What is the flavour of the archivist's dream?

[radiantfracture]

Last night on our work Zoom jasmine_r_s came up with the most beautiful name for a tea: Dreaming in the Archive. Since then I have been daydreaming of blending it.

I couldn't decide amongst green or black (or white or red) tea, so I thought maybe a blend of herbs you could mix in with a caffeination of choice.

What goes into such a tea? I have been thinking lavender, because of dreaming (though it could be chamomile or hops).

Vanilla, probably, because the smell of lignin in paper is close to vanillin. From Smithsonianmag.com:

Here’s how Matija Strlic, the lead scientist behind that study, described the smell of an old book: "a combination of grassy notes with a tang of acids and a hint of vanilla over an underlying mustiness, this unmistakable smell is as much a part of the book as its contents."

But just vanilla-lavender sounds too sweet. What else is in the archive and its dreams?

I mentioned I was drinking Murchie's Publisher's Blend: "A chocolatey, nutty and malty blend of black teas, best accompanied by stacks of manuscripts that need reviewing. Originally commissioned by the UBC Press." I would add that I taste the slight tang of smoke.

{rf}

Comments

[branchandroot]

Maybe yuzu? More floral than lemon, tarter than tangerine. Complex enough to suit the scope of an archive.

[radiantfracture]

Thank you! I've never tasted yuzu. Like a twist on taking lemon in tea.

[ranunculus]

Oatstraw is a herbal tea component and might help with the grassy notes.

[radiantfracture]

I like that! I like oatstraw in tea, and I think it's also a mood booster, isn't it?

[ranunculus]

I had to ask Google since I've long since forgotten oat straw details. Apparently it can help calm the nervous system and it can help reduce skin irritation. https://botanicalinstitute.org/oat-straw/

[rydra_wong]

Depends, are the dreams good or bad?

[radiantfracture]

Depends on how you interpret them!

[sartorias]

That is a terrific name!

[radiantfracture]

I think we may have to blend it just so that it exists.

[derien]

Maybe something like rosemary? It might add a more student note?

[radiantfracture]

Rosemary for memory? I like it. Also there's something (in a good way) a little musty about rosemary.

[derien]

Ha, interesting! I was typing on my phone that day and the phone substituted 'student' for the word I intended - 'stringent'. Which made an entirely different story for you. :) Eor and I were listening to the radio and heard recently of rosemary being used in a tea on some greek island, and both went "I never would have thought of that!"

[derien]

I recall chicory as being a favorite of mine for a certain stringency, but can't find it available to buy, by itself. I might have to gather and prepare my own, but A) it's winter and B) that sounds like work.

[derien]

I must not have actually looked online. Chicory seems to be readily available.

[kaberett]

Hmm. Pandan? Either instead of or in addition to vanilla?

[radiantfracture]

I like! Does it have a sort of vanillic air?

[sovay]

Does it have a sort of vanillic air?

I've seen them compared, although it tastes greener and creamier to me. I really like it.

[kaberett]

Yup! Strongly advocate finding something containing it to try, just on general principle, if you possibly can... kaya is a possibly good option if compatible with your diet - it is a kind of coconut jam/curd flavoured with the stuff :-)

[sabotabby]

I don't know but I would like to drink it.

[radiantfracture]

I think I may have to blend it just so it can be drunk.

[yhlee]

I love that and would buy it. :D

[radiantfracture]

Haha so noted.

[eldriwolf]

Mugwort is always good for Dreams. ( As the name implies, it was used as a bittering agent for ales and beers.)
You wouldn't want Too much, but I am fond of it in teas.
( Of course, I drink yarrow tea straight up)

[radiantfracture]

Ah yes! What a good idea -- something with a little actual magic. (Is the mug like mug-of-ale?)

[eldriwolf]

Yes! Mug-(of-Ale ) Wort= herb.
Lots of stuff was used for beer making. Hops arrived late to the party.
... and eventually pushed many other bittering agents aside
I make "smudge bundles" with it, since it is so easy to grow.
Dream smoke

off-topic

[sovay]

I got nothing on perfumes, but I read this poem and thought of you.

Re: off-topic

[radiantfracture]

Ach I wish I'd written it.

[thewayne]

They have these portable smokers and smoke wands/injectors for infusing non-meat things with the aroma of chip or tea blends. I wonder if you could use one to infuse loose tea with hickory smoke, for example?

[smokingboot]

Gorgeous ideas! Lavender and chamomile, mugwort, blue lotus flower and a touch of valerian...

Bit of vanilla, bit of honey and away to the Library you go!

[sylvanfae]

OMG this is like, the best thing ever.