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I bought a mini-kitchen scale specifically for this tea. I was going to by those little craft ziploc bags for future swaps… but then I realized how sketchy I would look buying a scale and tiny bags. :S
I have recently come to love oolong. Out of the three teas I ordered from verdant I was most excited to try this one, but also the most nervous to mess it up.
So, I broke out the tea paraphernalia, aka scale, measured out four grams and dumped it into my steeper. I need a gaiwan.
The website said 10 seconds max as a first steep, so that’s what I did. This tea went VERY dark, VERY quick. The scent is sweet.
I keep trying to sip the tea and swish it to pin point the flavour, but it seems every degree it cools it shape shifts. It’s bold and astringent, then sweet and fruity. Very excited for the next steeps.

Oh. My. GAWD! I feel like in purchasing this tea I must’ve sold my soul to the devil. This is amazing. It’s so even, no spice stands out more than any other. They have learned to live in perfect harmony. We need to take a lesson from this tea.

Mmmmmm. . .
My dog is sleeping on my lap right now. She’s not small (60 lbs) and I’m typing on a laptop, most awkward note ever. But, she’s cute any gets away with everything. 1.5 years ago I joined the waiting list for Spynx breeder, the first breeding didn’t take. When I got home from work yesterday there was a msg telling me too call her right away. Apparently from her recent litter there is one kitten left, her intended purpose was a gift for her aunt. Her aunt is waivering and I’m next in line! Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! I’ll find out Tuesday if I get to become a sphynxmama!
Which of course means everything is exciting. I already know I love pumpkkin chai, but I especially love it today!

I may or may not have dance after my Verdant order arrived. It took two loooooong weeks to get here. Seeing as how everyone is so intense about this tea I have decided to drink it bare. This is something I don’t normally do.
I was incredibly nervous about it because of the odd steep times. I’ve never had a tea that gets steeped for one minute.
It smells like sweet potato and tastes rich. I regret making the first try a morning where I’m rushing though.

I went a little crazy at DT today. I couldn’t help it, so much yumminess! This was an impulse buy, I went knowing what I wanted, but I was purchasing some of this for a swap and once I smelled it I had to buy it.
It is the flavour equivalent of a warm blanket and a good book. Cozy, comforting bliss. Cinnamon and allspice come out the most with a tough of sweetness from the marshmallows.
The fall collection can never go away.
On another note I finally bought a new kettle, no more CaveMama.

Another in the swap from WillWorkForTea, who kind of spoiled me.
Today took a turn and I’m going into the dentist to see about my cracked tooth. So, until then I shall sit around a drink tea!
This one is pretty good. It has more of a caramel smell than taste. I had to agave it quite a bit though.

In july I cracked a tooth and it was incredibly painful. Due to the health professional shortage in my wonderful province, it still hasn’t come out of my mouth and I have 3 weeks to wait to see a dentist. Antibiotics helped, not anymore.
So, I woke up at 6am in excruciating pain and decided to clean my house before I start this busy day. House is still quiet if you ignore the dishwasher and snoring dogs that followed me downstairs.
I thought this is the perfect opportunity to enjoy some Genmaicha. I was certain I messed up my last attempt and I was right! This cup is toasty, not overly rice-y. Unfortunately I hear movement upstairs which means it’s time for me start breakfast. Someday, Genmaicha, someday.

Another tea from the swap with Will Work For Tea. I was VERY excited to try this one, the reviews are pretty well positive. Unfortunately something about this tea is not agreeing with me. I may try it with more sweetener or a heavier milk. Right now it only has a small amount of skim milk and a bit of agave.

My first Steepster swap! Thanks to Will Work for Tea for this lovely surprise! I love Pumpkin, I have been patiently awaiting the comeback of Pumpkin Chai from DT and felt this could hold me over until TOMORROW when it’s re-released. So, I busted out my pot to brew up my CaveMama tea and then I dropped my digital thermometre in the water :(. So I just went with boiling water. After I prepared it, but before I tasted it BoxerPapa showed up and tasted it. His response “Can you make me some of that, but stronger?”
It’s good thing I only need it until tomorrow…
I had read the reviews that this was a weaker tea so I tried to compensate by using 1.5 tsp in 6oz water. I steeped 4 minutes on mine. BoxerPapa got 5 min and a rounded 1.5 tsp. . . He didn’t complain so I assume it was satisfactory.
The taste to this tea is quite light, but good. The cream (I would guess vanilla?) is a bit more potent than the pumpkin and you can’t really taste the tea nor does it give you much of a jump start. But, this would be a good after dinner tea!

I have now broken two cheap-o electric kettle and realized it’s time to invest. So, this morning I got to boil water in a pot on the stove top. . . like some kind of cave woman! ;)
It actually made it easier to get the temp right which was nice. Used my little DT timer/thermometre. But, for some reason it doesn’t taste as good ad when I got it in store. It’s still quite good, but not what I remembered. I remember a very toasty taste, today I’m getting a rice-y taste. Oh well, every loose leaf cup is different!