Bought this chocolate at a market in downtown Denver, CO. It is dark chocolate with blood orange and bergamot flavored caramel. Being not a major fan of caramel, I was pleased to find the caramel wasn't as strong as I had expected, and that it was more like a blood orange bergamot syrup. Of course, I had to try the choco before I thought about reviewing it; I'll hold back next time. ;)

The description from Chocolat Moderne:
Dark chocolate bar filled with caramel made with fresh blood orange juice and scented with oil of bergamot. Speckled with natural white and orange color for dazzling effect.

The verdict:  4 out of 5 stars

Product website

siutou's Q&A
Because you've all been wondering!

Who are you?
Just your average anime-watchin', tea-lovin', snack-eatin', manga-readin' internet personality with an opinion she thinks should be shared with the world! I really started this blog to keep track of the anime I've seen and have an easy place to send someone when they ask the ever-so-dangerous question, "Which anime should I watch?"  I also wanted to document the teas I have tried, and then it turned into snacks too.  So why not just throw in wallpapers and manga while I'm at it.  And that is how the blog you see today came to be!

Umm, what is up your scoring system?
Why limit yourself to stars?  Why not teacups, bunnies, books, whatever makes your day!  The most important thing is to remember that the greater number of 'items' means the better it was!

You only seem to drink fruit flavored tea, what about 'real' tea?
I walked into a tea shop in San Francisco looking to further expand my overflowing tea cabinets at home, and was asked by an employee, "What kind of tea are you looking for?"  After saying I was looking for flavored teas, I got the cold response, "We don't sell any of that kind here."  (Despite 3 tins of lychee, vanilla, and orange right in front of her.)  But I digress.  I like my fair share of straight green, jasmine, matcha, black, and rice tea but I have a passion to seek out flavorful teas of all sorts.  I suppose my tastes tend to be more towards Japanese and English teas, and less towards the wide variety of Chinese teas (pur-eh, etc) - but people like different things, and I'll try almost anything at least once!

You sure take a long time to update
Work and other life commitments are demanding.  Blogging is new for me and I hope to get into a better groove of updating as time goes on.  I am pretty up-to-date with my anime list at myanimelist.net though!

Comments are disabled, why?
As this is supposed to replace my previous anime-to-watch site, I didn't see the need for comments, maybe I'll set up a feedback page in the future for suggestions.

Create a real name for your site!
I'm working on it, I swear!  Nothing I think of sounds cool though!

Though this tea smelled interesting at first, I really didn't like it when I brewed it.  I suppose it would be fair to say that I'm not a big fan of the cherry flavored tea because I don't like the overwhelming ascorbic acid tatse (like in vitamin C), so if you do, you may be able to tolerate this tea. I also found that the tea leaves an strange effect/flavor in my throat, as if it was irritated.  I would not recommend purchasing this tea.

The description from Tevana:
Delicate rose petals upon snow-white tea leaves are punctuated with luscious cherries and a hint of tropical fruits. Combined together they convey traditional grace, beauty and discerned taste.

The verdict:  1 out of 5 teacups

Product website

Winter 2010 Season Anime
This post will continue to be updated until the next season!

Durarara!!

A crazy, random, and diverse cast of characters comprises this new anime from the same creators who brought you Baccano.  My favorite part has to be the motorcycle that neighs... Similar to Baccano, the storyline finds a way to tie together a group of random strangers in Ikebukuro.  The story focuses on a transfer high school student looking to start anew in the city, and a mysterious 'headless horsewoman' if you will.  What's really going on?  We probably won't know until the end, but I would still recommend giving it a shot!

Studio: Brains Base
Category: well-rounded, action, superpowers
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Nodame Cantible Finale

I have been looking forward to this final season of Nodame.  The season follows Nodame and Chiaki as they study, work, and live in Paris.  Maybe they'll finally get further in their relationship?  We'll see!

Studio: J.C. Staff
Category: josei, comedy, music, romance
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More to come...

In general I don't care for ginger flavored tea, however I really like this tea! The multi-fruit blend stands out well against the subtle ginger taste, so it is not overpowering. I would recommend enjoying this tea hot as opposed to iced. Unfortunately it looks like Teavana discontinued this blend, so if you see it in one of their stores be sure to snatch some up!  This is also unfortunate because I didn't like any of their other teas I tried...

The description from Tevana:
A fresh, Summer blend of black tea, apricots and peaches. This delightful tea also has a slight ginger and clove undertone for a more complex, unique flavor.

The verdict:  5 out of 5 teacups

Product website

Mango Maui is one of my favorite mango black teas. The mango flavor stands out, though it is a little more candied tasting than an actual mango. I prefer this one hot, though it's not bad cold either. If you have a Lion's coffee nearby, you can avoid shipping, or even try a cup before you buy a box. The tea is available in tea bag form only. Though I've seen this and two of their other teas bottled at the grocery store, the bottled tea tastes bad and NOTHING like the tea when you brew it!

The description from Hawaiian Islands Tea:
Mango is considered by many to be the world's most delicious fruit. With Mango Maui Tea experience with each sip the enticing aroma and rich juicy essence of Mango. Our tea leaves are hand-picked and fully processed, using orthodox methods, into a superior black tea. The result is a quality black tea with unique flavor and smooth taste that blends remarkably well with the exotic Mango fruit to create our fragrant and flavorful Mango Maui tropical black tea, available in convenient tea bags.

The verdict:  4 out of 5 teacups

Product website