Pear Pressure went into testing, and jasmine apparently thought the entire meeting was about her.
It tasted like perfume—but in a good way. Beautifully floral, fragrant, and very sure of itself. The problem? This was supposed to be a pear tea. And pear could barely get a word in.
I made three separate steeps, and that jasmine stayed floral through every last one. She was not leaving early.
So while I haven’t landed the final Pear Pressure blend, I think I may have found my jasmine tea supplier. That kind of staying power deserves its own moment. Just perhaps not every moment in this particular cup.
Pear needs a little backup.
Here’s what I took away from this round: pear needs apple. Like we need air. It’s that simple. 😂
At least for the flavor I’m trying to build, pear needs something beside it to help that soft fruit note come through. I don’t want a cup that shouts. I want delicate, mellow pear that you can actually taste.
Apple is coming in as support. White tea is getting its turn as the base. And jasmine is being reassigned.
No hard feelings. But we did discuss this.
Then another recipe showed up.
Somewhere between “Where the hell is the pear?” and my third steep, another idea arrived.
That’s the part I’m enjoying about testing. I can start with one very specific plan, taste something completely different, and suddenly have another blend to explore.
This jasmine will be paired two ways. I’m keeping the details close for now, because an idea still has to earn its place in the cup. But that little detour gave me something I wasn’t expecting—and I’m curious enough to follow it.
Pear Pressure still has work to do. Jasmine now has assignments.
A little treat. A little market research.
I also realized I haven’t been to a tea shop in forever.
For someone spending this much time thinking about tea, weighing tea, and having disagreements with tea, that feels like an oversight.
So I’m planning to visit a few shops for tastings. Try something I wouldn’t normally order. Pay attention to the aroma, the balance, the way a cup changes as it cools. Enjoy someone else doing the steeping for once.
A little treat and a little market research. Both can be true.
For now, the test pouches are labeled, the notes are growing, and Pear Pressure is heading into another round.
Pear will get her moment. Jasmine just needs to stop interrupting.
