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Dark Dining with Tazo and Jardiniere

YumSugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 06:29:51 -0700

I recently attended a Dark Dining - which was actually a blindfolded dining - event at Jardiniere. It was put on by Tazo Tea as part of their Tazo Taste Infusion events. The events are being held in three cities - San Francisco, Seattle, and Denver - and encourage you to celebrate the artistry and craftsmanship that go into fine food. I'd recommend looking into it, as there are some interesting things going on. Luckily I was invited to their dark dining event, and am happy to report back. The tea was infused into each dish and drink, and the pairings were fantastic. I managed to take a bunch of pictures while blindfolded - I held my camera out and let it do the work. To see how the event went, click the "Start" button.

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Taste Test: Starbucks Tazo Tea Infusions

YumSugar — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 15:00:01 -0800

Despite hard times, coffee chain Starbucks continues to try new tactics. Two weeks ago, I introduced you to the company's tea lattes, its latest beverage to hit counters nationwide. But if lattes aren't your thing, Starbucks is hoping you'll reach for its new Tea Infusions instead, which are available in two flavors: Tazo Berry Chai and Tazo Apple Chai. I had a chance to give these drinks - a nondairy blend of Tazo black chai tea and fruit juice - a try. To find out how they fared, read more.

Tazo Berry Chai: Described as "a blend of aronia berry and blackcurrant juices steamed with black tea and exotic spices," I could taste the cloves and cassis sticks in the chai blended into this beverage. Although the drink had a mellow blackberry taste, each sip had a spicy, peppery ending. It did strike me as very sweet, and I wondered how much sweeter it would taste once lukewarm.

Tazo Apple Chai: Although there were supposedly "sweet spices" steamed into this beverage, PartySugar and I thought it was a dead ringer for spiced apple cider. It was also heavy on the sugar.

If you're in search of a spiced cider with a caffeine kick, or want to enjoy a drink akin to mulled wine without the alcohol, these drinks would be for you. It's hard for me to rationalize forgoing the taste of classic chai tea in exchange for one of these infusions. I found them both to be too sweet. While Starbucks maintains that they can also be served on ice, I wonder whether they would taste even more cloying when enjoyed cold.

Have you tried either of these drinks? What did you think of them?

Tasting Starbucks Full Leaf Tea Lattes

YumSugar — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 05:30:29 -0800

Consumers are bouncing back from a harried 2008 with the firm resolve to refocus, rejuvenate, and restore their well-being. Coffee chain Starbucks, in what may be a fortuitous move after a bumpy year, is hoping to capitalize on this trend with its new line of better-for-you tea drinks that include full leaf tea lattes. To see what I thought of the new drinks, keep reading.

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