Tea Time and Lunch

I had a morning doctor appointment today, and when I returned it was time for lunch, so I decided to try the third and final tea I received from Adagio Tea - Keemun Rhapsody. Lunch at my computer desk isn't the most elegant place to eat, but I was home alone, and decided to multi-task.

Keemun falls in the category of robust, full-bodied tea, but I found this tea very smooth and palatable without the addition of milk or sugar.   It would be great for starting the day,  but was just as lovely at mid-day.

This black tea is from the Anhui Province of China.  I ordered the 0.8 oz./23g sample bag for $8, that yields 10 cups.

The long, dark brown, slender processed tea leaves have an earthy smell before steeping.

The steeped leaves yield a bright coppery/brown color, with a delicious mild and smooth, smoky flavor that isn't the least bit overpowering like Lapsang Souchong. The slight taste of cocoa reminded me a bit of the Golden Monkey tea I sampled yesterday.

The infused leaf is pictured below. I tried giving it a second infusion, but found it too weak. Multiple infusions weren't in the description.

While I was in the waiting room at the Dr.'s office this morning I came across an article about the antioxidant properties of dark chocolate.  I've always preferred milk chocolate to dark chocolate, despite the fact that it lacks health benefits.  When I stopped at the produce market on my way home, a display of dark chocolate candy bars were positioned right in front of the check-out lane. They were 70% cocoa [the minimum requirement for antioxidant properties], so I decided to treat myself.  At .75 cents a bar I figured it wouldn't be much of a loss if I didn't like it.  To my surprise, I liked it. Could it be that it paired well with the chocolatey notes in the Keemun?

I ate 1/3 of the bar [which figured out to 87 calories], and will make the other 2/3's last for two more days.

This concludes my review of the three teas from Adagio Tea.  I highly recommend all three, and will be ordering more.  Thank you, Adagio Tea!

As I close today's post I want to share a quote I saw on Facebook.  It's too relevant and thought-provoking not to share.

Those who died yesterday

had plans for this morning.

And those who died this morning

had plans for tonight.

Don't take life for granted!

Tea and Toast

I played yesterday instead of blogging.  I drove down to the city of Wyandotte where I grew up to meet-up with five girlfriends I graduated from high school with.  But I'm back to blogging today.

I love the quote "Bread and water can easily become tea and toast."  I'm not having scones or cookies with my tea these days, but buttered toast points [Smart Spread not butter] was perfect with the second Adagio Tea that I sampled today - Golden Monkey.

This is an 0.8 oz. [23g] sample bag that will make 10 cups of tea.  The price is $6.

The tea has received 1,172 reviews so it's definitely been ordered by a lot of people.  The website stated Golden Monkey's leaves are said to resemble monkey paws, hence its name. It originated from the Fujian Province of China.

Notice the dried golden strands of tea mixed among the black.  The dry leaf gave a very good earthy/fruity aroma when I opened the bag. 

The unflavored black tea has a chocolatey/cocoa and savory rye flavor profile [according to my taste buds].  The description also said roasted apples, but I didn't taste apples even though I smelled a fruity aroma in the dry leaf.  The tea is very smooth with no bitterness.  I would classify it as a semi full-bodied tea, because it's not an in-your-face robust tea as some unflavored black teas can be.  It was delicious without the addition of sugar or honey. I highly recommend this tea and will order more.  The website said it yields multiple infusions which is uncharacteristic of many black teas. I'm anxious to try steeping the leaves more than once.

   

~ Infused tea leaves ~

Happy First Day of Spring!

It's 42 degrees with gray skies on this first day of spring in Michigan.  There's no snow on the ground, so I'm happy!

My girlfriend brought me a beautiful spring bouquet [which I just photographed moments ago] when she came to Bible study on March 7th, and I'm still enjoying it.  The only flowers that wilted and had to be removed were the day lilies.  It's perfect for sharing on this first day of spring.

I recently received an e-mail from Adagio Teas asking if I'd like to sample $25 worth of their teas to review on my blog.  I eagerly accepted.  The teas arrived in today's mail. Isn't it fun to receive packages in the mail!

The three teas I chose were:  Lemon Meringue Green Tea [3 oz.], Golden Monkey Black Tea [0.8 oz.], and Keemun Rhapsody Black Tea [0.8 oz.].

Since I'm trying to lose weight, and green tea is said to boost metabolism and aid with weight loss, I spent the largest portion of the gift card on their Lemon Meringue Green Tea. I am more than pleased with my choice.  It's absolutely delicious!  [Clicking on the name above will take you right to the page on Adagio's website where it can be found.]

When I opened the bag, the lemony aroma of the dry leaf was wonderful. 

~ Closer look at the dry leaf.  ~

~ Infused leaf. ~

The tea has a smooth, light lemony taste - not tart, nor does it have any grassy or vegetal notes. The wonderful aroma of the dry leaf carries over into the steeped cup.  This could almost be a dessert tea it's that good.   If someone thinks they don't like green tea, this is definitely the one to change their mind.  The package says: "Blended with green tea, and the natural flavors of lemon, vanilla, and cream.  It's the perfect springtime treat."   How fitting that it arrived on the first day of spring!

It received 77 favorable reviews, and was listed as a favorite on the page among Adagio's green teas.  The ingredients are:  Green tea, apple pieces, orange peels, natural lemon flavor, marigold flowers, natural vanilla flavor, and natural creme flavor. I will definitely be ordering more of this tea!  It's $8 for 3 oz. which figures out to .21 cents a cup, and since it's green tea it yields multiple steeps.  Thank you Adagio, for the privilege of reviewing this great tea!

Reviews of the other two black teas will be forthcoming.