Thirsty Thursday #22
Hi! Can you believe we're up to our twenty-second Thirsty Thursday post?! I love it! The other day Lady Marvin posted a photo of her steeped tea; it was so colorful. When we asked about it she told us it was the Buckingham Palace Garden tea she and Xyra found at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. I had to find it and share it with you!
So here's the thing. It's not available at the grocery store; and the company site is for wholesalers, so you can't really order directly online either. BUT if you are out and find a little tea shoppe you might find this tea blend on the shelves.
According to the picture Xyra took this blend is, "Flavoury with medium body. Delicate Earl Grey and Jasmine notes. Bright with a touch of coppery colour. Perfect for afternoon settings." The website adds, "Intriguing hints of high-grown Ceylon Earl Grey blend effortlessly with soft Fujian jasmine, malty Assam, flavoury Dimbula Ceylon, and brisk East of Rift Kenya to create a blend fit for the Queen's annual royal garden party."
Because we don't have a container to show off, I'm using our small stove as a pedestal. The little white bowl holds enough tea to steep for the review.
Isn't is pretty?
It's even prettier in the teapot!
Water added. Lid on.
Timer set for 4 minutes.
You know sometimes we will practice with a tea before we review it. Yesterday we practiced and majorly over steeped the tea. Do NOT over steep this tea. It gets really bitter. We doctored it, but it was still pretty bad.
[Timer beeps]
Done! It does have a lovely copper color to it.
And lightly dancing leaves.
The more you have in your cup the deeper the color. This will be my plain taste.
Now all three cups are prepared.
(sips)
Plain is nice. Comforting. Not one note tries to top the others. The Earl Grey and jasmine are very faint. I'll add a tiny bit of table sugar. (sips)
Hmmm. The sugar brings out the jasmine more. Still delicate and well blended notes. The website's Buckingham Palace Garden paragraph starts out, "Milk before the tea, or tea before the milk?" So I'm going to add that too. (sips)
You know, even though it is a "medium body" it holds up well with a bit of sugar and milk. The milk adds a creaminess to the mix.
I really like this blend.
It is holds up anyway you like to fix it...but I'm curious. I wonder if it can be re-steeped?
Here we go!
[Timer beeps]
Wow! No change in color.
Let's see how it tastes. I'm only trying it plain this time. Just checking the blend and body of a re-steep. Sometimes the next steeping is weaker. (sips)
Hey! This is good. It re-steeps well. Almost better than the first cup, almost. Anyway, the Metropolitan Tea Company Buckingham Palace Garden tea is lovely with nice flavors blending for a relaxing cup.
I hope you find it in your area tea shoppe.
Oh! Here is the Find a Retailer link.
What is your favorite beverage for the afternoon?
Oh, hey! Did you notice the photos aren't quite as yellow or dark as previous? We have new light fixtures in the kitchen now. They're really bright! But make for good photos!
So glad you stopped. Come again soon!
Note: Tea Time with Melody Q is not affiliated with American Girl or The Metropolitan Tea Company. The tea reviewed was purchased with our won money for our collection. The review is unsolicited and comprised of our own honest opinions, thoughts, and words. Links are provided for educational and informative purposes only; no purchase is required or suggested to enjoy the post.
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