Thanks to Janet for this sample tea still in the testing stage!
Just because I Love Tea doesn’t mean that I ‘hate coffee’!
Coffee was my first love, and occasionally I’ll request a Vietnamese coffee (with sweetened condensed milk) at Happy Lucky’s Tea House. They make it with Chicory Coffee from New Orleans, Community Coffee. It’s so rich that it’s like having a thick, coffee flavored truffle!
I was surprised to see this blend coming from tea lover Janet, but then remembered her location in Northern California where coffee tradition runs deep. Bridging the tea/coffee world is smart.
Chicory as an ingredient is potent. A third the amount of chicory to coffee for brewing is the rule or the result would be too bitter for drinking. The amount used in this blend is perfect and forms a base for the puerh, black tea and espresso.
The use of cocoa nibs didn’t make the blend chocolate flavored but added maltiness and the maple syrup didn’t add maple flavor but added enough sweetness for those wanting to drink the blend with just added milk or straight up.
It’s the allspice that transforms the coffee-tea drink into something different.
Chicory and puerh can be a bit spicy or tangy on their own which would have gone unnoticed except for the addition of allspice.
The allspice whispered chai. I kept going back, refilling my cup and wanting more.
I’m not sure if the name should be changed to Spiced Cuppa Coffee or Exotic or something else…or if the spice isn’t intended is it necessary (even though I liked the allspice quite a bit).
Naturally flavored Puerh blends that Janet has been creating are fun and this is another one that I’ll give a thumbs up!
Just got an invite from Preston and Sam for free pot of tea and a cookie so I’m off…
New blog entry… www.teaandincense.com
BTW for anyone who hears the news about Colorado right now. The rains are still here and there are places we can’t go like the one freeway North to South. Can’t go the 14 miles to church (Loveland) or to my daughter’s across the Poudre river or North or South of town or into the hills of course. I can make it to the tea house. Internet, Phone is down in places (like my daughter’s house). I live at the foot of a dam but it’s 7 miles long and won’t overflow. In some area’s about 30 miles (Loveland) away this is called a 500-1000 year storm. Friends are stranded but this will pass. Everyone is fine really and the sun will shine next week. Have to get past the rain this weekend and to the communities where the roads were distroyed in the mountains higher up like Estes Park. Thanks for all the lovely notes!
I was worried it would be flooding here in WY too. It’s been just raining everyday the past week! craziness. Glad to hear that you and your family are well.
We hope you’re OK!
- http://denver.cbslocal.com/2013/09/13/flooding-issues-hit-fort-collins-csu-shuts-down/
- http://www.greeleytribune.com/news/crime/8130034-113/street-greeley-county-update
- http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/nation/2013/09/14/rescues-accelerate-floodwater-inundates-colo/6wMvyNTm5lxrA2yYvsahyN/story.html
Stay safe, hon.