This is going to have to be a quickie, otherwise I will find myself very late to work. However, I have a sleeping dog resting his head on my leg and snoring softly in the morning sun rays and I’ve decided that whilst I am stuck here [because I really cannot bring myself to wake him up] I will write a little well-deserved note on this tea.
I am already to the end of my silver pouch, so I know this is something I am going to need more of, and soon. I wasn’t wrong when I thought that this tea would be something special after brewing it à la microwave, and, unsurprisingly, brewed “properly” it has become considerably more complex.
This tea has a subtle earthy note that makes me think of pu-erh. It tends to hit in the middle of my tongue, but subsides rather quickly to silky smoothness. There are loads of subtly sweet, dark chocolate tones to be found in the liquid and I find myself slurping and sipping in search of them. The malty flavor has not been as pronounced for me at home as it was back at the hotel. Instead, I have been getting a simply salty note that I do not find unpleasant and meshes quite nicely with the chocolate flavors. And at the tip of my tongue, I can get that distinct peppery tingle that I am becoming more able in identifying in yunnan teas.
All being said, this tea is quite delightful. I am going to chance leaving the leaves in their infusing basket to see if I can eke a few more cups out when I get home, because this is the last of it [for now]. I suspect that 2011 will see numerous trips to Halcyon. At least until I move to San Francisco and then it will be a Samovar Party 24/7, though I do think it’s saying something that it is probable Halcyon Tea will nevertheless retain a spot on my ordering queue.
ETA: Crap. Once I get going, I can’t stop myself. Now I’m going to be late for work.
…Whatever. That was totally worth it.
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I can never bear to disturb my dog or cat when they are a-cuddlin’!
My husband and I have something called “there’s a cat in my lap” defense. As in, “Hey Lena, can you take out the trash?” Me: Sorry man, I’ve got a cat in my lap. You’ll have to take care of it.
It works for us.
@JacquelineM Surriously. I did not, however, tell this to my co-workers upon arriving 15 minutes late. This is the only occasion I can name to date that the terrible, terrible traffic in this area has come in handy.
@LENA BRILLIANT.
I can never bear to disturb my dog or cat when they are a-cuddlin’!
My husband and I have something called “there’s a cat in my lap” defense. As in, “Hey Lena, can you take out the trash?” Me: Sorry man, I’ve got a cat in my lap. You’ll have to take care of it.
It works for us.
@JacquelineM Surriously. I did not, however, tell this to my co-workers upon arriving 15 minutes late. This is the only occasion I can name to date that the terrible, terrible traffic in this area has come in handy.
@LENA BRILLIANT.