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Whoa, I have not done this in a while. I am finally getting back to drinking my tea. I know I should have never really stopped, but it was just too easy to drink the coffee I make for my boys when life is busy. Tea makes me slow down, which is actually a good thing. Of course, what also happens is that you realize you have lots of tea that needs drinking before it won’t be quite as good. Most of my stash is black teas of the non-flavored variety, which are my favorite. Man, I have some really good ones way back there in the recesses of my stash. I am also trying to tackle the older ones first. This was the first 100g of this one that I purchased. I only have a pot or two left, and I won’t open the seal on the newer season until I pare things down a little more. I am also almost out of my beloved Tan Yang Te Ji. I guess I will use it as a reward for drinking up my other good tea. Sounds like such a chore, right? ;)

Just great stuff. I really don’t have any more to say that I haven’t before, and I made it the usual way, too.

Tea of the morning…….

I know there is nothing really new in my cupboard besides a few samples here and there. Also, life is busy at the beginning of the school year for me as I am the band and orchestra uniform parent at my kid’s high school. So, for me to take the time to post about a tea I have already reviewed, it is important!

So good today. MmmmmmSmooth. Notes of chocolate and malt. Perfection. I only wish they had more in stock. I think I have another 100 grams in the stash somewhere. It is my hoarding tendencies day for pay off. This is probably one of the older teas in my stash…..getting close to 2 years, but it just tastes fantastic.

I use 12 balls in my 24 oz. teapot. All of the other brewing parameters are standard.

Tea of the morning……

I was so excited when Teavivre decided to offer a Keemun Mao Feng. This is one of my favorite varieties of tea. Of course, this one does not disappoint. It is not as smokey and earthy as the other variety I keep in my cupboard. This one is much more refined. I get notes of honey, cocoa, and loveliness! I am definitely keeping this around.

Tea of the morning……

Well, I moved onto another tea in preparation of my Teavivre order. I have a little homework to do before the weekend, so this one is up next, and to be followed by the Golden Monkey and Superfine Tanyang.

So far, I am thinking of skipping this one. I think my love of basic Keemuns has waned a little since I tend not to sweeten as much. But obviously, that is just me. This is a great tea. All the great characteristics of a good Keemun, plus a little smoke, a little mystery, and a little bit of a bite at the end of the sip. It is missing the earthiness that lower grades of Keemun tend to offer, which is nice. Dark, mysterious, and reasonable!

Usual teapot method.

Tea of the morning……

I have been planning an order from Teavivre for their Anniversary sale. I am so thankful they have listed on their site what will be on sale, and for what percentage. I have only about 50g of this left, and it will be offered at a nice percentage off next week. I also need to revisity my Golden Monkey (although I noticed it is a newer harvest on site) and my Keemun Grade 1 before deciding what to add to my order. I am so excited to try their Keemun Mao Feng!

For a bargain tea, this is really good. First, I notice how smooth it is. There is a little malt and cocoa, and it is just great basic black tea at a super reasonable price. I think if it was not for the sale, I would stock more of this, but I am thinking of going for the next step up to the Full Leaf. Tea really has become something special I do for myself, so why not spring for the higher grade of tea. Still pondering…….

Usual teapot method.

Iced tea of the day……

I was having a minor panic attack. You know the one you have when you are running low on your favorite loose tea for iced tea and it is just the beginning of July….. Well, I went stash/cupboard diving, and I uncovered a wonderful mess of SBT iced teas. Jackpot! I completely forgot I had several of these left from last Summer.

Smooth, fruity, and somehow, a note of creaminess in there. Yep, this is tasty!

Tea of the afternoon…..

I am late on the tribute day for John Harney, but for me the tribute would have gone well on past one day. I really attribute Harney & Sons and this particular tea for beginning my true love for tea. I felt like once I had tried this one, everything changed. Prior to drinking this one for the first time, I was content with drinking mostly flavored and lower quality teas (not saying those are bad things, just different from where my tea journey ended up leading). This was the tea that showed me the complexity and richness that can come from a well crafted black tea. As for the company in general, I have found their service to be above and beyond the norm, and their tea wonderful quality for the price, even though every blend might not have been for me. I truly appreciate John Harney’s legacy.

I just opened a new tin of this today. I must have not opened a new one once I finished the last, so it has been a while since I last had this one. It is still wonderful. Notes of chocolate, slight smoke, malt. Great body. Still one of my absolute favorites.

Usual teapot method.

Iced tea!

I think this is about the first pitcher of iced tea I have made recently! Lychee makes the best iced tea. It has just the right fruity floral note to add a bite at the beginning of the sip, and then you are left with the smoothness that is all good tea. I am guessing this has a Chinese black tea base, because I love it so (that and I am pretty sure Lychee tea is traditionally a Chinese tea!)

This makes me happy ( and is refreshingly cooling me off at the same time.)

Usual iced tea method.

Tea of the morning…..

Mmmmmm. It is so funny. After a week on vacation drinking that bitter coffee, all of my tea tastes so good. Even the ones that are on the heartier side (for me, anyway) taste pretty sweet. This is one I need to be drinking up. I have a decent supply, and it isn’t available anymore at Harney, so my tendency is to hoard it. Always remember: Drink the good tea!

Typical Keemun profile, lower on the smoke, some malt, some cocoa notes, some earthiness. Very smooth, but not too fancy. A great everyday Keemun.

Usual teapot method.

Matcha!

I was so happy that Red Leaf made this the sample of the month. I have been waiting to try it for a while, and this was my big chance. I have to admit that the scent put me off at first. However, it tastes pretty yummy. I am to the point where I mix it up in about 8 oz of almond milk with just a little sweetener. I also had some chia seeds on hand, and threw about a half tablespoon in and then blended it all up. You know, this is not a bad combo at all. I may even put in half a frozen banana next time. Also, I would consider buying this, but I need to seriously drink some of the matcha I have. Sweet with the taste of almond. I wonder what flavoring level this is in the sample…..it is perfect.