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I’m preparing dinner, and I thought that this would go along really well with dinner. The black tea is astringent and quite brisk for a Ceylon (as I’ve commented before on Adagio’s black tea base), but what is even more remarkable about this tea is the sesame flavor. It’s so unusual, yet, quite tasty. It’s savory nature goes well with dinner.

We just got home from running errands. I just grabbed something from my enormous supply of bags of tea, and this is what I happened to grab. Fortunately, I am quite happy with that choice. YUM

The peach flavor is bright and juicy, and the ginger adds just enough peppery kick to it. Peach and ginger were made for each other! They compliment each other so well.

I really like that the flavors of this tea are strong enough to enjoy, yet not so incredibly strong that they overwhelm the flavor of the tea. Nicely balanced.

Ahhh… I love my Breakfast Blend!

I really didn’t want to get up this morning! Fortunately, I have my Breakfast Blend to get me going. I have only taken a few sips but already I’m starting to feel more lively.

Nice bold flavor with a delightfully smooth vanilla touch! Mmmmmm!

I am finishing the last of the Genmaicha Extra Green that I received as part of the Green Tea Sampler pack from Den’s Tea. Yum! Delightful roasted rice flavor, sweet green tea, just a touch of bitter, delicious! Green tea doesn’t get much better than Genmaicha!

This morning, I was looking for simplicity since it’s Monday and that usually means errands. So I reached for a teabag, and this is the tea that I grabbed.

As a tea purveyor, I have had a lot of tasting experience with Metropolitan Teas. They were one of the first big wholesale companies I encountered when I first started out. Some of their teas are very good, others, mediocre. I guess it could be argued that it is that way with all tea companies, though, since every tea tastes different to every individual palate, and what is good for me may not be good to you.

Anyways, I received this tea in a swap a while ago. I had tried their ice wine tea years ago, but not one that I wanted to sell since I wasn’t interested in teas flavored by other companies.

It is a good tea. I like the wine-like quality of it, it seems to capture the taste of sweet wine well. It has a nice, fruity flavor to it. The Ceylon black tea base is mild, although that is not uncommon for Ceylon tea.

Even though it tastes good, I find myself missing my usual “breakfast blend” this morning, so I have chosen not to rate this one with a numeric rating today. I don’t think it would be fair.

Yep… you guessed it, I bought it because it was one of those “weird” ones. And, hey, artichokes are one of my favorite vegetables. So… I had to give it a chance.

And I am really glad that I did!

The aroma of the dry leaves is very unusual. It doesn’t really smell like artichoke to me. It does give off a certain vegetative scent but there are also sweet notes in there, sort of fruit-like, and maybe even a little floral. The brewed tea is much more vegetable, though.

Already I know that this is going to be a difficult tea for me to review, because when I steam my artichokes, I usually add garlic, lemon, pepper and laurel to the “steam” water. These additives give off their definite own aromas and flavors to the artichoke. I can’t honestly say that I’ve ever eaten an unseasoned artichoke… so like I said, it will be difficult to say definitively that this tastes like artichoke.

With that in mind, my first few sips, I wasn’t sure that I was tasting artichoke. I did, however, taste distinct lemon-y notes which is quite on par with how I would prepare my artichoke.

But I like it… and it was definitely worth buying, and it will definitely be worth trying again!

Time for my daily Oolong fix! What a delightful time of day it is!

Having a “daily Oolong” is something that is fairly recent for me. I would try an Oolong, fall in love with it (this happens with almost every Oolong I try!) and then I’d put it away and hoard it… deciding it was far too special and needed to be preserved and cherished. Finally, one day I realized I wasn’t doing me or the tea any favors by hiding it away and not drinking it. So now, I celebrate and cherish Oolong in a different way – by trying to make time for it every day!

I have but just enough for another day of this Formosa Pouchong – but oh how I’ve enjoyed it. Buttery, smooth, luxurious mouthfeel! Lovely! So good.

The best part is that more infusions will follow! One of the things I really love about Oolong tea!

Mr. Grey! I do love his artfully suave ways!

As I’ve said before, this is absolutely one of the best Earl Grey teas I’ve had. The bergamot is strong but not perfume-y. The Keemun is such a great base for the bergamot because it is strong enough to withstand the power of it. Interestingly enough I am picking up a slight cocoa note in the finish. I’m not sure why this is. I didn’t pick up on this with my first cup of this tea… I don’t know if I just missed it, or if my taste buds are a bit off this morning… the other two teas I’ve had this morning tasted spot on, though.

I haven’t yet tried this Earl Grey with milk – perhaps the next time I brew it I will add a bit and see how it fairs.

More backlogging… Once the seasonal allergies hit, they hit me hard! After I have some caffeine, I usually reach for this to help alleviate the symptoms. I don’t always log it, though, because it is more like routine for me starting by about mid-February and on through about May or June.

Lovely minty taste. I’m not a particular fan of herbal blends for the most part, but I like this one. The mint gives it a nice flavor, and by the time I’ve emptied the cup, my symptoms are beginning to subside and that is a definite plus.

Good Morning, and for those of you who celebrate it: Happy Easter! For those who do not… happy Spring! It doesn’t seem much like spring to me lately, we’ve been having cold, wet, dreary weather here in the Pacific NorthWET!

A bit of a backlog – I started my morning with a bit of breakfast blend, much the way I do most mornings. I like the way it prepares me for the day. Deliciously bold, with a sweet note of vanilla. YUM!