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Trying to attack my little sample packet scientifically for a complete review for medicinal effectiveness at www.itsallabouttheleaf.com later on, but first impression is that it tastes a lot less nasty than I had braced myself for. Black pepper in a tea—that’s a new one, and on this raw day, it feels good.

Steeped this one on the really light side…minute and a half. Getting a little of the “fruity” advertised in product description. For the price (moderate), it really is a nice oolong.

Official product description references smoky highlights, which I have yet to really get, and I’m about halfway through the package.

That said, it’s very rich with lots of cocoa character. Very stick-to-your-ribbity. Having it with half and half this morning to bolster myself for some manual labor—cleaning and saying an official goodbye to Shabby House. Not much to look it, but it was our port after a storm, and I will remember it fondly. (A little piece of it came with us — the front porch rocking chair is now refinished and in our living room.)

My little packet is from The Tea Table, but I’m pretty sure it’s just a private label of the same stuff.

Heard on Dr. Oz the other day that hibiscus (my tea nemesis most days) is actually good for high blood pressure. So, based on what I expect to hear at my checkup next week, I think Hi and I need to make our peace.

So, rummaging around my bits and bites basket, I found this, and was pleasantly surprised. The hibiscus stays politely in the background and lets the other fruit bits take the credit. It’s very much like an unsugared (as opposed to painfully tart) berry cobbler.

Last sample pack. This was golden-toasty, bready, and basic this morning … a perfect accompaniment to what’s going to be a day of small celebrations: assembling furniture, putting our socks in the proper drawers, hanging curtains, making beds. I haven’t comparison-tasted other golden monkeys, but I’m thinking that this or a similar one needs to be part of my permanent menagerie.

Shared a few Thanksgiving thoughts elsewhere, but you’re welcome to take a moment and celebrate with us: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=676601907#!/notes/gg-mathis/home-with-thanksgiving/10150468282005219

I hope today you are home for Thanksgiving and home with thanksgiving.

Lots of sweet vanilla, some chamomile, barely detectible white. (But that’s the order it should be in as far as I’m concerned.) Pretty tasty for a happenstance bag that came my way this week.

Took ashmanra’s advice and backed off the steep time a little to 2:40 ish…strawberry perfection!

First, big news: last night we slept at HOME. New House, yet to be christened with an official name.

Carpets cleaned in preparation for furniture move tomorow, laundry in the machine, knees sore from kneeling and peeling out 30-year-old contact paper from kitchen cabinets, so I am sitting in my rocker and enjoying a celebratory afternoon cuppa. This tin, a much appreciated gift from ashmanra, I’ve been waiting to open until a special occasion.

So much going on and I haven’t found the timer yet, I let this first pot go a little past due. Base is bitter-ish. Even so, I am enamored with the fruit blend—there has to be a ton of strawberry—that stays in the mouth after each sip.

Now off to wash bird poop off the walls. (Former owners had parakeets.)

Light rooibos, but a clean light, not a lack-of-flavor light. Pretty good for a grocery store brand.