#tea source

[bigboxcar]

Mugshot Monday - “Tiny Vintage Colorful Little Cup” by Latvia Riga Porcelain Factory with Earl Grey White Tip tea by TeaSource

My friend Sharon gifted me a set of 4 of these cups and saucers! They are delightful.

She bought them at a thrift store in Columbia Heights, MN (can’t remember which one) and I asked if I could take a photo of one because they look so rad.

Next thing I know I’m walking out the door with them! Thanks, Sharon!

I’m afraid I don’t know much about the cup except that I tracked down the company’s ambiguous stamper logo on the bottom to “Latvia Riga Porcelain Factory”. Google only has results for the HUNDREDS of eBay and etsy links that are selling the cups, but I can’t find anything about the actual cup maker.

All I know is this size cup calls for a pot of tea instead of a pot of coffee. So I enjoyed my delicious earl grey white tip tea this morning whilst taking my mugshot.

Cheers!

See also my 460+ photos from the Mugshot Monday project here: www.MugshotMonday.com – Every Mug Has A Story

[bigboxcar]

Mugshot Monday - “Don’t even THINK of putting coffee in here!” glass mug by TeaSource with their Earl Grey House Blend

Check out these awesome glass tea mugs! Love that sass.

I took today off of work to get some things done around town. One of my stops was TeaSource in Highland Park to stock up on my favorite teas:

Earl Grey White Tip

Evening In Missoula

Ginger Root

Montana Gold

Chai Spice Blend

I drink way more coffee than I do tea, but ever since I tried going without caffeine for 4 weeks I’ve really enjoyed the TeaSource herbal blends. I was intrigued by their “Chocolate Stout” tea online and wondered if I could get a sample size to brew at home before I bought a bag.

As fate would have it, the Chocolate Stout was their special of the day! Mary the barista poured me a sample and it was delicious. It’s very sweet, but has such a different vibe from the other herbal teas.

I opted to sit down and enjoy a pot of their Earl Grey house blend for my mugshot. The White Tip Earl Grey is one of my favorites, but I must say that this house blend may be even better. I’ll have to go back and buy some next time.

You can buy one of these mugs on TeaSource's website or they have them at their store.

Cheers!

See also my 400+ photos from the Mugshot Monday project here: www.MugshotMonday.com – Every Mug Has A Story

[yummyfixins]

Oh lovely mountain New caffeine I am trying It's Sencha Hiko

[theteamaven]

Review: Giddapahar Estate, 2nd Flush

Giddapahar Estate (Darjeeling), 2nd Flush Musk. TeaSource. Loose Leaf. $24.27/4. oz.

What they say:

Great floral/fruity aromatic notes. Steeps up with a hint of 1st flush like briskness, but with excellent body and a lingering complexity.

Thick malty scent, yet the muscatel aroma still come through. Very well-balanced; you really get both the first and autumnal flavors in this second flush, instead of a muddled mess typical of many 2nd flushes.. Crisp and clean flavor.

This tea has a thick mouth-feel -- imagine a velvety merlot or a strong jasmine tea -- that commonality (but neither of those flavors.)

It’s a bit on the expensive side, though.

[theteamaven]

Review: Doomini Est. 2nd Flush

Doomini Est. (Assam) 2nd flush TGFOP1. Loose leaf. TeaSource. $12.97/4 oz.

What they say:

These wiry golden leaves impart a sweet almost molassey aroma and steep up with a classic Assam heartiness, and a deep, rich, malty flavor.

(This is sold out online; only available in stores. That's a problem if you don't live in the Twin Cities.)

I was looking at Assams when I noticed this gem. the "molassey aroma" sold me, and I decided to give it a shot. The dry aroma is smells like the grain room at Northern Brewer (the local homebrew (beer and wine) shop). In order words, it smells just like a bin full of malted grain. For a tea, that can go two ways -- it can end up with an extremely earthly hay-like quality, in which case I've wasted a few bucks, or it can end up as extremely malty wort-like (unfermented beer) beverage.

So I get home, and fire up the kettle. Take another whiff of that delightful malt aroma while the water's heating up, and patiently wait for a full boil.

A few minutes later, I have a cup of a wonderful tea. Not a lot of complexity here. There's a slight vegetal taste that comes through under the maltiness as the tea cools, but the maltiness is so strong at the start it's like drinking unhopped wort.

I'll play with the temperature and steep times to fine tune this, but if you like a malty tea, this is one for you.

[gettzi]

The verdict is in: Tea Source kicks the ass of both Teavana (no surprise) and Adagio.