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After cavorting with kids (10 of ’em, fresh out of fourth grade and squirrely!) then coming home to sterilize the rubber pig and chicken and wash my marbles (there are a couple tasks I never expected to do!) I was ready to put my feet up and enjoy something light and uncomplicated.

I don’t know much about the provenance of this dragonwell. It was passed along by a friend; a cellophane-wrapped packet in a little green box with absolutely no English on it whatsoever. And yes, I know I should have taken a picture to run by the experts before I sipped it down and pitched it. Que sera. But I enjoyed every cup of it—it definitely led with the extremely green spinach and kale vibe, but there was a sweet spot at the end of every swallow. Like getting dessert after eating your veggies.

Family is beginning to warn me that I repeat myself…so pardon if I’ve used this analogy before. But you know those annoying alarm clocks that get louder and louder the longer you ignore them? That’s a fair description of this morning tea. The first few sips are sweet and wheaty, but as you progress, the toast turns from seven-grain to dark pumpernickel. If you aren’t awake when you take the first sip, you should be by the bottom of the cup.

The Great Cupboard Cleanout continues. After (ahem, no, I am not going to admit how many) years, this has finally lost all but the smallest hint of honeysuckle flavor, but hints are all I really want in a floral tea. Was excellent new, decent aged.

Way past time for me to try my little unopened sample packet. When I originally added it to the shopping cart, I reasoned that although fannings are “what they sweep up off the floor,” fannings from a really quality congou would have to be better than brand name grocery store tea bags.

I was right. (I don’t get to say that very often.) Even after 2+ years of storage, these make a decent morning cuppa with some faint aftertaste hints of toast and cocoa.
Of course, now I can’t find them on the Upton website … that’s what I get for hoarding.

I hope this is still in the bulk section at our local indie grocery store; it’s about time to replenish the jar I keep on hand for “just stuff.” It’s a nicely balanced Ceylon, not sharp or acidic; good “just tea” for icing down and blending. This morning, I used it to beef up a final steep of my good strawberry Dublin Cream. Did the trick without messing with the flavor.

Sipdown, hopefully temporary. TeaMaze is open again and this one’s on the top of the list when we get there. It’s my current favorite no-fail strawberry and cream black tea. Needs no sugar or milk; all the goodness is thoughtfully provided for you.

The last note I wrote for this was six very long months ago—the last time I got to go on an “Impact Day” adventure with my fifth and sixth grade church kids. Appropriate that I have picked it back up to fortify me for my first Sunday back with them after a long dry spell. They’re my weekly joy break, and my tank was well past empty. Counting the minutes till I get some (properly sterilized and sanitized) air hugs.

St. Dalfour used to be pretty easy to find locally, but the tea selection at our Big Lots and Tuesday Morning stores is currently pitiful! If you can find this, snag it. Inexpensive, gently fruity, and just peach—no extraneous distracting flavors. Responds to abuse well.

Close to a sipdown on these sachets. After further reflection, while this has some higher-order flavor notes, it’s one of the un-Assam-iest Assams I’ve ever had. It may the fatigue talking here, but I just want my malt handed to me straight. I still appreciate it, but probably not enough to restock it.

Sipdown. Though I did like this one for its natural sweetness and gentility, it was a little too gentle for morning wake-up call. I am bone tired this time of year and need kicking instead of nudging in the a.m.

Boy, you really have to WANT to leave a note around here lately! OK, ‘nuff said. Maybe we’re back now!

As a long-timer, as I was steeping up this very old sample, I was just pondering all the tea companies that have come and gone since I started hanging out here. I think this one may be in the “gone” category; the only Tea Merchant I see when Googling is in South Africa, and I don’t believe it’s a match.

At any rate, this little packet has held up well despite significant neglect. I don’t do a lot of Darjeeling…a little too thin and dry for me, but this one gets a better-than-average on my scale. Some of that nice grape-peel flavor, but it doesn’t make your mouth dry like you’ve been licking paper. I’m glad to have some left just to change up the morning routine a little.