Plantation Mint

The first tea from my Bigelow sampler that I tried (other than the Early Grey, which I will spare you a review of) was the Plantation Mint. Aside from that truly unfortunate name choice, its faultless. Plantation Mint has shot up into the ranks of my favorite teas. The flavor has that pleasant edge that real mint has. No sip is boring. It's definitely best as a hot tea, but the flavor is cool. It manages to not be overbearing, and to actually be- not smooth, the flavor is too sharp to call it smooth. I think the right term would be gentle. It is a soothing tea, good for either sipping or gulping, which is rarely true. Most teas are far more enjoyable taken slowly as it cools a bit or quickly while its hot. That does not apply to Plantation Mint. A well brewed cup of Plantation Mint can sit on the bed side table for a couple of hours and then be returned to, still delicious even though it has grown cold.
As an aside, the sweet cat hovering over my mug is Miriam. She has been living in my room while we try to integrate all our cats. Normally I wouldn't let her near my tea, but since this one is milkless, she won't try to drink it.

Tea Sampler the First

Recently, my mother bought me a thoughtful and much appreciated gift. She came home with two variety pack boxes of tea, each box of a different sort. It was exciting to receive, like being given the magical item one needs to venture forth on some long fated quest, only it would be far less useful in vanquishing vicious foes than an unbreakable sword. Dragons, on the other hand, it might soothe (if one could convince them to drink it). At the very least, it would be the perfect reward at the end of the journey. But I digress.
Above is the Bigelow pack of six assorted teas. I like Bigelow's tea. As a matter of fact, I more than like Bigelow's tea. I adore it. I associate it with a comforting warmth pooling in the belly- with favorite mugs and satisfaction.
Little known fact: Bigelow owns the only American tea farm.
I am looking forward to sampling all of them, although I have so far only tried one.
Soon to come: my adventures with Plantation Mint.

New Teapot!

I received this lovely, glass teapot as a gift from my step-mother this vacation! It's so beautiful, I can't get over it. I adore the little white flower that can be seen when looking from above. The best part about it? It's an infusing teapot! You can see the metal screening that keeps the tea in in all three pictures above, I believe.
This teapot is responsible for me not yet using the infuser I bought just a few days before I received this.
Watching the tea leaves dance in the rapidly coloring water is mesmerizing. I've never had a glass teapot (or even used one, I think) and I cannot stop staring into this one. I had to take a video of it (which I will post later), I was so awed.

A Trip Out For a Tea Baller

I headed over to Homeport (which is now on my list of the most amazing stores) to pick up a tea infuser. Homeport is a wonderland of tea ware. So many adorable pots, useful infusers, and creative accessories! It's like heaven.
The tea infuser I picked out is this fairly large tea baller on a chain. I can't wait to use it!