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Second steep. First sip had an unexpected minty tang. Did not see that coming. Maybe I didn’t wash my teapot very well last time? Probably the case. Interesting and nice, nonetheless. I want mint ni my everything!

Apparently I didn’t try this yet – Either that or I didn’t rate it. This is one of the three teas that my aunt sent me for Christmas from Pippins Tea Company in Toronto (which no-one else has ever logged, what’s up with that??) All of these teas came in a gold bag, but no product description and the name hand written on the outside. It’s a mystery! Well, not this one, since cream of earl grey kinda says it all.

I did this up in a T-Sac today, which I’ve closed in a different way than usual, to allow tonnes of room for expansion. I feel quite smart, but really I should have caught on ages ago. I just tucked the extra flappy bit inside and stapled the edges like a “regular” teabag. I have the size 2 ones, so it’s quite roomy, which I like. Watching the swirls of amber come out is one of my favourite parts of steeping.

I didn’t smell it pre-steep – Sorry! Once steeped the liquor is a golden amber, and looks like an ordinary black tea. I went light on the first steep for now, as I’m treading unusual waters, for me. The steeped smell has a hint of coconutty vanilla, which worries me. I loathe coconut! But, so does this aunt, so it’s unlikely to be coconut. There is also a really fruity smell hidden in the middle, I don’t know how to explain that. Maybe the cornflower blossoms they threw in there? They’re pretty, if nothing else.

First sip – Mild. Very mild. Missing the earl grey flavour here, but that’s likely because of my short steep (1.5 – 2 minutes). It’s sweet. I’m throwing the tea back in for another 30 seconds, see if that brings out its muscles.

Sipping again – Still weird. You can get the earl grey flavour at the end of the sip now, but I still get a hint of something coconutty. Starts off sweet still as well. I think that the “tea water” container at work has been contaminated by coffee, as something is weirdly coffee in this steep. I’ll drink it and I’ll try for a re-steep but I think that a proper measure of the tea will be done at home when I’m in charge of things like water temp. For now, no rating, as this was a weird example. It’d probably get a 65 – 70 if I were going to go numerically right now though. I’m coming to like it more and more as I go through he cup, but I definitely want to try again with some boiling water, that doesn’t have a hint of coffee.

Backlog:

This was my breakfast tea today, enjoy slowly while I played gin rummy with the beau and ate peanut butter crackers for breakfast. Then, of course the usual scurry to get to work on time. But while I was drinking this and playing cards – relaxation. I didn’t get a very strong vanilla hit off this one either, but I intend to re-steep this evening when I get home and I expect I’ll get a stronger vanilla taste again, like last time.

Finally having the big mug I was meant to have yesterday. This tea continues to be a favourite in large quantities, especially when I have to head out into the cold world in the morning.

Today I found myself wondering what it would taste like with some mint thrown in, so I might give that a shot sometime. Probably terrible, but I really wanted to give it a go. Another time!

In exciting news, the new travel mug is working out fine so far, though it is nearly identical so that’s to eb expected. Kept my receipt, so I can actually use the warranty this time if necessary.

Mmmm.

This is the only other kind of black tea I had at work, and I love it – A lovely way to end the work day!

In my usual OCD manner, I’ve gone overboard. Since “realizing” I had no chai, I’ve bought 1 chai-like tea, another that is def. chai and found my lovely apple vanilla white chai in the back of my cupboard, as well as these bags. Nonetheless, I still keep wanting to buy more chais. This tea buying ban is not going to go so well.

Anyway, I’ve decided to officially stick with black teas for the day, so I pulled my last chai teabag from my drawer. I’ve got more at home, so I will have to re-stock. I bought these for mulling cider, but they’re not terrible to drink either. On the lighter side of chai, though I would be interested to see if they are more spicy when prepared on stovetop with milk.

Continuing on my roll of black teas. I find myself wondering why I rate “plain” or pure teas so low? (Though I suppose my only plain teas tend to be bagged, lol) Only the flavoured teas get in the 90s for me. I think it’s unfair of me to rate additives (in flavouring, content, etc) more generously than pure tea. I know that it’s my general preference for flavoured teas and tisanes, but it still seems harsh. Ah well.

I’ve sourced my new travel mug – seems nearly identical to the old only with a five year warranty. Gonna pick one up for me and one for the beau tonight and we are keeping the receipts for warranty this time!

Anyway, this tea is same as always. I actually find it quite sweet already, so I rarely add anything to it anymore and today is no exception. Nice nice nice.

Well, apparently my travel mug was so excited about the arrival of tea last night that it partied too hard. When I poured water into the mug of Wellness I was meant to have this morning, it cracked. Twice. Loudly. So, it sits in the sink at home, waiting to be disposed of once it cools off. Now I need to make a trip to the mall tonight to get another. I think I will stick with the same brand, as there aren’t very many options locally and I really want a clear one – That seems surprisingly uncommon around here.

So, now, as you can read, I am drinking Lady Grey instead of Wellness. Maybe I’ll have an all black tea day. All I know is that it’s extremely cold outside, and I need something to warm me up from my wait for the bus. I don’t look forward to travel mug searching tonight, but this winter I don’t want to go two days in a row without my lovely travelling companion.

Re-steeped the teabag from last night – Worked out surprisingly well. Tasted more of the vanilla, and it was deliciously creamy and smooth. You know you have a lovely tea when a bag re-steeps this nicely!

It’s HERE!!!! Thank you so much Meghann M for this and the SEVEN other treats you sent. The beau and I opened each sachet, sniffing them all with the excitement of children at Christmas. I completely forgive Canada Post for taking forever with this package, as it is heaven sent and needed the most delicate of care.

Of course, in my usual impatient style I put the water on to boil as soon as the Vanilla Comoro was opened. The smell of the dry bag reminds me of a dry hot chocolate mix…smells yummy, and not the overpowering vanilla I kept imagining.

I boiled my water and let it steep about five minutes as Harneys suggests….the smell of the steeped tea closely matches that of the dry. I’m so impatient! If I get really close to the cup, I get a black tea smell, with some lovely overtones of vanilla and milk chocolate. I don’t know where I get that smell…

After burning my tongue (again with the impatience!) I finally taste the tea. I definitely taste black tea. A lovely base, really smooth and creamy. No bitterness at all, it actually tastes like it is lightly sweetened already. I find I get all the vanilla taste afterward, and I’m left with a deicious and satisfying aftertaste.

All in all, it doesn’t quite reach my astronomical dreams, but I really like it. I’m ordering 1 pound of it. Now. I think playing with the steeping parameters will really open this up for me – I also imagine it would be lovely as a latte….Or as a base for hot chocolate or cocoa!!! MMM!

Thank you again, Meghann!!!!