Daniel Scott Send Message

So I was one of the ones who managed to get onto the list for Peony Tea S.‘s “free samples for Canadians if you tell us how long it took to deliver,” list. I’m 99% sure that Canada Post just tried to deliver it, but I was the only one home, slobbily dressed and was also…indisposed at the moment they rang the bell. But I heard something drop into the mailbox, and ran happily to the door as soon as I was able, anticipating the package.

…Er, what? Failed delivery notice? I have 15 days to pick it up, starting after 1 pm tomorrow? They couldn’t just put the package in the mailbox like with my 52teas and Verdant orders? Surely 3 teas and a small spatula don’t make so large a package that they can’t fit in the box?

How annoying. Thankfully, I think the postal outlet it’s getting dropped off at is the one that’s a 20 minute walk up the road, so I guess I’ll go Wednesday. (I’m working tomorrow.)

IN THE MEANTIME…

I believe I have mastered my own version of the flash-chill method!

1) Steep the tea double-strong in a Teaopia Tea Master filled a bit less than half-way with hot water. (“A bit less than half-way” because of the shape of the Tea Master. The best words to describe it escape me, but it gets wider towards the top.)

2) Fill a glass cup almost to the brim with ice to measure it, and then pour the ice into a stainless steel Thermos while waiting for the tea to steep.

3) Dispense steeped tea from the Tea Master into the Thermos, seal the Thermos up and shake, shake, shake for about a minute. (Dunno what the shaking accomplishes exactly, but the SAs at Teaopia always seem to shake the iced tea and cubes together before pouring them into the cup, and I wouldn’t want to skip an essential step.)

5) Open the lid of the Thermos enough for “pouring liquid” and pour into the aforementioned glass cup. (I have a model that allows you to pour liquid without completely removing the lid.) This strains any extraneous ice cubes.

6) Ice cold tea!

I am still trying to determine exactly how much milk or cream to use in Root Beer Float to get that perfect enhancement of floatiness without shouting down the tea. Nevertheless, this cup was much, much better than my failed pitcher from earlier!