Sipdown (96)!
Oh wow; I’m out of this one again. I cold brewed it to take to work yesterday as per the norm, and I have to admit this was not the best cold brew I’ve made. In fact, it might have been the worst. For the first time ever I tasted the hibiscus quite strongly, and there was some other tartness contributed by pineapple and orange flavour notes which, just like the hibiscus, are not normally present at all.
I’m thinking these elements of the blend must have just sunk to the bottom of the package, and that’s why it was so pronounced. That said, even though this is probably the worst yield I’ve had it was still drinkable and ok tasting – just not up to its usual standard. This is back on my shopping list, and if RiverTea ends up doing anything for Black Friday or Cyber Monday I’ll definitely be getting more of it sooner rather than later; there are a couple RiverTea blends I need to restock on now, and a few I’d like to try as well.
Unrelated to this tea, but still related to tea…
Yesterday there was an Antiques show/sale in the mall I work at (like I’ve mentioned before, it is a very senior oriented mall). At first I wasn’t really excited or very aware of it at all but at some point during my shift it dawned on me that antiques could mean old teaware! So on my break I ran over to the ATM, withdrew some cash and went shopping.
There was a lot of very cool stuff – tea related and non tea related. Pretty well every vendor had a decent size selection of tea sets, old teapots, saucers, and teacups. One vendor had a GIANT tin of Ceylon Tea from 1910. But out of all the cool stuff and teaware nothing really drew me in and made me want to buy it. Except for one thing. I saw it, and immediately knew that it had to be mine.
So, I am now the proud owner of an Antique Jasperware Wedgwood Teapot! Here are some pictures I took of it:
http://kissmyassam.tumblr.com/post/100473455064/guyfierithirdandfinalantichrist-antique
The thing that immediately drew me to it was the obvious Greek influence. I’ve always loved Greek Culture, but when I studied different art styles and periods in my IB Art Course I really learned a lot about the developing art style related to Greek Pottery; it’s my favourite, though somewhat niche and specific, art style/period. But then, the see that adapted to a teapot – and one so beautifully shaped (it fits PERFECTLY in my hands guys; like, it’s the perfect size to be cradled by my little baby hands), it was instant in love.
The antiques dealer didn’t know a lot about it other than that she didn’t think it’d ever been used, but upon closer inspection I think it was – the inside is very well cleaned without tea staining (probably why she thought it was unused) but inside the spout theirs’ some darker tea staining that makes me think it was probably used for black tea quite a bit.
I also spent some time last night studying and researching Wedgwood potter’s marks so I could date it – and based upon the potter’s marks, the placement, and the font I’m very confidant this piece is from between 1908 – 1929. So, possibly, this teapot is over a hundred years old! That’s so cool!
I ran out of time today to clean it, but since there’s some notable dirt build up inbetween the white decals and where the handle meets the body of the pot I’m going to try and clean it tomorrow. I want my new Wedgwood (I have named him Julius, after Julius Caesar) to shine! Although, not really because it has a matte finish. But the point still stands.
What a beautiful, unexpected find!
cool teapot!
Beautiful!!!
That is gorgeous!