Murphy's

Snow. Weird steroid-shot-injected night’s non-sleep-sleep. Nothing but the strong stuff will suffice. This is one of those bagged builders teas, Assam heavy, with a longer half-life than Twinkies, so I was hoarding my last few packets since the company has disappeared. However, this morning is one of the reasons I have been parsimonious with what’s left. Eyes are (half) open.

Murphy’s appears to be a casualty of the “just plain black tea” market and I’m disappointed: this has been my no-fuss, no-frills, beefy, unleaded morning grocery store brew for several years now. Just a hair Assam-ier than PG Tips; best with milk, easily drinkable without. Rationing carefully, I may have just enough left to make it through the winter.

Just after I got fond of this as an open-yer-eyes, boot-your-sagging-carcass out the door morning tea, it disappeared locally. Well, it appeared locally—a five-box case of it, mind you—under my Christmas tree this morning. Good gifts (not extravagant, good…there’s a difference) are my husband’s love language. I may just survive January and the seasonal affective mugwumps.

There is wet shiny stuff coming out of the sky! (I’m a sunshine person, but how we needed the rain…mulched backyard leaves with the mower last week and came in looking like Bert the chimney sweep.)

Oh, am I supposed to be talking about tea?

Murphy’s has turned out to be a wonderful, solid, no-goof sleepy workday staple. Very Assamy, builders’ tea strength without being too astringent, great with milk if your eyes are already open; effective straight up if they aren’t. And (fingers crossed) still available locally, though it’s a drive across town. Some teas are worth the drive.

Another occasionally-available-in-our-area brand (Thank you, Big Lots!) that was in my Mother’s Day treat basket. (Who needs flowers? I got tea and a B.B. King DVD to chase the blues away.)

Definitely a work-boots morning tea, heavier on the bass (Assam) than on the treble. Brains not required for steeping or tasting. That’s a plus in my book. Someday…you know, that hypothetical someday when you wake up and nobody needs anything from the get-go…I’d like to do a side-by-side with this one and Barry’s to determine which one kicks harder.