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SimplyJenW

209 Followers / 175 Following

SimplyJenW drank Chance Combinations by Custom

Tea of the morning…..

All of the talk on Steepster about a “Cowboy” version of Earl Grey has me intrigued. I do have a tin of Earl of Harlem on order from Ambessa/Harney & Sons, but I was curious if I could put something similar together in my cupboard. This pot is a 1:2 blend of Upton Lapsang Souchong Black Dragon and Lupicia’s Earl Grey. Hmmm. Definitely need to play around with the ratios. It is smokey enough, but not ‘Early’ enough. Maybe we will go with a straight Lapsang next time and a ratio more like 1:5ish…. All that said, it makes me very happy that I have the Earl of Harlem coming my way.

Sorry that I have not been posting much here….I am not sure how interesting my staple teas are for posting as that has been mostly what I have been drinking. I send first born off to High School in about a week….I am all emotional. I am glad she is growing up, but mourning the fact that I wish I had done some things differently for her childhood. I guess perfection in childhood would not have made her the cool human she is now. Yes, I am over-thinking it! Plus, I am needing to do a bit of an overhaul on my stash/life in general. I definitely know what I like and need these days all around, and that makes it easier to simplify, even though it is a long road ahead.

I am sure I will be here often reading, though! I love this community.

2012-08-09 08:17:23 -0400

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gmathis 2012-08-09 08:38:42 -0400

Change wears you out, even good change. It was pointed out to me recently that God gives you exactly the child you need, and He gives your child exactly the parent she needs—-even if that means making each other nuts.

ashmanra 2012-08-09 08:56:13 -0400

Oh dear. The wishing – I have been there lately! My youngest is the only one still homeschooling and she will probably graduate a year early so we are al out done. Sigh.

You mention a straight Lapsang. Isn’t Black Dragon a straight Lapsang. I have been meaning to order forever. Is it flavored, or a blend?

SimplyJenW 2012-08-09 09:42:43 -0400

The Lapsang Souchong Black Dragon is a blend….mostly Lapsang with some silver tips. It is light and sweet as far as Lapsangs go. I have enough left to send you a sample, so the rest is yours!

ashmanra 2012-08-09 09:51:37 -0400

Oh my! Thank you, Jen!

LiberTEAS 2012-08-09 11:46:03 -0400

sigh Parenting is never easy. My oldest is grown now and living on her own, supporting herself, and living rather successfully by my definition of success: she is happy and healthy and doing what she loves. But still there are often pangs of regret wishing that I had done things a bit differently, wishing that situations were different as she was growing up so that I could have provided other things for her. But despite the tough times and quite probably because of them, she has grown into an amazing young woman and going to be married in just a few short weeks. It makes me emotional, but, also very proud.

I think that you have much to be proud of too… and It is perfectly natural to feel emotional… it’s hard to watch our babies grow up and become independent, but when they do, know that it was only possible through the parenting you provided.

LiberTEAS 2012-08-09 11:46:42 -0400

Oh… I hit “add comment” before I said the last bit I meant to say before I even started typing out that long blather: CONGRATULATIONS! You’ve done well!

Hesper June 2012-08-09 12:30:39 -0400

I think a fairly strong bergamot EG and then literally a pinch of LS, is what I came up with (that works for me, anyhow:)

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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.)