1112 Tasting Notes
I was a little bit scared to try this tea! I had it sitting in my cupboard since Feb 2009 (mine is actually called Aristocrat Earl Grey) because the bergamot smell was SO overwhelming when I took it out of the box! I’m sad that I left it sitting so long because I am really enjoying it. The bergamot is bright, sweet, fruity and more lemony? orangey? than many I’ve tried. It’s pretty too :) Does anyone know what kind of flowers the little blue petals are from?
Preparation
The second day of making tea at work and I already forgot my strainer at home! Mind like a sieve (HA!!!) Don’t worry – necessiTEA is the mother of invention! I got a coworker’s coffee filter, put my loose tea in there, twisted it, and clipped it with a teeny clippy thing (which I washed first!!!). Worked like a charm! By the end of the week I should have my proper paper filters and clips in from Upton, but until then I will use this method.
Today’s tea is very delicious! I am tasting TONS of honey. Lovely, lovely, lovely!
(Can you tell I’m thrilled with my at-work setup?)
Preparation
I chose this tea, my favorite, to be the FIRST TEA I PREPARED AT WORK!!!! Yes! The days of takeout tea are behind me, and I couldn’t be more pleased!!!!! I still have a few things to work out (I only have one strainer which I have to carry home each night until I get another, I need to bring in a coaster, a small dish to rest the strainer, etc.) but the tea tastes great – and that is what’s important!!!!! No more overpriced cardboard for me!!! Wheeeeee!!!!!
Have you thought about getting an infuser mug, or your own paper filters? I buy paper filters from Adagio (100 for $3) and then just fill up bags and bring ’em into work everyday.
I have thought about the paper filters. I think it would make the most sense to place a little order somewhere that sells paper filters and tea :) Thanks for pointing that out! I’m going to do that!!! It would eliminate the need for the extra strainer, saucer and I’d have less stuff on my desk.
I have this ridiculous “tea for one” tea pot that I painted at Paint Your Own Pottery that I use – I love the silly thing too much to use an infuser cup!!!
Aw, understandable – that pot sounda adorable!
Adagio’s filters are really great. They’re super cheap and very durable, and impart no taste into the tea. Plus it’s fun to get up every morning and go through my loose leaf teas and pick which I will have today. I usually do 4 different teas a day at work, so it’s always a fun time filling up the little bags!
I just placed an order through Upton – I needed some more River Shannon and Mélange de Chamonix and they offer the paper bags (and also these adorable teapot shaped reusable clips for the bags that I couldn’t resist!). I decided to also bang out my other New Year Resolutions and ordered an Introduction to Oolong sampler pack, and a Green Tea sampler pack. :) They shop pretty fast, so I should be able to stop carrying around this strainer by the end of the week!!! Thanks for that brainstorm – it really helped me!
Err – that’s ship pretty fast – I’m the one who SHOPS pretty fast!
Surely! In my experience, they’re the easiest way to enjoy good tea at work.
And because of your reviews of them in the past, I’m sooo tempted to order River Shannon and Melange de Chamonix..
This was good! I was in the mood for some tea, and drinking caffeine at 9:30 pm is pushing it, even for me! I went with this rooibos instead of my usual black. I sweetened it with a little honey and sat and relaxed with it. I feel nice and warm and happy – they say rooibos is calming and I think it’s true :)
Preparation
Another day spent out in the freezing cold taking photographs!
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/jackiemania/sets/72157622999565681/)
I needed this bold tea to warm my bones!! I steeped it one minute less than last time (as per package recommendation) and it was smoother…I think I’ll add 30 seconds because I liked it a little rougher and brisker. That’s the whole point of an Irish Blend if you ask me :)
Preparation
A kinder, gentler Earl. The bergamot is lovely. Fantastic afternoon tea. I would love to make this iced in the summer as well. This was my husband’s first taste of an Earl Grey – he first thought it tasted like perfume, then he said it was alright but not his thing, then he said it was good!
They look like cornflowers to me. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornflower
I have an Earl Grey with those in. I think it makes a slightly smoother tea than a regular Earl Grey.
Thanks!!! I think you’re 100% correct!
I love the feathery shape of each petal.
I have two tins of this that are sitting unused in my cupboard if you’d like them!
Do you want to do some trading? Email me at jmanni@uarts.edu if you’d like to, and we can set it up!