89

Tea of the afternoon…..

Another long one. If you just want to read about the tea, you are more than welcomed to skip to the end………

In reading reviews of this tea, I knew it was one I wanted to try. I perused Talbott Teas website, and saw this was $12 a 2.25 oz tin. I was not shocked, yet, until shipping calculated out to be about $9 to get to me. Then I started looking for places that sold Talbott’s Teas near me. And I was in luck because Dillard’s (a local-ish department store) sells them. I knew I would be heading to the mall in about a month from that time to help set up for a Girl Scout Mall Overnight, and figured I would check then. (And I need a good perk to get me through this scout activity…the girls love it, but I don’t like the mall much on a normal day….)

I was really lucky! It turns out that this is sold at Dillard’s in a gift set containing a tea spoon, honey sticks, 35 fillable paper filters, and three chocolate teas. Chocolate Almond Allure, Caramel Sundae Escape, and Chocolate Strawberry Temptation are the teas. The retail cost of the set is $40, but it is on clearance. I scored it for $16 and some change. So, being the weakling that I am, I bought 2 sets. (I also scored three awesome LeCreuset Stoneware baking dishes at near 75% off…so incredibly thrilled about them…..almost more than the tea, if that is possible!)

This is really good! Dark chocolate notes with a touch of almond. Really worth what I paid for it, and I can’t wait to try the others! Such a happy tea day!

Usual mug method.

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 0 sec
TeaBrat

I really hate these places that have such outrageous shipping costs.

SimplyJenW

I hate spending tons of money on shipping, too. I’d rather get more tea…..

Cheryl

Temptress… but no Dillards down this way. Does make me wonder what brands other department stores carry though. Hadn’t thought of that route yet :)

TeaBrat

Our Bloomingdales in San Francisco has Kusmi tea – but only a few varieties. :)

Cheryl

Don’t think they’re close enough either (checks) …nope, they ignore all of Ohio (unlike Dillard who only ignores Columbus, boo to them), but thanks! Kusmi is one with ridiculous shipping too. Nordstrom, Saks, Macys, Penneys/Sears and hmmm oh Von Maur are choices, off top of head, but I’m the weirdo non-mall-loving female, so may be more.

SimplyJenW

I was at the Dillard’s in Strongsville. How far is that from you, Cheryl? They still had some left!

SimplyJenW

Ack, it looks like it is still a haul for you. And you are not the only ‘weirdo-non-mall-loving female’ out there. Count me in that club!

Cheryl

Oh! well, just looked it up, and looks like few hour trip. Remind me to ask you for places to stop, next time I come up by that way (71 to 271 to 90 in route to Rochester NY few times a year or so…probably in Spring next time). For now, will squash the urge but thanks for trying : ) With shopping, I tend to be so task driven, that “browsing” is foreign to me: go in, get what looking for, on to next “task”. Malls are inefficient for that way of shopping … not to mention crowds of slow moving browsers : )

Cheryl

Talbott’s site says that their teas are sold at Von Maur. Never been in there, but was on the fence about making a jaunt down to Columbus tomorrow…hmmm.

SimplyJenW

You could always call first! Van Maur has such great service. I used to shop at one in IL.

Cheryl

I’m trying to act as if it is not the tea that is prompting me to make 2 hour round trip (whispers)..but yea, great idea : )
Rain tomorrow may squash whole plan, but they aren’t going anywhere. Have to vow to find out where fragrance counter is, so I can enter from opposite side (lol). But I know better than to buy fragrance in dept store.

Oh gosh, I hijacked another of your tealogs, but thanks for being a great helper (enabler) heh.

JacquelineM

Cheryl – I’m terrified of the mall! There are a few of us out there :)

ashmanra

I am not terrified of it, I just strongly dislike going there!

TeaBrat

I hate the mall…

Dinosara

Awesome score! I’m also very jealous of your Le Creuset score as well. :D

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Comments

TeaBrat

I really hate these places that have such outrageous shipping costs.

SimplyJenW

I hate spending tons of money on shipping, too. I’d rather get more tea…..

Cheryl

Temptress… but no Dillards down this way. Does make me wonder what brands other department stores carry though. Hadn’t thought of that route yet :)

TeaBrat

Our Bloomingdales in San Francisco has Kusmi tea – but only a few varieties. :)

Cheryl

Don’t think they’re close enough either (checks) …nope, they ignore all of Ohio (unlike Dillard who only ignores Columbus, boo to them), but thanks! Kusmi is one with ridiculous shipping too. Nordstrom, Saks, Macys, Penneys/Sears and hmmm oh Von Maur are choices, off top of head, but I’m the weirdo non-mall-loving female, so may be more.

SimplyJenW

I was at the Dillard’s in Strongsville. How far is that from you, Cheryl? They still had some left!

SimplyJenW

Ack, it looks like it is still a haul for you. And you are not the only ‘weirdo-non-mall-loving female’ out there. Count me in that club!

Cheryl

Oh! well, just looked it up, and looks like few hour trip. Remind me to ask you for places to stop, next time I come up by that way (71 to 271 to 90 in route to Rochester NY few times a year or so…probably in Spring next time). For now, will squash the urge but thanks for trying : ) With shopping, I tend to be so task driven, that “browsing” is foreign to me: go in, get what looking for, on to next “task”. Malls are inefficient for that way of shopping … not to mention crowds of slow moving browsers : )

Cheryl

Talbott’s site says that their teas are sold at Von Maur. Never been in there, but was on the fence about making a jaunt down to Columbus tomorrow…hmmm.

SimplyJenW

You could always call first! Van Maur has such great service. I used to shop at one in IL.

Cheryl

I’m trying to act as if it is not the tea that is prompting me to make 2 hour round trip (whispers)..but yea, great idea : )
Rain tomorrow may squash whole plan, but they aren’t going anywhere. Have to vow to find out where fragrance counter is, so I can enter from opposite side (lol). But I know better than to buy fragrance in dept store.

Oh gosh, I hijacked another of your tealogs, but thanks for being a great helper (enabler) heh.

JacquelineM

Cheryl – I’m terrified of the mall! There are a few of us out there :)

ashmanra

I am not terrified of it, I just strongly dislike going there!

TeaBrat

I hate the mall…

Dinosara

Awesome score! I’m also very jealous of your Le Creuset score as well. :D

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Bio

My motto: Drink the good tea!

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, a few traditionally scented blacks and Earl Greys, plus a flavored tea here and there. 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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