I will admit to being a poor tea drinker that last few weeks. Somehow I’ve fallen back into drinking coffee (mostly in the morning). Today I decided to do something about that. I will admit that I still plan on drinking coffee…just first thing in the morning…at my house. Because I can.
Once I get to work it is ALL about the leaf. Sadly there isn’t a proper kettle there and I don’t plan on bringing mine back and forth. So I will have to play with the steep time when making anything other than black tea. Which worked pretty well today. I have A LOT of tea at work. But I chose to bring in two teas that I’ve had in the past, but never really gave enough time to – Jasmine Pearls and Silver Needle. Both teas came from Short and Stout Tea Company a new local spot here in the 518. If you live anywhere near Albany you should check them out OR you can order online.
Right so I was drinking these two teas today:
Jasmine Pearls and Silver Needle
I also brought in my bodum single cup brew thingy (I”m so not technical). I also had to steep each tea about a minute due to only having the hot water dispenser at my disposal. I tried the Jasmine Pearls first. Double bonus here is you have re-steep this tea a few times. I ended up with close to five steeps (and many bathroom breaks). The Jasmine scent was front and center with this tea. Which in the past has put me off because it was too much. But here it was yes right up in your face, but also just the right amount of Jasmine. Of course I also only used maybe ten pearls. I ended up with a very yummy cup of tea to start my morning off with at work.
In the afternoon I switched to the silver needle. Now this one has NEVER been a favorite. I now think that was all in my steeping. I’m very certain I over steeped it or had it prepared wrong if I ever ordered it out. I steeped this one again for maybe a minute or less on the first steep.
So pretty.
What I ended up with was almost a sweet cup of tea. Something I have never experienced with this tea before. Usually I ended up with a hot mess of bitter. But this time I sucked it down in seconds and went in for a second steep! I will need to pick up a larger package of this tea when I stop back in for a visit. I’ll also be sure to give them a proper review too!
I will tell you this Joyce and Matt know their tea! Plus they love talking about tea…which I must say warms my tea loving heart. Like I said…stop in, you will not be disappointed.
The Purrfect Cup 