I HAVE TEA AGAIN! REJOICE! Kettle and tea reviews, found here.
Last week, I received a house warming prezzie from my fairygothmother, thewronghands. There was, however, a small problem: I lacked my awesome Breville tea kettle, with multiple temperature selection for producing awesome tea, and I did not pack a teapot or any filtering device. In my defense, I was already 68lbs overweight on ONE back, so, I guess that's ok. (Then again, when you're that far gone, what's a teapot?) Still, I did not want to ruin wonderful GiftTea with guestimation on a pot of water on the stove. So, after asking Husbandcat for affirmation that tea is an acceptable expenditure on my credit card, I set about to purchase a new kettle, teapot, and iced tea pitcher.
Today, the kettle arrived and I got to compare Adagio's Varietea kettle to it's competition, Breville's mufti-temperature model.
So far, I am really liking the Adagio kettle better in terms of temperature performance. It has additional temps and the base temps for whites and greens are five degrees cooler, and my taste buds tell me this actually does make a difference. Despite my attention to timing, I've often felt my whites were a little overdone. NOT NOW. Oh, and it has a delicate setting of 150F for the more fragile teas. Boss!
The only weird thing is the interface. Breville is easy: Put kettle on. Buttons light up. Press button you want. Kettle brews, and when it's ready, makes a "BEEP!", the lights go off, and then it's done. (Our BEEP! died sometime two years ago, but the kettle still works.) With the Varietea, you set the kettle on, the buttons light, you select your temp. Button proceeds to blinky while the kettle runs in what sounds like cycles and you almost think it's done but have to watch until the blinky temp light goes solid and the on/off button goes off. Then, it is done. So, weird, a bit fussy--but I have a warranty and I have read that Adagio has a lot of good customer service in case anything goes wonky.
But, the tea, how is the tea, you say?
So, here's the blog of the wonderful creator of my tea, explaining how she, as a synesthete, creates her lovely blends. Also? She's a geek! I love how her brain works--which makes perfect sense to me. I grok synesthesia, though I do not think I am synesthetic in a major way. (I do think a little weird at times, though.)
thewronghands got me three tins: "WTF", "Cylons for Breakfast - Feeling Human", and "Courtesan". Currently, I am trying the courtesan blend, because I am flattered and happy that she said it was me. (Oolong with vanilla, cinnamon, and clove.) Now, normally, I am not heavily into spice teas--I get phases when fall comes, it turns chill and I like my chai--but this? Goddamn. If this tea is me, I am blushing and flattered because it's lovely and beautiful in the mouth, and makes a girl feel awesome, sexy, and like doing terrible, wicked things--after some refined quality time. (Ok, that IS me.) It's not heavy like a black tea based chai, and while I think almond, coconut, or plain old cow milk will be lovely with it, it's not necessary. The cup works well on its own.
I thought the spices would overpower the oolong but she's got the ratio down. The oolong holds its own and makes for this amazing soft sweet compliment to the vanilla under the predominant clove and ghost of cinnamon. Predominant, but not cloying or overbearing. I have nearly finished the first post and, because I hear oolongs change their character and can often do a second steeping, I decided to try it.
Man, I never do second steepings, because I have not found them to either a. work, or b. do much for me if I can get anything out of them.
This tea, however? Holy shit. THIS is what a second steeping is supposed to do?!? Thank god, I can make the small container last as long as possible before auctioning my soul for more. (3 tsps. to my 24oz. teapot hit the spot.) Second steeping has most of the spice as a background note, like the ghost of incense in the room, and that faintly floral vanilla kissed oolong comes forward. That first cup is all the heat of wicked promises whispered in your ear, with your back against the wall. The second cup is laying in a pile of pillows while he takes his time and your eyes roll back in your head because, damn. I take a breath after a sip, and, like with a good wine, different passing notes tease my tongue. It's subtle and lovely.
Yeah, this winter? I'll be in my bunk for a long time with this one.
Of course, now I have to try and review the rest of them---and then get the Pirate tea and the Goblin King tea (oh yeah) and...and....
And hey, I promised I'd write more, so I'll be sure to tell you my thoughts on the rest. "WTF" apparently has chocolate and white tea together. I know, right?
Only disadvantage? The tin, it is welded shut or something. Seriously, I had to use my teeth to help. BUT I DID IT. (A rubber grippy thing that you use for opening jars, in retrospect, probably would help.) Still, they are cool little metal tins with clear round windows and I like them a lot.
Mmm. Off to drink the last of my tea.....
Today, the kettle arrived and I got to compare Adagio's Varietea kettle to it's competition, Breville's mufti-temperature model.
So far, I am really liking the Adagio kettle better in terms of temperature performance. It has additional temps and the base temps for whites and greens are five degrees cooler, and my taste buds tell me this actually does make a difference. Despite my attention to timing, I've often felt my whites were a little overdone. NOT NOW. Oh, and it has a delicate setting of 150F for the more fragile teas. Boss!
The only weird thing is the interface. Breville is easy: Put kettle on. Buttons light up. Press button you want. Kettle brews, and when it's ready, makes a "BEEP!", the lights go off, and then it's done. (Our BEEP! died sometime two years ago, but the kettle still works.) With the Varietea, you set the kettle on, the buttons light, you select your temp. Button proceeds to blinky while the kettle runs in what sounds like cycles and you almost think it's done but have to watch until the blinky temp light goes solid and the on/off button goes off. Then, it is done. So, weird, a bit fussy--but I have a warranty and I have read that Adagio has a lot of good customer service in case anything goes wonky.
But, the tea, how is the tea, you say?
So, here's the blog of the wonderful creator of my tea, explaining how she, as a synesthete, creates her lovely blends. Also? She's a geek! I love how her brain works--which makes perfect sense to me. I grok synesthesia, though I do not think I am synesthetic in a major way. (I do think a little weird at times, though.)
thewronghands got me three tins: "WTF", "Cylons for Breakfast - Feeling Human", and "Courtesan". Currently, I am trying the courtesan blend, because I am flattered and happy that she said it was me. (Oolong with vanilla, cinnamon, and clove.) Now, normally, I am not heavily into spice teas--I get phases when fall comes, it turns chill and I like my chai--but this? Goddamn. If this tea is me, I am blushing and flattered because it's lovely and beautiful in the mouth, and makes a girl feel awesome, sexy, and like doing terrible, wicked things--after some refined quality time. (Ok, that IS me.) It's not heavy like a black tea based chai, and while I think almond, coconut, or plain old cow milk will be lovely with it, it's not necessary. The cup works well on its own.
I thought the spices would overpower the oolong but she's got the ratio down. The oolong holds its own and makes for this amazing soft sweet compliment to the vanilla under the predominant clove and ghost of cinnamon. Predominant, but not cloying or overbearing. I have nearly finished the first post and, because I hear oolongs change their character and can often do a second steeping, I decided to try it.
Man, I never do second steepings, because I have not found them to either a. work, or b. do much for me if I can get anything out of them.
This tea, however? Holy shit. THIS is what a second steeping is supposed to do?!? Thank god, I can make the small container last as long as possible before auctioning my soul for more. (3 tsps. to my 24oz. teapot hit the spot.) Second steeping has most of the spice as a background note, like the ghost of incense in the room, and that faintly floral vanilla kissed oolong comes forward. That first cup is all the heat of wicked promises whispered in your ear, with your back against the wall. The second cup is laying in a pile of pillows while he takes his time and your eyes roll back in your head because, damn. I take a breath after a sip, and, like with a good wine, different passing notes tease my tongue. It's subtle and lovely.
Yeah, this winter? I'll be in my bunk for a long time with this one.
Of course, now I have to try and review the rest of them---and then get the Pirate tea and the Goblin King tea (oh yeah) and...and....
And hey, I promised I'd write more, so I'll be sure to tell you my thoughts on the rest. "WTF" apparently has chocolate and white tea together. I know, right?
Only disadvantage? The tin, it is welded shut or something. Seriously, I had to use my teeth to help. BUT I DID IT. (A rubber grippy thing that you use for opening jars, in retrospect, probably would help.) Still, they are cool little metal tins with clear round windows and I like them a lot.
Mmm. Off to drink the last of my tea.....