Mastress Alita’s Monthly Sipdown Challenge
April 2022 → A tea paired to a book
I’m pairing today’s tea with An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon, part of her Outlander series.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6104759-an-echo-in-the-bone
It’s the seventh book, so I won’t say much for those who might want to read the series at some point. I’ll only say that the chapter I’m currently reading takes place in September 1777 in Sarasota, New York. I couldn’t believe my luck when I saw this prompt and realized I had a tea that fit perfectly with my current read.
This tea is neither great nor awful. It just is. Nothing special about it. It’s not memorable but it’s drinkable. I used two teaspoons today since past notes mention it being too light. It did come out a bit bitter, but I’m sure it’s because I overleafed or oversteeped. I’m not even sure this tea is still available for purchase. I found it at a TJ Maxx, I believe, several years back. It’s not something I’d purchase again, either way.
Flavors: Drying, Malt
Nice literary match!
Nice match and tea seems pretty basic, but it is probably what they were drinking in 1777. Apparently, we have this series in libraly, so I may borrow it one day (probably at first after finishing The Saxon Stories).
Yes, this turned out to be quite the coincidence! I saw the prompt and knew I was in the late 1770s in my book but I couldn’t remember the exact year because it jumps around a bit. It was a nice surprise!
Martin, it’s a great series! I think it’s marketed as a romance, but to me it feels more like a good historical fiction. I mean, it’s both but I like the history aspect of it most. And yes, this tea was quite basic. How interesting it would be to get a taste of what they were drinking back then! Doesn’t Oliver Pluff & Co. market their teas as reminiscent of early American blends? I haven’t tried them but I’ve always wanted to.
→ https://oliverpluff.com/
Yes on the Oliver Pluff historical angle. I can vouch for the quality of their Congou black and Singlo green teas.
Oh that’s good to know, thank you!
Upton makes a Griffin’s Wharf blend with congou and lapsang. I recommend it more than the old south meeting house blend which is a bit harsh.
I put that one on my list to try – thanks, Michelle!
I agree on Oliver Pluff. A local eclectic shop sells lots of their blends, and Colonial Williamsburg may still carry them. That is where Superanna bought mine.
Do you have a favorite, ashmanra? It looks like they have a lot of different options!