offering eclectic tea-adjacent stuff imagined by the joyfully inquisitive

created13birds

  • Date
  • June 15, 2021

cold + hot brew iced tea

It is National Iced Tea Month (yup, that is a real thing) so let’s stop limiting what iced tea can be. When we forget the classic iced-black-tea-with-slices-of-lemon-at-a-picnic and simply think of iced tea as another cold drink, possibilities open up. Iced teas are excellent as a base for cocktails or something to mix with soda …

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  • Date
  • June 8, 2021

paris afternoon :: murchie’s

black + green tea (blend, flavoured) | india, china, himalayas There is a lot going on in this cup. Layers of aroma and flavour that work together, but striving to be detected individually. The green tea brings a bright astringency that cuts through the caramel and leather finishing notes of the black tea. paris afternoon …

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  • Date
  • May 25, 2021

english breakfast (organic) :: cup of té

black tea (blend) The first “Breakfast Tea” was blended in the late 1800’s, and when Queen Victoria fell in love with this blend during her stay in Balmoral (and subsequently taking home cases with her) it was renamed “English Breakfast Tea”. Taking on a classic is fraught with peril, but this black tea blend offers …

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  • Date
  • May 11, 2021

yellow dragon pu-erh :: tea emporium

pu-erh tea (blend) | yunnan province, china This tea blend (ginger and lemongrass) is made for multiple short infusions – providing a repeating heady cup. A lot of flavour, and difficult to isolate the different notes because it is so well balanced. A comforting balance of vegetal, smoky warmth and subtle citrus notes. yellow dragon …

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  • Date
  • April 27, 2021

sticky rice oolong :: davidstea

oolong tea (blend) | thailand A lightly oxidized oolong is closer to green tea. With a creamy mouthfeel and natural sweetness, this oolong is a perfect pairing for the magical Chinese herb, Nuo Mi Xiang which smells and tastes like sticky rice. With calm aromas and gentle flavours, this blend transports all of the fresh …

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  • Date
  • March 30, 2021

sencha kyoto :: genuine tea co.

green tea | kyoto, japan Not one to seek out bitter tastes, I enjoy this more delicate sencha tea as I get the green-ness I want without any mouth puckering. Japanese green teas are steamed during processing and are generally more grassy and bright. A short 1 minute infusion releases gentle waves of mineral and …

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  • Date
  • March 16, 2021

royal wedding :: harney & sons

white tea (blend) | china A pretty blend that has a striking chocolatey aroma – all the more interesting because the taste is mostly almond, coconut and vanilla. Mutan white tea is known also by the names Bai Mudan, Pai Mu Tan and White Peony. This nutty sweet blend has a smooth mouthfeel underlined by …

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  • Date
  • March 2, 2021

white moon ancient pu-er :: tao tea leaf

2013 Spring – First Harvest | 4th Anniversary 2009-2013 sheng pu’erh (raw) | yunnan province, china It seems right that this special tea -crafted to celebrate the anniversary of tao tea leaf- represents my first puerh experience and my first tea disk from my first Toronto Tea Festival. My recommendation to bring out the most …

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  • Date
  • February 16, 2021

oolong creme :: sloane fine tea merchants

oolong tea (flavoured) | wuyi mountains, china Do not be afraid of the word “flavours” in this ingredient listing, because it comes after the word “natural” – and that makes all of the difference: this tea has complexity and depth that only comes with restraint. The Wuyi Mountains in China is home of the gift …

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  • Date
  • February 2, 2021

long jing (dragonwell) :: steven smith teamaker

green tea | zhejiang province, china This is my personal favourite green tea – I do although prefer a 2 minute steep, rather than the traditional 3 minutes that are recommended. Named after a village in which the natural spring has uniquely dense water that dances and swirls like a Chinese dragon during rainfall. Long …

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