the nuances of tea tasting

I'm with Anne Lerch, in her post over at T Ching, on questioning how the many facets of tea preparation can change the flavor of the tea. I understand that details like loose leaves versus tea bags and water temperature can impact flavor, but I wish I had more depth of taste knowledge to really note the differences. Take a look also at the great comments on her post. There is a lot of great information there.

Anne compares her sensory samplings with tasting wine and again I can totally relate.  I've been drinking wine and attending wine tastings for years but my palate is a sad companion when it comes to noting subtle components of flavors. I certainly can't even begin to factor in the difference based on type of glass used for example. It's like I'm a scale with the lever either flipping to good or not good generally.

That being said I do feel inspired to perhaps slow down and make time to note flavor to begin with and perhaps graduate to assessing the differences based on types of tea and type of preparation. For today, I start by taking my cup of Twinings Earl Grey Tea, bag, tap water used, microwave heated and close my eyes to note the tastes.

My thoughtful sip reminds me that in general I prefer Earl Grey but I've never stopped to appraise why. I think it is the aftertaste of something tangy. Could that be Bergamot flavoring that is mentioned on the back of the package?

Step one of true tea sampling. Stop, close eyes, and think about the drink.

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on being Jane Austen

I enjoy Jane Austen stories but confess that my knowledge of this author is limited. In fact, what I do know about her work comes from the many movies that have been released. Today, however, I need not be Jane Austen ignorant any longer because I found this great website with a couple of related blogs that chronicles a wealth of information about Austen, the times in which she lived, and even audio versions of some of her stories.

These days it seems it is very fashionable to be a Jane Austen fan. Ms. Place looks to have been a well researched fan long before it was the cool thing to do. She is dispenses ample material demonstrating her research prowess including this pertinent tea post. Enjoy the lovely getaway and read up on the resources Ms. Place makes available Jane Austen's World .

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Notes on Tea is really lovely

I had planned to kind of space out these tea web finds but this one was so thrilling I had to share it right away. Notes on Tea is a site totally devoted to the experiences of this blogger named Georgia. She tastes and shares her insights on the varieties, preparation, books, and accompanying food. There are lots of lovely photos and appraisals, recipes, and great ideas for teas to consider buying and trying. I particularly enjoyed the post on tea plants to tea which concisely explained the tea plant and the process of creating dried teas.

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A Nice Cuppa is inviting

Be prepared to drool if you visit A Nice Cuppa. The site is all about food and both coffee and tea. Each post I went to was a fun read and a lovely escape with great description, information, and photos. If you are a connaisseur of all things delicious or wish to be take a look.

I especially enjoyed the review by Erin Nichols of The Tea Experience piece in TeaTime magazine. It alerted me to a magazine I need to learn more about and provided nice photos and a recipe for white chocolate raspberry bars. Let's face it, every tea is just that much better when there is tasty treat as a companion!

The guy knows his tea

This gentleman's blog is a great find for the person who wants to be in the know about all things tea. William I. Lengeman III is the teaguyspeaks. William is a freelance food journalist so it makes sense he can write his blog is a wealth of books reviews, blogs and other websites on the subject. Did you know the US had a tea board of experts until 1996? Neither did I. Have a cup and enjoy!

Clarinda's Tearoom Edinburgh Scotland

It was a thrill to find this little tearoom in Edinburgh, Scotland. The city is idyllic in any case but Clarinda's Tearoom just seemed to be such a dream both inside and out.

Clarinda's is embedded at what I would consider to be the foot of Royal Mile. This street is an enormous significant artery where the Edinburgh Castle sits at the top of a craggy ancient volcano at one end and then snakes it's way across the city to the Queens Gallery and Holyrood Palace on the other end.

The Royal Mile is home to a bursting assortment of shops, eateries, and of course pubs. As a reward for navigating this cobblestoned channel, one comes upon the Holyrood at the lower end nestled next to a beautiful park with a view to the entrance of a an inviting climb up the ancient volcano called Arthur's Seat.

Clarinda's is a bustling and cozy spot where people come and go like the place is a neighbor or friend. Lace covered tables are situated in this small but inviting space and people share open chairs in a communal and civilized fashion. Take a seat to eat or order to take away.

The food includes hearty sandwiches, homemade soups, and an assortment of homemade cakes, scones, and cookies. It is all deliciously simple to warm both tummy and heart. Have your tea or enjoy a cup of coffee and just watch people go by on this historic thoroughfare.

What a delight and how lovely. Highly recommended!

On Being English

It's all Jolly Good as David and I are headed off on the plane to visit the Mother Land and all things English including a spot of tea tomorrow. But alas off to England does not mean we aren't so passe when it comes to keeping up with the times. Here is a video by the very popular Charlieissocoollike young man who video blogs and has thousands of hits. As I played this video for my daughter she ever so politely rolled her eyes and explained that his videos have been playing now FOREVER. I'm so behind. Quite! Catch up with me.

Steph's cup of tea

We spent so much time creating Under the Tea Leaves and then getting ready to launch and discuss the themes of the book that perhaps we've overlooked the integral importance of tea. For that reason, I'm going to devote a post a week (about) to highlighting some of the great resources available for tea lovers.

This first find is Steph's Cup of Tea. I admit here for you that I'm somewhat of an Internet junky. I enjoy the ease of access to information and the broader world of ideas. My "happy accident" was Stephanie's site which is filed with wonderful, personal, well-written posts on tea and her life experiences surrounding tea and other life joys. Take a look at her post on men and tearooms.

Stephanie also talks about her tea trip to London earlier this year. That gets me to thinking that I may blog about our trip coming next week. My husband David and I will be taking off for London and Scotland. I'll be sure to share a bit about a spot of tea from our travels. In the meantime, enjoy Steph's Cup of Tea.

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