Mmm, tea I do adore drinking tea. During the winter it’s great to experiment with different flavors. Warm weather dictates ice tea. Actually, I don’t really like ice so refrigerator chilled tea is delightful. A friend of mine who is originally from Chennai, India showed me the proper way to make chai (generic word for tea). She thinks it’s hilarious when American stores declare that they have Chai Tea, why call it tea tea?
Procure whole dried cardamom pods. Measure out about two tablespoons of pods. Cut each pod lengthwise. Boil quart of water, add pods and twice as much tea as usual and let it steep. Pull out tea bags or filter out loose-leaf tea. Add sugar, stevia or honey to taste and mix in 1:3 ratio of milk (1 cup milk to three cups tea). Make sure you filter out the tea and cardamom. You can drink it hot or place it in the fridge for a couple days to drink chilled. Delicious!
I’ve tried spiced chai at a variety of coffee shops. You can always add cloves, peppercorns, cinnamon sticks, nutmeg or other spices to the recipe. I’ve never liked purchased chai as much as plain old sugared cardamom tea. The fragrance of the spice masks cheap tea and it is very soothing. I actually prefer to chill the sweetened cardamom tea. I then add milk just before I consume it during the summer. That way it takes up less space in the fridge.
Spice of my heart.
Copyright © 2013 by Ima B. Musing; All rights reserved.
Showing posts with label Ima's Nosh Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ima's Nosh Review. Show all posts
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
IMA’S NOSH REVIEW: MRS. KELLY’S TEA, Part III
Please read first segments, posted on December 7th, 2012 and January 31st, 2013. Teas are not listed in any specific order. To procure visit www.mrskellystea.com and tell them that you saw the review here! Mrs. Kelly’s Tea is a local Twin Cities business. Fujian Woo Yee Oolong Flavorful, complex and earthy RECOMMENDED
Shou Mei White is subtle, oaky with a slight bitterness. Add a little sweetener and milk and its wonderful
Iron Goddess Oolong Multi-layered with a slight rice flavor. Very even notes, as the flavor does not rise or fall. No nasty aftertaste
Houjicha Green is tasty with a hint of rice
Jasmine Special Grade Green is bitter, yuck
Cherry Almond Vanilla White has visible almonds with a slight mellow cherry hue. Nice to crunch on the nuts after the tea has brewed
Peach Oolong Peach aroma with green undertones
Frambois Fleur Green has a pleasant essence
Chocolate Peppermint is disappointing, neither flavor is very strong
Moroccan Mint has just enough mint to cover the green leaf flavor
One more batch to test, look for the final part IV of the review at a later date.
Tea for two?
© 2013 Ima B. Musing
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
IMA’S NOSH REVIEW: MRS. KELLY’S TEA, Part II
Please read first part, posted on December 7th, 2012. Procured myriad tea samples at their fall Tea Tasting event and decided to write a quick review of each. To order visit www.mrskellystea.com
The teas are listed randomly:
African Fruit Bowl offers warm tones and a slight fruit flavor. The tea particulates are extremely small so use a fine mesh strainer or sludge will form at the bottom of the cup.
Genmaicha toasted rice add an interesting hue to the damp reedy green tea. RECOMMENDED
Grand Keemun is robust and flavorful but not forceful.
Peaches & Cream is a gentle white tea with virtually no peach flavor.
Russian Sweet is a subtle sugary lighter version of my favorite Russian Smoky.
Bliss is mildly twiggy with a faint menthol essence.
Lung Ching Dragonwell supplies a woodsy slightly grassy tea with a hint of bitterness.
Effeminate is pleasant, green, calming, and provides a dose of St. John’s Wort.
Black Currant smells wonderful but is blandly seasoned.
Yunnan is bitter, strong, and slightly smoky. However, it is wonderful with a dash of sugar and milk added to mellow the brew.
Part III is still being consumed…
I do love a cuppa!!
© 2013 Ima B. Musing
The teas are listed randomly:
African Fruit Bowl offers warm tones and a slight fruit flavor. The tea particulates are extremely small so use a fine mesh strainer or sludge will form at the bottom of the cup.
Genmaicha toasted rice add an interesting hue to the damp reedy green tea. RECOMMENDED
Grand Keemun is robust and flavorful but not forceful.
Peaches & Cream is a gentle white tea with virtually no peach flavor.
Russian Sweet is a subtle sugary lighter version of my favorite Russian Smoky.
Bliss is mildly twiggy with a faint menthol essence.
Lung Ching Dragonwell supplies a woodsy slightly grassy tea with a hint of bitterness.
Effeminate is pleasant, green, calming, and provides a dose of St. John’s Wort.
Black Currant smells wonderful but is blandly seasoned.
Yunnan is bitter, strong, and slightly smoky. However, it is wonderful with a dash of sugar and milk added to mellow the brew.
Part III is still being consumed…
I do love a cuppa!!
© 2013 Ima B. Musing
Sunday, December 9, 2012
IMA’S NOSH REVIEW: JENSEN’S SUPPER CLUB
My parents would indulge us kids with a visit to a restaurant for our birthday. I usually requested the Lavender Inn, situated in Faribault even though it was a long drive. We would walk into an airy entryway and be warmly welcomed by the proprietors. They would take us to either a dark-paneled beautifully decorated room or upstairs to a dining hall with windows. I preferred the bright upstairs room but sometimes it was closed for a private party. The waitresses wore rather ridiculous lavender uniforms but the service and food were exceptional. Sadly, Lavender Inn has closed but it set a high standard for fine dining. Their garlic toast was perfection.
Recently, my friends and I ventured to Jensen’s Supper Club located at 3840 Sibley Memorial Hwy, Eagan (651) 688-7969, on the frontage road just off the Hwy 13 & 77-Cedar Avenue interchange. We were greeted by friendly hosts and escorted to our table. The waiter was attentive (except for forgetting one person’s drink) despite the busy night. While we waited for the rest of the group to arrive we received small trays of raw vegetables to nibble upon. www.jensenssupperclub.com
We split appetizers of crab cakes, which were rather bland. The warm popover served with the salad was terrific; I only wish that they had brought more popovers for consumption. The menu is a carnivore’s delight. My friends treated me to prime rib. It was tender, juicy and flavorful. The accompanying beef au jus was excellent. Rather surprised that sides were not included with the entrée but the price was appropriate for the portion.
We shared several desserts. Crème Brule was wonderful and served cold; I prefer it to be room temperature or slightly warmed. It would be nice if the waiter asked what temperature was ideal. The raspberry sorbet was refreshingly light. The chocolate mousse was disappointing flat in tone; it could use a couple types of chocolate to add layers of flavor. Turtle cheesecake was the clear winner. It was thick and creamy. One slice was enough for three people.
Our group departed with full tummies and smiles. The building is modern but the interior decorations are rather garish, simplification would be a benefit. It is awkward to pass through a crowded entryway while making way to the bathroom. It would have been nice to have piano music playing in the background to make the place a bit classier.
FOUR FORKS = Very Good
I love leftovers!
© 2012 Ima B. Musing
Recently, my friends and I ventured to Jensen’s Supper Club located at 3840 Sibley Memorial Hwy, Eagan (651) 688-7969, on the frontage road just off the Hwy 13 & 77-Cedar Avenue interchange. We were greeted by friendly hosts and escorted to our table. The waiter was attentive (except for forgetting one person’s drink) despite the busy night. While we waited for the rest of the group to arrive we received small trays of raw vegetables to nibble upon. www.jensenssupperclub.com
We split appetizers of crab cakes, which were rather bland. The warm popover served with the salad was terrific; I only wish that they had brought more popovers for consumption. The menu is a carnivore’s delight. My friends treated me to prime rib. It was tender, juicy and flavorful. The accompanying beef au jus was excellent. Rather surprised that sides were not included with the entrée but the price was appropriate for the portion.
We shared several desserts. Crème Brule was wonderful and served cold; I prefer it to be room temperature or slightly warmed. It would be nice if the waiter asked what temperature was ideal. The raspberry sorbet was refreshingly light. The chocolate mousse was disappointing flat in tone; it could use a couple types of chocolate to add layers of flavor. Turtle cheesecake was the clear winner. It was thick and creamy. One slice was enough for three people.
Our group departed with full tummies and smiles. The building is modern but the interior decorations are rather garish, simplification would be a benefit. It is awkward to pass through a crowded entryway while making way to the bathroom. It would have been nice to have piano music playing in the background to make the place a bit classier.
FOUR FORKS = Very Good
I love leftovers!
© 2012 Ima B. Musing
Friday, December 7, 2012
IMA'S NOSH REVIEW: MRS. KELLY'S TEA
Belch. American Lipton was my first introduction to tea. It is hideous. The British mother of my sister’s boyfriend introduced me to proper tea. Her sister sent tea to Minnesota and Mrs. B brewed it correctly. I was smitten. Unfortunately, her son broke my sister’s heart and I was stuck with Lipton. During college in the Twin Cities I discovered a store that sold imported tea and my taste-buds rejoiced.
A few years ago my fellow tea-connoisseur, Allie, took me to Mrs. Kelly’s Tea Tasting extravaganza. The event is a tea-enthusiast delight to sample their extensive selection. Mrs. Kelly’s opens their spartan warehouse; provides hot water, and bistro tables. I have attended on several occasions and it is becoming more popular every year. I gathered a bunch of samples to sip at home since its rather crowded and loud. Mrs. Kelly’s Tea sells its creations on-line and opens its Minneapolis warehouse once per month. www.mrskellystea.com
Reviews of their flavors:
Russian Smoky is extremely robust, complexly flavored, and my favorite tea. The best way to brew extra-strong tea is to dump hot water on the tea and then pour it off immediately (first wash). Then, gently pour hot water on the leaves and let it steep. The resulting essence is fantastic. You can discard the first wash or else douse it with a lot of sugar, milk and/or mint.
Jasmine Pearl is an exquisite green tea. There is neither bitterness nor grassiness in its flavor. The tone is gentle and calming. The best green tea that I have ever experienced.
China Rose smells like my aunt’s favorite hand lotion but tastes scrumptious. It brightens the palate and would be fabulous with dessert.
Darjeeling Organic is smooth and mellow. A tiny touch of sweetener helps a bit.
French Vanilla with milk is like drinking delicious warm ice-cream.
Strawberry Swirl is disappointing. The strawberry flavor is weak and swirl is rather bland.
More reviews to come, as I taste them! I hope Mrs. Kelly’s Tea adds a spring Tea Party event, which could be expanded to the parking lot with tents and feature speakers. I’d love to learn how to make tea-liqueur.
Tea is served.
© 2012 Ima B. Musing
A few years ago my fellow tea-connoisseur, Allie, took me to Mrs. Kelly’s Tea Tasting extravaganza. The event is a tea-enthusiast delight to sample their extensive selection. Mrs. Kelly’s opens their spartan warehouse; provides hot water, and bistro tables. I have attended on several occasions and it is becoming more popular every year. I gathered a bunch of samples to sip at home since its rather crowded and loud. Mrs. Kelly’s Tea sells its creations on-line and opens its Minneapolis warehouse once per month. www.mrskellystea.com
Reviews of their flavors:
Russian Smoky is extremely robust, complexly flavored, and my favorite tea. The best way to brew extra-strong tea is to dump hot water on the tea and then pour it off immediately (first wash). Then, gently pour hot water on the leaves and let it steep. The resulting essence is fantastic. You can discard the first wash or else douse it with a lot of sugar, milk and/or mint.
Jasmine Pearl is an exquisite green tea. There is neither bitterness nor grassiness in its flavor. The tone is gentle and calming. The best green tea that I have ever experienced.
China Rose smells like my aunt’s favorite hand lotion but tastes scrumptious. It brightens the palate and would be fabulous with dessert.
Darjeeling Organic is smooth and mellow. A tiny touch of sweetener helps a bit.
French Vanilla with milk is like drinking delicious warm ice-cream.
Strawberry Swirl is disappointing. The strawberry flavor is weak and swirl is rather bland.
More reviews to come, as I taste them! I hope Mrs. Kelly’s Tea adds a spring Tea Party event, which could be expanded to the parking lot with tents and feature speakers. I’d love to learn how to make tea-liqueur.
Tea is served.
© 2012 Ima B. Musing
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