First of the Grape Harvest

[hrj]

Part of last year's massive landscaping projects involved an arbor with a stone bench in the middle of the citrus grove, across from the lion-headed fountain, in a spot where I can sort of watch the world go by on the street, but I'm not completely exposed to view. I planted a grapevine at each end of the arbor (Thompson's seedless and Red Flame seedless). Last year they worked on throwing vines all the way up the pillars and across the top of the arbor, and this year the Red Flame settled into producing grapes. I think there are half a dozen distinct bunches. The grapes are somewhat small--smaller than marbles--but sweet and delicious. So when I was out doing my morning garden maintenance I clipped one of the bunches to have with my tea break.

Today's tea is another of the floofy Bingley's flavored blends: Emma's Perfect Match (green tea with dried strawberries, rose petals, rhubarb pieces, and sunflower petals) The Austen tea series goes for eye appeal as well as taste -- the flower petals are often striking but contribute little to taste. (This is especially the case for the blue flowers in the Lizzie Bennet blend.) But the fruit elements in this one are stunning.

The loose tea is very fruity smelling, in a mouth-watering way. The aroma when brewed is much more delicate. But in the cup you get a very refreshing non-specific fruit overlay to the solid green tea base. It goes very nicely with the grapes today.