Coco Chai

I have to be honest, the first time I read Coco Chai I thought it hinted at a relationship of Coco Chanel and Chai tea. I didn't understand how there could be any connection between the two and was therefore confused. Then I smelled it. And it smelled so heavenly and intoxicating, I totally didn't care about the confusing name.

Welcome back to Tuesday Tea!


Coco Chai Rooibus is my current favourite tea. It's a red tea (if you follow David's colouring scheme) and packs quite a punch. Made with rooibus, coconut, pink peppercorns and other fun flavours, it tastes a bit like spiced cider and yet sweet like coconut at the same time. The girl is shop said it's amazing as an iced tea, but since it was -3 and felt like -9 with the windchill today, I haven't ventured into a cold tast test yet. Best of all, it's caffeine free, so I can drink a cuppa anytime I like (like before bed!).

It doesn't hurt that it's pretty to look at either!

What is Rooibus tea you might ask? It's technically not tea, but it is made from a plant - found in South Africa - and can be brewed to quite a strong taste, although it makes a great pairing with a lot of other flavourings and other tea additions. It does make some of the smallest pieces of tea, so whenever I make a rooibus based tea, I try and use the smallest-holed strainer I have to prevent any of the leaves (which resemble tiny little pine needles) from slipping through.


Another rooibus tea that I recently discovered is David's Teas' new springtime Jolly Jellybean tea. It was an instant hit with both my hubby and I, which made it a quick and easy buy...not to mention how can one resist tea with mini jellybeans it it!!!

See - I wasn't kidding about mini jellybeans!

I'd recommend either of these teas to anyone who likes a good flavour in their tea, and doesn't mind a strong scent - both of these teas smell a lot (of yumminess) even before they're brewed. Coco chai is a bit more strong in taste, and if you don't like coconut, it's probably not your cup of tea. Jolly Jellybean is a great starter for anyone venturing into teas or trying rooibus for the first time.


Enough advice. I'll leave you with a picture of the tea that has my hubby reminding me every other day that I have to wait until April to visit the tea store again...I know I know. I have a problem. But it's healthy and my mom got me started on it! :)

chau!
-r 

The start of something new

Today is the start of a new series - Tuesday Tea. I'm looking at motivating myself to do posts on a more regular basis (read: more often than twice a month). so I thought I would pick a topic that I'm passionate about and write about it once a week (I know that's only 4 times a month, but you gotta start somewhere).

so welcome to

  Tuesday Tea!

My love affair with tea probably started before I was even old enough to drink hot beverages. You see, when I was 6, shortly after my sister was born, my mom decided to quit drinking coffee. After a short lived affair with decaf, she eventually replaced her morning coffee with tea. And since it was the caffeine she was ultimately trying to stop consuming, she drank herbal tea. It was fruity and good smelling and everything a little girl thought was yummy to drink. And since it was basically hot water with natural flavouring, my mom let me have some. I felt so grown-up!

Loose leaf tea was something I don't remember knowing a lot about until university. I may have tried it before, but in first year I discovered this lovely little tea shop close to uptown Waterloo. It was called Distinctly Tea and it introduced me to the world that is tea outside of the teabag.

Check out Distinctly Tea here

I got my first teaball (with a sunflower charm on the end) and finally tried green/black/roobis tea. It was fun. and addicting. All the different kinds (with endless ever revolving options and new teas) completely had me hooked. And now I'm going on strong 6 years!


Next week, look for me to post actually on Tuesday and we'll cover my current favourite (coco chai) and a good newbie (jolly jellybean!)



chau!
-r

Another one* bites the dust

where one* = deliciously easy to make meal.

Sweet & Sour Pork courtesy of Mr. Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution

I've also recently realized I like and listen to a lot of 'old' rock bands (a la Queen, Beatles, the Police, etc) hence the title.

Happy Eating!

chau
- r