Planning a Game of Thrones party? Here are some tea suggestions!
Apr 16th 2015
The 5th season of the hit HBO TV series Game of Thrones just premiered last Sunday and there are a few gals at The Jasmine Pearl (Patricia, Liz, and Andrea) who are very excited to see what's going to happen next on the show.
We noticed that there are more than a few teas at the Jasmine Pearl that would suit some of the characters on GOT very well. If you are planning a little GOT viewing party, here are a few tea suggestions we came up with to pair with some of the characters:
Arya Stark
We recommend Aria Blend for Arya Stark not only because their names are pronounced the same way, but because Arya is going to need that delicious blend of licorice, cinnamon, marshmallow root, and mint to soothe her tired vocal chords after all that shouting she does and to prepare her voice for her nightly incantation of the names of those she plots to kill to avenge her murdered friends and family. Another tea for Arya is Silver Needles. Arya Stark's most prized possession is Needle, the sword her brother Jon Snow gave her. Silver Needles are the plucked freshest buds of the tea plant. The silvery-white hairs on the new growth give this tea it’s name. Flavorful and savory, Silver Needles is described by our tasters as having pleasant grassy notes.
Daenerys Targaryen
For Daenerys aka the Mother of Dragons we recommend the Dancing Dragon Ripe Puerhblend. Daenerys is going to need a tea with a taste fit for a queen and a strong caffeine kick to help her bring stability and equal rights to Meereen. She also needs it to keep focused on her long term goal of sitting upon the Iron Throne. Dancing Dragon is a blend of ripe puerh, roasted yerba mate, sarsaparilla, and honeybush. Because both puerh and yerba mate contain caffeine, this is the tea will keep you alert and dancing from task to task. The sweet vanilla-like notes of both sarsaparilla and honeybush, and the chocolatey notes of roasted mate compliment the puerh base in this blend. This is a great cup of tea to share with the party and also a great intro for those new to puerh or who need a coffee replacement.
Jaime Lannister
For Jaime Lannister we have chosen Golden Needles black tea. This is one of the finest black teas we have had the honor of tasting. Golden needles are the fully oxidized young buds of Chinese tea plants from the Yunnan province. The flavor reminds some of prunes and maple syrup. Its quality surpasses most "golden needle" teas. The young tea buds turn a beautiful golden color when fully oxidized like the golden hair and Kingsguard armor of Jaime Lannister, one of the finest swordsmen in Westeros.
Margaery Tyrell
For his twice widowed beautiful young strawberry blond Queen we chose Ginger Queen. This distinctly earthy puerh is a good match for the down to earth generous nature of this clever young woman. But don't be mistaken, like the added spice of ginger root in this tea, pretty and cheerful Margaery knows how to play the Game of Thrones and is more shrewd and cunning than she appears.
Sansa Stark
For Sansa Stark we chose Orange Spice. Orange Spice black tea is a blend of organic Indian tea, sweet cinnamon, orange zest, clove, and two types of citrus essential oils. The bright fruitiness of the essential oils and zest add to - but don't overpower - the fragrance and flavor of spicy cinnamon and clove, while the black tea adds body and complexity. Now that Sansa is pretending to be Littlefinger's daughter and has dyed her orange tresses black, we thought this tea would be a good tea to represent her this season.
Jon Snow
For Jon Snow we chose Lapsang Souchong. This a Chinese black tea smoked over pine roots. Its intense flavor conjures a campfire in an alpine forest. We can picture this gruff voiced young leader sitting by a fire in Castle Black sipping a cup of this dark, smoky brew thinking up ways to protect the realm of men from white walkers and wights.
Melisandre
For Melisandre we chose Red Hot Hibiscus. The combination of sweet cinnamon, orange, and tart hibiscus are blended to a perfect balance. The liquor of this caffeine free infusion is bright red like the Red Priestess' hair, clothes, and glowing ruby necklace. We can imagine this invigorating beverage would be the preferred drink of R'hllor The Lord of Light.
Brienne of Tarth
For Brienne of Tarth we chose Women's Blend. "A woman is like a tea bag. You never know how strong it is until it's in hot water," said Eleanor Roosevelt. Brienne of Tarth may be a Lady, but she she certainly not weak, timid, or obedient. She fights for what she believes atter the stakes and may be the most honorable "knight" in all of Westeros. This herbal blend of raspberry leaf, cinnamon, orange peel, nettles, sarsaparilla, red clover, red and pink roses, and lemon myrtle is a perfect beverage for the end of a hard day's work. It refreshes, delights the taste buds, and some would say has healing and balancing properties.
Tyrion Lannister
Tyrion Lannister has never had it easy, but Season 4 and now Season 5 see him in the darkest of his days. For this reason we have chosen Feel Better. This blend of chamomile, ginger, lemon myrtle, peppermint, and eucalyptus has been known to calm frazzled nerves and brighten blue moods. It was devised to combat a particularly unpleasant day. We truly hope things get better for him so
