Look over my essay (exercise)?
I did a bit of an “exercise” where I just sat down and started writing anything that came to mind that I knew I could make some sort of story out of. It definitely isn’t the best, but if anyone could read it over and tell me where I went wrong, where I may have went right, etc. I highly doubt this will be the rough draft to my final essay, and while I like the story I feel it definitely isn’t everything admissions officers are looking for. And yes I already know I should avoid using this much detail for the tea making process LOL.
A sip from the mug led me only to disappointment. No, that wasn’t right either!
I had created at least 5 cups of these tea since begging my dad to buy it for me from the coffee shop I frequent an hour from home. It was an exquisite experience, and I found myself calmer and more focused than ever before while drinking the honey, honey tea with a spoonful of honey mixed in. If only I could get that same experience at home! And so after a week or two of asking my dad, he bought it for me.
My first time brewing the tea of course wasn’t going to be perfect, but I didn’t realize that until my second sip. Maybe it needed longer. So the next night I let the tea sit in the water for a full 10 minutes (as instructed by the top recommendation on Google) and tried it then. It still wasn’t tasting right! I was sure I would’ve had it by then.
Ok. I knew what I was doing this time. Apparently, you’re supposed to give room for the tea leaves to expand—of course! I had been using this tiny contraption that squeezed and packed the tea leaves in tight so that I could dunk it in my mug without the leaves becoming able to get out. Instead, I dusted off an old glass (?) that my dad used to use for his coffee, and I poured my hot water and loose tea leaves in there. I let it sit for 10 minutes (as instructed) and filtered out the leaves in the tea through a strainer and let the juices of my labor fall into my mug. I added my regular amount of honey and…still not it.
Now I was really upset at this point, nothing seemed to be working! What did it want now? My soul? My first born child? My totally normal sized serving of honey? Fine.
The next time, I brewed it exactly how I was instructed and only added half of what I usually add in terms of honey. It felt as if I was sacrificing my pleasure for a meager cup of tea. Upon the first sip…it was better. I took a second sip. It was better! Now it was far from perfect and far from what the coffee shop I went to served, but I was actually getting somewhere.
With my next cup of tea I went through the motions but this time only let the tea leaves steep for 5 minutes. Apparently the first Google recommendation doesn’t have the cure all after all and sometimes you have to dig a bit deeper. Deeper meaning the official tea companies website with a page literally labeled “What to do if your tea doesn’t have enough flavor?” You’d think that would be the first thing I check, well, you’re wrong.
Alright. I was ready. It was go time. The previous day I had gone to the coffee shop and bravely asked the woman at the front register how they brew their tea. I knew what I was doing.
I took out the glass (?) and set it to the side, grabbing my mug and filling it up with filtered water (you shouldn’t use tap water, as the chemicals mixed into the water, while minuscule, can actually alter the taste of the tea) and placed it in my microwave for two rounds of the “beverage” setting (whatever that meant). I prepared a tablespoon of the leaves in advance to be put directly into the hot water. About three minutes later, it was ready to be transferred from the mug to the glass (?), and I immediately dumped the first round of leaves into the water and then prepared ANOTHER to be dumped directly in with the first round and water. I quickly put the lid on (to trap the heat) and waited exactly (?) minutes. I strained the tea leaves from the tea and added exactly one spoonful of our locally sourced honey from the college farm my uncle works at.
I stirred carefully, and drew the mug up for my first sip.