Wild Canadian Labrador Tea - Ledum Groenlandicum

I took half of the leaves I have from derk; touched them, had them in my hand… somehow fuzzy, nice looking, interesting leaves. And crushed them. It has been roughly 2-3 grams. Lots of their resinous aroma appeared along with something that resembles me juniper a little bit.

It was a bit heart-breaking as those leaves are really interesting and so nice… but probably crushing them is needed to release the flavour, aroma and good properities.

No, I am not drinking this for medicine reasons (but welcomed, as I am… again sick, I have an appointment tomorrow and we will see if I will return to the work or stay at home).

When I was drinking it, it brought me memories of Yerba Santa that derk sent me a while ago; but weaker. Somehow strong medicinal, sap, resinous, aroma with similar flavour profile. But also very thick tasting liquid, again very resinous in mouth.

Steeped for 5 minutes; and even that was… when cold, somehow bitter of tannins. Those weren’t that much present in warm cup which is interesting as the steeping was already done.

In conclusion, derk again, I have to thank you for this tea — it’s definitely something I wouldn’t try otherwise; and I somehow like to explore blends and herbs not available over here. That’s part of me, as a curious person, and I get rarely disappointed, never been poisoned, so, I am afraid that one day I get something that horrible…

If you are reading this note and want to share with me any blend… just make sure it doesn’t contain any St. John’s wort. Thank you!

Smelling the leaves of Labrador tea, running my finger along that thick cottony fluff on the underside, crumbling the green blades — the experience is soothing.

I find these leaves larger and more pliable than the Grade 1 leaves carried by Camellia Sinensis. They are also gentler on the stomach. The aroma and taste are crisp, clean and cool while there is some sort of mild red-woody spicy tannin quality that gives a base to the airy evergreen notes. Sweet, thick spring water that turns a brilliant reddish-pink-orange color when left to sit for a long while. What a sense of place this herbal tea elicits. Bog tea through and through. Fall. Winter.

I woke up this morning sufferingly stuffy at my work father’s house and called Kiki to complain. She didn’t answer, so I left a message with plenty of curse words (because that’s our relationship) and pleaded imploringly, “When is it going to rain because I can’t take this dryness anymore!!” She called back and I asked her again when it’s going to rain. Today at 4pm. I didn’t believer her with such a precise answer so I looked. Two days with some rain, followed by two dry days, then possibly a full week of rain. GLORY to GLOB!

Listen: Dark Speed by Failure
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buPHtWPKzfg