mrawlins2

Just finished a nice mug of this! I used a shorter steep time today and it resulted in a very rosy cup, but I found myself wanting more of a black tea kick that I usually get when steeping this tea for a longer time. Still a nice cup, but I didn’t love the tea as much steeped this way. Longer steep times from now on!

A big, steaming mug of Chocolate Earl Grey really starts my day off right! It was delish with my breakfast of peanut butter and banana toast, but I’m also really digging it by itself now that breakfast is over. I love that this variation on Earl Grey still retains the identity of being an Earl.

A great before bed tea while watching a bit of TV. So perfectly vanilla and creamy, I will be sad when my pound bag runs out!

I’m revisiting this one again today and I think allowing this tea to mellow out in the cupboard for awhile has really helped this tea out. All the elements are more combined than previously although I’m still able to pick them out from the others. The orange also seems creamier than I recall, but I haven’t had this in awhile. This tea is a really great choice for a quiet afternoon tea time.

I’m having another shaken matcha latte this morning and it is great! I could really get used to having one of these every morning – thick, creamy, slightly sweet and just so good.

This is not the greatest tea ever by any stretch of the imagination, but it is quite nice before bed with a bit of honey and cream. The taste is heavy on cinnamon with just a hint of apple and I can see why some may not be fond of this tea. However, this is a decent caffeine free choice for around $2 a box.

I have been inspired by all the posts involving cheese toast! This is my afternoon tea that is delightful paired with muenster cheese on whole wheat toast with coarse honey dijon mustard. SO good!!

This is a great morning tea today with just a bit of milk and no sugar. It is earthy, a bit malty, and delicious! I wasn’t sure that omitting the sugar would work out but it did beautifully.

I’m revisiting this one today and am finding it very smoky and slightly sweet as always! This is a great custom blend which is especially good iced. I’m definitely going to have to buy another pouch of this soon!

I’m starting my day with a shaken matcha latte and it is really great! This matcha is very smooth and not at all grainy. There is a nice natural sweetness and lightly grassy flavor that really goes well in a latte.

I really like to drink this tea in the afternoon or early evening. I am finding it VERY relaxing tonight. I added a bit of sweetener and it was quite enjoyable.The second infusion of this tea is like rose candy! It is a pretty weak brew but I don’t think I gave it enough time – still tasty though.

Nothing else would do this morning! I was feeling quite tired and lazy, but Elyse helped me much the way Queen Catherine used to – perking me up and MAKING me get going. Today Elyse is honeyed biscuit perfection and I am loving it!

Strong and tasty this morning…or rather afternoon… Either way, a great way to start a Monday!

This is an awesomely bold and malty tea! The perfect thing to help me get going today – but perhaps I’ll have just one more cup first…

I left this to steep way too long and it is a very forgiving tea! I’m getting a little bit more of a lemon flavor today backed by smooth chocolate. This is really a great and unique tea!

Although the scent of this tea is overwhelmingly rose, I am finding this tea to be a smooth black with a nice rosy sweetness So glad I purchased 125g!

I’m finishing up the last of my sample today and it is a sad time. I really enjoy this one and it is definitely going on my shopping list for a big container next time. So smokey and sweet and perfect!

Second infusion is better than the first. This is very earthy and coffee-like with hints of natural sweetness.

Okay, I tried pu-erh at the beginning of my tea drinking…but I didn’t know what to do with it so I just steeped it in boiling water for about 5 minutes. It was HORRIBLE! Then I learned more about pu-erh which made me think “No wonder I hated it!” I have been getting up the nerve to try it again for about a year and a half. When I placed my order from Upton, I must have been feeling adventurous because I added a sample bag of this pu-erh.

This time I did a 30 second rinse which completely broke up the little bird’s nest. I then did a 30 second steep…..the taste isn’t all bad. It was a bit earthier than I expected so I added a pinch of sugar and a tiny splash of cream and wow! I’m surprised that it actually tastes pretty good. I think I’ll try to drink this for the rest of the day!

My rating will be based on the overall feelings of this tea so I will rate it later today. I will probably do a bunch of infusion notes today, so stay tuned!

This is the second infusion from earlier today. I got up the nerve to try this plain and I actually like it without additions. It is just sweet and smokey. Really nice actually – I would never had dreamed that I would enjoy any type of Lapsang! Maybe this will help me get up my nerve to try a pu-erh tomorrow…

I once again wanted this tea. I think I’m going to have to put this on my shopping list. I really, really like it. Now I wish I had taken the chance and gotten a bigger size, but oh well, I will enjoy it while I have it. Today the smoke is really building across my mouth and I like it. I kind of feel as though I could breathe fire like a real black dragon. Definite ratings boost!

This is a nice, strong and malty breakfast tea. Another goodie from Upton! I’m quite enjoying this while watching a bit of TV this morning.

Another goodie from my Upton order!! The scent of the tea reminds me so much of the Chocolate Oranges you can find around Christmas and I LOVE those! The taste is initially chocolate with the orangey bergamot not far behind. The lemon is a nice addition also because it helps the bergamot from being overdone (which I don’t usually mind, but it would bother many). I’m getting more citrus in the flavor than chocolate but it ends up being a nice twist on an Earl Grey without losing the fact that this is an Earl Grey tea.

Oh, the second infusion is just such a sweet smoke that I am really digging this tea. If I start craving this tea, a rating increase will be in order. Yum!