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I picked up a green tea from Tim Hortons today, primarily because I couldn't get to my favourite tea shop (LM Teas in Niagara Falls). At the first sip, I began regretting my choice. Not because it was undrinkable, but because I've had so much better tea.

First off, Tim Hortons staff don't seem to know diddly-squat about tea. Some would say they don't know anything about coffee either...but we'll stick to tea. Two bags of green tea in a cup is enough to turn the tea so dark it might be mistaken for black tea. In addition, it makes it so strong and bitter that while it does an admirable job of keeping one awake (perhaps its only redeeming feature), it's rather unpleasant to drink.

I wonder if Tim Hortons staff ever drink green tea. I strongly suspect they don't. One of the reasons their tea gets so bitter, I believe, is because they're using boiling water to make it and then they're allowing it to steep for longer than it should. High water temperatures bring out the bitterness in green tea and letting it steep too long is another evil they could avoid.

According to the folks at LM Teas, the idea water temperature to make green tea varies on the variety. Some teas can be brewed starting at 50°while others do fine at 80° to 90°. Again, it depends on the tea. Perhaps Tim Hortons tea is specially picked to be made with scalding hot water. I'll have to ask.

Anyway, if you're in Niagara Falls and need a good cup of tea, I recommend my friends at LM Teas. With over 200 varieties of loose-leaf teas, you'll find something you'll like.

I was in at LM Teas yesterday and picked up a tea to go. I didn't think about the cup it was served in until today when the cup finally made the trip from my car's beverage holder to the house. What a nice surprise.

The cup from LM Teas had a plastic lid and cardboard sleeve, both of which are recyclable. Most disposable cups aren't widely recyclable or compostable. This one was, and it made me go WOW!

LM Teas uses ecotainer cups™ which are coated using Polylactic Acid (PLA) from plants to make them waterproof. When composted, the PLA is broken down by microbes so the entire cup is quickly biodegradable. I do realize that EVERYTHING is biodegradable EVENTUALLY, but it's nice to see a local company making the greenest choice possible.

Hats off to Carmen and Jill at LM Teas for their great teas and green cups!

Frizzell Dental is our newest dental clinic in The Niagara Guide.

Dr. James Frizzell and his team have been providing the finest dental care for over 20 years. He provides exceptional general and family dentistry and is an expert in cosmetic dentistry as well. Dr. James is also well regarded among his patients for providing gentle dental treatment and a near pain-free visit.

If you're living in or near Niagara Falls and you have teeth, you'll want to pay Dr. James and his team at Frizzell Dental a visit. http://www.niagarahealthguide.com/frizzell-dental/index.asp for more details.

Welcome aboard!

Well, I guess I shouldn't be surprised that there's a love position named after Niagara's best known landmark.

No - not the Brock monument...

Thank you Cosmo, for introducing to the world Niagara Falls (link NSFW). Forever changing the way I think about bathtubs and shower attachments.

Then again, with the Niagara Romance expo coming up soon, what better timing?

It's also ironic that many, many people (usually Americans) spell Niagara as NIAGRA. Only one letter away from being the blue pill.

Have a happy Thursday!