Uptown Cafe

I have been traveling all weekend — Science Olympiad national tournament for the eldest child. I took this tea along for my mornings because I knew I’d need the caffeine and the familiarity of a tea I know well. This is the tea that I’ve been drinking for years and the tea that got me to change from coffee to tea in the mornings.

I used to never believe the quality of the water mattered when making tea. Sure, it would be nice to have good water with which to make tea but I didn’t think it would matter as much as people said it would.

I was very, very wrong.

Using the hard hotel water, the tea changed from its usual malty, toasty flavor to a burned caramel flavor. It was tolerable, but not the “friend” I wanted while traveling. It was good enough but not great. I am not rating the tea since it is the fault of the water and not the tea leaves. But I was disappointed to not have the tea I was expecting the past few days. :(

It is the first Thursday of the month, so that means it is the morning of the branch/departmental supervisors’ meeting at work! Going with my favorite Assam, brewed strongly, is the only way I’ll make it through the morning and the three-hour meeting. Glad that this one is a tea that I can purchase in bulk at my local cafe—I am going to need more soon.

Still my favorite morning tea. :)

One of my all-time favorites. I continue to keep this in stock at home.