JacquelineM

You know those days when you are behind before you even started? I came in to work an hour late because of my dental appointment and EVERYTHING needed immediate attention! I was drowning, and my usual response would have been to grab a cup of coffee. I chose this instead. It sure did wake me up, but I don’t feel jittery like I would have after (the third cup of!) coffee. I feel alert, focused, and ready to tackle all of this work! It tasted wonderful too :) Very bold but balanced – cream and sugar lovely. This is now my go-to-instead-of-coffee tea!

Had this again last night. I had an appointment with the accountant previously, and a 7:30 am dentist appointment this morning! I probably could have used something much stronger than rooibos, but, since I have an active imagination, it sufficed! I felt warm, comforted, relaxed, and fell asleep (and stayed asleep!) within a half hour of my last, tasty, sip. I really have to look into some more flavors :)

I was a little bit scared to try this tea! I had it sitting in my cupboard since Feb 2009 (mine is actually called Aristocrat Earl Grey) because the bergamot smell was SO overwhelming when I took it out of the box! I’m sad that I left it sitting so long because I am really enjoying it. The bergamot is bright, sweet, fruity and more lemony? orangey? than many I’ve tried. It’s pretty too :) Does anyone know what kind of flowers the little blue petals are from?

The second day of making tea at work and I already forgot my strainer at home! Mind like a sieve (HA!!!) Don’t worry – necessiTEA is the mother of invention! I got a coworker’s coffee filter, put my loose tea in there, twisted it, and clipped it with a teeny clippy thing (which I washed first!!!). Worked like a charm! By the end of the week I should have my proper paper filters and clips in from Upton, but until then I will use this method.

Today’s tea is very delicious! I am tasting TONS of honey. Lovely, lovely, lovely!

(Can you tell I’m thrilled with my at-work setup?)

Delicious! Super flavorful and not a hint of bitterness or astringency. Very nice with milk and sugar. It’s pretty perfect, but I’m curious to see what 30 more seconds might add to the flavor.

I picked this for today’s afternoon cup. I love the slight but complimentary difference between the bergamot and Darjeeling – I keep playing a guessing game of “Is this the bergamot? Is this the Darjeeling? Ahhh I taste the Darjeeling here!” as I take each sip…

I chose this tea, my favorite, to be the FIRST TEA I PREPARED AT WORK!!!! Yes! The days of takeout tea are behind me, and I couldn’t be more pleased!!!!! I still have a few things to work out (I only have one strainer which I have to carry home each night until I get another, I need to bring in a coaster, a small dish to rest the strainer, etc.) but the tea tastes great – and that is what’s important!!!!! No more overpriced cardboard for me!!! Wheeeeee!!!!!

Flavorful, elegant, unique. I absolutely adore this tea. I just love that touch of tart fruit.

This was good! I was in the mood for some tea, and drinking caffeine at 9:30 pm is pushing it, even for me! I went with this rooibos instead of my usual black. I sweetened it with a little honey and sat and relaxed with it. I feel nice and warm and happy – they say rooibos is calming and I think it’s true :)

One more cup as I read (Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell). Orange Cookie is perfect with this book – sweet and traditional, yet that pepper gives it a little eccentricity – just like the ladies of Cranford! I think even Miss Jenkyns would approve :)

Another day spent out in the freezing cold taking photographs!

(http://www.flickr.com/photos/jackiemania/sets/72157622999565681/)

I needed this bold tea to warm my bones!! I steeped it one minute less than last time (as per package recommendation) and it was smoother…I think I’ll add 30 seconds because I liked it a little rougher and brisker. That’s the whole point of an Irish Blend if you ask me :)

A kinder, gentler Earl. The bergamot is lovely. Fantastic afternoon tea. I would love to make this iced in the summer as well. This was my husband’s first taste of an Earl Grey – he first thought it tasted like perfume, then he said it was alright but not his thing, then he said it was good!

Spiced grownup hot cocoa tea :) I taste the cardamom strongly, then a bit of cinnamon, all enveloped in cocoa with a medium bodied black tea. I kinda want to drink it every single day until Spring!!!! Delicious!!!

I was in the mood for something full bodied and a little smoky, and this fit the bill. I’m getting less wine this time, but it’s still there and very nice. I wonder if preparing it with filtered water is making the difference? I have one serving left – this will certainly be reordered!

In honor of our Desert Island discussion, I’m drinking my pick :) Soooo delicious. I finally got a Brita Water filter/pitcher and made tea for the first time with filtered water – BIG difference! I can taste so many more of the delicate flavors. The coconut tastes so fresh that I want to chew on it!!!

This tasted full of honey notes. Really pleasant to drink.

Delicious! Hearty and flavorful. Perfect after a long day hiking in the cold – not just for breakfast ;)

As usual, perfection! I just love this tea. I really tasted the honey notes this evening.

A nicely robust tea paired with creamy sweet vanilla. The vanilla is of a good quality, and I was delighted to see bits of the pod amongst the tea leaves. Extra cake like with milk and sugar :) A gorgeous treat on a chilly, rainy afternoon.

So satisfying! A little smoky, very flavorful. Almost reminds me of wine! Certainly picks you up.

Deeeeeelicious with milk and sugar. Bold but so smooth. In fact, I can’t wait to have another cup!

Yummy! Very well balanced and elegant – all spice flavors and tea harmonize. I thought it might be “too much” and compete with holiday cookies, but it enhanced rather than took away from the treats. I’d like to start a tradition and always have this in my cupboard Thanksgiving through the New Year! I only have enough for one more pot – and I guess that’s how it should be until next November :)

We had a cookie swap at work, so I had to choose a tea that went well with myriad flavors of cookies! I wanted something strong and flavorful, but not a superstar (the cookies were the star of the show!). I chose this workhorse of a tea. It fit the bill perfectly. I will always have it on hand for those occasions that you simply want a good cup of tea.

Mmmmmm. This tea was so delicious last night – even my husband commented how wonderful it tasted. We both noticed a hint of smoke – that could just be the vanilla bean – but it was very nice.