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Since reading that the lyrics in Leonard Cohen’s Suzanne referred to Constant Comment tea (And she feeds you tea and oranges/That come all the way from China), I’ve had a swoony romantic weakness for Orange Spice teas. This one is my current favorite. A clear true orange taste, a creaminess, and a complex spice (must be the pepper!).
Preparation
I made some chocolate chip/pecan/walnut/coconut blondies for a coworker’s birthday, and saved 2 at home for our dessert tonight. Gotta bring out the French Breakfast for this! Very yummy pairing. That slight smokiness and touch of vanilla works with all sweets! I also have a test tomorrow, so the black tea will help keep me up to study :)
I made a cheesecake today for tomorrow evening’s dessert for company.I had just enough batter from the cheesecake left over to put in two little ramekins and bake for our dessert tonight :) This calls for French Breakfast!!! A delicious pairing. That soft smoky flavor goes so well. My husband grabbed for the tea and commented on how good it was even before digging into dessert, which really says something!
Preparation
I baked brownies for my coworkers birthday and set aside two for my husband and I. I’ve been waiting for this moment all day -brownies and French Breakfast after a long, hard week’s work. This tea is so reliably delicious with dessert – I don’t even think about any other one to serve. That little bit of smoky vanilla gets me every time.
Preparation
…also excellent with brownies (and speaking of excellent, and brownies – Mark Bittman’s brownie recipe is divine! http://bitten.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/22/recipe-of-the-day-brownies/
This tea can do no wrong paired with any kind of sweet! The smoky vanilla suits so well. I want to talk to my tea shop and tell them they should change the name from French Breakfast to French Dessert!!!
Preparation
Remember how I had that idea about pairing cannoli with this tea? Well I tested it tonight to make sure it would be good for the company I’m having Sunday, and…yeah…it’s a pretty fantastic combination! The hint of vanilla and smoke in this tea goes well with the slightly sweet ricotta cream and crunchy shell. I hope I can convince my guest to break out of the coffee-after-dinner-mold and try some tea with their dessert – I’ll let you all know how it goes!
Preparation
Sounds great! Do you make your own cannoli?
We have this wonderful place in our neighborhood that makes them. It’s a husband and wife and they make them in this teeny shop that is only open 2 days a week. It’s such a gem!!! My guests went crazy over them (but they wanted coffee!!!)!
My husband had a really stressful day at work, so I picked up some chocolate chip cookies and white chocolate macadamia cookies on my way to the train. I made this tea to go with them. The smoky, subtle vanilla went really well with the cookies. I can see this tea standing up to all kinds of desserts and pastries! I’m having some guests for dinner on Sunday – I’ll see if I can talk them out of having coffee with the cannoli I’m serving for dessert, and recommend this instead!
Preparation
Mmmmmm. This tea was so delicious last night – even my husband commented how wonderful it tasted. We both noticed a hint of smoke – that could just be the vanilla bean – but it was very nice.
Delicious! The vanilla is very subtle but true – not that fakey cakey vanilla but a vanilla bean taste. Excellent by itself, but holds up to being paired with dessert. I had it last night with some toasted coconut shortbread that I baked, and it was a marriage made in heaven!
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Gotta lower this rating a little. It’s a solid Assam, but it pales in comparison to many of the Assams I’ve tasted in the last two months from Upton and Harney and Sons. Noticeable astringency…not particularly malty or full bodied in comparison. Once I finish this bag, I won’t repurchase. I used to think I would always have this one around!
Preparation
The second day of making tea at work and I already forgot my strainer at home! Mind like a sieve (HA!!!) Don’t worry – necessiTEA is the mother of invention! I got a coworker’s coffee filter, put my loose tea in there, twisted it, and clipped it with a teeny clippy thing (which I washed first!!!). Worked like a charm! By the end of the week I should have my proper paper filters and clips in from Upton, but until then I will use this method.
Today’s tea is very delicious! I am tasting TONS of honey. Lovely, lovely, lovely!
(Can you tell I’m thrilled with my at-work setup?)
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We had a cookie swap at work, so I had to choose a tea that went well with myriad flavors of cookies! I wanted something strong and flavorful, but not a superstar (the cookies were the star of the show!). I chose this workhorse of a tea. It fit the bill perfectly. I will always have it on hand for those occasions that you simply want a good cup of tea.
I shaved 30 seconds off of my previous brewing time, and oooh! the tea came to life! I like it much better now :) It’s strong but not bitter and I even tasted some almost fruity notes. Sadly, I also managed to break another of my favorite mugs after drinking this (I had 4, now I have ONE!). I am a devastating combination of a lover of pretty, delicate things and a butterfingers.
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I like to think a broken cup is good luck (we get to put our own spin on it right?). Out with the old, in with the new, something is a-changin’ for the better. New energy coming your way, an opportunity to appreciate what is not broken in your life right at this moment, and possible insights as to whether what is broken in your life is worth mending, or not worth keeping anymore if it is no longer serving your highest good. Ok…too many deep thoughts first thing in the morning and I haven’t even finished my first cup of black tea yet!!! :)
I like the sound of that :) Thank you!!!!
This used to be my favorite assam, but now that I’ve done some tasting around…I taste some bitterness, astringency and flatness that I didn’t notice before. SOMEbody is getting spoiled ;) I’m going to try to take maybe 30 seconds off the brewing time to see if it livens it up a bit.
Preparation
This rooibos is my new secret weapon for converting avowed coffee drinkers. The flavor is naturally sweet and the actual pumpkin pieces add color and interest. However, it is not overly sweet as some dessert teas can be.
For beginners, Pumpkin Cream is ideal and silences all types of objections (i.e. caffeine-free, antioxidants, suitable for children, etc.). On top of that, it’s DELICIOUS. So, I’ll plan to keep plenty stocked.
Preparation
Lavender Lemon Chiffon’s taste is just as delicious as its aroma: a full, mellow rooibos with calming lavender and lemon myrtle. This caffeine-free, naturally sweet tisane requires no milk or sugar. Served hot and received rave reviews from non-tea drinkers (yes, they will be converted soon).
“Chiffon” accurately describes the mouth-feel because this tisane is a light, refreshing yet satisfying brew.
Preparation
In the throes of paper writing. Oh my poor pea brain! I needed something heartening this afternoon, and this one really did the trick. Sweet, but not too. Invigorating, but in a mellow way – no jumpiness. Comforting with a little milk and sugar. Thank you, dear Coconut!
We got Mediterranean take out for dinner last night, and we saved the baklava for our evening tea. I wasn’t sure what to pair with it, but Organic Black with Coconut came to mind. It’s certainly not traditional, but I had an inkling it would be good.
Mmmm – the meaty coconut and medium bodied went so well with the flaky phyllo and nutty sweet. I highly recommend this unusual pairing! I don’t drink this tea as much as I used to, but when I do, I enjoy it so. Last January, I bought a big 8oz bag, and I am now on my last teaspoons of leaves! Looks like I’ll be tromping through the snow for another refill!
Preparation
Sooooooo good. Perfect snowy (14 inches expected!) afternoon tea – the creamy coconut is a reminder that warm days will come again. I’ve really been enjoying my afternoon tea breaks! Being at home where there is milk and sugar has been really lovely, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to drink these yummy decadent teas that I usually only have on the weekends.
I’m also thrilled that I can taste again! I’d say I’m about 75% better! Yay!
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We seldom get snow but we have about four or five inches now and it is still falling! We built a snowman and he is wearing LED lights! So glad you are starting to feel better.
Oh, and I have worn my special scarf all afternoon and still am even now! My neck is nice and warm. Thank you! :)
Hooray for feeling better!
ashmanra – Awwww, snowman! My “fun in the snow” consisted in sharing the shoveling out duties with my husband – i.e. not very fun! We are also experiencing 50 mph winds which makes shoveling a sisyphean task – as soon as you shovel, the wind blows more snow in the path!!! We did the best we could! Next time I am going to make sure I have cash on hand to pay a teenager to do it!! :) I’m glad the special scarf is keeping you toasty :) I wore two hats to shovel and I was a real sight!
Gosh, that’s a lot of snow!
I was officially done with winter at 6:00 a.m. on December 26. C’mon, spring!
Dear Organic Black with Coconut,
I am writing to offer my apologies. The last time I drank you, I said that I thought I might be getting over you, and that I was moving on. Oh my dear coconut, I was so very wrong. When I am in the mood for a dessert tea, you do for me what no other sweetie can do! You are toasty, verging on savory, with a wonderfully perfect body: not too heavy, not too light! I am so, so, so, very sorry and I hope I did not hurt your feelings. You will always have a permanent place in my cupboard (and heart!).
Love, JacquelineM
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We took a looooong drive and hike today, which was really enjoyable BUT the entire time I was saying in the back of my mind “OH I wish I had a cup of tea!” We packed a lovely picnic but I don’t have a travel container that keeps tea hot! (I have one for cold that I used to make iced tea for trips all summer but it was too chilly for that today). I really need to get a JoeMo. ANYWAY – the minute I came home I made a pot of this. It was good, but..could it be that I am kinda, sorta over this tea? What used to be my most favorite?!?! I kept on thinking “I wish I was drinking Queen Catherine! Or Emperor’s Red! Or Golden Monkey!” I actually think that when I am done what I have, I might not replace it! WOW! My tastes have really changed!
P.S. If you like Pretty Fall Colors here are a few photos from my hike!
Thumbs up on Leonard Cohen. I’m so glad I’ve learned to love his music in recent years. And a bit sad that I didn’t sooner. Maybe I just had to have a certain age, idk. I’ll go listen to that song now. :)
I was lucky enough to see him this May! I wanted tickets soooo badly but they were too expensive. The day of the show, my friend called me and said that our friend’s boss couldn’t make the show, and she had his two tickets, and would I like to go for free?! It was MAGIC! The show was incredible – it surpassed my expectations, and that’s saying something!!
I saw him in Copenhagen in autumn last year. I’d just bought the cheapest ticket, but I knew that it was likely my only chance ever to see him live, so I travelled to Copenhagen (and I’m afraid of travelling! Even such a short distance, 3 hours or so by train) for a seat on the third row from the back or something like that. It was SO worth a weekend of occassional minor panic attacks. So fantastic. Nothing in the world can top Hallelujah performed live. Even listening to it now from a record, it’s not the same anymore. That made a huge impression on me and it nearly made me cry while he was singing it. It wasn’t until the concert was over and I was walking back to the hotel that I realised that OMG he’s just a little old man! He’s (a couple of years) older than my grandfather! Where did all that life come from??? O.o
It was fantastic.
Yes, I was on the verge of tears (when I wasn’t cracking up with laughter!!! He’s funny too!!!!). You described the feelings of the concert really well :) There is a crack in everything/That’s how the light gets in :) :) :)
One of the first teas I ever remember drinking was Constant Comment. I still have to confess it’s a guilty pleasure, and I do definitely try to find something a bit better but still the same idea whenever I have the chance. Definitely going to give this a try. :)
JacquelineM, he probably didn’t change his set list much. Did you get the long winded joke about the meaning of life at the end of Tower of Love? Da doo dum dum dum da doo dum dum. LOL! I thought he was going to deliver something really profound! :D I love that he let his backup girls sing a couple of songs on their own too. If It Be Your Will has also never been the same since.
If you order from Premium Steap, also try the Organic Black with Coconut – it’s one of my favorites and I’ve never had anything quite like it!
Angrboda – yes! Did you get backup singer cartwheels too? :) Did you see the Leonard Cohen tribute film I’m Your Man? I loved how Antony did If It Be Your Will.
@JacquelineM: Ooh! I just read about it and it definitely sounds like something I’d like. Am Thai and have a biological need for coconut. Also curry, but curry tea would be worrying. ;) It’s on my shopping list now, thanks for the rec!
JacquelineM, yes, we did! I didn’t know about that film, I’ll definitely have to see if I can get my hands on it. If I’m lucky my local library has it. A couple of years ago a bunch of danish artists did an album with some of his songs translated into danish and re-interpreted. I did a comparison of Everybody Knows (which got some decent air time on the radio) in both languages and they’ve actually managed to stay pretty close to the original material. I was reminded about it just now that we’re talking about him. I’ll have to get my hands on that too sometime.
Have either of you heard Concrete Blonde’s cover of “Everybody Knows”? It’s much different from the original, but it’s still really great. :)
Angrboda-that’s really cool about the danish versions :) I think they released the sountrack from I’m Your Man too – maybe that’s easier to get ahold of. Antony, Nick Cave, Rufus Wainwright, Jarvis Cocker… :) :) :)
Janni – I don’t think I have heard it, but I found it on youtube :) I will listen to it today! Thanks!!! I have many fond memories of going out clubbing and dancing to Bloodletting :)