2145 Tasting Notes
Sometimes a tea comes along and it makes me wonder where it’s been my entire life— this is one of those teas. It’s quite distinctive in the realm of Earl Grey Creme teas. The French vanilla provides a much more substantial body than the more traditional vanilla and reminds me of the thick, creamy custards I enjoyed during my visit to France over the summer. The black base, bergamot, and French vanilla balance perfectly; the contrast between the tart orange bergamot and sweet French vanilla really appeals to my sweet tooth. This was exactly what I needed to end a rough day.
You can read the rest of the review on my blog:
http://www.notstarvingyet.com/index/2014/10/14/tuesday-tea-earl-grey-creme-art-of-tea.html
Preparation
Did you know that October is Fair Trade month? Every Tuesday I’ll be reviewing a different Fair Trade Tea (this tea is from last week, the site was down when I tried to post it.) This Masala Chai from The Persimmon Tree Tea Company is one of a handful of Fair Trade blends that they offer. While chai is traditionally served with milk and sugar I find that I prefer this particular chai plain because I can taste the spices more clearly. It’s very heavy on the cinnamon and cloves with only the barest hint of ginger and cardamom. These flavors seem to get lost once I add milk and sugar so I typically double the amount of loose leaf when I serve it traditionally. I decided to make one more cup last night and found that I had run out of milk again. Instead I made this with half and half, which gave it much more body. I loved how thick and creamy it was, so I may consider making all of my chai this way; it’s much better than using whole milk.
You can read the rest of the review on my blog:
http://www.notstarvingyet.com/index/2014/10/7/tuesday-tea-masala-chai-the-persimmon-tree-tea-company.html
