So as it turns out there is a person out there with the name Tea Geek and as some of you know I have recently started a website called TeaGeeks. The differences are of course one website is “.net” and mine is “.com” and I have a “s” on the end of my name and he doesn’t. I found out about this other person and site once my last blog post went out. I was then notified by a few people that I know and also knows the other site. Before then I had no idea this other site even exsisted and once I went to the site noticed it was a place where you can sign up to receive newsletters. I thought to myself this is clearly different than what I was doing. I admit it did kind of stink that there was someone else out there with a similar name but I thought I would just let it go. I even reached out to the owner of the other site to at least say “Hi” and how it is so funny our names are so similar. Here I thought I had an original idea. I was thinking of that name for a long time. I was excited when I saw the domain name was available. Nevertheless, I get the feeling the other person is upset with me and may have the idea that I stole something from him. I might be wrong and hope I am. For one thing I didn’t steal anything he still has his site and I have mine. It just so happens they are similar. On the other hand I don’t want anyone to think ill of me. For me to steal anything would be a terrible way to start a business and even if I tried would be noticed in our tightly knit community, as was proven here. If any feelings were hurt I will apologize. Unfortunately, my excitement is now tainted and I really don’t want anyone upset with me. I also know I can’t make everyone happy. So hoping that everyone knows that I am not a malicious person maybe just a clueless one from time to time so I need to ask what would you do? I can look into keeping TeaGeeks or I already have another domain name I am not using which I like as well called IHeartTeas. I love both names, clearly I liked the first a bit better. So would you keep the original name or would you change it? This is the best time to make changes since I haven’t really done much on the side of business yet. I have only sold teas from my personal stash. Any thoughts? I would just hate this to be an issue for anyone. Tea=Love and that is how I would like to keep it.

Please help me! Thank you!

Dear Frank (Owner of 52Teas),

I think I love you and I don’t care what my husband says. No other man is capable of providing all my different love of foods into tea form the way you do. I am tired of living in the shadows, lurking on your website to see what’s new next week. You know what I love better than anyone. Right now I am addicted to your new concoction Caramel Apple Honeybush. I get a full cup of unadulterated sin without any of the guilt. Oh and Frank you are such a tease. You give me something I just can’t live without and then just like that you take it away. What a tease! So it goes without saying you leave me begging for more.

“Review of Caramel Apple Honeybush: Deliciously smooth with a mellow caramel mouthful and a slight apple tart finish. It is absolutely devine. It is the true essence of a real caramel apple made perhaps of a Grammy Smith apple or something similar.
My Rating: 10 out of 10
Perparation: 1 tsp, 208° F, 6 mins.”

So Frank I leave you with this… Keep blending those delicious teas and I will be yours forever.

P.S. Frank, thanks for being such a good sport. That goes to my husband too

Tea Name: Cinnamon Roll Black
Company Name: Capital Teas
Company Description: A delightful blend of Ceylon black tea and high quality cinnamon pieces.

Tea Review: I had such high hopes for this one. As soon as I saw it I was thinking about those gooey Cinnabons. I knew it wouldn’t taste exactly like that but I was hoping it would at least taste slightly like a regular store bought cinnamon roll. Unfortunately, it was mostly a strong strictly cinnamon tea. The dry leaves smelled amazing and the pieces of cinnamon were large and beautiful. However, it just didn’t work for me. I found the taste more closely related to cinnamon flavored gum and not at all a cinnamon “roll”. A disappointment for me. However, I am certain someone strictly interested in a strong cinnamon tea that is would be a perfect cuppa for them.

Preperation: 1 teaspoon, 208º F, 4 minutes

Rating: 4.5 out of 10

* If your interested in playing along and want to sample the same 9 teas I will be drinking? You can purchase the whole Capital Teas Blog Sample Series by clicking on the link. Thank you!

Over the past month I have been contemplating on if I want to take my love of tea to the next step and start selling tea? It has been a thought I had been laughingly considering for years but never really thought I would consider making into a reality. If you are wondering what the turning point was, it was the day I read about Tea Trade. When I first read about the concept I thought it was a wonderful idea and knew I wanted to be involved. I didn’t necessarily think of myself selling tea on the site but the idea did appeal to me. The idea of a location dedicated to all things tea just had to be a good thing right? I just couldn’t wait to read about tea, make new tea friends, maybe find new teas to add to my stash, what a fun place. So one day my husband and I were talking and thought wouldn’t it be fun if I could sell some of my excess tea? Sometimes I can be over zealous and purchase more than I could ever consume. With so much tea available out there I would get carried away and buy, buy, buy because I just had to try that new flavor or it is on sale or I enjoyed a particular tea and just had to stock up. I shopped for tea like a ravenous tea fiend for sometime but realized that had to stop. My hours were cut at work and money was getting tight so buying so much tea had to stop. As I was saying before I started to ramble my husband, Ralph and I started to talk and thought Tea Trade was a great opportunity to sell my excess and that maybe I could use that extra money on new teas or anything else for that matter. So with that said we gave it ago. It started out with two postings the Mystery Sample Pack and Customized Sample Pack and as they the rest was history. Within a day I sold my first sample package and the sales just kept coming. We started to think maybe this was for me, maybe this could be that blessing in disguise we have been looking for. I absolutely LOVE getting that next order and putting them together. It is the first thing I have ever done that doesn’t feel like work. I know I could do this forever but the question is should I? So much risk with the potential for so much reward or even loss.

I have $500 to invest and am trying to decide on if I take the next step or keep this simple as I have been and continue to sell my excess. If things go as well as they have been I would be a fool not to make a serious effort but on the other hand $500 is a lot when you already don’t have much. I am making my decision by next week. My husband supports any decision I make but I believe he wants me to throw caution to the wind and work on making my dreams come true. I need to think more. So much to consider before I can make such a serious decision. Wish me luck and tell me what you think I should do.

Sorry for the delay but as usual life sometimes gets in the way but I suppose that is just how life is. No worries though here I am as promised and will share with you the second of nine tea reviews I am doing on Capital Teas. I am so glad I decided on this particular tea, or should I say tisane and below I will with share with you the reason why…

Name: Blueberry Yogurt Rooibos

Company Name: Capital Teas

Company Description: A liquid dessert awaits with the aroma of ripe blueberries and creamy yogurt; a perfect blend of our honeybush with cranberries, blueberries, cornflower petals, milk granules, and sugar parts.

My Preparation Parameters: 1 tsp., 208° F, 7 minute steep

My Review: Deliciously blueberry. Sweet but not tart. A dessert tea without a doubt. I have found it difficult to find a blueberry tea I really like. Many times the blueberry just doesn’t taste authentic. I have had a few that tasted syrupy and too candy like. Some have had a strange after taste. I don’t know maybe I am picky but nevertheless the fact remains that this is delightful. I can see myself without a doubt drinking this one again. As for the yogurt aspect of this blend I am not sure if I even tasted it. It may be there and I just didn’t detect it. Although, since I didn’t notice it, it still does account for some points lost. I am still looking for accuracy. So, if I forgive the lack of yogurt and just judge the flavor I can say it is delicious and it is a bit like the flavor of blueberry pie. Always a good thing. In the words of Homer Simpson….”Ummm. Blueberry Pie!”

Rating: 8.5 of 10

If interested in purchasing the Capital Teas Blog Series Sampler Series please refer to this link… Capital Teas Blog Series Sampler Set

Company Description:
The moderate climate of New Zealand and its unspoiled, lush green hills have proven to provide ideal growing conditions for tea, in particular oolong. Roasted at high temps, this Zealong oolong yields a smooth, complex cup.

The first infusion of our Masters Waikato Zealong is quietly toasty, with whispers of citrus fruit and floral notes – perhaps honeysuckle. The second infusion is a bit softer with buttery notes and honey-floral character. But don’t stop there – these leaves are cultivated to produce numerous infusions each to be admired for its nuances.

Review: Upon my first sip I was in heaven.  It is just as described.  There is an obvious wonderful buttery flavor to this cup.  You can taste the freshness with each sip. It has a nice deep flavor with an almost broth like body.  There is a definite slight toastiness but it is something you need to concentrate on just a bit.  It is worth the contemplation because once you find it all the various nuances it all just comes together and creates a most delicious cup.   I detected the floral notes in front but failed to notice the citrus.  Nevertheless, I could drink this everyday but for now it will just have to be a treat.

Rating: 10 of 10

Parameters: Roughly 1 teaspoon layered on the bottom of my yiking pot, 195º F, 4 minute steep.

Review: A creamy lemony delight. The natural sweet of the rooibos only added to the lemon cream essence. The creamy aspect was the strongest in this blend. If there were any additional changes that could be made to this blend I would add more of a lemon tang. It needs a little sharpness on the finish. Doing so would make this blend taste more like the lemon filling in a lemon meringue pie. Otherwise, it is very delicious, sweet, creamy, and smooth. I will drink this again and I will most definitely purchase it again as well.

Rating: 8.5 of 10
Parameters: 1 Full Teaspoon, 208ºF, 5 minutes