Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Merry Christmas, Tea Lovers!

Ho, ho, ho!!!
You know what?  I just came back from my local tea shop to purchase a butt-load of teas to give away to family and friends.  The gift of tea!  How perfect is that?!  I'm even more excited to give it away than I am to get it for myself (although I did have to get some for me too, because, well, because.)

For some people I got the tried and true with a boost, Cream Earl Grey.  It's a great standard, but with an added hint of sweetness not unlike a Campino candy.  Not for everybody, and it's not my very favorite either. But it's good for those who don't drink a lot of tea, and who would enjoy something a bit different from the usual Tetley tea bag.

For others, I got some Chocolate Mint (a black tea flavored with real mint, and the smell of the dry tea leaves reminds me a lot of those Girl Guide minty-chocolaty cookies) - it's a nice treat when you want to indulge in sweetness without the guilt.  Some Cochin Masala Chai, and a new flavour to this tea shop, Almond Black, round off the list.

For myself (I only got myself 2 samplers because I couldn't seriously justify getting any more tea with such a big stash at home already) a Coconut Black - a flavour that seems to be extremely popular these days, although usually in a coconut pouchong (somewhere between a green and an oolong), which I need to find.  But you know, now that I've figured out the art of tea flavoring (my god, I feel so dumb), I probably could get the exact same effect by adding dried coconut shreds to my cup.  I also got a Chocolate Cream, because I can't get enough of that chocolaty goodness!  I plan on sipping some while wrapping presents tonight.  Actually maybe I should have some right now, because my sweet daughter is having a meltdown (I'm blaming the candy canes), and I want to remain in my Christmassy, happy frame of mind!

To further the topic of chocolate and Christmas and tea, I thought I'd share this link which was sent to me by my good friend April (bless her socks!) - it's a thing of beauty:
http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/beverages/definitely-try-this-teainfused-hot-chocolate-103647

Merry Christmas, Everyone!  *Mwah*  *Mwah*


photo courtesy of tripp-e on flickr.com

3 comments:

Jenn L. said...

Merry Christmas, Christa! Keep up the blogging, I really enjoy it. I had a little thrill when I was checking my feeds and yours came up with a new post!

I haven't given anyone the gift of tea this Christmas, which is sad, but I did last year and it was very well received.

Bec said...

Tea is a most lovely gift - it's true. I got a fine rooibos from Nectar and that beautiful delicate tea pot that I was eyeing from Yack for Christmas this year! (The instructions on the package are hysterical - may be material for this blog - will share)...

Anonymous said...

The mint chocolate tea sounds amazing! Wonderful wonderful!