kick in the FACE black teas!

As finals creep upon us college kids, I found myself turning to tea bags more and more than creating loose leaf brews as I'm running out the door to the last minute study group or whatever.

My fellow blogger highly recommended this blend:

She's in love with the currant flowers, but I'll let her write her own review of this.

I tend to like my black tea strait up, no additional flavors. Black tea represents the beverage of choice just below coffee, and I like my coffee strong. I stumbled upon this little beauty sitting next to the Black Currant on the shelf: 

Both blends offer a hell of a good wake up call, whether you need it first thing in the morning or during the witching hour of paper writing- 3am. Brew with boiling water for about 2-3 minutes. These suckers are strong, and don't need a lot of time to steep unless you want your world to start shaking from caffeine... I like mine with a pinch of sugar or honey, but they are also good with lotsa milk and sugar ;)

They're sold at places like Barns and Nobles for upwards of $10, on their website for $7, and at certain grocery chains on the east coast, $6.

Go for the pyramid tea bags here, don't spend almost just as much for regular tea bags. 

FYI: Pyramid teabags are infinitely better for the following reasons:

1. They allow room for the leaves to expand, bringing a stronger, more complex flavor

2. Because the leaves are expected to expand, by default higher quality leaves are used then simply 'dust'

Not there are not ANY good regular teabags, but...I'll let you know when I find some good ones.

In the meantime, stay warm. Wintertime is the best tea time!

Forever Faithful,

The Tea Mistress 

For the Love of Lavender

Latest discovery: Lavender makes Oolong wonderful. I've tried a few different blends, such as Ti Kuan Yin (of course) and with darker, Formosa Oolongs...so far, so yummy.

One part Oolong
One part Lavender

Brew around 208° for about 4 minutes. Good for multiple infusions.


Your Faithful Addict,
The Tea Mistress

Republic of Tea Emperor's White Review

It's Sunday and I've consumed enough black tea this morning to wake the dead, so I decided to run to the cafe and switch to a mellower blend for a cup. Republic of Tea and Tazo are the only two brands offered, no loose leaf here. (Although you can order loose leaf of their blends online!) I'd figured I would try Republic of Tea's Emperor's 100% White Tea- because honestly, I'm probably never going to pay the $15-$18 a tin they charge.

In short...it's bland. While they promote it as rare and exquisite tea, there's really no flavor therefore it's probably not a very high quality white. White tea is known for its light flavor with fruity, sweet undertones no matter what blend you get- it should have a delicate but complex taste. This cup tastes like green tea that was only steeped for 15 seconds. There's hardly anything to it.

Now, I do not want to discourage people from purchasing Republic of Tea. They offer a few excellent blends- such as Blackberry Sage, Ginseng Peppermint (great during the cold winter months!) and a fun Genmaicha marketed as "Tea of Inquiry," - however this is not one of their best blends. In short, don't waste the money on this white tea.  A simple white, such as Pai Mu Tan, offers so much more flavor for your money.


Don't be duped by marketing trends. I love tea, but the producers want your money- don't be tricked by some fancy name like "Emperor's Blend." Pay attention, read the ingredients, and almost always you can find something just as good for half the price. Sure, you're paying more for the convenience  of not having to do this, but what's few extra minutes of fun research out of  your day?I remind my stressed out, work laden readers

"All work and no play...makes Jack a dull boy."

Your Faithful Addict,
The Tea Mistress

Friday Afternoon

It's finally Friday. Reward yourself with this calm yet refreshing brew.

1 Tbsp mint
1 Tbsp lavender
1 big pinch of rosemary

Rosemary adds an interesting texture to the flavor. I recommend starting small and adding as your palate sees fit.

Brew close to boiling for about 4-5 minutes. Add honey or rock sugar and enjoy.



Faithfully yours,
The Tea Mistress Extraordinare

Tea Personalities...

I don't think I've ever seen a cup of green tea THIS green...maybe KoolAid, but not tea!

                                           -Tea Mistress Extraordinare 

What is your tea personality?

Green Tea You are subtle, but you have a very strong presence. Your proponents claim that being around you makes them feel better both spiritually and physically. Your personality is an acquired taste for some, but once someone is your friend, they're with you for life.

Fun quizzes, surveys & blog quizzes by

My Perfect Cup of Oolong

Great minds think alike- I was going to title this entry "Ode to Oolong" but alas I have been beaten to the punch.

My perfect cup I am quite sure will be an Oolong. Long before I began my affair with loose leaf tea, I've always had a special place in my heart for Oolong teas. My only experience with it growing up was at Chinese restaurants, therefore it was always reserved for special occasions- dance recitals, family birthdays, New Years...and my mother let my sugar sensitive self put three or four packets in the little tiny cups so I'd be zooming for days on it, which is probably the larger reason I loved it so.

During high school when I began to dabble in the loose leaves, I learned that most Chinese restaurants serve Oolong, and the hunt began. I spent way too much at Teavana trying all their Oolongs, and purchased over a dozen samples from SpecialTeas and Upton trying to find my perfect cup of Oolong. I was looking for that warm, breadlike taste that would refresh all the special memories from childhood.

I figured at this point, I'll publish my findings so far....more for my shoddy memory so I don't waste more money on teas I've already tried, but also for our reader's enlightenment as well:

1. Monkey Picked Ti Kuan Yin Oolong: This tea is damn close to my perfect cup. I can't even begin to describe the wonderfully complex light jade flavor of this...it's a simply beautiful. However, it is expensive. (Cheapest I've found is $15/2oz) Any tea that is described as "Monkey Picked" is the highest quality, and although I believe it is worth the price...I'm a broke college kid.
   
   
   
   
2. Ti Kuan Yin Oolong:  Monkey Picked of this is like spending the $50 for the special occasion wine. Therefore, I found the good quality $6 bottle of wine for anytime consumption. This type of Oolong is available almost anywhere, and is fantastically light with sweet, almost peach flavor undertones. Cheap enough to buy in bulk and tasty enough to enjoy daily. Also sometimes spelled Tin Quan Yin. This is usually what you'll find in my cup because I love it so.
   
   **Update: Upton's Formosa Jade Oolong is a nice compromise between this blend and a Formosa Oolong. A tad more expensive, but a very unique taste...it has all the qualities of Ti Kuan Yin with a hint of smoky, darker flavors. I recommend !
   
   
   
   
3. "Eastern Beauty" Oolong: I suckered a Teavana employee into letting me try this, and it was a delightful cup. Much darker than what my palate usually enjoys, therefore I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Again, it is expensive. I have been on the hunt for a similar, cheaper version through Upton and SpecialTeas. My findings are below:
   
   
   
   
4. Formosa Oolongs: Turns out 3 is a type of this Oolong. Darker, much richer flavors than my typical Ti Kuan Yin. I have yet to find one as high of quality as Tevana's Eastern Beauty, however mixing some Lavender with Upton's Fine Grade Formosa produces a pretty good blend. Does wonders for an upset stomach or that murky feeling associated with hangovers.
   
   Another type of Oolong I sampled was "China Oolong Se Chung" also from Upton. It was way to dark for me, and had very strong peach and bread undertones. I tend to favor lighter teas, but if you like a powerful dark tea (or are typically a coffee drinker) this is a good tea for you...make sure you add some honey to it though to really bring out the peach flavor!
   
   Turns out Oolongs are typically associated with this darker texture, and my lighter palate tends to run with the elite and more expensive blends. (Of course I like the expensive stuff- I am a girl after all !) However, with the help of my cowriter, I did find out something interesting about Formosa's....
   
   
   
   
5. Bigelow's Oolong: That's right ladies and gentleman, I found the tea from my childhood. Turns out it wasn't an expensive blend at all, it's actually graded as dust. And Bigelow sells it dirt cheap and at most grocery stores. Go figure. 

My hunt will continue throughout the Formosa blends- I have found success with Monkey Picked Ti Kuan Yin and am determined to find a cheaper equivalent to "Eastern Beauty." We'll see what next payday brings....

FYI: "Fomosa" simply means it is tea from Taiwan, formerly known as Formosa. Yes, that little tiny island produces a lot of tea! 

Your Faithful Addict,

The Tea Mistress Extraordinare 

An Ode to Chun Mee

Oh Chun Mee how I love thee, let me count the ways!  I have found green tea nirvana.  I found this minx in a local supermarket, and was supposedly purchased from SpecialTeas as # 522.  This tea is smoky and sweet, yet reminiscent of ripe plums.  Not like any other grassy, vegetal, and weak green tea I have ever had.  A lifetime friend for certain.

Assam Rembeng TGFOP Organic

I am weary of Assam teas because they usually pack the punch of coffee.  But with careful preparation and the right does of milk and sugar, it makes an excellent morning tea.  As the colder weather has come and the sun is rising later in the day, I find it harder and harder to pay attention in class without dosing off.  This black tea is the kick in the pants I needed!  It has a distinct malty flavor and hearty feel to it- with a flowery/fruity aroma to the leaves.  A yummy treat in these cold months.  Brew for 3-5min in freshly boiled water.  Add milk and sugar to enhance flavors.

Special Teas #247

What does TGFOP mean? Click here to find out!

Simple Sleepy

• 1 part lavender
• 1 part chamomile 

Steep close to boiling (208°-212°F) for at least 4 minutes. 

Sip slowly...

let tensions of  the day ease out of your muscles as the sweet liquid warms your body from the inside out... 

pull up the covers to chin to complete the warming process as rain continues to pound on window outside...

                                                              and place head on pillow.

                                                    

Sweet dreams. 

Your faithful addict, 

The Tea Mistress Extraordinare 

What the Experts Have Said

I'm pretty sure the judges at the World Tea Expo know what's going on.

http://www.worldteaexpo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1404&Itemid=574

Weird and cool things to do with tea

http://www.stashtea.com/tea+beauty+remedies.aspx

Use it as an antiseptic, mix it with alcohol, bath in it for a tan.  Crazy stuff.

Get your orange on

Awesome Customer Service

Upton Tea receives a gold star for their customer service.

A few weeks ago I ordered Upton Tea's Egyptian Peppermint, available at lower cost due to their original Peppermint being out of stock last season. The bargin hunter I am, I ordered it, and received 100g of mush. Not literally, but the taste was musty and far from the Peppermint I was expecting. Within 4 days of writing a scathing email, I had a new 100g of tasty, fresh, and delicious Peppermint tea sitting in my mail box at no additional cost.

However, I am stuck with 100g of "Egyptian Mint." At least I didn't have to return that. Maybe I'll make soap or something with it...any ideas?

Your Faithful Addict,

The Tea Mistress Extraordinare 

New Brew

Inspired by my first cup of loose leaf ever, "To Life" from Teavana almost 8 years ago, I put this concoction together. It came out pretty damn good if I don't say so myself.

• 1 heaping teaspoon of Honeybush
• 1 big pinch of Peppermint
• 1 - 1 1/2 teaspoon of Ti Quan Yin Oolong 
• 1 teaspoon of Mao Feng Green
• 1/2 teaspoon of Pai Mu Tan White 

It's complex, especially with the mint undertones mixing with sweet honey flavor. Hardly needs any sweeting, since Honeybush has such a powerful flavor. 

I'd like to get my hands on some Jasmine petals and add that to the mix, although it might tip the blending too far in favor of the mint. Also, I'm willing to bet SpecialTea's Honeybush Vanilla would add some awesome flavor to this mix...I'm just not a fan of vanilla. ;) 

ALSO, looking for a name for this blend. In the spirit of Fiddler, maybe Matchmaker? (click it!!!) 

 Haha, I'm open to suggestions!

Your faithful addict,

The Tea Mistress Extraordinaire 

Migraine Tea

Now, I am not claiming this tea will 'cure' a migraine, but compared to the multiple number of migraine medications- from Excedrin to the heavy duty prescription stuff- this tea ranks high on my list of cures...probably right next to taking the day off and sleeping in a dark room with an ice pack over my head. Despite Wiki's claim that Feverfew can not cure a migraine immediately, this blend did a good number on mine within a half hour.

• 1-2 heaping tablespoons of Feverfew (from Morning Glory) 
• 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint
• 1 teaspoon of lavender leaves
• 1/2 - 1 teaspoon of Mao Feng Green 

Steep for about 3-5 minutes at 205-208°F

Two important things about herbal supplements: 

1. If you are on any prescribed medication, check with your doctor before trying herbal supplements! While my doctors recommended Feverfew for my migraines, it may interact with other medications, so please be cautious!! 

2. In relation to migraines, caffeine  is known (and I swear by it) to help migraines and tension headaches. In this brew I added the green tea to add some caffeine to this otherwise herbal blend. If you are drinking this for a migraine, be sure to add some sort of green or oolong to it (I think black would taste off, but if you make a good brew with it post it in the comments!) for their caffeine.  If you are super sensitive to caffeine and therefore looking for a caffeine free brew....white tea may work as a sub for the green, but overall  I don't think this is a good cup for you and your migraine. 

Your faithful addict,

The Tea Mistress Extraordinaire

An Indestructible Tea Filter!

I've had this for almost 2 months and it works great.  I find it much easier to clean than my old 16 oz. Teavana Perfect Tea Maker.  Plus the leaves can drip dry in a second cup for multiple infusions.  Soggy leaves no more!

An Even Better White Lavender

I substituted Chamomile for Elderflower in my White Lavender blend and the result is an incredible cup!  I might fall asleep while typing this because this tea is so relaxing.  Recap of the new recipe is below:

• 1.5 tsp White Peony
• 1/4 tsp Lavender
• 1/4 tsp Chamomile

Steep for 5 mins @ 180 degrees F

Review: zzz

Finum Medium Filter Bags

I just received in the mail from Amazon.com my order of Fill-your-own tea bags.  They are much larger than I anticipated, but they do allow a lot of room for full leaves to expand.  I packaged up some of the Moroccan Mint I made the other day and the Gunpowder Green happily expanded to its rightful size.  They look absolutely silly, and I'm not sure they would make good gifts.  I think if I packaged up loose Lemon Grass in these as a Christmas present, my mother would die laughing at the giant proportions.  However, if you can deal with giant bags, they are a great throw-away option instead of rinsing out a metal strainer 8x times a day (as all tea freaks do).

I think the Red Rose Tea Bag is afraid of being eaten... nom.nom.nom

Tea Grades

It always seems a bit of a mystery as to how teas are graded. A bunch of letters, some fancy sounding adjectives...here's the trick. Usually each major tea producing country has it's own grading system, hence the confusion. The only consistent one is black tea- can't go wrong with some good old Lipton dust!

Here's a good site to alleviate the confusion. Keep in mind many major businesses/cooperations will make their own mash of these grades for simplicities sake.

Your faithful addict,

The Tea Mistress Extraordinaire

A Challenge to Tea Enthusiasts

If you think you possess the prowess of a budding tea guru, send us a sample tea review in the comment box below and we may publish your work!  All creativity is welcome.

Disclaimer from TTME

There is no such thing as a recipe for anything, especially tea. These are all approximate- as a beginning or experienced tea drinker, you must play around a bit! Only you know how to make the best cup of tea for yourself. Therefore, all recipes are more like guidelines or inspirations. (aka, if you screw up and make a bad cup of tea- not my fault. If you have a nose that works, and it smells awful to you, it's probably not going to taste much better.)

Enjoy.

Your Faithful Addict,

The Tea Mistress Extraordinaire

Oh... That's Due Tomorrow?

We've all been there. Afterwards we find ourselves curled up in bed suffering from caffeine withdrawal or hangover.  It's okay though because that paper got turned in.  The exam is over with, the presentation presented, so all the suffering was worth it right?  WRONG! No longer must we suffer from the migraine that occurs when our high levels of concentration have devoured every last bit of caffeine induced energy! I present to you a study aide sans caffeine hangover:

• 1 teaspoon of Mao Feng Green*
• 1-2 heaping tablespoons of Peppermint
• 1-2 teaspoons of Honey

*any simple, light green will do really

Steep around 200-205° for 3-5 minutes, to taste.

Only downfall about this tea is that Peppermint is not good for multiple infusions. Luckily, it's cheap!

Best of luck with those all nighters ;)

Your faithful addict,

The Tea Mistress Extraordinaire

Lavender White

I found myself looking for a way to make plain white tea more exciting because let's face it, White Peony on its own is quite bland.  I originally thought of adding dried peaches to the mix or even blueberries, but that will have to be another day.  I managed to come across some bulk lavender at the store and thought this would be worth a try.  If you are like me, I usually start my day off with a powerful black tea blend and then coast through the rest of the day on lighter greens and whites.  This combo makes a nice post-dinner tea.

• 1.5 tsp China White Peony 'Pai Mu Tan' (SpecialTeas #557)
• 1/4 tsp Lavender (Frontier)
• 1/4 tsp Elderflower (Frontier)

Steep for 3 mins @ 180 degrees F

Review: The delicate floral notes of this 'Pai Mu Tan' are enhanced by the addition of Lavender and Elderflower.  To be enjoyed without sugar or honey for experiencing this blend's nuances.

Happy brewing,
The Tea Fiend

Smoky, Smoky Gunpowder

Let's admit it, any form of 'gunpowder' green tea is an... acquired taste. Not everyone enjoys the particular taste coming off of the barrel of a recently fired gun.

mmm...We all know how much the Brit's love their tea!

While I openly recognize my addiction to those little scrumptious dried Camellia sinesis leaves, I find it difficult to consume a straight cup of Gunpowder Green. Even reducing the steeping time, that potent smoke taste still is...unpleasant.

Do not fret readers! For I have found a solution (I had to, I have a whole gallon tupperware container of this stuff that was a gift). Although I despise Teavana for a number of reasons, they do have a wonderful blend that makes our friend Smoky Green divine. I'm working on replicating Teavana's blend since they are discontinuing it, and let's face it- they are overpriced anyways. In the meantime, if you happen to have a few dollars to spend, buy a 2 oz sample of their blend to mix with your dastardly smoke infiltrated tea.

• 1- 1 1/2 heaping tablespoons of Tahitian Limeade from Teavana
• 1 teaspoon of Smoky Gunpowder Green
• 3/4-1 teaspoon of Agave Nectar (or Honey)

Steep around 200-210° for 3-5 minutes to taste.

It's tricky, because the herb needs a several minutes to reach full flavor potential, while the green is ready to go within the first 2 minutes. On second thought, maybe go for 3-4oz (if you are on a budget) of the Tahitian Limeade to give yourself some room to experiment.

Your faithful addict,

The Tea Mistress Extraordinaire

Moroccan Mint

There is something about the combination of a smoky green and mint that wakes me up from any slump.  After stealing several cups worth of peppermint from TTME, I finally broke down an ordered a 100g tin from Upton Teas (suggested to me by my partner in crime).  I must say, I am pleased with the herb.  It is more powerful than any other mint blend I have had at the school dining hall.

• 3/4 tsp China Gunpowder Green Organic (Special Teas #520)
• 1/2 tsp Domestic Peppermint (Upton Teas #389A)
• 1/2 tsp Spearmint (Frontier)

Steep 3 mins @ 180 degrees F

Review: A Moroccan mint that will knock your socks off.  The smoky gunpowder taste is noticeable with the first sip, followed with cooling mint tones that linger.  No need for sugar here.

Happy Brewing,
The Tea Fiend

Sweet Dreams

Okay, so after my very successful trip to Morning Glory I was a little excited to start mixing things.  I've been on the lookout for a new bed-time brew and plain old Chamomile just isn't doing it for me anymore.  I went for the tried and true sleep/relaxation aides.  We will see what happens from there!

• 1/4 tsp Elderflower (Frontier)
• 1/4 tsp Lavender (Frontier)
• 1/2 tsp Chamomile (Frontier)
• 1/2 tsp Raspberry Leaves (Frontier)

Steep 10 min @ 212 degrees F


Review: After adding a touch of honey to this herbal infusion, the flavors balanced out wonderfully.  The Raspberry Leaves are the first taste to hit the pallet, followed by the sweet and calming flavors of the Lavender.  The Chamomile and Elderflower add their own sweetness to the brew, making this the perfect blend to drink before bedtime.  Elderflower is known for its ability to maintain a healthy immune system as well, so drink up!


Happy Brewing,
The Tea Fiend

Future Apothecary

Just today I discovered that Morning Glory has a wall full of every flower, herb, or spice you could imagine. Perfect for the budding tea blender! Expect a slew of new blends to try, since I just bought several herbs to start experimenting with.  The best part is that if you find a recipe you like, it will cost pennies to make since Morning Glory sells its herbs in loose bulk.  If you lucky, maybe I'll blend a batch up for you anyways.  I am a tea snob by definition, but more importantly a bargain-hunter.  I believe in quality at an appropriate price.  So stay tuned, I have a feeling my dorm room with become an apothecary.

Red Rooibos and Lemon Grass

I have seen similar attempts from other tea companies, but sometimes you just can't mess with the goodness of simplicity.

• 1/2 tsp Rooibos Superior Grade Organic (SpecialTeas #950)
• 1/2 tsp Lemon Grass, Course Cut (Upton Teas #BH65)

Steep for 10 mins @ 212 degrees F

Add honey if desired


Review: Lemon Grass has been a long-time favorite of mine since childhood.  Tangy, yet smooth in nature, it boosts the natural sweetness of the red bush tea.  A simple and excellent blend to try.


Happy Brewing,
The Tea Fiend

An Introduction

A little summary about myself before I get too into detail.  I'm a liberal arts college student who started drinking loose leaf tea about 3 years ago.  Since then I've become a fanatic.  I've tried several different loose leaf tea companies and recently I've thought about blending my own for a change.  I've noticed a complete lack of information available on the web about tea blending recipes, except for a few rare videos and how-to's here and there.  So for posterity's sake, I will be documenting my blending attempts in hopes of finding 'The Perfect Blend'.  Hilarity may ensue.