Lion's Mane Rhodiola

I can taste the floral, sour rose, but it’s not too annoying here. The coffee base is also milder than usual. These are not some of my favorite flavors, but it all worked okay, and I’m sure someone who likes rose will really like this. The resteep was decent too.

Day 14 of the Teeccino advent calendar. This one is better than I expected! While I still prefer the “standard” Teeccino base, this one also has a coffee-like flavor. Whereas that one is more robust and rounded, this one feels more like an old-school cup of black coffee. It’s slightly bitter and acidic, with a distinctly rose floral note. Not something that I would necessarily seek out, but not something that I would turn down in the future either!

Oh no! just no. DNF. Smells like decorative soap and I couldn’t ignore that.

Lovely, perfume-y, full of umami and earthy. Warm. Satisfies my desire for a second cup of coffee without actually being coffee. No acidity and no caffeine. I rely on coffee for survival, but tea is truly the magical side of things.

Today is Ash Wednesday, so for us Catholics, that means it’s a day of fasting and abstention. Drinking this to warm myself up and boost my mood so that I can more fully embrace and embody the spirit of Lent.

I choose to live in the American Northeast, so I have zero right to complain about the winter weather, especially with the amount of cold weather-related suffering that’s occurring in the American Deep South, where they didn’t choose to deal with snow and ice (and indeed are not equipped for it), but… it’s just the truth that it’s bloody freezing out today and everything is coated with glare ice. The wind doesn’t help.

I donated to the Red Cross Disaster Relief efforts in the hopes that the money will go toward helping my fellow Americans in Texas and other impacted states. If any of my Steepster friends live in those areas, know that I am sending warm wishes, prayers, and happy thoughts your way!