Pioneer Coffeehouse, Jasmine Baihao Tea, Dalton Ohio

https://www.pioneercoffeehouse.com/

I had the day off so I decided to take my Christmas gift card and coupon and go have some tea. I was looking forward to having tea at Pioneer Coffeehouse.  I wanted to try their Hugo tea.

I went in thinking I would get the oolong tea, but then the gal working the counter told me there was a new tea- Jasmine.  I love Jasmine, so I went for that one.

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https://www.hugotea.com/products/jasmine-baihao

These are beautiful rolled leaves.  I love that they unfurl when they steep.

from the website, 

"notes — sweet pea | hawthorn honey | nectarine

nomenclature — bai (白)—"white" | hao (皓)—"tip"

style — rolled & scented bai hao ("white tips")

cultivar — da ye ("big leaf")

region — guangxi province

locale — long kou farm

producer — mingfu lei

vintage — summer 2019"

This is the first place that I have ever been to that gave me a timer with my tea- I LOVE IT!!

I was given my tea and a timer- that way I could get my tea perfect.  How great is that???!  More tea places need to do this.  If you have the correct temperature and the correct steep time, you will get a wonderful cup of tea.

They even give you your own pitcher.  Once I finished this cup, I went back for more hot water.

This was a really nice Jasmine tea.  The Jasmine /floral notes were super strong, I have to say I liked the second cup better than the first, it was not as intense as the first cup.

I hung out for almost two hours- drinking tea and blogging.   They have free wi-fi and several comfy places to chill in the coffeehouse.  I like their style and the vibe in there.

The only thing missing as I looked out the window was snow!!  I love watching it snow...

Justea, Safari Oolong

One of my co-workers made monster cookies, they are wonderful!  The remind me of cookies that my mom used to make.  They are my all time favorite cookie.

https://justea.com/product/safari-oolong-refill-pouch

From the website, "A rare find from Kenya, this oolong tea is meticulously crafted in small batches.  Hand-plucked, withered, tossed, panned, rolled and then dried, these complex processing steps result in an exquisite cup of tea.  Enjoy!

Tasting Notes: Smooth & Satisfying, Candied Hazelnuts & Apricot"

Oolong is my favorite kind of tea.  I was excited to try this Safari Oolong.  My mom lived in Kenya for almost a year doing some mission work- so I love that Justea is from Kenya.

One of my favorite memories of Africa!  Riding on the top of the 4Runner and looking for animals.  At one point even being chased by elephants.  Their flapping ears and trumpeting call- it was incredible!!!

We spent the night in this "hut".

Here is a mom elephant and her baby.

I was in Africa in 2006 doing mission work and went on Safari.  It was an incredible experience.  I could not wait to try this tea,  I have to say I did not get any of the hazelnut flavor.  It was still a good tea, but I missed the hazelnut. 

I have to admit I messed up the first time I made this tea.  I had the water too hot, so when I tried the tea it was awful because I had bruised the leaves.  I had to throw it out and try again.  The second time I made the tea it was really good.  I would like more hazelnut in it, but other than that it did not disappoint.

I am also enjoying my new WV camper van mug.

Earl Grey, my cat, is eyeing my tea....

Tea Forte, Bombay Chai with Hartzlers Eggnog

I found this fun sign at Pine Tree Barn in Wooster, it made me chuckle.  

Time for some Christmas fun!!!  A time of games, being with family, and most importantly celebrating Jesus birth!!

I hope if you are reading this you know about Jesus and what He has done for you.  Jesus is the reason for this Christmas season.  He loves you.  He came to earth through the virgin Mary.  He came to save each one of us from our sins, He is the only way to have everlasting life.  He wants to have a personal relationship with you.  He then died and rose again three days later- He took our sins upon Himself.    He can bring true joy and peace.  I am more than happy to tell you about Him if you contact me.

I decided to make a Chai Latte with eggnog.  Oh my!!!  First off you can not beat Hartzler Dairy Eggnog- it is like a smoothie all on it's own.  But, when you make a good chai and froth in the eggnog you have a hit on your hands!!!

https://www.teaforte.com/store/gourmet-tea/bombay-chai/

• Organic black tea
 
• Organic ginger
 
• Organic cinnamon
 
• Organic cardamom
 
• Natural flavors
 
• Organic cloves
 
• Organic star anise
 
• Organic black pepper

https://www.hartzlerdairy.com/eggnog

This is delicious and I wish I could get Hartzler eggnog year round!   Tea Forte does a great job with their chai as well.  This was the perfect combination of spices from the chai and the sweetness of the eggnog.

More fun with family!  We love to play games together!!!

Ohio Tea Company, Ontario Icewine

Enjoying my new mug- my parents gave it to me for Christmas.  It is from Lehmans, my uncle's store. I worked there for years when I was younger.  I have so many fun memories working there with my family.

https://www.ohioteaco.com/Ontario-Icewine_p_447.html

from the website, 

"Extra Info:

The complex method for making Ontario ice wine is modeled after the centuries old techniques for making German Eiswein. (The first ice wines were produced in Germany about 700 years ago.) According to Canadian law, in order to be considered true Ice Wine, all grapes must be harvested after the first hard freeze at a minimum of 8.

Freezing temperature is key. If it doesnt come quickly enough in the season the grapes can rot. If it is too severe, the grapes will become to hard and no juice can be extracted. In order to retain their sweet flavor, the harvested grapes need to be pressed immediately while still frozen. The pressed juice is thick and sugary, much like the wine produced after fermentation!"

I find the extra information fascinating!!!

This tea is not like any tea I have ever tried- in a good way.  I have never had icewine, so I am not sure what it taste like, but this tea is great.  The notes are sweet.  It is super delicate.  I really love drinking it.

These leaves remind me of a silver needle tea.

It is white tea, so you need to make sure you never boil the water or over steep the leaves.

Enjoying tea with my Uncle Jay, lol!!! 

Ohio Tea Company, Angel Falls Mist

I love loose tea!  When at work I usually put the loose tea in tea bags for brewing.  You can usually find nice empty tea bags for adding your loose leaf tea too.

https://www.ohioteaco.com/Angel-Falls-Mist_p_199.html

From the website, 

"A wildly exotic strawberry and lemon character.

Extra Info:

This tisane was named in honor of the highest waterfall in the world - Angel Falls. This waterfall is located in the tropical jungles of Venezuela and drops over 2000 feet. The volume of water that falls is quite small compared to major waterfalls such as Niagara or Victoria Falls but none can compare to the height. At the bottom of the falls there is a constant drizzle because the water literally turns to mist on account of the fact that the water breaks down into molecules after the dizzying drop.

Ingredients:

Natural dried apple pieces, hibiscus, rosehip, natural dried orange, calendula petals, and natural flavors.,

Origin:

Canada, USA, Thailand, Spain"

My friend bought this tea and let me try it.  I have to say it was just okay.  I am not sure I am a strawberry fan in tea.  I wonder if that is part of the natural flavors- it didn't say.  But, the website did say it had an exotic strawberry character. 

There was nothing bad about the tea, it just wasn't one of my favorites.  I guess I can't love all the teas, lol.