Random Steepings

Holy. Moly.

I pulled out a sample of 1980’s heicha that I got as a special surprise in my last order from O5 Tea. Somehow I missed this one when I was trying the other samples they sent a few months back. They don’t sell this online and it may not be for sale at all, but maaaaannn… it’s super.

The wet leaves smell like candy, almost a little violetish, but with some warmer caramely notes also. Really intriguing.

The dry leaf looks a bit like the fungus teas I love so much, but I did not see any golden flowers. The brewed tea smells like something I know, but can’t quite place. And the taste… really unique. I’m having a really hard time describing the flavors, so I’ll just go with: yum, noms, eeeeee! and happy of happiness. I wish I could get more of this one!

I mixed Zhena’s Chocolate Chai and Republic of Tea’s Good Hope Vanilla and drank it iced.

These are two high-quality rooibos teas that mix quite well together. It tasted like earthy- spicy dessert. I would do it again, except that I like the vanilla rooibos better by itself.

I don’t bother logging under random steepings very often but this is for my bad memory:

Stovetop chai last night, best one yet. Heated milk with two scoops assam, 3 pieces broken cinnamon stick, 4 or 5 green cardamom, 5 or 6 cloves and some all spice. Everything crushed a bit with the mortar and pestle. Steeped away, added 2 spoons raspberry honey, a bit extra tea, some water, some ground ginger and ground cinnamon. Stir, stir, stir. Cook, cook, cook. In the end, really good. The cinnamon powder seemed to really make the difference. I wonder if my cinnamon sticks are the rip-off kind. They’re from bulk barn…so probably yes. Anyway, delish!

Sipdown! (4 | 4)

So I have a swap sample labeled “Spearmint Lavender – Best Living Brands” and I can’t seem to find this brand or tea anywhere on the Interwebs, so I’m just going to put my note here rather than creating a new tea entry.

I admit, I’m a bit apprehensive about trying this one because, as we all know by now, lavender isn’t my thing. However, the spearmint smell upon opening the pouch was wonderful, so mixed feelings ha ha.

It’s quite good. The spearmint definitely dominates the flavor, luckily for me. It’s sweet and bright and refreshing but somehow avoids tasting like chewing gum. The lavender is just there as an accent, adding a very light, slightly savory citrusy floral note. It does give it more of a sleepytime sort of vibe.

Overall, very enjoyable. Maybe I’ll have to try out some lavender blends when I eventually order some herbal tisanes from Harts of America…

This was in my surprise birthday package from The Cookie Lady. She told me she couldn’t remember what it was. And now that I’ve tasted it I think it’s a jasmine tea!
Least that’s what it tastes like to me. Not bad at all!
Plus!
The leaves are rolled up into little pearls, which I really love! They’re so unique and pretty! Thank you for the generous sample, The Cookie Lady! You’re fantastic! (:

http://instagram.com/p/uhdMx6KHPV/?modal=true

In addition to the indian white, I also got a Chinese black, a Kukicha, and a matcha covered Genmaicha. The Chinese black, labeled only as such, is smoky, woodsy, and floral. I expect it might be a Keemun. Nevertheless, it reminds me of spring in the Olympic mountains. Wild flowers abundant, evergreens standing crisply in the chilly air, perhaps near a campfire. Lovely tea so long as I am careful not to steep it. The Kukicha tastes like a warm chocolate chip cookie without the chocolate, and it can take some steeping abuse. A wonderful tea, as well.

I threw my Yunnan Dian Hong Golden Tips (Teavivre) and North Winds (Whispering Pines) leaves together for a second steeping, and made it into a delicious latte. Yum yum!

Early this week I went to the local tea room while I was waiting for the used book store to look through books I was wanting to sell (for more tea, of course.)

So I went to this place called Hidden Peak Tea Room. I really like the atmosphere there. Nice teaware, art, and some pretty background music. They were out of the Keemun tea I wanted to try, so I got a Yunnan Gold instead.

Hidden Peak Tea- Yunnan Gold

scent- malty, sweet, hints of citrus
flavour- malt, honey, smooth (there were some mild notes of yams as it cooled)

It was a nice place to visit, and I got some gaiwan brewing practice.

One of my grandmothers, my dad’s mom, passed away last week. Last night we had a visitation and this morning was the funeral.

Today I drank several teas; YS Assamica gold needle black, YS Fou Shou Wuyi oolong, and YS Shan Hou sheng.

I will miss my grandma greatly, and funerals are of course no fun (I would like a very casual/non-traditional funeral when I pass) but it was great to see the many family members and family friends that I normally only see at Christmas or not at all.

We had a gathering after the funeral at my dad’s house and enjoyed some of my grandma’s favorite foods and drinks; Cuban sandwiches, wine, Millano cookies, and brandy Alexanders. It was a great time reminiscing and reconnecting.

I brewed some dian hong and shared it with a few people, all of whom enjoyed it. One said “It’s kind of like Earl Grey… but better!”

It was all quite nice until everyone had left but my uncle, cousin, and grandpa (who lives with my uncle in Texas). My dad and uncle went to see my grandparents nearby house which is for sale. When the came back the were screaming at each other with wide variety of expletives. My dad and uncle have had a rocky relationship for a long time, and both were slightly drunk, but things broke down to a shouting match and my dad told my uncle never to set foot in his house again.

It was gut wrenching and really hard to watch after my grandma’s funeral. Me and my younger cousin could do nothing but stand by and watch. My dad was crying and grandpa tried to console him. All in all a beautiful day ruined.

I turned to wine until I found myself a bit tipsy and then went for some strong young sheng. I think I’ll cook dinner tonight and try to console my dad.

This purely a personal note, so feel free to skip it

I had a mental meltdown today. So were really tight on money, and my financial aid is messed up, and I just found out that the tax forms that I need to fix it can’t be retrived electronically, and instead have to be shipped to my mom. So since I can’t even accept the loans I need to pay for the rest of my tuition until that’s straightened out, I can’t afford my classes.

Then, the cable and internet was out all day, and 75% of my classes are online, and classes started this week, but I couldn’t even look to see if I had any assignments.

Then, my car battery died, and I lost it. I waited until my boyfriend left for work, and then I broke down. Unless I’m alone watching a sappy scene in a show/movie, or reading a sad part of a book, I don’t really cry.

I called my dad, because he’s the one who fixes my car when it breaks usually. Since my boyfriend has work all night and works both jobs tomorrow, he came out to help me get the battery out and take it to get charged. Gets to my place, turns out that when I replaced my battery last time, I didn’t didn’t tighten the connectors all the way. He tightens it properly, the car starts no problem.

At this time it’s dinner time, and he suggests we go to this Thai place right next door that I’ve been dying to go too since I moved here. Over dinner, he tells me he’ll give me the money I need for tuition, so I don’t have to quit school.

And I got a Thai iced tea, which I’ve never had, and it was sweet and creamy, and vanilla and delicious.

And then when I got home, my internet was back on. So after such a hard day, I feel much better knowing that a lot of my problems have been handled. (: