Friday, July 29, 2011

Steep Thoughts- The Boozy Tea Edition

I can't say exactly why, but this week has been more exhausting than usual. Today in particular has been fraught with setbacks at every turn. Again, there isn't anything I can point my finger at, it's just a general feeling. So, instead of thinking about tea in general, my thoughts turn to slipping a little something extra into my cuppa. You can google 'tea cocktail recipes' and find a myriad of choices. I chose to share a slide show of interesting and simple recipes that have a humorous twist. This was sent to me by a dear friend a few weeks ago, and I'm still thinking about the boozy tea...
http://www.geeksugar.com/Tea-Cocktail-Recipes-18274846

Friday, July 22, 2011

Mittal's Darjeeling Tea

I am always excited to try new teas. Even when it's a tea I've had many times before, I am always eager to taste, and see how the flavor is different than what I've experienced in the past. There are so many little nuances to tea which can be caused not only by the region and processing, but by the climate of the particular season. When my friend Yosh O. asked if I wanted to sample a Darjeeling she was given from a friend that visited India, I of course jumped at the chance.

The brand is Mittal's. I don't know much about it, but they seem to distribute a few different types of Indian teas. This tea gift came in a lovely carved wooden box. Upon opening the box there is a sealed foil bag containing the tea.  The leaves are a descent size, and quite dark with a few green, and gold leaves throughout.

This tea tastes much different than many Darjeelings I've had. It is very smooth, and has a strong honey note that I've never noticed in a Darjeeling before. It is delicate and floral as well, with the muscatel taste that I've come to associate with Darjeeling teas. There is a hint of bitterness in the background, along with a dryness. Due to the delicate flavor and the darker leaves, I'd guess it is a second flush tea. While doing a little more research, I learned from this site that the distinctive muscatel flavor comes from a reaction that the tea plant has when a type of insect sucks juices from the stems!

Darjeeling tea holds a special place for me, as it is the first tea that made me realize there are a wide variety of teas out there, and they don't all just taste like Lipton.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Mystery Jenaer Teapot

I have been looking around for a Wagenfeld edition Jenaer teapot, as I love the Bauhaus style. I'm searching for one that is vintage and also somewhat affordable, which is no easy feat. I have one other teapot manufactured by Jenaer, the Museum teapot, which I love and actually still use, although I shouldn't since it is easily breakable. The other day I came across a Jenaer style I've never seen before on ebay. The price was right and I ended up winning it.

It looks similar to the museum teapot, but it is not exactly the same. The body is taller, and less rounded. Could it be someone trying to imitate the original teapot, but failing? Or is it some sort of earlier model?

The backstamp is also much different from the ones I've seen. I'm guessing it is either an early stamp, or an imitation. Does anyone know anything about this teapot? I'm curios to know when it was made, and if it is authentic. I must solve this mystery! For a little info on the Jenaer company, you can go here and here. They do not appear to be manufacturing teapots anymore, because most of their teapots have been discontinued. If anyone has any info on this teapot, please let me know.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Steep Thoughts- The Thai Tea Ice Cream Deliciousness Edition

Today's Steep Thoughts took place while I was steeping a lovely lDarjeeling that I sampled from a friend's gift from India (more on that in another post). If you have been following this blog at all, you'll know my weakness for Thai Iced Tea. I love the sweet creamy flavor that is cut by the bitterness of black tea, along with a hint of spices. I've tried making it at home (and have a new recipe to try), as well as making into ice pops. But now, I have found the most amazing use of the Thai tea flavor, and I can't stop thinking about it. A dear friend and I visited a little Thai restaurant/take out joint that opened in my neighborhood, Skyice Sweet and Savory. My friend had raved about their ice cream selections, particularly the Thai Tea version. Naturally, I insisted we check it out.

The sweet little shop smells of amazing spices and fish sauce. Very good sign. The service was bright and friendly, and we were given tastes of some of the ice cream. We ordered a sampler platter of five 'mini scoops' that were anything but small. Every single ice cream we tried was an immense burst of flavor! So delicious, we were actually smacking our lips with happiness. The Thai Tea ice cream was divine. It basically tasted like a smooth milkshake made with Thai tea. Perfect. I wanted to take home a pint of this flavor, but I knew it would be dangerous to have it in my freezer! I cannot wait to go back and have more, and also check out the food. I cannot stop thinking about it.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Steep Thoughts: The Iced Barley Tea Edition

I've started to come to terms with the fact that I am prejudiced against anything that is called 'tea' but doesn't have any Camellia Sinensis leaves in it. I don't usually order a tisane when it's on a menu.  I usually roll my eyes when given the choice of chamomile or peppermint 'tea' to drink. I'm starting to keep an open mind to trying new and uncomfortable things. I must embrace all types of tea!


On a hot, sticky NYC day I met some friends for a Japanese street-food lunch at a little place called Otafuku. Blink while walking down the street, and you'd miss it. Trust me, the delicious food here is worth a visit. While waiting to order, I noticed a little sign that said 'barley tea $1.00'. It was humid, I was thirsty, so I placed an order. In the back of my mind I kept thinking 'this isn't tea, so why should I try it?'. But I threw caution to the wind, and took a sip.
The iced roasted barley tea (Mugicha in Japanese) was just the right thing to drink while waiting in the blazing sun for our food. The roasty, slightly bitter flavor kept my palate happy while I cooled down. It is a very nice afternoon, or even after dinner beverage, as it contains no caffiene, and no additives. Just pure hydration.

Mugicha is a traditional Japanese summer drink, renown for its refreshing properties. It is served hot in the winter, and cold in the summer. I've actually had this beverage hot in Korean restaurants, but I much prefer it cold. The bitterness holds up well to the ice. It has a similar taste to the roasted rice found in genmaicha, but there is no green tea to mellow out the bitterness.

I'm glad I suppressed my tisane prejudices enough to try this flavorful drink. True teas are still my beverage of choice, but I'm starting to broaden my horizons a little bit. If anyone has had other experiences with barley tea, let me know in the comments!