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In these quarantine times, I, like so many others, have watched many TikTok videos. I have also been trying a bunch of new recipes. Sometimes those two things converge, such as with the Dalgona coffee. Today it happened again as I attempted the one-pan egg sandwich that seems so simple when people cook it on the app.

As to be expected, it wasn’t so simple to makes and there were some kinks that I’ll need to correct next time but all in all, the sandwich was good. This tea, which is also good, accompanied the sandwich. Photo: https://www.instagram.com/p/B-rvTUNAHpV/?igshid=17wmz9hg2348s

It’s sweet and malty. A little raisin, some baked bread, and some sweet potato. And malt. A lot of malt which is to be expected given the name. As it cools, it gets a touch astringent which gives it a leather sort of finish. Not life-changing amazing but still a solid black tea option.

This definitely is a mild chai. I was really enjoying it when it was mixed with copious whipped cream and chai sprinkles. I got a lot of vanilla at that point but once the toppings were gone, this was sort of just mediocre.

Tea Lemonade Sipdown (311)

Earlier today my sister asked me to make her a Frozen Raspberry and Lemonade. I told her I would but she had to share it. I then offered the second glass to my brother in law who at first said no but ended up trying it and then drinking the whole thing. I was fine with that but then I got thinking about a tea lemonade and decided I wanted one for myself.

I was originally thinking I would make a mango tea but then I thought of this and how it’s older than mango teas I have. I also thought I wouldn’t be too upset if all I tasted was lemonade since while I am happy to try something new and am thankful to Evol Ving Ness for sharing, raspberry and rosehip doesn’t appeal to me too strongly. Turns out that was the case since I am mostly just tasting the lemonade. Lemonade plus since there is something more but it’s not particularly distinct.

Thank you for sharing, Evol Ving Ness!

Sipdown (312)

I wanted a latte and a chai seemed like it would work well for that. I grabbed this, opened the package and (1) remembered it was a chai w/a lot of non-latte friendly flavors and (2) that I merely had one perfect spoonful left. So…no latte, but a sipdown of older blends is always welcome. This particular tea is from May 2018.

As I bring the cup up to my face, I get a lot of the smell from the chai spices. Cinnamon was most clear in scent but as the cup got to my mouth, the lemongrass and coconut smell popped up as well. The lemongrass is particularly strong in flavor while the coconut is going rancid and thus lotiony. There is ginger as well though the cardamom is quite gentle. It’s not my favorite blend since really I mostly like chais as lattes and the lemongrass in this stops me from using that prep method.

Cold Brew Sipdown (313)

Back in October during a sale, I picked up some mixed packs of iced tea blends. This was one of the teas in those mixed packs and it is one I had a number of times before.

I cold brewed it overnight and have been drinking it throughout the morning. As per usual, it is sweet. Weirdly today I would say it is much more mango and a little less of the other components than usual. In fact, it is so mango flavored that it is reminding my of these Israeli mango nectar drinks sold in cans that are basically mango smoothies…though a little more artificial since those are just straight pureed mango, essentially.

I like the praline element of this but chestnut isn’t my thing so into the swap box with this. It definitely has potential for people that enjoy these flavors but I have too much tea and know I won’t reach for this.

This isn’t as good hot as it is cold. It is grassy with a bit of an umami note. And cocoa. I like that last part. Not loving it combined with the first.

Tea pop Sipdown (316)

I made this a tea pop using the new (to our house) blackberry Perrier. This has a lot of blackberry flavour with a lot of cinnamon as well. It’s quite nice but I do think that the cinnamon throws me off a bit in a cold drink. Though I guess cola has spices so that’s why it’s still working. There is also a touch of vanilla and some richness from the black tea base. I am enjoying it quite a bit so thank you Evol Ving Ness for sharing!