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 tea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tea. 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
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
Monday, November 28, 2011
LAMENTING THE SEARCH
Terribly disappointed not to have been offered the job that I interviewed for on the 18th. It would have been a good match. I have an interview for a part time position later this week, position #16. Painful to be frequently rejected for such a sustained period of time.
Multitude of hours spent in front of a computer applying for 348 jobs, thus far. Numerous employers, including the federal government, have cumbersome application processes. I am willing to work for a corporation though my heart lies elsewhere. I expanded my search to include part-time and contract work. Part-time with no benefits is cruel. I should at least get pro-rated benefits at 50% of a regular full-time employee. However, I will take any job that I can procure.
My extended unemployment benefits will be ending soon. By no means did I expect to exhaust them. I have never had so much trouble locating employment. It is frustrating and rather frightening. I fear a catastrophe that would cost money. I panicked when the furnace ceased to function. My accounts are dwindling at the credit union. Many employers don’t hire from Thanksgiving until mid-January. I’ll just sign up with temporary agencies and do that for a while. I am sick and tired of searching for employment. I don’t have anyone to fall back on for financial assistance. My friends provide emotional support but I know enough not to ask for money.
Winter is a lousy time to be unemployed. Cold and cloudy days don’t improve my mood. I keep the house cool at 56 degrees to save on heating costs. Holidays add extra pressure because people expect happiness. I don’t feel happy right now. I’m worried and stressed. I don’t want a handout; I just want a full time job with benefits that pays the bills.
One bright note is the Tea Tasting Event at Mrs. Kelly’s Tea this weekend, December 3rd and 4th. It is located in the old Grain Belt Brewery Warehouse in NE Minneapolis. Social entrepreneur activity with donations benefiting charity of a $2 admission or food shelf item. Delicious and exotic teas to sample and food vendors, too. They have some of the best tea that I have ever consumed. The Green Tea Jasmine Pearls don’t taste like a swamp. More information is at www.mrskellystea.com Hope to sip with you there.
Hire me, please!
© 2011 Ima B. Musing
Multitude of hours spent in front of a computer applying for 348 jobs, thus far. Numerous employers, including the federal government, have cumbersome application processes. I am willing to work for a corporation though my heart lies elsewhere. I expanded my search to include part-time and contract work. Part-time with no benefits is cruel. I should at least get pro-rated benefits at 50% of a regular full-time employee. However, I will take any job that I can procure.
My extended unemployment benefits will be ending soon. By no means did I expect to exhaust them. I have never had so much trouble locating employment. It is frustrating and rather frightening. I fear a catastrophe that would cost money. I panicked when the furnace ceased to function. My accounts are dwindling at the credit union. Many employers don’t hire from Thanksgiving until mid-January. I’ll just sign up with temporary agencies and do that for a while. I am sick and tired of searching for employment. I don’t have anyone to fall back on for financial assistance. My friends provide emotional support but I know enough not to ask for money.
Winter is a lousy time to be unemployed. Cold and cloudy days don’t improve my mood. I keep the house cool at 56 degrees to save on heating costs. Holidays add extra pressure because people expect happiness. I don’t feel happy right now. I’m worried and stressed. I don’t want a handout; I just want a full time job with benefits that pays the bills.
One bright note is the Tea Tasting Event at Mrs. Kelly’s Tea this weekend, December 3rd and 4th. It is located in the old Grain Belt Brewery Warehouse in NE Minneapolis. Social entrepreneur activity with donations benefiting charity of a $2 admission or food shelf item. Delicious and exotic teas to sample and food vendors, too. They have some of the best tea that I have ever consumed. The Green Tea Jasmine Pearls don’t taste like a swamp. More information is at www.mrskellystea.com Hope to sip with you there.
Hire me, please!
© 2011 Ima B. Musing
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