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I AM BACK — WITH A VENGEANCE, STEEPSTERITES!
(Read: my life is finally basically under control. Ish.)

Full disclosure: I abhor licorice. When I opened the tin sampler, and smelt (through my already-unable-to-smell sick nose) a punch of herbs and licorice, I felt a little nauseous and considered opening another pack. But to my pleasant surprise, this tea is delightful — almost flower nectar sweet, and very light! The coloring is very pale, and the tea is soothingly smooth, like butter. Definitely more grassy than I anticipated, but I’m thankful the licorice taste isn’t overpowering, for one.

If this is the worst tea Golden Moon has in its sampler, I’m in for a treat! Definitely could see ordering this again for myself or for my mum, who loves peppermint tea. To be honest, I’d rather just hold it in my mouth than swallow it. This leaves my mouth a little dry, but there’s no bitterness. (Now now, no dirty jokes, kids.)

FINALS. FRAK.

…I swear I will update my Steepster like you would not believe once I have a life again.

A lot has been changing quickly, my lovelies!

(1) I have more tea than I know what to do with (Golden Moon sampler, Harney & Sons tins, two series from Damn Fine Tea), and t-bags are the love of my life.

(2) Got that internship at a big NYC museum that I thought I’d failed miserably at? Herp a derp?!

(3) Still am too upfront for most men in this modern age or will become an old maid; both are distinct possibilities.

But, to the tea. I have had this tea sitting around since mid-winter, and still haven’t said a word. The first few weeks, I was a bit enamored; and found it quite comforting in soggy, dreadfully, miserably snowy and chilly Ohio. But as the days become warmer, I think my heart has changed a bit. Captures the pumpkin, but not quite the spice or baked creaminess. More watery than I remember, and not particularly strong even when I use more than the proper serving. Gets a bit bitter without sugar, and I recommend trying it with half and half. Or put a pie in the oven.

Recovering from an interview at a big, big museum in New York City and a lack of texts from the boy who was supposed to get in touch with me yesterday. Modern dating does not agree with me. I’d rather be upfront and stop wasting time. Whatever happened to a letter in the mail? Boo hiss. Nothing is going according to plan, and I am sitting at home without any of my good tea. At least I’ve sent out another résumé and cover letter and am meeting someone at the Met on Friday and I am hopeful, always?

Trying to perk myself up with a cup of this. It’s very, very floral for a non-flowering tea. Almost like jasmine, but darker and smokier. I don’t know what magnolias taste like? There’s a bit of bitter aftertaste that leaves my mouth dry. But after all’s said and done, I suppose it’s a decent, basic staple. I’m trying to think of more to say about it, but I guess you’ve finally done me in, Steepster: I have tea-snobbed all over this one…

Update: I HAVE FOUND THE SECRET RECIPE, MASTER! MASTER, IT IS ALIVE!
[/end Frankenstein’s Igor voice] …Ahem. Yes, I am odd.

Try this so-called tea, double bagged, in combination with Tazo’s Decaffeinated Chai, a little half & half, and some Splenda. The inscription of “herbal supplement” on the box should really mean “do not drink this without real tea,” because if you pair it with a strong black, then I don’t think it’s not half bad, kiddles!

By the power of Sampson, give me strength, Thomas!

…Erm, I mean, my order from A&D DAMN FINE TEA came in this week. Everyone and their mother has been ranting about these fine folks, and I’ve been hesitant to say a word all week because I’ve just been too busy sipping the tea. As I’ve been testing the others, I’m building up to best for last: Thomas Sampson versus Jackee Muntz!

First: Yummy whiff. Basic at first, and then I realized how many light, fluffy, and airy – almost salty (?) – scents I was picking up from the leaves alone, which does carry over into taste, I think. Accidentally may’ve over-brewed poor Thommy as I was cleaning out another mug, trapped in conversation with a friend, and my Teavana iPhone timer was started a wee bit late.

That being said, despite bitterness, Thomas has got a strong, rich, smooth body that I would quite happily relinquish my own to! In my mind, he’s a burly bloke who enjoys a cuppa every couple of hours. Something like a Monty Python lumberjack, but a tad more serious, because he knows how to bake proper biscuits to go with the tea. He comes home smelling like freshly baked bread, and knows how to satisfy a woman. Gentle softy on the inside; and what woman doesn’t fall for that every now and then?

More tasting thoughts to come, but first: who wants to start trading?

I think this is officially my first chocolate chocolate tea? My lovely friend’s mum gave her some of this, because they were sold out of Paris. Nice substitute, but I think I will still give Paris the upper hand here.

Yummy yummy yummy smell. Super strong. Chloë opened the tin, and I swear my brain dissolved. As they say in Chocolat, “Each time I tell myself it’s the last time, but then I get a whiff of…” etc. Perhaps even more so than when I am lusting after someone to a silly degree. BUT. It also had a slight coffee / toasted wood undertone to the smell, which was well balanced, and definitely reflected in the taste.

The leaves are almost black, twisted, and expanded exponentially inside my strainer. Again, it reminded me of coffee in color – a very luscious, dark mocha. My anticipation was growing. I was biting my lip and staring at my glass teapot sideways, begging it to brew faster. The macaroons were prepared to dunk. (http://www.macaroons.com)

As we brewed it (and perhaps it could have sat for a bit longer), I was unimpressed. No bitterness to be found. The chocolate flavor was weak, mostly in the aftertaste, and only mildly strengthened with a splash of milk and sugar. In truth, all I had been searching for was a full-bodied, creamy, chocolate taste. If, however, you seek a tea that harmonizes chocolate with black tea flavors, then I think you will be quite pleased.

This comes very, very close to the Kauai orchid oolong I posted ages ago. But in a completely opposite way. I opened the bag and was pleasantly assaulted by a whiff of sweet, malty goodness. Undertones of something baked and nutty. I can’t pin down the scent exactly, but it makes me think of some delicious baked sweet that I probably wasn’t allowed to eat as a child.

Since it was so (wonderfully) overwhelming, I steeped shorter than I probably could have. Next time I’ll try it for a little longer, because while it is completely pleasant as is, I could have used a stronger taste. Pale celadon color, and some of the sencha fell through the very fine filter. The scent is just a weaker version of the bag, but instead tending towards a wheat, rice smell, overriding the sweet malt. No bitterness and nothing too herbal or grassy tasting in this lovely flavored green tea, and while it may not be as heavy or creamy as I may desire, it is definitely a new favorite!