Steeped Tea

I had a double-double (two creams, two sugars) very early at the hospital this morning and it’s really not that bad. I do find though that it can sometimes taste like cardboard. I always thought it was the paper cup but you never know.

Maybe it was because I was super tired or fighting with an uncomfortably dry contact lens, but this time it was considerably less cardboard-y. Actually, none to be had.

It’s a standard mass-produced Red Rose-like black tea. Maybe I like it because of the cream? I never ask for cream anywhere else nor do I ever have it at home, and come to think of it, I enjoy TH’s coffee as a double-double.

I’ll be a little kinder with the rating.

Yeah, so I’m generally a fan of this tea in the generic sense, as in my boss was on her way back to the office and asked us if she could get us anything. Always after an afternoon wake-up nudge, I opted for this tea. The tea itself is fine, but there’s this smell to the cup that is just revolting. It isn’t unique to this cup, either; I’d ordered a French Vanilla the other day and noticed the same thing. it’s…I don’t know. Sickly, sweet, almost…I can’t even describe it. Perhaps it’s the smell of the paper cup absorbing whatever liquid is inside it. either way, it’s incredibly distracting. I mean, look at me. I’m not even describing the tea because the smell was so noteworthy. It doesn’t help that the lid was defective and that little tab that’s supposed to flip back and secure snugly into place kept bashing me in the nose and so I got impatient and just wrenched the mofo loose so I could get at my tea without resorting to battle. So yeah, decent tea if you’re on the run (or in an office and distinctly not on the run, but needing to be woken nonetheless), but the smell of the cup or the air in the tea or whatever the heck it is just overwhelms everything.

I left my favourite timolino at work the other day and needed a tea fix on the way. I used to drink this ALL the time, might as well have just hooked me up to an IV. However, this time around all I tasted was hot paper. I finished it, only because I told myself it was all in my head. People at work laughed at me when I told them I had one, they didn’t believe me.

So I was at a comedy show last week and the comedian had a bit about Tim Horton’s and how he was explaining to a non Canadian who Tim Horton was. The story was he convinced this non-Canadian that Tim Horton was the first and greatest president of Canada and to honor him we open a coffee and donut shop in every community in Canada.

So for anyone that doesn’t know, Tim Horton may have been a great man (or not so great depending on who you ask) but he was never premier nor president of Canada. ha ha. Go Hockey!

So I am having a steeped tea because I have a roomie staying with me. I get up at 5 am to get ready for work and try not to make much noise in the morning. I ended up leaving the house super early so stopped at Timmies to get my usual go to. I still ended up being at work a half hour early. It is not too bad this morning. Not as smooth as usual. Must have been the end of the pot. It is still thick and a strong. I think it is a Ceylon base but who knows. Tim is not giving up his secrets.

I didn’t have any tea today!!
It’s been such a stressful week that I just withdrew from everything except for work, and now I really want a cuppa! I’m craving so badly… but then I’d never get to sleep and herbal won’t do(last day is tomorrow. Both good and bad I say!)
Anyhow, I’m off to bed. So exhausted and not looking forward to a repeat of today heh

It honestly pulls at my Canadian heart strings that this is even on Steepster. Ohhhh Canada! I usually order this if I’m out and about and with my boyfriend. That’s the reason I am drinking it right now (thanks honey!)

It’s your typical orange pekoe, nothing special, just creamy and gives you a jolt. It has a bit of an after taste and leaves your tongue very dry. Doesn’t seem to matter what I eat with it.

Mmmmmm. Would I like some tea with my sugar? Yes. Yes I would. :)

Cuz really, this is just a cup of sugary creamy goodness.

I probably shouldn’t order double-double anymore as 95% of the time I drink my teas plain – this is just insane compared to what I’m used to. Insanely good.

Hah! – I just realized that this tea has only been rated on Steepster 8 times in 3 years. I was surprised to see it here.

I decided to pick up a Timmie’s Steeped Tea (1 cream, 2 sugars) with my lunch today, as part of my (delicious!) lunch combo. If you’re in a hurry or otherwise not keeping track of time, bagged tea may become over-steeped. Timmie’s steeped tea is a good option for on-the-go tea.

I usually find that the milk – or cream, or whatever they are using at Timmie’s – gives their steeped tea a strange taste. A few times before I have been given a cup of tea that tastes as though the milk in it has spoiled – not today! Today I was greeted by a warm and welcoming cup.

While the cream does have a strong effect on the tea, it is still a delightful drink – although, I should had asked for more sugar. There is an initial sweetness, but it does not linger.

Sadly, I stretched this cup out too long, and the last bits were rather cold, bringing out the tiniest bit of bitterness. I would not say that Timmie’s compares to a home-brewed cup, but it’s definitely a welcome treat on a cold day.

Recommended for those who want a good cup on the go.

I wondered if Tim Hortons tea was on Steepster, and I find it a bit funny that it is.

It’s a bit busy at work tonight which means I can’t slip to the back to make the tea I bring along. But, it also means people offer to bring me things. I requested tea and this is what I got. Until recently, I drank a fair amount of this as Tim Hortons are so pervasive around campus and near work.

It’s definitely not as fun as choosing the flavour of specialty tea I want and brewing it in my pretty glass, but there is something to be said for the experience of Tim Hortons. I’m not a coffee drinker, but I can see why people are hooked on buying one every morning. I would probably not drink this tea otherwise, but there’s something about having it handed to you in that Christmasy paper cup. It feels kind of naughty and hyper-convenient. It’s like soft drinks; I don’t like them normally but out of a McDonalds cup they feel trashy and satisfying.

Anyway, this tea is fine. Not remarkable in any way but it’s fine and kind of comforting when heading to class or at work. I take it with only one milk so it’s actually kind of strong but never bitter (unless they accidentally give me coffee, which happens too often). For me it’s also part of the experience of heading home to the suburbs where there are even more Tim Hortons and it’s common practice to drive through several times per day.

I found it rather cute that I could find Timmies tea on this site and in fact I am happy I did. I think this tea is good. It’s one of those price/value deals, and TH definitely delivers. I loved this tea ever since it appeared on their menu (and that would be quite a long time ago already, none of us are getting younger) and it is definitely superior to their bagged tea.

Yea it’s not anything fancy, but its an honest cuppa and I love it. In fact I would say that as much as Timmies’ coffee is good, so is this tea. Neither are an epitome of luxury but both are true simple man beverages and sometimes simple is just what you need.

P.S.: Steep Time and Water Temp fields actually made me wonder what values TH uses. Probably something scientific and backed up by years of research and marketing.