1403 Tasting Notes
Years ago, at holidays on Steepster, I wondered what is up with all these people and their eggnog in their tea. I have become one of those people.
Today, I was intending to have eggnog with a different tea which I couldn’t find, so I chose this one instead.
Yup, really good. I doubled the amount of leaf and gave it a good long steep. Probably the normal steep time for most people but long for me. Chocolate hazelnut malted milk goodness.
I didn’t make it to Chinatown today, sadly. I didn’t have it in me. So many nights of being woken up and not getting proper rest. Barely managed to pick up some groceries after acupuncture.
There was a treat though. I’ve been craving fish, so I stopped into an Egyptian restaurant and picked up some grilled sea bass, spiced rice, and salad.
Exhausted, but my happiness is complete.
Is there supposed to be chocolate in this tea? I’m sure we’ve had this discussion before as I’ve wondered aloud whether this is chocolate, almond, vanilla or what flavour exactly that I am tasting.
I continue to try to find a way to love this tea. Possibly getting closer.
Steeped it strong. The ersatz cranberry came through a bit more pleasantly with more leaf. And added eggnog because I have some handy.
Much better. The eggnog adds vanilla and cream, so the mystery of what flavours live in this tea ceases to bother me.
Also, this approach will help me move through this leaf faster.
Edit—and another even stronger cup with added eggnog is even better. Getting there, getting there.
The last time I steeped this up, the anise was too intense, even with my eggnog solution. I don’t know whether it was just that spoon of leaf or whether it is all the leaf.
Regardless, I added a half spoon of Capital Teas Ltd’s Keemun Classic to the leaf to tone it down. It worked. A glug of eggnog and Bob’s your uncle.
Hmm, I’m certain I’ve commented and posted on this beloved tea. So has derk. Possibly Martin too. Off to track that down. Likely under a slightly different heading. Because it is most definitely the same tea. Possibly a different crop.
Thanks, Cameron. I did find it and then I got sleepy. The tea was delicious though.
Malt, caramel, bread, sweet potato, a wee bit of smoke. Very lovely.
After a few days of French flavoured days and this new obsession of mine with milk and eggnog, it was good to have an excellent straight tea, straight up, no fuss.
I may have let the water cool just a bit more than needed. More attention needed next time.I like to have this tea on hand in my stash to come back to. Consistently delicious.
Remarkable layering of flavours here. I had really expected that all this going on in this tea would be too much, but it’s not.
The maple is gentle., but there, offering the slightest bit of sweetness. The chestnut is a starchy, bready presence. There’s a hint of orange and maybe almond. The star anise comes and goes. Sometimes, it is a bit distracting, and other times, it’s not there at all.
A satisfying cup. I’ve been drinking it without any additions.
I had never considered eggnog in tea until coming here. I still haven’t tried it but I am certain I would become a relatively easy convert. I don’t keep eggnog around as I’ve never been fond of the kind in a carton. Adding it to tea could actually cause me to finally buy some of that stuff though as it seems well suited for such purpose.
I miss your city’s food scene. We do not have Egyptian restaurants here of any kind! Neat.
I hope tonight is more restful.
CJBaker, the creamier, the better. Keep us posted.
CrowKettle, yeah, we are pretty fortunate in that respect. We have three really good Egyptian restaurants here that I am aware of (aside from shawarma sandwich and salad places).
One is a place that has super fresh and healthy street food. Another that does excellent breakfasts and brunches and twists on things like cardamom cappuccinos with honey. And this BBQ fish place. The owner is from Alexandria and the system is the same: choose your fresh fish and prep method.
Today, I really needed a perk and this meal took me to the Mediterranean.
I was going to post a stret dish recipe for you to replicate at home, but the photo and ingredient list does not convey the deliciousness.
Also, thank you. This is an ongoing issue. Not likely to be resolved anytime soon. Sadly.
I wish we had more of a different culture in my neck of the woods. You make a lot of the places sound interesting for me.
Mrmopar, every place has its magic. I’m sure that I would find a lot of aspects about where you live appealing. Could you tell us what life is like in your environment in your posts?
My city is quite mixed though it is Anglo-Saxon at its core. Every year, we have 100,000 people immigrating and settling here.
I live in the city and do not have a car. Transit here is pretty good. I try to walk a lot (but with this sleep issue, I’ve become a bit of a lazy slug).
sure, we have malls and generic chain restaurants, but I make it my business to seek out local and independent businesses and support them. Works out well for everybody.