MORE TEA - WTF?!
No, really, that's what it's called, "WTF". I cracked up when I saw it too. The label said it was white tea, and I got it open a crack to get a sniff and smelled...chocolate?? WTF, indeed. I confess, I was again skeptical. I do like chocolate, but as I tell everyone, I'm a vanilla girl, and--why are you laughing?! STOP LAUGHING! Anyway, I like hot chocolate now and again, and my tastebuds adore such things like Thai iced coffee, which codes as being of the chocolate school to me, but...white tea? Skeptical cat was skeptical.
So, a little over 3 teaspoons, probably close to four to 24oz of water at 180F, with sugar to match the teaspoons. I figured I'd need the sweetener to bring out whatever cocoa and toffee notes were in this thing. In retrospect, I am not entirely sure it was necessary. Fearing a dreaded cloying, artificial tasting cup, as so many of the toffee/cocoa added things can be, I took a sip.
Oh damn.
So, I think I really do like these sorts of flavors in teas. Obviously, what is heavy in a black tea is something totally different in a white, and the bai mu dan base of this tea really worked well with the cocoa flavor, mellowing it. I was more reminded of white chocolate than a harsh dark chocolate concoction. This was pleasant to drink and would make a great dessert tea, on its own or with regular, coconut milk, or almond milk. (Can you tell yet that I have a Thing for almond milk? Especially vanilla almond milk? Good, in case that wasn't clear.) It was even pleasing when it started to cool. I did try for a second steep--hey, what the hell, it worked the first time--but that was pretty bland tasting, as 2nd steeps for whites appear to be, to me. You try, maybe I am doing it wrong? (I just pour what is left of the hot water over the old leaves and leave it longer?)
This is a full but light cup, and it's as warming as the courtesan blend, but with sweet cocoa/toffee notes balanced on the delicate floral, and I think it's perfect for this time of year. Another win! (Don't ask me which I like better. I am a creature of context and that answer will change depending on my mood.)
There is a Yule house concert going on with Sharon Knight and a lot of other cool Bay area pagans. I am torn between wanting to share the tea awesomeness, since potluck has been suggested, and wanting to hoard it all to myself. MINEMINEMINE. :) The love should be shared, but I must weigh in the practicality of carting tea ware on the BART. Hmm.
EDIT: I am having another pot of WTF. I think saying that will never get old.
So, a little over 3 teaspoons, probably close to four to 24oz of water at 180F, with sugar to match the teaspoons. I figured I'd need the sweetener to bring out whatever cocoa and toffee notes were in this thing. In retrospect, I am not entirely sure it was necessary. Fearing a dreaded cloying, artificial tasting cup, as so many of the toffee/cocoa added things can be, I took a sip.
Oh damn.
So, I think I really do like these sorts of flavors in teas. Obviously, what is heavy in a black tea is something totally different in a white, and the bai mu dan base of this tea really worked well with the cocoa flavor, mellowing it. I was more reminded of white chocolate than a harsh dark chocolate concoction. This was pleasant to drink and would make a great dessert tea, on its own or with regular, coconut milk, or almond milk. (Can you tell yet that I have a Thing for almond milk? Especially vanilla almond milk? Good, in case that wasn't clear.) It was even pleasing when it started to cool. I did try for a second steep--hey, what the hell, it worked the first time--but that was pretty bland tasting, as 2nd steeps for whites appear to be, to me. You try, maybe I am doing it wrong? (I just pour what is left of the hot water over the old leaves and leave it longer?)
This is a full but light cup, and it's as warming as the courtesan blend, but with sweet cocoa/toffee notes balanced on the delicate floral, and I think it's perfect for this time of year. Another win! (Don't ask me which I like better. I am a creature of context and that answer will change depending on my mood.)
There is a Yule house concert going on with Sharon Knight and a lot of other cool Bay area pagans. I am torn between wanting to share the tea awesomeness, since potluck has been suggested, and wanting to hoard it all to myself. MINEMINEMINE. :) The love should be shared, but I must weigh in the practicality of carting tea ware on the BART. Hmm.
EDIT: I am having another pot of WTF. I think saying that will never get old.