what is it about Celestial Seasonings chamomile?? in any of their teas containing chamomile (whether wholly or in part) i find it absolutely delicious! funny story, but i’ve never had chamomile except for in their teas, which i’ve been drinking for years. their Honey Vanilla version was so yummy i stuck with it & never looked back. although recently i had the opportunity to try Stash’s Chamomile which smelled quite yummy, very similar to Celestial Seasonings’ (sans mint & vanilla, of course).
but what is chamomile? it’s yummy and sweet, really. creamy even, if it were possible for herbs to have this quality. then again, upon visiting the spice alcove of a highly overpriced organic food store, i had the chance to smell ‘loose’ German chamomile, and it was quite stinky. dry, almost dirty, not sweet at all. what was going on? if that’s the real deal, then CS must doctor their chamomile tisanes highly, but i don’t care. i appreciate the comforting, flavorful experience, and yum is yum.
this particular chamomile, Sleepytime Vanilla, is a real treat. i think of it as a chamomile mint crème. i can’t help but think of their Honey Vanilla version, minus the honey, with a nice helping of spearmint. the mint figures prominently alongside the vanilla, but doesn’t overtake it. instead, you have a nice, delicate balance of both. a perfect prelude to sleep, that is after checking what’s app, facebook, twitter, youtube & instagram all on your iPhone. and listening to Anoushka Shankar’s ‘Pancham Se Gara’ on your iPod. twice.
have not tried the original Sleepytime or Sleepytime Peach, but as a curious nose sniffing about and a fan of the Celestial Seasonings graphic designer, i must try them.
unpredictably, i started with the Vanilla. yes, i must. have. vanilla. something about it in teas or coffees is so incredibly comforting to me, not to mention the fact that it takes on a number of different flavor nuances (real or fake), all under the guise ‘yummy’. well, at least for me. and i’m not even a really big dessert person- if you can picture the sort who readily bakes cupcakes, you’re not likely to find me in the kitchen. Cupcake tea, however, and you have my interest piqued. but this tasting note, much like my train of thought, is starting to wander…and just like that it’s time for bed!
