Choi Time Tea - Jasmine Green Tea Pearls

I'm pretty new to this blogging lark so I put out some feelers and got myself some lovely tea samples free via fuelmyblog.com

ChoiTime tea is what I would call an artisan brand. Their tea is sold in all the upmarket shops and is based on the traditional Chinese way of enjoying tea.

According to their site, in China tea is taken very seriously. No surprises there, but in China it seems it's far more common for people to take an interest in the specific tea plants, their cultivation and provenience in the same way the west does with wine. That's something that's really pretty obvious once you stop and think about it, but we mainly trust our brands to do that for us. They always tell us they pick the finest leaves don't they? 

So no tea bags here, no ground leaves, and no preservatives. ChoiTime tea is about the ceremony of tea. When these pearls mix with the hot water they slowly unfurl to reveal the whole leaves they are made of.

I was very kindly sent four separate samples, so I think that requires four separate posts so as to keep it all simple. First off, I thought I'd try what seemed to be the most simple and traditional sample. So I went for the Jasmine Green Tea Pearls in my greenest teacup.

I didn't time the steep, but waited until the water had changed colour slightly and the pearls had unfurled. 

And very refreshing it was too. I often find that green teas can become bitter very easily, and this was absolutely not the case here. Green tea can be a very dominate flavour, but here it is subtle and fresh. It was a pleasure to sip for a drink with so many health claims.

Obviously I can't speak for those health claims, but that's not why I drink tea. I drink tea because I love tea. I love the taste, and I love the taste of this. Of course as this is to be drunk without milk or sugar this is a good choice for anyone who is trying to cut out either of these for whatever reason.

You can even top up this tea with more hot water as you go, so the single serving can last all day. This is surely good news for tea lovers, as it means you can continue enjoying the same tea without extra waste or cost. That's what they call win-win.

I topped up the tea with fresh hot water many times and found that I didn't lose any discernible quality in taste. 

People who enjoy sanitised and plastic looking products won't like this brand. This is a brand that is proud of its ingredients and their quality. Tea is made from leaves, so you see leaves in this. It's a traditional truth that too many producers shy away from. Here the leaves are the main event, and I think that's how it should be. Why have a hamburger when you can have a steak? Yes, you've guessed it, they're more expensive than your supermarket brand so maybe not an everyday tea for most people. These teas would make lovely gifts for any tea lovers, and their sense of occasion really marks them out for events. All in all I really enjoyed the Jasmine Green Tea Pearls.

If you fancy trying something from ChoiTime Teas they have kindly offered a 10% discount with the following code: TillyTakesTea10.

Heatwave

Goodness gracious

Today London is 33 degrees C, that’s 91 degrees F, which is way too high. We’re just not used to such melty weather here in the UK. Come back drizzle, all is forgiven! As everyone knows, tea can solve any problem so today’s mercury busting highs will face the soothing power of copious cups of tea.

I was really planning to try my ChoiTime tea today, but I just know I couldn't do it justice after all this RIDICULOUS heat. I don't know how anyone ever gets anything done in hot countries. No wonder Spain invented the Siesta.

So instead take a look at the best lamp ever invented.

It's a teacup lamp and it's glorious. Massive appreciation must go to Laura Ashley for such a gorgeous creation. It's currently in the sale so you can snap it up for about half price if you're jealous :)

A dress to take tea in

Way back in May I was feeling outraged by my ridiculous wardrobe options and decided to splash out on some new dresses. ASOS is where I usually head, and so it was the case this time.

I picked a few gems but it was this tea dress that really impressed me. It’s a lovely delicate pattern that avoids being overly girly by being in a soft blue. It’s a really flattering day dress and looks equally stylish with flats or heels. The outer layer is a thin delicate fabric with a lining dress underneath so no need to worry about flashing!

I’ve had a lot of compliments about this dress when I’ve worn it. One woman even tapped me on the shoulder while I was chatting on my mobile to ask where it was from.

Unfortunately for me it has now reduced in price from £35 to £20! I hate missing a bargain. I would urge anyone who likes delicate and unfussy dresses to give it a whirl and take advantage of the deal. ASOS do free returns too, so you have very little to lose!