November Project: Day 17

[calissa]

A little while back, I promised onewhitecrow I'd try out and report back on a tea blend called Billy Tea from one of the local tea stores. I acquired a sample pack earlier this week and dragged it out this afternoon, being in dire need of a quiet cuppa after a very busy weekend.




Despite it containing some small amounts of eucalyptus leaves, it doesn't really have the smell or taste of eucalyptus. Instead, a smoky flavour dominates. Fortunately, I quite enjoy smoked teas but I was a little disappointed there wasn't more to this one.

Comments

[onewhitecrow]

Pity - it sounded really interesting. I know taste is super-hard to describe, but what are Australian black teas like in general, compared to other kinds?

[calissa]

I do have a spare packet I can send over if you'd like to try it for yourself :)

I haven't done a lot of exploring of Australian teas and my palate isn't all that refined. The best I can do is to say that this tea seemed like a gunpowder variety--ground up small and brews rather strong (which I tend to like).

[onewhitecrow]

[Gandalfs a bit] Hhhnnnyyynn...if I would be permitted to send you something in return, yes.

Ha! Hmm... [picturing something like an Assam-mixed African blend] Strong is good for a smoky tea. Curious as to what they smoke it with, too, since you can definitely taste different woods/smoking methods.

[calissa]

[I can hear just the sound you mean]. You would be welcome to, though I should mention that if you are planning on sending tea our customs officials don't like anything with seeds, fruit peel or fruit pieces in it. Would you mind PMing me your mailing address?

I find that gunpowder types tend to be more Chinese than Assam. I can't say I've tried any African blends, though (aside from rooibos, which doesn't technically qualify as a tea). What are they like?

[onewhitecrow]

I'm afraid there's probably nothing in Kirkwall that you couldn't get better there...I was thinking maybe you'd like a few tiny tiger bells or perhaps a picture of something/one, as I have drawable-on postcards...?

I'll put that down to your superior knowledge, since I tend to stick to the naturally strong-but-smooth Chinese blacks (Yunnan and north/eastwards). [curious] Have you ever encountered/used a tea brick?

They end up in a lot of the almost-everyday bag teas here... [considers] Rough and ferocious, mostly. Like...there's that kind of basic commonality to black teas, and that's a lot more a part of the taste.

[calissa]

Either of those things would be lovely! Would you mind PMing me your address so I can send off the tea?

I have heard of tea bricks, but haven't ever seen them for sale locally or used one.

Interesting. I'm really going to have to improve my knowledge, I think.

*dope*

[onewhitecrow]

'k. I'm not smart today, really I am not...I'm currently making something report-shaped from 20-odd-year-old unpublished data and my supervisor made a typo in replying by e-mail to a query about the interim report...I had a half-second flash of panic at her mention of what I read as "the nephilim report" along the lines of 'Oh no! Those aren't on the database!' >_<

Aw.

[calissa]

I'm not surprised that's not in your database. However, it could make for some interesting reading...

I'm not able to send you my address, since you seem to have messages turned off. Should I email you?

[onewhitecrow]

I'd be hard getting it peer-reviewed, though some folk skim the specialist reports

Oh, gods, such fail I have...er, surely: pale(dot)corbie at googlemail(dot)com, and I'm not sure if I'll be online much longer, 'tis thundering something dramatic over here...

[calissa]

Sent now :)

I hope the thunder is keeping at bay.

[raze]

That tea looks delicious. Love the clear mug you're using!

[calissa]

Thank you! The mug was a gift from a very lovely friend. It's a shame I don't often drink my tea with milk because it makes quite a sight!

The tea is a good one if you're fond of Russian Caravan or Lapsang Souchong (which, fortunately, I am).