Best of 2009: Day #16 – Peet's Jasmine Downy Pearls
I absolutely LOVE coffee and could geek out forever experiencing various blends, roasts, brews… but I just don’t crave the stuff. It might be that it’s somewhat in my blood as my mom and her father before her both had stints roasting beans and running coffee shops respectively; and while my time spent in the trenches as a barista at “FourBucks” are some of my fondest memories… somewhere along the way I hit a wall with coffee. We have our mutual respect, but I think I began to grow weary I started seeing it as more of a utility drink to force my way through my days doing things I don’t have my heart fully invested in, combined with the jittery, edgey, aggro-monster I’d sometimes become because of it.
Which is why earlier this year I began really gearing up my mind grapes to delve into the world of tea, moving from the off the shelf bagged variety (though I do love me some Tazo Zen blend in a pinch) and into the more diverse loose teas. Unfortunately I didn’t get too far into my exploration this year, BUT I did find a tea that knocked my socks off!
Peet’s Jasmine Downy Pearls variety is all sorts of soothing. The taste is very subtle, clean, and sweet enough that I didn’t feel it necessary to add sugar or honey. But what’s the big win is the aroma, especially if you’re a fan of Jasmine. Another really fun aspect of this tea is that as it steeps the balled up “pearl” leaves bloom and unfurl into their more natural leafy state, and the aroma gradually takes on it’s more subtle complexities. And through all this it’s never over powering.
To bolster my conviction on my tea journey I’m shopping around for a modestly priced infuser for home so I can better watch what the tea does through it’s steeping process, and would greatly appreciate any reccomendations. I’m easily amused, sure, but I like what I like, and I hope you enjoy it too. 
To Join the Best of 2009 Challenge Check Out This Link: http://www.gwenbell.com/blog/2009/11/30/the-best-of-2009-blog-challenge.html
And find me on Twitter: @mikeisonthenets
