Bio
I’m going to try all the teas.
Then I will choose a lucky few perfect specimens, and we will live happily together in my tea cupboard.
Forever.
* *
2015
This will be a year of in-betweenness and logistics. Where to put the teas. How to arrange the teas. Which teas to replenish – which ones to say goodbye to.
Still doing Project Green.
Still doing Project Jasmine.
Still doing Project Peach.
Dr. Tea is the name, I’m ahead of my game
still, steeping my leafs, still f*ck with the temps
still not loving Assam (uh-huh)
still rock my Bosch kettle with its high-pitched shriek
still got love for the greens, repping Lupicia
still the cup steams, still doing my thang
since I left, ain’t too much changed, still
(With apologies to Mr. Young.)
2014
This year, all bets are off. I am going to drink both peppermint and chamomile and possibly suffer a little. But it’s okay – it’s for science.
I’m doing Project Jasmine, Project Peach and Project Unflavoured Green.
In terms of flavoured teas, Lupicia and Mariage Frères have become my massive favourites, and I have learned that Dammann Frères/Fauchon/Hédiard and Butiki aren’t really for me.
The O Dor, Adagio and Comptoir des thés et des épices are all on this year’s I’d like to get to know you better list.
2013
Getting back into tea drinking last fall, I was all about rooibos. This past spring has been all green tea, all the time, with some white additions over the summer. Currently attempting a slow, autumnal graduation to black teas. Oolongs are always appropriate.
The constant for me, flavour wise, is the strong presence of fruity and floral notes. Vanilla is lush, as long as it’s not artificial. Peach, berries, mango. Cornflower, rose, lavender.
No peppermint.
No chamomile.
No cinnamon.
Ever.
* *
My ratings don’t reflect the ‘What does this tea do for me?’ standard, but rather my own ‘What would I do for this tea?’ scale.
100-90
My absolute favourites. Teas I would travel for – or, in any case, pay exuberant postage for, because they simply have to be in my cupboard. Generally multi-faceted teas with complex scents and flavours. Teas with personality. Tricky teas.
89-80
Teas I wouldn’t hesitate to buy again if and when I came across them. Tea purchases I would surreptitiously weave into a travel itinerary (Oh! A Lupicia store! Here?! My word!).
79-70
Teas I enjoyed, but don’t necessarily need to make any kind of effort to buy again.
69-0
Varying degrees of disinterest and contempt.
Location
Rome, Italy
Excellent! I just placed my first order and now I’m even more excited!
Oh, was that the one where a bunch of you ordered together and they were out of Cookie?
How do you feel this compares to the melon oolong?
Here here. This one is excellent.
Or hear hear, even. Geesh.
Oh, just be honest, Morgana – you were trying to lure my melon tea over there.
Well, you definitely caught me on that one…
Pfff!
Yeah it was! But we ended up with a bunch of other exciting ones so I’m not too upset about it. :P
also…. Katiek was awesome…and she sent me a WHOLE BAG of cookie teabags… so cavo will get to try cookie after all with me :)
No, don’t be – I think it’s always best to have a good excuse to order again and again and again.
Was this one in the order, or was it the melon oolong?
kitenna and cavocorax split melon oolong.
Aww, that’s awesome! I am so, so curious about what else you got now. Totally living vicariously through other people’s Lupicia orders here, haha.