Vanilla Comoro

Mastress Alita’s sipdown challenge Sunday, September 12th: National Grandparent’s Day

I DID start drinking tea because my grandma had teabags lying around her house.   This was now sixteen years ago. (ONLY sixteen years!?)  However, this one in particular reminds me of my grandma because it was one of the only teas she had in her house  (same house) a few years ago while I was staying with her when my dad was in the hospital after his brain hemorrhage caused by his mouth infection.  (Just as a warning again to everyone – he went to the dentist a lot for cleanings! So that was not the issue! ) So as soon as I saw that ‘Harney – Vanilla Comoro’ tin sitting in a drawer, I was thrilled —  I knew it was an old standby of much needed comfort.  Still is. 

This richly flavored black decaffeinated tea.
It is a sachet tea, which can be nice in the evening for a quick cuppa.
For some reason this tea reminded me of Honeybush Caramel Tea from Revolution Tea.
Not quite sure why, since both are very different from each other.
However, I think this is a very nice tea to have after dinner to accompany a good book.

Thanks to QueenofTarts for a sample of this!

I am enjoying this as my after lunch tea. I like the fact that it’s decaf so I can enjoy it anytime. The vanilla is good in this blend, subtle but not artificial tasting. I steeped mine in an infuser mug for about 3 minutes and then added some plain soymilk. It’s dark and rich, and not bitter, it definitely did not need sugar. I quite liked this as a dessert tea and I think it WILL go on my list of things to order from Harney and Sons.

Just steeped the last of my sample of this ::mourns:: I really would like to finish off the rest of the Harney & Sons samples that I have before I place an order, but I don’t know if I can wait that long! ;) TG

so after leaving the country for a bit, i am glad to say i am back to my dear tea journals on steepster! i really had to take a personal break from this type of writing, so i thought my summer break was a perfect way to do so!

i am extremely happy to say that this was a great tea to revive my steepster tasting notes with. although august is just beginning i can sense autumn on it’s way… or perhaps that is my own itching for autumn weather with warm mugs of tea…

perhaps it is that nostalgia that has driven me to make this cozy tea with a splash of soy milk! delicious!

I’m almost out of this. :( I just ran out of the coconut chai by Zhena’s, too! All my favorite teas are being drunk.

The weather has been very unusual in Atlanta this summer. 22 degrees below normal yesterday, high in the 60’s. Another cool day today. Last summer was very hot and dry; this summer cool and wet never getting above 92. Normally in the summer I enjoy all my teas iced, but this evening, being a little chilly, I pulled out the last of my Vanilla Comoro. It will please vanilla tea fans I think. It’s a little astringent for my tastes, and I prefer unflavored teas these days, but all in all, its decent for an evening cup.

Oh Vanilla Comoro, how I’ve missed you!!

When the courier dropped off a box of fresh H&S’s yesterday afternoon I was tempted to tear into it then and there .. Yet I somehow managed to contain myself because I wanted to set the scene for our re-introduction .. I decided to wait until evening, after the children were in bed, so I could snuggle up in my favourite chair by the fire (it’s a really cold, wet Autumn down here in South Island New Zealand), with a good book (Emma Donoghue’s ‘Room’), and a large pot of Rich Creamy Vanilla Goodness = Mmmmm

I fell in love with this tea about a year ago and the quality just never disappoints .. I get two full-flavoured 13oz steepings out of each sachet .. And it’s sweet & creamy, though never artificial tasting, even without the addition of milk & sugar .. I don’t think it’s possible to make it too strong or over-steep – it never goes bitter or too astringent .. Plus it’s a Decaf, which depending on circumstances can be a huge bonus!

Simply put, ♥ Vanilla Comoro ♥ is one of my all-time favourite teas ..

I actually consider this a kind of ‘gate-way’ tea .. That is, the tagalong tins make the perfect gift for anyone who ‘drinks regular black’ .. Trust me, they will love it and you’ll have the pleasure of knowing you’ve created a designer tea appreciating/craving monster :P

Backlogging (so, based almost entirely on my notes)

Experience buying from @Ashley: I bought this tea from Ashley in the fall of 2011 when she was selling all of her tea. I received the tea quickly through the mail and my package was filled with many surprises. Thank you Ashley!

Date of steeping: I steeped this up not long after I got it.

Aroma of dry leaf: Smells good: vanilla.

Brewing guidelines: 1 tsp tea, 1 cup water. Ceramic eight-oz cup, tea in metallic basket strainer, stevia added.
……….1st: Near Boiling, semi-warmed cup; 2’…Wonderful!
……….2nd: Boiling, warmed cup; 3’……………….. Delicious!
……….3rd: Boiling, warmed cup; 4’…………………Less flavor, but still good.
……….4th: Boiling, hot cup; 6’………………………..Not much flavor.

Color and aroma of tea liquor: Dark brown color; smells like freshly made waffle cones!

Flavor of tea liquor: I love the taste: rich, delicious vanilla flavor, with a possible chocolate note hiding in there: it’s like eating a fresh waffle cone!

Overall: What I remember most about this tea (having brewed it up about two to three months ago) is the aroma that filled the kitchen when I brewed it up: it made me feel like I was in an ice cream shop smelling freshly made waffle cones! I guess the vanilla flavoring gives it this wonderful aroma? Anyway, I will have to try to remember to buy some of this tea the next time I order from H&S: it definitely ROCKS!

Oh this is gooooood. I knew I was in for a treat when I smelled the tea bag and it smelled like the most delicious vanilla ice cream you’d ever hope to sniff. And brewed, it’s just as delectable. The black tea isn’t too astringent, but it keeps the tea from being too sweet. I had been really sick of dessert teas (particularly cacao ones), but this reminded me that I need to not ever make pronouncements about an entire category of tea (except hibiscus tea, which can stay away from me). This is a great accompaniment to the cupcake I also have.