gmathis Send Message

My fault for storing this improperly…nice sample sent by Lori (I think … sorry for being forgetful!) has been in a baggie instead of a tin, so I think it lost some muscle during the summer months. Very nice and smooth and I will enjoy it to the last leaf, but I’m not sure if I were doing a blind taste test, I’d say, "Oh! That’s peanut butter flavored tea!) Next cup, I’ll try some milk and sweetener.

This was a surprise … looked weakly pink in a clear 12-oz tumbler, so I didn’t expect much from it, but has a nice cidery flavor. I think it’ll do even better when I use a smaller mug.

Will be reviewing this one soon for itsallabouttheleaf.com, but further research necessary. (Oh, shucks. I’ll have to make more.) Even with likely user error on my part—I think I didn’t make it strong enough—it promises to be a nice Assam.

Addendum: got it figured out—-full review @ http://www.itsallabouttheleaf.com/1077/tea-review-lochan-tea-harmutty-golden-paw-first-flush-2010/

Hibiscus again. Sigh. But it’s the third ingredient on the list and hides pretty well behind the rooibos/blueberry. Pleasant berry-y smell and taste.

Probably too sophisticated to pair with my Hot Fudge Sundae Pop-Tart this morning, but it works.

Read the ingredient list before tasting and was automatically prejudiced against it: hibiscus is the FIRST item on the list; licorice powder is the last. Two blecchs in my book. But it’s OK. Fruity without being painfully zinger-y. Then again, I’m concurrently eating jelly beans and lemon wafer cookies which may be tainting my taste buds.

This was a get-well treat from one of the most well-read people (and one of my favorite people) on the planet. The tea itself is basic black English Breakfast tea, nothing unusual about it, but I am grateful for the thoughtfulness and enjoy the quotes on the tea tags. This morning: “Books had instant replay long before sports.”

Back, more or less, to the land of the living after four weeks of unplanned sick leave. As it is, there wouldn’t have been much for me to post - it’s been so torturously hot in our area the thought of a hot drink made me cringe. That and my beverages, out of necessity, were running toward IV fluid and Gatorade.

But now that I’m back at work with air conditioners running full blast, a nice morning cuppa is quite pleasant, such as good ol’ Celestial Seasonings, which I’ve reviewed at http://www.itsallabouttheleaf.com/1007/tea-review-celestial-seasonings-authentic-green-tea/.

Happy Wednesday.

Reviewing in more detail for itsallabouttheleaf.com, and will update when it’s posted. Mild and genteel and pleasant.

Made a pot of this on the low temp/short steep side and chilled it. Nice and light on a hot & humid 4th of July.