies when they ship.
Anyway. When steeped the mandarin is tamed..the ginger quite so. I used 8 oz water for this steep and feel I should have used 6 perhaps. While the aromatics are heavenly it’s a little weak in taste. I would have brewed it stronger. Preference I suppose. Those aromatics tho. So delicately blended. It’s elegant yet playful. Girly but not saccharine. Floral but in no way overwhelming. And the flavor (tho I may have gone stronger) are so balanced and beautifully done. Like sipping mandarin without the zing. Like a sweet orange flower. The ginger loses a lot of its kick and it mellows out to support the other flavors that meld so well here. No astringency. Quite lovely. Would probably be very refreshing over ice as well. No need to add anything to this tea. I would consider purchasing it in New York or someplace in states if I came across it but probably wouldn’t be too tempted to order from Paris