Leaves, Life and Love

The story of a running reader who likes to drink tea

Black Raspberry from Teaquent Stop in Bellingham WA

Media_httpimagesinsta_cysgk

I've walked past this shop in Bellingham a few times, but I have never been in until yesterday. I wouldn't say that they had a huge selection of tea that wasn't flavoured, but they had a good selection of black teas. All of the teas are on a display in small containers so you can smell and see the leaf. My one issue with this, is how fresh is the sample in comparison to the tea that they give you? Nonetheless I picked up some Black Raspberry and some White Peach. I did ask where the white tea orginiated from, but the assistant wasn't too sure. 

So, the tea. 1 teaspoon for 6 minutes worth of steeping with a dash of milk added after led to a lovely cup of tea with a hint of raspberry that wasn't over powering, but had a nice after taste.

New Mugs

Pastedgraphic-1
Sounds silly, but I've been doing a bit of reading lately about how you should drink your tea. From what I've been seeing and from personal experience there are a few simple tips to go by in order to get the most out of your loose leaf tea.
  • Use filtered water, the reason for this is to make sure there is little fluoride and other impurities that can be found in you water. These additives may affect the flavour of your brew. I have been looking at a filtered kettle, but I can't seem to find one in Canada. If you need to add water to cool your tea, add filtered water.
  • Use the one mug for tea and one for coffee. It doesn't matter how many times and how well you wash your mugs I have found that drinking tea out of a mug that I have coffee in can affect the flavour of the tea. I can sometimes taste the strong coffee flavour, and I don't want that when I'm supping a flavourful rooibos. I recently was in Starbucks and saw these cute mugs (see pic above). There were only three left, so I picked up two of them specifically for tea drinking. At the moment I have been using my tea for life mug, which is only good for one cup, and as I often make my other half a cup as well, I often have to make a pot of tea when I don't necessarily want to. 
  • Use A teaspoon measure. Tea needs to be measured by accuracy otherwise it may be too strong, or not strong enough.
  • Have the right temperature of the water. Most teas will say on there label how hot to have the water. I have full intension of making a post at a later date with guidelines for the perfect boiling temps.
I hope these help you enjoy your favourite brew!

Ban the Tea Ball (Sometimes)

I'm starting to notice more and more places selling mesh or stainless steal devices that hold enough tea leaves to make a cup of your favourite brew. This to some extent is true, but I would like to tell you where the tea ball originated from. 

Back in the 19th century drinking tea became a big past time for the English, it still is today. As trends always occur, people always look for a more 'fashionable' way of showing they have style and the tea ball was one of those ways. Black tea was the tea to drink in the mid 19th Century, and by the time Queen Elizabeth was crowned EVERYONE drank tea, and every respectable house would have a ball infuser. My thing with these balls is that they were invented to help steep black tea. During the time period when the balls became fashionable Western people were mainly drinking fine cut 'orange pekoe' (a form of black leaf) the tea that is generally used in store bought pre-made tea bags. This leaf is very small and steeps very easily, split open a bag of PG Tips if you want to see for yourself. As the tea bag was not readily available at this time the tea ball enabled drinkers to take their favourite black tea with them on the move without having to worry about taking anything else other than a cup and saucer.
To attempt to brew any other tea in this device would be a shame. A lot of larger leaved teas, such as a Royal Red Robe Oolong with large individually plucked leaves, would just not steep to there full potential as you are restricting the movement of the leaf. A Ball infuser may seem like a good idea for being on the go, or at the office, but the mesh disposable bags are better for that quick cup of your favourite White Fujian giving it room to breathe and time for you to enjoy the aroma. There is a time and a place to use a tea ball, and that time would be for a quick cup of Twinnings English Breakfast tea, brewed just the way Queen Elizabeth would've wanted. 
Tea-ball-chain-lg

Pumpkin Chai

Media_httpimagesinsta_nqddb

We all know when summers over we start to see all the pumpkin treats on offer in the stores and this Pumpkin Chai is no expection. Black tea with cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, caramel and pumpkin pieces with pumpkin candy is a nice reminder of why we should love Autumn as a season of flavors, not fear it as a sign that summer has ended. 1 1/2 tsp for 6 mins was just about the right steep time for me with a splash of milk and a good book takes you straight into the Autumnal feel that September has...however, if you looked out my window today you'd think it was mid July, the sun is blazing. Nothing will stop me from drinking this tea though.

Read My Lips

Readmylips_1

I was never quite sure on the idea of chocolate tea. Chocolate with a cup of black tea is always good, but chocolate in tea was another thing until I tried this. 'Read My Lips' from David's Tea is a combination of black china tea, vanilla, peppermint, chocolate and red
peppercorns with little red candy lips. Yes, it has little cut out lips in the tea with give the leaves a burst of colour. The little blue/grey drops of chocolate give it that sweetness with out the sickly after taste of consuming a whole bar of Dairy Milk. The
recommended steep is 1.5 tsp with boiling water for 4-6 minutes. As with all black teas I always add a drop of milk, I'm not brave enough
for the strong taste of black tea straight up! A 50g bag can be picked up from David's Tea for $6.50. A small price to pay for a minty chocolate sweet tea that will go with and chocolate bar, if that's your type of thing. ;)

My rehydration routine

P94

I don't like to take a bottle of water with me when running, in all honesty I can't be bothered to hold it. I used to take one when I first started, but now i opt to carry a few dollars on me as I always run on sidewalks so a gas station or supermarket are never too far away.
It was when I started practicing yoga that the instructor suggested soluble Vitamin C for post class rehydration to help balance out electrolytes. This was especially important as I was practicing hot yoga and was sweating enough to fill a paddling pool!
After doing some research I also found that Vitamin D3's were supposed to help runners recover and recuperate energy levels. As I run outside I find the D3's also help my energy levels on the days I don't get out in the sun.
After a good run I always have one 1000mg soluble Vitamin C (I've taken to Emergen-C at the moment for the ease of carrying sachets) and I take 2000 IU Vitamin D3.

Mexican Pizza

Pizza

I love these, and they re so quick to make!
Ingredients:
2 whole wheat tortillas
1 medium tomato, chopped and de-seaded (your choice as to what type, I prefer vine)
1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro/coriander
1tsp lime juice
1 jalapeño, chopped and de-seaded
1/ 2 cup chopped yellow onion
1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup of low fat shredded cheese (I like the mozzarella and cheddar mix)

1. Turn oven on to 400F or 200C.
2. Mix the tomato, lime juice, onion, cilantro, and jalapeño in a bowl and put to the side.
3. Place tortilla in oven on baking sheet and parchment paper for 3 mins, remove from oven.
4. Divide tomato mix onto both tortillas leaving a small gap around the edge to act like the crust.
5. Divide the beans between both tortillas.
6. Divide the cheese between both tortillas.
7. Place back in the oven for approximately 6 minutes or until cheese is melted and tortillas are turning brown.
8.Serve and enjoy