Spices and Tease

The best laid plans, eh? Saturday I was helping with a theatre company project, and was on my way home when I was involved in an altercation with nature that left my windshield caved in. I am amazingly unharmed, but I am still picking glass off everything I own, and it’s rather going to derail my day, as I need to get it fixed.
I spent yesterday curled up on the couch watching British crime shows and drinking tea, which is a nice way to recover from it all.
This tea is my attempt at a morning energizer. Its not bad, but I do find apple teas sometimes a bit bitter.
Well, thats sort of fitting too.

I went to NYC to visit my brother, and stayed pretty close to Grand Central Station. They have a fun little food hall there, where I could get some teas!
I do love picking up tea on vacation. It won’t take up too much room in my house, and creates a drinkable memory.
This is pretty nice. A strong ginger flavor, which is what I want, but not so overpowering that it takes all my focus from the tea.
A nice souvenir.

Brewed this one up according to company directions – 3min at 175F – and I’m definitely not impressed. It came out seriously bitter on the aftertaste, bad enough that I’m going to toss it down the drain and start anew.

Second steep was 2min at 175F and the results were slightly better. The aftertaste of bitterness is lessened, but I happen to find the fruit flavours less than appealing…I pick up a lot of pineapple and papaya (or possibly mango) that doesn’t merge well with the green base.

I think if I were going to make it again I would keep the steep down to 1min at 175F to hopefully kill the bitterness that happens as it cools…but my honest opinion is that it’s not worth another round of steeping to hopefully get it up to mediocre.

Simple, floral white tea.

I bought this tea a while ago when I went to visit my old stomping grounds in New York. I was originally looking for a now discontinued blend but settled with this one to give it a try (at the time I hadn’t had much experience with white teas).

The citrus and berry flavors complement the otherwise subtle taste of white tea really well. It was a very pleasant drinking experience.

The smell is actually my favorite part. It’s just a wonderful, sweet aroma that fills the room with warmth.

I plan to re-stock as soon as I get back to NY.

Their tins are really bad for tea, however, with an open “viewing” window that lets light in. They are also generally a pain to open and close, so I’d transfer to a better storage asap.

http://www.infusedmusings.com/2014/01/06/spices-tease-white-raspberry-grapefruit/

Tried a second infusion this morning, with a longer steep time. Much stronger and more tart fruit flavors in the second infusion. Not enough mate flavor left. I would not infuse this one twice again.

Brewed longer than advised on website for full flavor. Interesting, earthy mix of green and rooibos, with vegetal notes from green tea and carrot, and fruity sweetness from pineapple.

Sipdown… sob Really gonna miss this one!