411 Tasting Notes
Steeped this in a semi-traditional method (i.e. I think I remember what Lena posted eons ago, and kind of made it up as I went along) and it turned out pretty well. The hubby loved it, and I thought it was pretty good, but I would have preferred some more spiciness.
However, as a soothing afternoon tea, it hit the spot.
Just made a Candy Cane Lane White Russian. Took a Candy Cane Lane tea bag and steeped in good helping of vodka for approx 10 minutes. Poured over ice, added simple syrup and half and half.
Wow. That was amazing. :)
Oh dang! Would do it w/o simple syrup for me, but that sounds AMAZING. Maybe add some Godiva liquor too?
Don’t get me wrong, I love peppermint schnapps… but I’m thinking that might make it too pepperminty since it’s a candy cane tea.. peppermint schnapps would be a great choice for another adult tea beverage though- maybe a chocolate tea?
Wow. I didn’t think I’d drink up this sample so fast. Apparently I liked it more than I thought. I still want more orange from the tea, but it’s a nice blend with the pu-erh. :)
Preparation
Another It’s All About the Leaf review:
Jasmine has been scenting and flavoring tea for almost as long as tea has been grown in China. The aromatic qualities of the jasmine bloom and the aromatic qualities of the tea plant are one of nature’s perfect matches.
As you may be able to guess, I’m very fond of jasmine pearls – it’s my favorite way to have jasmine in tea.
(read more at http://www.itsallabouttheleaf.com/1503/tea-review-golden-moon-tea-jasmine-pearls/)
I’m being silly – I have a personal rule of never drinking caffeinated tea after 5pm. But my new A&D order came in, and darn it! This means I have to break the rules.
So, even though I read the description of the tea, I for some reason thought this was a flavored tea. So, on opening the tin (with the most awesomeist at-ats ever!!!) i was a little surprised for it to be a blend of black teas rather than black tea with the seasonal spices.
So, flavor-wise. I would not be surprised to find out this is heavily yunnan. It’s very similar to Tiger. Which is a good thing! I’m out of Tiger and I liked Tiger. But, I’m not really thinking it’s very holiday. It’s a brighter blend, and I do taste the small amount of bitterness, almost cranberriness that the other tasters noted.
I tried 2 cups of this – straight and sweetened with cream. The above notes were for the straight tea. Sweetened and with milk? Wow. I love this tea. I can see sitting under the tree with cookies and this tea and being in holiday bliss. Yum. Love it.