The Perfect Day in Cups

I have had - am still having - the most wonderful day.  The most delicious splendiferous day.

This morning I finally found perfection in my morning joe.  It's taken me a while, and a lot of trial and error, in spite of bccy's destructions, but I finally finally got it right.  I used my Jamaican Blue in my little cafetiére, with just the right amount of coffee, just the right water temperature, just the right brewing time, and just the right girl to drink it with the proper amount of reverence and appreciation. I savored every sip. 

And the morning was fine, sunny and sweet, but not too hot yet.  My strawberries are fruiting, and although my honeysuckle and jasmine have not yet started to bloom, there was a faint scent of orange blossoms in the air.  Altogether a perfect morning.

We can just skip over the mid-day grind, although with such a good start I'm happy to say I got a lot done, and was even proud of my creations.

Afternoon break-time has arrived, and I have to admit I've been looking forward to this for hours. 

There was this tea I used to lovelovelove.  I can't remember the proper name, but I called it orange spice.  It was really heavy with an orangey-cinnamon flavor, and I've never found anything that quite matched it.  Well, I think I have finally found something.  One of the teas that came in my Portsmouth sample box - Masala Chai, Black Blend. 

I thought chai was just another word for tea.  I had to go look it up to see what this was.  A googlesearch found "chai from India" (rich black tea, heavy milk, a combination of various spices, and sweetner).  And the masala part comes from an Indian word meaning any spice blend.  Culinary Teas lists common spices used (for instance, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger and cloves). 

Portsmouth's website doesn't say exactly what they put in theirs.  Mystery spices.  Whatever is in it, it sure is good.  The first cup I made was too strong.  Second steeping is just right.  JUST right.  I need to use a little less tea next time.  It is a little more fruity of flavor than the orange-spice I used to love, and a little less cinnamony, but that seems to make it all the better. 

And the afternoon is continuing as the day began, fine and blue and not too hot.  There's even a light breeze.  I'm going to take this delish cuppa out into the afternoon and get away from this office buzzing with electronics.  And after I've thoroughly enjoyed my tea, I'm going to make cookies.  Can it get any better than this?  Well, ok, maybe if I won the lottery.

Ta!

Comments

[Nancy]

I meant to say that if you like a somewhat heavy, dark tea with a hint of orange and spices, you might like to check out this one from Lipton. It's very good. :) [http://www.teaandhealth.com/our_products/
flavored_black_tea/flb_orange_spice.asp]

[Nancy]

Sounds like a lovely day, indeed! :) I hope you enjoyed!

[Stacey]

Hey! Jerry Garcia has a few new teas out! Let us know=if you are so inclined to try them=what you think!
S

[keewee]

This sound like a perfect day to me too, glad you enjoyed it. How were the cookies? went well with your tea didn't they?