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Keemun Mao Feng from Harney & Sons
97

Second tea of the morning…..

And I made a whole pot worth. I think it is time for me to come clean. I am well on my way to becoming a serious tea snob. I am reaching a point where the only teas I want to keep in my stash are the more expensive ones. I do have a few bargain loves, but my tastes are evolving into something pricey. Luckily, my husband is a craft beer drinker…..that means my expensive tea is still likely less expensive than his beer. Except that he does not have a stash……

I am pretty sure this tea was my first tea splurge. I bought my first tin a little over a year ago, and I thought I was nuts spending $24 for 4 oz. of tea. Now, it costs even more ($20 for 2 oz) and I am so thankful I did, and someone bought me a spare tin of this for a gift before the price change. I love this one, but I always forget it is back in the back of the cupboard. Notes of dark chocolate, the slightest bit of smoke for complexity, and just oh so smooth. My first true love in a black tea.

Usual teapot method.

I think part of my problem with my stash is that I am always trying to find less expensive versions of tea that I love. Maybe that is not such a great pursuit. By just enjoying the more expensive one, I will have better turnover. By seeking out the bargain, I have a half a tin of expensive tea, and another half a tin of inexpensive tea sitting in my cupboard…. In reality, that sounds like a funny kind of math for cost and space. Yep, I am still learning.

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CHAroma

Comments

Amy oh
Amy oh 2012-04-30 10:18:09 -0400

ha – I know what you mean… :)

Autumn Hearth
Autumn Hearth 2012-04-30 10:36:05 -0400

Hehe, my husband has a toy collection (action figures) he doesn’t complain so much about the tea, unless its a lot at once, but this weekend when I was talking about getting yixing pots and a gaiwan he asked how many tea pots I had already and I was like really? Especially when I’m talking about the $15-35 range, not a hundred, thus comparable to an action figure. And he has a subscription in addition to buying individual ones, so I’m asking for a Verdant subscription for my birthday. He does like Keemun and British Blends though so I may have to treat him to this sometime. I think he likes to affordability of Upton though for himself and that’s fine.

Bonnie
Bonnie 2012-04-30 11:46:30 -0400

The key to a happy marriage is equal hobby addictions! Avoid control freaks!

Dinosara
Dinosara 2012-04-30 11:57:03 -0400

My problem… I’m a fancy tea drinker and a craft beer drinker! Now I just need to become a wine snob to round it out. :P

SimplyJenW
SimplyJenW 2012-04-30 12:26:00 -0400

Well, I do love a good porter (current favorite is Breckenridge Vanilla Porter)……but I can usually be happy with a cheap cabernet or shiraz.

Azzrian
Azzrian 2012-04-30 16:49:37 -0400

I can almost guarantee that tea is cheaper than craft beer in the big scope of things! :)

JacquelineM
JacquelineM 2012-04-30 16:54:08 -0400

I have the unholy trinity.of loving the pricey wine, beer, AND tea! You made me chuckle Dinosara!

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Profile

Bio

Tea enthusiast, trying to keep up my cardio for the zombie apocalypse. I have come to accept that I am a western brewing black tea drinker as that is where my ‘tea heart’ lies. I started on loose leaf as a way to have my dessert and not suffer the caloric issues. Once I tried it, I was hooked.

I drink what I like, which is mostly China blacks, traditionally scented blacks and Earl Greys, plus a few other flavored teas. I don’t mind spending a bit on premium varieties on occasion, but an expensive tea has to deliver. My favorite places to order are Harney & Sons and Upton Tea Imports. TeaVivre is great for Chinese tea.

My ratings are pretty subjective. If it falls under 70, I may not take the time to post about it unless I had something specific to say. If it is 70-80 I like it, but I will probably not rebuy. Favorites are over 80 and up, but sometimes the less expensive or more easily obtainable version of a similar taste will win out for my cupboard space.

Usual teapot steeping method: 24 oz teapot, 3 perfect scoops of tea (4 1/2 actual tsp), freshly boiled water, 4 minutes. Lightly sweetened.

Usual mug steeping method: 15 oz mug, 1.5 perfect scoops of tea (just over 2 actual tsp), freshly boiled water, 4 minutes. Lightly sweetened.

Usual pan method: 1 1/2 cups water, 2 perfect tsp chai (3 actual tsp). Simmer for 3 minutes. Add 2/3 cup skim milk. Simmer for 2 more minutes. Strain and sweeten.

Usual pitcher method:
5 or 6 Perfect Spoons of tea (this means about 7-9 actual tsp), freshly boiled water, brewed essentially double-strong in my 24 oz teapot for 4 minutes. Fill my Fiestaware Disc pitcher (about 60 oz.) halfway with ice. Add brewed double-strong tea to the pitcher. Stir it a little and enjoy. No additions.

(*SRP is my Sample/Stash Reduction Plan starting on April 12, 2012. I got so far, but just decided it was too fussy to keep track.)

Location

Ohio

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