White Lavender

I substituted Chamomile for Elderflower in my White Lavender blend and the result is an incredible cup!  I might fall asleep while typing this because this tea is so relaxing.  Recap of the new recipe is below:

• 1.5 tsp White Peony
• 1/2 tsp Lavender
• 1/2 tsp Chamomile

Steep for 5 mins @ 180 degrees F

Review: Making a Good Thing Even Better!

Finum Medium Filter Bags

I just received in the mail from Amazon.com my order of Fill-your-own tea bags.  They are much larger than I anticipated, but they do allow a lot of room for full leaves to expand.  I packaged up some of the Moroccan Mint I made the other day and the Gunpowder Green happily expanded to its rightful size.  They look absolutely silly, and I'm not sure they would make good gifts.  I think if I packaged up loose Lemon Grass in these as a Christmas present, my mother would die laughing at the giant proportions.

I think the Red Rose Tea Bag is afraid of being eaten...

Floral White

I found myself looking for a way to make plain white tea more exciting because let's face it, White Peony on its own is quite bland.  I originally thought of adding dried peaches to the mix or even blueberries, but that will have to be another day.  I managed to come across some bulk lavender at the store and thought this would be worth a try.  If you are like me, I usually start my day off with a powerful black tea blend and then coast through the rest of the day on lighter greens and whites.  This combo makes a nice post-dinner tea.

• 1.5 tsp China White Peony 'Pai Mu Tan' (SpecialTeas #557)
• 1/4 tsp Lavender (Frontier)
• 1/4 tsp Elderflower (Frontier)

Steep for 3 mins @ 180 degrees F

Review: The delicate floral notes of this 'Pai Mu Tan' are enhanced by the addition of Lavender and Elderflower.  To be enjoyed without sugar or honey for experiencing this blend's nuances.

Moroccan Mint

There is something about the combination of a smoky green and mint that wakes me up from any slump.  After stealing several cups worth of peppermint from my neighbor, I finally broke down an ordered a 100g tin from Upton Teas (suggested to me by my partner in crime).  I must say, I am pleased with the herb.  It is more powerful than any other mint blend I have had at the school dining hall.

• 3/4 tsp China Gunpowder Green Organic (Special Teas #520)
• 1/2 tsp Domestic Peppermint (Upton Teas #389A)
• 1/2 tsp Spearmint (Frontier)

Steep 3 mins @ 180 degrees F

Review: A Moroccan mint that will knock your socks off.  The smoky gunpowder taste is noticeable with the first sip, followed with cooling mint tones that linger.  No need for sugar here.

Sweet Dreams

Okay, so after my very successful trip to Morning Glory I was a little excited to start mixing things.  I've been on the lookout for a new bed-time brew and plain old Chamomile just isn't doing it for me anymore.  I went for the tried and true sleep/relaxation aides.  We will see what happens from there!

• 1/4 tsp Elderflower (Frontier)
• 1/4 tsp Lavender (Frontier)
• 1/2 tsp Chamomile (Frontier)
• 1/2 tsp Raspberry Leaves (Frontier)

Steep 10 min @ 212 degrees F

Review: After adding a touch of honey to this herbal infusion, the flavors balanced out wonderfully.  The Raspberry Leaves are the first taste to hit the pallet, followed by the sweet and calming flavors of the Lavender.  The Chamomile and Elderflower add their own sweetness to the brew, making this the perfect blend to drink before bedtime.  Elderflower is known for its ability to maintain a healthy immune system as well, so drink up!

Future Apothecary

Just today I discovered that Morning Glory has a wall full of every flower, herb, or spice you could imagine. Perfect for the budding tea blender! Expect a slew of new blends to try, since I just bought several herbs to start experimenting with.  The best part is that if you find a recipe you like, it will cost pennies to make since Morning Glory sells its herbs in loose bulk.  If you lucky, maybe I'll blend a batch up for you anyways.  I am a tea snob by definition, but more importantly a bargain-hunter.  I believe in quality at an appropriate price.  So stay tuned, I have a feeling my dorm room with become an apothecary.

My Current Inventory for Mixology

An Introduction

A little summary about myself before I get too into detail.  I'm a liberal arts college student who started drinking loose leaf tea about 3 years ago.  Since then I've become a fanatic.  I've tried several different loose leaf tea companies and recently I've thought about blending my own for a change.  I've noticed a complete lack of information available on the web about tea blending recipes, except for a few rare videos and how-to's here and there.  So for posterity's sake, I will be documenting my blending attempts in hopes of finding 'The Perfect Blend'.  Hilarity may ensue.

The Sexiest Tea Pot Alive