Tea and No More Symphony

Yep, last symphony concert was in mid-May.  Unless uni next year doesn't pan out, my last concerts will likely be the Russian special concerts in August.  I didn't see many concerts that really lit my fire on the rota for next year, so I may not renew anyway.  They spoiled me this past year with lots of Russians.

Tea, however, is eternal. I first became a tea drinker at age 18 after living in London for a semester in Fall 2004. The habit became increasingly acute in college, and now I generally buy mostly loose-leaf teas.  Yep, I've become a snob!

I figured I would post a review of my teas as well as the never-ending saga to replace my favorite tea, Almond Cookie/Biscotti.  It's been a painful process, as just as I get into a tea, either their change the recipe or they discontinue it entirely.

Almond Cookie/Biscotti

I first got into this flavor through the Spice and Tea Company in Fort Worth.  Then they discontinued it.  Damn and double damn.  Then I got into the Teavana version of it, Almond Biscotti.  Then they added rose petals to it and made it more of a flowery flavor called Amandine Rose.  It's ok, as it still has the overall aftertaste, but the upfront bouquet is very floral - I have mixed feelings about it.  When the original Teavana and Spice and Tea Company teas were mixed properly with sugar and milk, it was like drinking an oatmeal cookie.  It was a low-calorie version of heaven.

I've yet to properly replace it, sadly.  I am currently enjoying the user-made blend Almond Cookie from Adagio Tea, but there just isn't enough cinnamon.  The flavor that you get on the sides of your mouth is right, but the fore and aftertastes are just not quite right.  The smell is right, however.  I may try to make my own blend, but that's a bit of an investment.  Alternatively, if anyone knows of a killer almond/oatmeal cookie tea, I'll try it if it delivers!

Chocolate Tea

I've tried a few of them so far.  The problem with bagged tea from Stash and the loose tea from the Spice and Tea Company is that they rapidly turn bitter if left any longer than 3 minutes -- literally, seconds make the difference between a chocolate tea treat and a tart "Oh, that needs milk" sour face.

My current favorite is from Teavana, Slimful Chocolate Decadence Oolong.  Oolong tea is between green and black tea in terms of caffeine and in terms of processing.  I've accidentally forgotten this herbal tea after dinner, and though it's been sitting for at least an hour, the tea is still delicious, no need for milk unless I feel like it.

Oolong is considered by some to be a diet tea, as there have been reports of weight loss happening easier with it; it has many of the benefits of black tea without the caffeine and with, in my experience, a lesser need to dress it with calorie-bearing sugar and milk (again, it doesn't go bitter as easily).  However, you don't get the spicy highs you do in black teas.  I liked the French Spice Quartet from Teavana much better the the Toasted Nut Brulee (which is very nutty and just is missing a kick; enjoyable, but very mild). 

I'll throw in the Matevana Herbal tea.  It's chocolaty, but it's very strange.  The description does warn you that you're never quite sure whether you're drinking tea, coffee, or chocolate, but I'm not a fan of being discombobulated like that.  It also is a pretty decent caffeine kick.

Chai

 Again, one of the consequences from living in London was developing a taste for chai (and very mild Indian food, as I am a dreadful coward when it comes to heat!).  What we call "chai tea" is a bit repetitious:  "chai" is simply the common Eurasian (various languages from Urdu to Persian and back again) word for "tea."  The proper term for it is "masala chai" -- spice tea. 

Masala chais are probably my favorite types of tea.  It is mostly made with black tea, but it can also be made with oolong for reduced caffeine.  I'm currently drinking my way through Maharaja Chai Oolong. 

Teavana's Maharaja Chai/Samurai Chai is a great tea for a kick in the head in the morning -- very spicy, very caffeinated, even with the oolong. 

One of the teas that sticks with me is the Thai Chai, now known as Cha Yen Thai Tea from Teavana.  I wasn't a huge fan of it, but it had the most striking flavor - for lack of better description, it tasted like the word "mallow."   I reminded me of something I ate in childhood, but I'm unsure what.  It has visible berries, coconut, and a few other Far Eastern flavors mixed in, like star anise.  If nothing else, it certainly was in a class by itself.  Unfortunately, I can't figure out what the hell was in it, particularly the red berries.

Adagio Fandom

The concept is that fans create a tea that are the embodiment of characters they are named for.  I am just waiting for a Star Trek line to come out!  I ordered two teas so far from this line.  The first is John Watson (based on Martin Freeman's incarnation) and the second is Harry Potter. John Watson is, as promised, a rainy day sweater tea.  Very snuggly but you have to be on the bloody spot for it not to get overpowered by the Earl Grey in this EG, cinnamon, and green tea blend.  It's very comforting.  I really do like it, but I have to be in the mood.  The current Almond Cookie Tea blend from Adagio is what I'm into right now.  I haven't tried Harry Potter yet, which should be pumpkin spicy. 

I'll update my tea list as I drink more.

The Six Month Forecast

Life tends to get in the way of a consistent blog update.  Or any, really, for months at a time in my case.  My trip to Europe was a success, as were my PhD applications and thesis defense.  I am now a master (not a mistress, that has a different set of qualifiers....) who is getting ready for a new life in England within the next 18 months.

I say 18 because I won't have a definitive answer for my funding until after May 28.  It's driving me slowly insane; I like to plan my life six months in advance, and in six months, I'll be 28 and have no bloody idea where I'm going to be living, going to school, etc.  Currently, the ideal plan is to receive funding and head over the pond.  However, should funding not work out, I may stay in Texas for another year, working full time and saving up for the hop. 

As I said, the inability to plan 6 months ahead is making me bonkers.

That said, I'm making the most of it.  I have the equivalent of a full-time job right now between two part-time positions.  I'm preparing for a move in the sense I'm starting purge old clothes, documents, books, etc.  Now it's just a question of getting off my arse and actually taking them to the proper places for donation/resale.  I'm horrific with getting to the post office, and it takes a small miracle to get me to a bricks and mortar store. 

I'm also looking to get new pieces for my wardrobe, though in my own thrifty way.  Certain items needed to be replaced -- my black suit jacket had seen far better days and has now been replaced by a Dana Buchman black brocade suit coat. 

Original price: $80. 

Bought for: $16 at Kohl's, off the 80% off rack.  I had gone in originally looking for a purple dress (which is my other closet mission!), but no dice on that count.  However, an excellent and highly practical consolation prize. 

Couponing in Extremis is in full swing -- my average is up to 45%-60% at Tom Thumb. I dipped a bit this week at 35%, but I got a ton of gas points, which will save me about $8 at the pump later this weekend.  

On the calendar late last week was a trip to Neiman Marcus Last Call.  I participate in a survey group that rewards me with discounts to the store, so I needed to scope out what level of certificate I needed.

Behold, oh glorious purple dress.  With pockets!  It's in the mode of a 1950s wiggly dress with a slightly modern kick with the pockets.  The belt is adorable - it's a reverse buckle.  The exact model is the Becky from Single Dress.  I may be wearing this to a wedding, so pics of me in it soonish (possibly).

Original price:  $253

Bought for:  $59.63 at Last Call at Neiman Marcus.  It was on the 50% off rack, plus I had a $25 off a $75 purchase coupon from the survey company. 

Next week:  a three-piece suit for $48 delivered, a corset post, and a bit on Star Trek!