Fresh breath confidence... or not

Years ago when I was an idiot, I only very briefly came across flavoured teas after venturing into a coffee shop. I was presented with what appeared to be a billboard of flavours and posh words that I didn’t understand. It was at this point I thought ‘hot chocolate, play it safe, play it sweet’ but still, I’d be quite intrigued as to what these flavours were.

So I went to a shop – it’ll remain nameless but let’s say it was dodgy and very cheap – and I bought myself a packet of fruit teas. I picked out Raspberry and, obviously in my naivety I brewed it like a traditional brekkie tea only to be sorely disappointed.

A few years later a friend told me about Peppermint Tea and how it makes her uneasy tummy settled. I never really took to the idea of a mint tea so never gave it a chance and left it there. With my previous experience of fruit teas years before, I didn’t see how a mint tea would satisfy my curiosity with a tasty twist. After all, mint isn’t exactly the best of flavours unless you’re planning on tonguing someone or mixing a Mojito!

So 2010 it is, and the power of the celebrity is somewhat overwhelming. From Gwen Stefani singing about sipping on Chamomile (Hey Baby!) to Cheryl Cole dieting on Peppermint Tea due to the breakdown of her sham of a marriage, it seems everyone’s doing it now. Whatever happened to getting wrecked on Vodka?

Well… being what you’d call impressionable, and what I prefer to call curious, I raided the flavoured box and found a packet of Organic Peppermint Tea. I didn’t have very high expectations of this one but I gave it a chance none-the-less.

I’m unsure as to whether it was the tea itself or the fact I’d just spat out a chewing gum, but it was very minty. I definitely got the refreshing sort of coldness that coats the tongue and as far as tea drinking sensations go, it was pretty nice. But for me, it failed. The tea itself was far too overpowering and once the peppermint tang had fizzled, the aftertaste of green tea made me feel as though I’d swallowed a rancid pond.

I’m not a fan of green tea but every now and then if a flavour is introduced then I’m willing to give it a try. But while I wont be trying it again, if you like green tea – you’ll love it.

Dear Earl, it's been a while

Let say, to the tune of about sixteen years or so.

So how have you been? I heard and read about you on regular occasions but it never occurred to me that maybe we should give it another go.

You see, there are so many reasons for us drifting apart and while now I am fully aware that it was my fault, back then you could say, I was just a little naïve. My grandparents would sing your praises ‘oh he’s a full bodied chap, full of zest and flavour’ personally I found you complex and just a bit too much for me. I was only young and not ready for something quite so serious.

I don’t think they are aware of our chance meeting but I’ll drop into conversation one day that I found you and we’ve decided to start over, try again.

It’s only after such a long time and after everything that I’ve experienced that I realise I’ve grown up. My tastes are much more refined and I’m engaged by deep and delicious experiences, and can handle more complex variety. I think now, we’re a much better match and on the same wavelength.

I’ve discovered so much more in you. Your sweetness overpowers where I once found you to be bitter. Your depth and not to mention a beautiful scent are captivating. You have my respect now where I was once impatient, I wanted everything too quick, demanded so much in such a short space of time, I’ll be the first to admit that simplicity is what I craved and you couldn’t give me it. You are long and drawn out and improve with time. I didn’t have the time to allow you to develop and for that I am sorry.

I’m older and wiser, more patient and keen to enjoy time with you.

What do you say?

Mr Gray?

Its over!

Don’t worry, I’m not in the midst of a horrific break up, eyeing up the razorblades and swimming in vodka… Lent is over! Yes, the short and sweet journey of flavoured infusions has come to an abrupt end and left me gagging for caffeine induced, traditional tasting, and gorgeous cups of tea.

So Easter morning rolled round and I woke up slapping my lips like a toothless old man and danced downstairs ridiculously eager to put t’kettle on. Grabbed a massive mug, shoved a teabag in and a spoon of… shit, forgot to buy sugar!! Luckily the other half and me are geeks and collect the tea/coffee and sugars from hotels we stay in so luckily, we had a stash of sugar. While waiting for what seemed a lifetime for the kettle to pop I shoved a couple of hot-cross buns in the toaster – well, you have to really. If you’re going to do Easter then do it properly for god’s sake!

The majority of people I know are so excited about Easter and all the chocolate they are going to ram down their throats. I’ve never been a huge chocoholic personally although I do enjoy a little bit now and again,  I can pretty much guarantee that the majority of eggs and their accompanying treats will be devoured by my boyfriend. In fact, writing this I know he’s probably eyeing up my Caramel Egg I’ve left there to tempt him. It gets to the point where he’ll eat my half and then replace it only to polish half of the replacement too. That happened on Valentines Day recently. I laugh but I don’t expect much when he buys me chocolate… I know he’ll be eating it rather than me but I dont mind.

So while I digressed sadly, habit got the better of me and after leaving the teabag in the cup for about 2 minutes, I got that disgusting film of what looks like sea-sludge on the top of my cuppa. But I drank it anyway.

Utter disappointment! I had waited 40 long and agonising days for this?

So suffice to say, my first cup of tea was not exactly nice. In fact, I was a little tempted to pour it down the drain and start again with a fruity bag instead but regardless, I drank it and tried to enjoy it.

The whole idea was for me to not drink tea as much as I had previously done and I think thus far it’s been a success. Since Easter I’ve had just 2 cups and I’m now on my third. The old faithful flask has come out again but rather than enjoying my 10.30am cuppa, I’ve got the hankering for some Raspberry and Echinacea. It doesn’t help that I can actually taste the undertones of berry with every sip – probably did a rubbish job of washing out the flask but I’m glad. It has made me realise that tea isn’t just about Tetley’s or PG Tips, there’s so many flavours that people just haven’t dared to try. I’ve only had a few but I’m most certainly inspired to try more. I suppose the fact I was hungover on Sunday did'nt help matters but hey, it's opened the door for some flavoursome adventure!