tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57730469615919174992024-03-14T00:48:28.551-07:00The Tea JournalistUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773046961591917499.post-56509060856776303022015-02-03T19:59:00.000-08:002015-02-03T20:01:37.833-08:00creativiTEA | RUM & CHAIDER<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>TEA RECIPE | RUM & CHAIDER: </b>Once upon a time a few year's back, I was visiting friends at a cute little pub in a cute little New York town<b>. </b>On the bar of that cute little pub in the cute little town was a great big slow cooker filled with spiced apple cider... which they served to us warm and wonderful with a special twist... RUM. (My favorite!) Now that is fine and wonderful and delicious and perfectly excellent on a cold night all on its own, but let's take it up a notch, shall we? For this we need another short tale... Once upon a Fall afternoon, I stumbled upon sweet and fancy little tea shop in Boston and was offered my first taste of Chai tea (something I had otherwise been avoiding due to the intensity of the flavor and my inclination toward green tea) steeped in... you guessed it... hot apple cider. So let's take these two brilliant ideas and throw them together in a cute little pink teapot and enjoy kicking back in our cozies on a cold and snowy day, now shall we?</div>
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The recipe is simple: </div>
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2-3 Cups of Spiced Cider, warmed on the stovetop</div>
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2 Teabags of Bigelow Vanilla Chai tea, steeped in the warm cider</div>
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1 Shot of Captain Morgan, because it is also spiced and delicious</div>
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Begin with the warming of the cider,</div>
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Pour it into the teapot,</div>
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Drop in the teabags,</div>
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Allow to steep,</div>
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Add in the rum and stir.</div>
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Pour it into your favorite mismatching teacups and enjoy!</div>
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<b>NOTES:</b></div>
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I highly recommend Trader Joe's Spiced Cider, but the Honey Crisp is fine. The same goes for the Bigelow Vanilla Chai, that is just my personal favorite for a Chaider recipe, but you are more than welcome to use any of your favorite chai teas. If you use a cider that is not spiced, add your own mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves... do it to your taste. I suggest using whole cinnamon sticks while heating, Obviously you can use any rum or spiced rum of your choosing, Captain is the ideal, and remember not to cook it in with the cider or it looses its... warming... qualities. ;-)</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773046961591917499.post-43154091941362165582014-02-12T12:56:00.000-08:002014-02-12T12:58:26.917-08:00TEA TASTING | CHERRY BLOSSOM<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">TEA TASTING: A MINI REVIEW</span></div>
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<b>CHERRY BLOSSOM | DAVIDsTEA | WHITE/GREEN BLEND</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14.079999923706055px; text-align: left;">white tea blended with green tea, cherries, coconut, rosebuds & flavoring</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14.079999923706055px; text-align: left;">tastes like cherry candy!</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14.079999923706055px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 14.079999923706055px; text-align: left;">||CHECK BACK FOR THE FULL REVIEW!||</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773046961591917499.post-80210647791352936892014-02-06T14:14:00.000-08:002014-02-06T18:42:18.068-08:00MINT CHOCOLATE ROOIBOS | DAVIDsTEA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">DAVIDsTEA | MINT CHOCOLATE ROOIBOS</span></b></div>
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South African rooibos, peppermint, chocolate, cocoa, natural and artificial chocolate mint flavouring.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">FROM DAVIDsTEA</span></b></div>
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"You won't want anything else for dessert when you taste this tea. Even the aroma is totally satisfying. Caffeine free."</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">MY THOUGHTS</span></b></div>
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Comparable to the aroma of Junior Mints and Hot Chocolate, this is a dainty winter tea with a flavor subtle enough to be pleasant, while also leaving you wishing it were indeed a cup of hot cocoa. In fact, I bet it would be absolutely splendid mixed with a packet of Dark Chocolate Swiss Miss, especially because rooibos is traditionally enjoyed with milk and sugar. Overall, this proves to be an excellent bedtime tea on a snowy night, especially if you feel some cold symptoms coming on. The mint lingers and the chocolate is just satisfying enough for an evening by the fire.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">THE DRY LEAVES</span></b></div>
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Minty and sweet, the chocolate smell is by far the most prominent and resembles that of a brand new open box of junior mints. The leaves are very fine, so much so that a bit falls through the mesh of the basket, and little tiny chunks of chocolate can be found dispersed throughout. The leaves are red, green, and a shiny reddish-gold color, resembling little splinters of wood.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>HEALTH BENEFITS</b></span></div>
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Rooibos (aka Red Bush) a plant with green leaves that turn red when oxidized, comes from the Western Cape Province in South Africa. It has a very distinctive smell and flavor. Rooibos is naturally caffeine-free and is believed to help with insomnia if consumed before bedtime. It is also believed that adding milk to the tea can reduce colic in babies and ease stomach cramps. Great for the skin, it contains alpha hydroxy acid and zinc as well as copper, calcium, manganese, magnesium, and potassium. Rooibos also contains flouride which helps build strong teeth and similar amounts of polyphenols to other teas which have been shown to be anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-carcinogenic. Peppermint is cooling and calming and helps with stomach issues, abdominal pain, and other symptons of IBS. Peppermint contains minerals and vitamins and can help to balance the PH levels of the skin as well as aiding with treating dandruff, burns, headaches, stress, cramps, and cold/flu symptoms. Chocolate has been found to reduce the risk of stroke in women, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and to decrease the chances of heart disease and diabetes. Studies have also shown that chocolate can reduce the activity of the nerve that causes coughing. Cocoa has the blood-thinning properties of aspirin which can help improve circulation and therefore possibly help with good vision (according to a 2011 study at the University of Reading).</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">ALLERGEN WARNING</span></b></div>
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This tea DOES, however also contain soy &amp; traces of milk, so be mindful of that.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">STEEPING TIME</span></b></div>
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DAVIDsTEA recommends steeping 1 1/2 teaspoons of dry tea per cup for 4-7 minutes in 208 ̊F water. I (of course) steeped 2 full teaspoons for 7 minutes, but that's just because I like my tea on the stronger side. The tea immediately begins to turn red and takes on a medium reddish-brown hue as the tiny bits of chocolate melt in. Due to the very fine nature of this tea's leaves, I suggest running it through your basket into a fresh cup once the infusion is complete... and even then, you are left with tiny bits at the bottom.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">BREATHE IN</span></b></div>
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The smell of peppermint hot cocoa fills the room as the hot water pours over the tea leaves and they begin to immediately infuse it. After 7 minutes of steeping, the aroma begins to subside and the smell of rooibos tea takes over to tone down the chocolate and mint. The hot cocoa smell subtly hits the back of the nose, although overall it is a balanced aroma of all ingredients.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">THE TASTE</span></b></div>
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Front and center, the mint hits you right away followed by the warm familiar taste of chocolate. The rooibos makes the flavor lighter and perhaps a bit sweeter than these two flavors would taste alone, and the peppermint stands strong, lingering afterward, as if this were simply a peppermint herbal tea. The chocolate, however, is far too subtle for my taste. This particular company adds "natural and artificial chocolate mint flavouring" which I am torn about. Taste-wise I would rather see them add more chocolate (dark chocolate particularly), but health-wise I understand their goal of keeping it caffeine-free.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">MY TEA RATING : A-</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">CROSS-POSTED ON </span><a href="http://peaceloveguacamole.com/" style="font-size: small;">PEACELOVEGUACAMOLE.COM</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773046961591917499.post-33233888357658811142014-02-05T14:10:00.000-08:002014-02-06T18:42:26.185-08:00YELLOW DRAGON | DAVIDsTEA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">DAVIDsTEA | YELLOW DRAGON</span></b></div>
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Oolong tea, lemongrass, peppermint</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">FROM DAVIDsTEA</span></b></div>
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"Oolong means "black dragon" in Chinese. When you blend oolong with the bright, fresh flavours of lemon and mint, it's a different creature altogether."</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">MY THOUGHTS</span></b></div>
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A zesty wake-up tea that is fresh and enjoyable, but not a flavor you can drink in large quantities. I mean, it's not sexy and intriguing like a chocolate-strawberry tea or even a chocolate-mint tea, but it's great to try out. Expect an invigorating flavor with a subtle aroma, so have it with breakfast, but not before bed. If you have ever used the <a href="http://www.lushusa.com/Sandstone/00862,en_US,pd.html" target="_blank">Sandstone Soap</a> from LUSH Cosmetics (one of my absolutely favorite morning shower must-haves), you will know exactly the vibe of this tea.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCEVTEkUYu_hKCLA0R4eAHKl1RJJwJbF3u79JsTU8cR809m_t0Iu6Kae4BcugbADk19PJQQESXWniuc3p1gYpUqinWZ9L9Wh0hiMMu9bBLFizDi-ukSi3TY2cDpIjPYg0CPVARjut44oKz/s1600/SJTeaJournal_DavidsTea_YellowDragon_2014Jan05_02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCEVTEkUYu_hKCLA0R4eAHKl1RJJwJbF3u79JsTU8cR809m_t0Iu6Kae4BcugbADk19PJQQESXWniuc3p1gYpUqinWZ9L9Wh0hiMMu9bBLFizDi-ukSi3TY2cDpIjPYg0CPVARjut44oKz/s1600/SJTeaJournal_DavidsTea_YellowDragon_2014Jan05_02.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">THE DRY LEAVES</span></b></div>
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The smell of the dry leaves is absolutely delightful. It would make a brilliant potpourri in your kitchen. The oolong tea leaves are curled into tiny balls, a result of the tea leaves being rolled in muslin bags after withering and oxidation. Blades of lemongrass in various sizes are scattered throughout the green mix of mint and tea leaves.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>HEALTH BENEFITS</b></span></div>
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Oolong teas provide vital antioxidants which promote healthy skin and teeth and contain important vitamins (A, B, C, E, K) and minerals such as calcium, manganese, copper, carotin, selenium, and potassium. Oolong's high caffeine content mixed with theophylline and thobromine are believed to stimulate the nervous system upon consumption and can help to improve mental functions. The folic acid content helps convert foods into energy and the alkaloids present help the body detox. Studies have also shown that drinking oolong tea decreases stress and aids in controlling diabetes.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">STEEPING TIME</span></b></div>
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DAVIDsTEA recommends steeping 1 1/2 teaspoons of dry tea per cup for 4-7 minutes in 201 ̊F water. Tea becomes a light goldenrod color that is extremely translucent. The tea is so clear that is is as if you are looking through a dark yellow light filter. If you have a glass tea pot, it's fun to watch the leaves unfurl as the tea steeps. Because oolong is a whole leaf tea (which unfurls from little twists and curls), the same leaves can be infused up to 3 or 4 times. Traditionally, oolong leaves are infused first for 10-20 seconds to prime them, emptying out the tea that has been created so that they are cleansed of tea dust, and then allowed to steep again, creating tea to consume.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">BREATHE IN</span></b></div>
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Take a deep breath in, inhaling the smooth and gentle blend of lemon, mint, and tea. The aroma is subtle and sweet with a mild bitterness that swirls through the nostrils and hits the back of the nose with a subtle blend of lemon and mint. Very delicate, nothing overwhelming.<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;">THE TASTE</span></b></div>
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The blast of lemony flavor after breathing in the faint aroma may come as a surprise. Although the lemon is prominent, the strong herbal flavor of the mint pulls in a very close second. The flavors stay close to the front of the palate with a zing around the sides of the tongue to the back of the throat as you swallow and exhale through the nose. A blast of flavor with a superficial taste and delicate lingering after taste. It is undoubtedly a fresh-morning-shower wake-up tea. Yellow Dragon is also very refreshing as a cold or iced tea, so keep that in mind.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">MY TEA RATING : B+</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">CROSS-POSTED ON </span><a href="http://peaceloveguacamole.com/" style="font-size: small;">PEACELOVEGUACAMOLE.COM</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773046961591917499.post-27458792008334073342014-02-04T13:52:00.000-08:002014-02-06T18:42:33.809-08:00LOVE TEA #7 | DAVIDsTEA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63mwUTV8fZpimPSTI0J4mx1ElOruJg-owacQLlPz6Z2cJ5uDFghzLg5a26iM_O6u90lAZAmgUbcINWehL5DXauzdSKv_xOkGO6xGxMGbtQAVbgu6-nE4-3Am0U09BOH8uEY5edAtuhaWK/s1600/SJTeaJournal_DavidsTea_LoveTeaNo7_2014Jan04_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63mwUTV8fZpimPSTI0J4mx1ElOruJg-owacQLlPz6Z2cJ5uDFghzLg5a26iM_O6u90lAZAmgUbcINWehL5DXauzdSKv_xOkGO6xGxMGbtQAVbgu6-nE4-3Am0U09BOH8uEY5edAtuhaWK/s1600/SJTeaJournal_DavidsTea_LoveTeaNo7_2014Jan04_01.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">DAVIDsTEA | LOVE TEA #7</span></b></div>
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Chinese Black Tea with Dark Chocolate, Strawberries, Red Rose Petals, & Flavorings<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">FROM DAVIDsTEA</span></b></div>
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"Want to be lucky in love? Try this sultry blend of black tea, chocolate, strawberries, and rose petals - seriously, it's a foolproof aphrodisiac."</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">MY THOUGHTS</span></b></div>
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A chocolate delight with the gentle sweetness of strawberries and a pleasantly sexy aroma that warms you up from the inside out, especially on an icy winter afternoon.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">THE DRY LEAVES</span></b></div>
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When you open the bag, the smell of sweet chocolate and subtle rose immediately triggers your senses. It is pleasant to inhale, smooth and sultry with a hint of bitter and naughty from the dark chocolate mixed in. Chunks of strawberry and scattered rose petals are visible between dark chocolate chips and the rich, deep brown of the black tea, offering a different experience with every cup depending on how much of each end up in your teaspoon.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">STEEPING TIME</span></b></div>
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DAVIDsTEA recommends steeping 1 1/2 teaspoons of dry tea per cup for 4-6 minutes in 208 ̊F water. I like a little stronger flavor, so I steeped 2 teaspoons for around 6 minutes. Tea becomes a light amber color similar to a very light roast coffee, translucent, and rather lovely.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">BREATHE IN</span></b></div>
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The blend of fragrances is seamless and gentle. As you inhale, the black tea hits your nose first (a traditional tea smell) followed by the sweetness of the fruit at the center of the nostrils which moves outward with faint yet noticeable floral smell of rose petals and finishes off at the back of the nose with the smell of warm, sultry chocolate. It almost smells like a strawberry creme filled chocolate... which is perfect for this time of year. A great Valentine find!<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;">THE TASTE</span></b></div>
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The initial sweetness of the strawberries hits the front of the tongue at first sip as the warm, satisfying taste of chocolate lingers in the back. If you breathe out through the nose, constricting your throat for Ujjayi Breath as (though you are going to fog up a mirror but with your mouth closed) you can taste the flowers as their aroma swirls through your sinuses. Very beautiful indeed.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">TEA RATING : A</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">CROSS-POSTED ON <a href="http://peaceloveguacamole.com/">PEACELOVEGUACAMOLE.COM</a></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773046961591917499.post-87009784539640815802012-04-20T17:45:00.000-07:002014-02-06T18:13:59.526-08:00THE FRIDAY 5 - TEAS I LOVE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>TOP 5 LOOSE LEAF TEAS -</b> After having traveled far and near for thirteen months in search of the most healthy, flavorful, and original handmade tea combinations, I have collected my fair share of fantastic teas. Based on the ones that I find myself craving and enjoying on a regular basis, I have managed to narrow down a list of five teas to recommend to you today. Ranging from green to black and rooibos as well, I am quite confident that you will enjoy at least one (if not all!) of the teas on this list.<br />
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My journey from a two-pot a day coffee drinker to a seasoned tea taster (pinky up!) has been an interesting one to say the least for my body, mind, and taste palate... and I hope that as you begin (or continue) yours, that you will be blessed with equally sensational TEAdventures! So now, my friends... I shall offer you a tasting!<br />
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<b>#1: "VANILLA GREEN #169" from TEALUXE: </b>Discovered last fall in Boston and brought home like precious cargo in a 500gram tin (filled, of course) this Chinese Green Tea tastes a bit like funfetti cupcake batter... in the best way possible. Recommended by a member of the wonderful Tealuxe Harvard Square staff, this tea lasted me two hours, three steepings, and ended up coming with me to yoga in a to-go cup. I typically brew this tea for parties because it is widely adored and is very versatile... the flavor is still amazing no matter the amount of water you use or times you steep it! This tea is my absolute fave! (<a href="http://www.tealuxe.com/component/page,shop.product_details/flypage,tealuxe-flypage.tpl/product_id,680/category_id,4/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,1/vmcchk,1/" target="_blank">TRY IT!</a>)<br />
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<b>#2: "ENERGITEA" from ALICE'S TEACUP</b>This is one of the very first specialTEAs that I tried when I was transitioning from teabags to regular loose leaf tea. This colorful explosion of energy is loaded with green tea, rooibos, ginseng, linden blossoms, and orange awesomeness. If you are lucky enough to be in NYC and happen to be craving afternoon tea, you can visit any one of the three chapters of Alice's Teacup and order yourself a 3-cup pot of happiness. This tea is great hot and iced and perfect for all times of the year and all sorts of personality types... so it's great for those just beginning to experiment.<b> </b>(<a href="http://www.alicesteacupgifts.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=70&idcategory=5" target="_blank">TRY IT!</a>)<b><br /></b><br />
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<b>#3: "TRAFALGAR SQUARE" from ALICE'S TEACUP</b><br />
They're not kidding when they say that it tastes like Peppermint Patties! This glorious tea is a mix of rich vanilla black tea and peppermint that proves to be a lighter and healthier contender to a Peppermint Mocha... which (by the way) was the one coffee I was most terrified to have to give up! Thank goodness this tea saved the day... time and time again. Add a bit of soymilk for the PERFECT touch! (<a href="http://www.alicesteacupgifts.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=14&idcategory=5" target="_blank">TRY IT!</a>)<br />
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<b>#4: "GEORGIA PEACH" from INSANITEA</b><br />
If you are a fan of peach gummy rings, you will find yourself in love with this tea... which you can enjoy in excess without the guilt of ruining your teeth and your figure with all that gummy sugar. The secret of this southern-style rooibos tea filled with sweet peach notes is the complimenting flavors of blackberry leaves and calendula petals. Drink hot or iced, alone or as an Arnold Palmer... this tea will not disappoint. Do you know what is most exciting? The deliciously low price point... so there's no excuses! (<a href="http://www.insaniteallc.com/#%21products/vstc4=rooibos/vstc1=bulk-teas" target="_blank">TRY IT!</a>)<br />
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<b>#5: "GYOKURO IMPERIAL GREEN TEA" from TEAVANA</b><br />
This is "that tea" that every... zealous... Teavana employee will pull down from its pedestal and waft the health-benefiting aroma of these crisp little Japanese tea leaves in your face. It's the one that they will insist you've never tried before... but I'll bet you have... ground up into a powder called Matcha. If you've had a Green Tea Frapp or a simple serving of Matcha Tea, you know exactly what this tea tastes like. The leaves are dark green because they are shaded just prior to harvesting which allows them to retain chlorophyll to enhance taste and increase nutrients... and lucky for the investor in this $20/2oz product, it can be steeped approximately three times before losing its taste. It's worth the investment, even if you (like me) get suckered into buying the tin to "keep it fresh." Served best hot, but can be iced or added to ice water to enhance the taste. (<a href="http://www.teavana.com/the-teas/green-teas/p/gyokuro-imperial-green-tea" target="_blank">TRY IT!</a>)<br />
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<b>NOW TELL ME YOUR FAVORITES!</b><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773046961591917499.post-53014972325436097502012-03-19T18:54:00.000-07:002014-02-06T18:56:59.645-08:00TEADVENTURES | WYSTONE'S WORLD TEAS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>TEADVENTURES | COLORADO | WYSTONE'S WORLD TEAS</b></div>
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<b>WELCOME, HAVE SOME TEA</b><br />
Your tea experiences begins the moment you arrive. Outside, a thermos of tea awaits, luring in passersby with warm herbal deliciousness on such a chilly early afternoon. I was already intending on stopping in, but that tea out front was dash cunning and mighty persuasive. Upon entering, you are offered a table and are presented the teas of the day on a crisp, white dish. They look and smell amazing and serve as a comforting jumping off point for the indecisive tea drinker. Although they were tempting, I was too excited by the two-sided tea menu jam-packed with antioxidant goodness in my hands to settle for an initial recommendation. After a good five or six minutes, I had my list down to only a handful of choices which Scott and I discussed and narrowed down to two... <i>Melon Berry Sencha Green Tea</i> and <i>Yoga Ayurvedic Health & Fitness Tea</i>.<br />
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<b>CLEVER CONTRAPTIONS</b><br />
Out came the tea with two color-coded timers... Pink/Herbal, Green/Green. I must say that I found these a particularly nice touch on their part. The clear pots of tea were enormous and filled with loose leaves and spices floating away as they steeped into tea bliss. The pots were fashioned with little clamps on the bottom that fit directly over the clear teacups that were provided and would release the tea into the teacups once locked into place. A clever contraption if I do say so myself! This allowed for the hot water to run one last time through the tea at the bottom of the pots and offered a spill-free carefully filled cup of fresh tea every time. Again, I am MOST impressed.<br />
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<b>TEA JOURNAL!</b><br />
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<li><u><b>Melon Berry Sencha</b></u><b> </b>(Green) - <b> </b>a mixture of green tea, honey melon, and raspberry with a light fruity smell. The melon taste is prominent with raspberry undertones whose flavor can be best brought out by a bit of agave.</li>
<li><b><u>Yoga</u> </b>(herbal) - listed under the category of <i>"Ayurvedic Health & Fitness Teas" </i>this herbal tea smells like apple cinnamon and is composed of a mixture of clove, cinnamon, and sage. Surprisingly the cinnamon is not overpowering, but instead offers a spicy "holiday" feel to the taste. All the spices are well blended and none outshine the rest on the palate.</li>
<li><u><b>Wise Soy Matcha Latte</b></u> - warm, frothy, and good for the body... but toward the end of the cup the tea leaves became a bit of a nuisance because they were not finely ground into the powder that I had originally anticipated. Overall the taste was VERY organic, natural, and "leafy green."</li>
<li><b><u>ABSURDITEA! MELON BERRY YOGA</u> </b>(my personal blend) - unintentionally, I created another "ABSURDITEA!" blend by not paying attention to which pot of tea I was pouring into my already somewhat filled glass. Much to my surprise (and delight!) the ratio of 95% Melon Berry Sencha to %5 Yoga Tea turned out to be a mildly fruity spiced cup of deliciousness.</li>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773046961591917499.post-83748781160837144682011-12-06T18:20:00.000-08:002014-02-06T18:43:52.337-08:00absurdiTEA | MY BLEND | ROLLING WAVE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>TEA JOURNAL - </b>Several months back, I was given a bag of loose Jasmine Pearl Green tea from Ten Ren. It was subtle and elegant with a quality of lightness that pleased the senses. No wonder it had that effect, considering the correspondence of jasmine and third eye stimulation.<br />
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I have recently purchased a few ounces of Citrus Lavender Sage, a new herbal tea from Teavana which was previously sold as a blend with Oolong with much success, but was recommended to be blended with Jasmine tea. Excitedly, I took this cue and brought it home to mix and match with my preexisting tea collection. The Jasmine Pearl Green from Ten Ren was naturally my first choice.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Close your eyes and picture the ocean for a moment. It is late afternoon on a clear summer's day and the sun has nearly set into the horizon. The sky is still glowing and the waves are gently rolling, crashing softly on to the beach with frothy foam, dampening the sand, and drawing backward in perfect rhythm. You are standing there, with bare toes wiggling in the moist sand, feeling the warm, gentle waves roll over your feet, linger briefly, and gently slip away back to the ocean as a soft breeze cools the moisture left on your feet and shins. Close your eyes and imagine the waves rolling over your feet and feel the peace and calm that comes with this soothing process. Beautiful, isn't it? Are you smiling?<br />
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The effect of blending the Citrus Lavender Sage with the Jasmine Pearl Green creates a rolling wave of comfort and calm for the senses. Upon first sip, the gentle rolling wave of citrus and sweet fruits surrounds the taste buds, igniting them with pleasurable warmth. No wonder this is the initial effect since sweet fruits trigger the sexual and creativity center of the Sacral Chakra. The corners of the lips begin to smile as the wave of sweetness subsides and leaves the taste buds with an herbal, cooling sensation. The aroma and flavors of jasmine, sage, and lavender blend nicely into a cool aftertaste much like a breeze blowing over the damp sand of the ocean when the waves return to the sea. Each sip brings back the next gentle, foaming wave, gently rolling over the taste buds and bringing back the warm sensation of summer bliss.<br />
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For years now, I have found resolution and solace with my toes in the sand as the waves roll over them and surround my ankles and shins. I find it to be grounding and soothing, comforting and safe. Savoring sip after sip of this blend has given me the same warming hug that the warm summer ocean often does and as I close my eyes and enjoy, I can find myself there no matter where my physical body is. Perhaps what I am feeling is the spiritual effects of the teas' components as they open and activate my energy centers. Sage and Green Tea work in harmony to stimulate the Heart Chakra which is the center for healing emotional hurts. The Throat Chakra is stimulated by the herbal tea which gives the body a sensation of safety and pure honesty. As you breathe out through the nose gently after each sip, constrict the throat slightly with the "hahhhm" sound of the exhale using <a href="http://www.ehow.co.uk/video_7402147_correct-yoga-breathing.html" target="_blank">Ugia Breath</a>. The combination of lavender and jasmine help to awaken the third eye sense of the Brow Chakra which is the center for spiritual truth. Overall, I give the combination of these teas an excellent review.<br />
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Learn more:<br />
Chakras: <a href="http://www.chakraenergy.com/seven.html" target="_blank">Chakra Energy</a>, <a href="http://www.bliss.com/articles/detail/feeding_the_chakras/" target="_blank">Feeding the Chakras</a><br />
Teas: <a href="http://www.tenren.com/" target="_blank">Ten Ren Tea</a>, <a href="http://www.teavana.com/" target="_blank">Teavana</a>, <a href="http://www.chow.com/food-news/54760/how-to-steep-tea-with-david-wong/" target="_blank">Steeping Tea</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0