276 Tasting Notes

drank Sugar Cookies by 52teas
276 tasting notes

Currently sipping this – and I love it!

My youngest has recently taken up baking – they are baking at least two or three times a week & cookies tend to be their favorite thing to bake. It’s their love for baking that inspired me to create this cookie inspired tea – because for many weeks, they went through several different recipes to find the right one. (And of course – we HAD to eat those cookies! haha)

This is my tea version of the goodness that has been coming out of the oven on a weekly basis: a blend of Chinese green teas with just the right touch of essence to taste like a freshly baked cookie (especially when the tea is warm!) Then I added some colorful sprinkles for a touch of whimsy. Yum!

PS: They have – I think – finally perfected the recipe – it’s now a browned butter sugar recipe that is SO much better than the average sugar cookie.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

drank Tea Bread by 52teas
276 tasting notes

Currently sipping this one. Yes, my sleep schedule is all messed up, it seems to continually cycle in this pattern where I will go a couple of weeks with a somewhat “normal” sleep schedule only to eventually go through a period of insomnia and then I end up back in a sleep schedule where I’m up all night and sleeping all day. I should be a rock star.

I really love how this tea turned out, it has a pleasant nutty flavor with a nice note of sweet dates. I was inspired to find a new idea for a tea with dates for my mom – who loves dates and this was what I came up with – a rich blend of black teas with nutty tones (but no actual nuts – it’s allergen-free!) & chunks of dates & spices (cinnamon, allspice, ginger & cloves). It’s not exactly what I’d call a chai, the spices are mellow & smooth.

Just a nice, pleasant cuppa for this very early AM!

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

52teas 12 Teas of Christmas 2023 – Day 9

Yeah, I’m a day late with this one. Yesterday was an incredibly busy day & I wasn’t able to actually focus on the countdown. So, I held this tea until today, thinking that since Day 10’s tea is a caffeine-free tea, it’s one that I can have after this tea and it will all work out OK (gotta have that caffeine!)

This was a tea that I was extremely hesitant to create way back when I created it (it was crafted as a create-your-own tea of the week reward from our start-up Kickstarter back in 2015!) I was hesitant because as I’ve said (probably more often than necessary) I do not like Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwiches. I never have. I’ve recently learned that it is an inherited trait (or a naturalized trait) from my mom, who also has never liked Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwiches. So I’m sure she had everything to do with influencing my opinion of the sandwich.

I like Peanut Butter. I like it in cookies, I like it smeared on my pancakes. I like it in a Peanut Butter & banana sandwich or a Peanut Butter & marshmallow creme sandwich. Or even just on toast with a little butter & a sprinkling of cinnamon & sugar. But I don’t want it with jelly.

I also like jelly on just about everything. (I’m still kicking myself for not doing the Bonne Maman advent.)

But I don’t want them together.

So I guess you get my point. I didn’t want to create this tea back in 2015 (it might have actually been 2016 when I actually crafted this one). But I did – and I ended up LOVING IT. So, I actually probably would actually enjoy a PB&J sando. But I’m not gonna risk it because years and years of conditioning have made me this way. Who am I to upset that hard work?

But this tea: I love it. I get a strong raspberry jammy flavor – a good raspberry jelly flavor – the kind that’s made with lots of real fruit & less sugar. The kind that you end up paying about $5 more per jar for just because it’s made better & tastes better. (Which is kind of a good reason, if you ask me.) The peanut butter comes in after the strong raspberry note. You don’t get a lot of “bread” flavor – that’s intentional on my part, because I didn’t want to make this too sandwich-y for reasons I’ve already mentioned. I did add a hint of breadiness to it by way of a rich, malty, bready Yunnan to the blend (also in this blend is a malty Assam & a crisp Nilgiri) but this wasn’t intended to be a sandwich tea, but a PB & J non-sando tea. I think way back when I was originally crafting this tea, my thought process was that if I don’t go for the sandwich angle, I can drink it.

It’s all mental.

Anyway, I love the way this tea came out. I love the raspberry. I love the black base. I even love the peanut butter with the raspberry. It’s yummy!

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

drank Banana Eggnog Oolong by 52teas
276 tasting notes

52teas 12 Teas of Christmas 2023 – Day 8

YUM! As most people (at least on here) know, I love banana tea. On the description for this tea (that I added on Steepster, btw) I mentioned how I originally planned to blend the Winters Treat Oolong (which is a banana, marshmallow, cinnamon, butter rum & cream blend). However, when it came time to order the teas I’d need for the boxes, my supplier had no charcoal roasted Oolong available – so I had to change course.

So this is what I came up with – Bananas with vegan eggnog essence plus a non-alcoholic rum essence & a touch of shaved nutmeg. So yummy with the smooth green TieGuanYin.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

52teas 12 Teas of Christmas 2023 – Day 7

It was about 12 years ago or so when Frank first released his version of the Weeping Angel tea & to be completely honest, my memory of this tea – well, I don’t actually remember this tea very much. I remember the name of the tea & I remember there was quite a bit of excitement surrounding the tea – but I don’t really remember if I actually liked the taste of the tea. So, I think I should go back & check my tasting notes . . .

OK, I apparently really liked this tea. I gave it a 95! And I even used words like “seriously . . . YUM” – so I think I liked it. I also noticed that I wanted to bring out the caramel popcorn notes a bit & added some salt to the brewed cup. Which – makes sense since I did add some flaked sea salt when I blended this tea to help accentuate the popcorn notes. Without realizing it, I was channeling my 11 years ago self when blending this tea (yeah, so I guess it was actually 11 years).

So, one question I’ve been asked by a couple of people: how is this one different than the original blend – necessitating a v.2 on the name of this tea? As I mentioned somewhere – in the comments of someone else’s review of this tea, I didn’t have a recipe from which to refer, so I used the description that Frank had written about this tea when he released it. It said: “It’s a buttered toffee caramel corn flavored black tea”. Since I knew my go-to base of black teas is different from what he used back then, there’s that. I also added some specialty flavored cotton candy (which is made with organic cane sugar & organic flavors) which added to the toffee & caramel corn aspect. Finally, I added flaked sea salt. Those three things I know for sure are different from Frank’s original blend & I think it earns the v.2 with those differences. Also, being 100% honest here, I’ve never once, not once have I watched a Dr. Who episode. I have no source material when it comes to Dr. Who fandom. Sorry. So, I decided to put a v.2 on it – since I feel like I’m at somewhat of a disadvantage since I don’t actually know Dr. Who or what it’s about – I’m just trying my best to replicate a well-loved tea with a Dr. Who reference attached to it via its name.

Other than that, I think that if I were rating this tea, I’d probably give it a 95 too. Is that ego? I don’t know if I’m qualified to answer that. I just know that I really like this tea. I taste toffee caramel corn. I even taste butter. I taste the hint of salt that brings out the caramel corn notes. And I enjoy the black tea base. So, take my words for what they’re worth to you. I think it’s really, super tasty!

gmathis

I’m an on-again, off-again Who watcher (more off than on), so one of you out there catch us up. What’s the connection with caramel popcorn?

Mastress Alita

Big Doctor Who fan here… and there is no connection between Weeping Angels and caramel popcorn at all. Maybe he was going for a “bowl of popcorn you eat while binge-watching”? Though when I’m watching Doctor Who, I always go for tea with biscuits. :-)

gmathis

Of course, now I have the craving to go fish out the one Christmas episode I really liked—had to do with the Titanic, or a sci-fi version of it, and featured the actor who played Richard in “Keeping Up Appearances.”

52Teas

I think what he was going for was Dr. Who’s favorite snack? Here’s his original description of this tea:

From 52teas
So, yesterday was Steven Moffat’s birthday. For my customers who don’t know who he is, I feel for you. For those of you who don’t care, please forgive my self-indulgent nerd fest this week; this week’s tea will probably “not compute” if you are not a Dr. Who fan.

If you happen to be someone from the BBC’s legal department, please don’t sue me. As cool as it would be to be sued for my Dr. Who fandom, I really don’t have any money, and it would be a shame to “Exterminate” 52teas. We’re mostly harmless (to mix nerd references).

So, I’m sure you are wondering, what exactly is a Weeping Angel tea? Well, what else could it be, but a tea flavored like my favorite Dr. Who snack? It’s a buttered toffee caramel corn flavored black tea, and it’s heavenly–amazing enough to make a weeping angel smile.

???

gmathis

Thanks for digging that out!

Mastress Alita

I think by “my favorite Doctor Who snack” Frank is implying HIS favorite snack while watching Doctor Who. There aren’t any Doctors that have an association with buttered toffee caramel corn. The Fourth Doctor is famous for liking Jelly Babies, and the Eleventh for fish fingers in custard, but I can’t even think of any other food items really tied to a Doctor.

52Teas

@Mastress Alita: I’ll take your word for it, because as I mentioned, I’ve not watched Dr. Who. So, you are most probably correct in that reasoning. I just … recreated this blend to the best of my ability based on what records I do have of this tea. :) Thanks for your perspective!

derk

“I think that if I were rating this tea, I’d probably give it a 95 too. Is that ego?”

Definitely not ego. You made a good one here. My friend Kiki gives it a 10+ on her scale. I’ve never see her so excited over tea :)

52Teas

@derk – thank you!

ashmanra

Read how much Crowkettle loved it, Anne! <3 Not ego, you made a really good tea!

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

drank Pineapple Whip Green Tea by 52teas
276 tasting notes

52teas 12 Teas of Christmas 2023 – Day 6

A little bit of history on this tea: I first blended this tea some months ago (this year though) – and it sold out almost instantly. I am not sure that it sold out faster than any other tea, but it was definitely like – top 10 as far as speed at which it sold out.

I was a very happy mad tea artist. (Yes, I realize that sounds a bit of a contradictory term.)

Despite the rapid speed at which it sold out, I was still taken aback when this tea received the most votes of any tea in the poll this year. It definitely earned its way into the box this year.

It’s so good. Bright pineapple notes. The notes of vanilla soften the pineapple a bit. I love how it turned out. Thank you to all who voted to bring this tea back in the box this year!

Kaylee

It sold out before I could get it, so I was thrilled to see it here! It did not disappoint! I suspect that whatever amount you put up on Dec. 25 will also sell out quickly.

52Teas

Kaylee: Actually, what I do is on December 26 – December 28, I accept orders (via email) from those who purchased the box. Then on December 28, I add it to the website. Since I don’t make a bunch of the tea beyond what I’ll need for the boxes, this enables those who bought the box to get an added benefit – they get first dibs on what’s left over!

Tiffany :)

Okay, now I feel bad I bought like eight tasters of it this summer (and am a subscriber) and definitely have not gotten to more than one. Good thing I didn’t request any in my advent calendar email.

@Kaylee remind me to send you one or two in our swap!

52Teas

@Tiffany – maybe I’m biased, but I don’t think you should feel bad about it – I like it when the teas sell out! :)

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

52teas 12 Teas of Christmas 2023 – Day 5

I love how this one turned out. The pear is really lovely, the pomegranate adds a pleasant bit of tartness to the cup for some contrast & the cinnamon is a soft warmth in the background. Mostly, I taste pear, but this wouldn’t be the same without that little pop of pomegranate.

Really, really happy with this one!

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

52teas 12 Teas of Christmas 2023 – Day 4

I’ve been sitting here for the last half an hour or so, sipping on this tea, thoroughly enjoying myself – and then I realize – Oop! I need to be writing about the tea!

I absolutely love the Marshmallow Treat Genmaicha blends – this one is no exception. So, I’m always excited to see which Genmaicha blend will earn its way into the holiday box each year. I’m really happy it was this one this year – it checks off two boxes, it’s a genmaicha & it’s a candy cane tea! (Thanks voters, for helping me with my checklist!)

The crisp peppermint with the sweet, soft marshmallow notes is just so nice. The green tea is pleasant & smooth with just the right note of toasty flavor. so good!

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

drank Earl Grey Cheesecake by 52teas
276 tasting notes

52teas 12 Teas of Christmas 2023 – Day 3

I was excited when this one earned its way into this year’s box, because it’s one that I’ve not yet blended! This reblend IS definitely going to be different from the original for several reasons: first, I didn’t really care for the bergamot flavoring that Frank would use. It tasted a bit more like bubblegum than bergamot to me & I love bergamot. I have sourced an excellent, organic cold-pressed oil of bergamot that I’ve used in my previous bergamot blends, so that’s what I used here.

I also have a different base of teas. I typically do not use Darjeeling teas in my blends, not because I dislike Darjeeling teas – I have used them in the past and will use them in the future, but I prefer my Darjeeling tea not to be blended with other black teas as I feel the more delicate flavor profile of a Darjeeling will be poorly supported by the addition of other teas. Instead, I used a blend of Assam, Ceylon, Yunnan & Nilgiri teas. This well-composed blend worked so beautifully with these flavors.

Anyway, this tea turned out even better than I hoped for. A lovely note of bergamot, softened just so with the addition of a rich, creamy cheesecake essence that is vegan, gluten-free & allergen-friendly! So much yum in one cuppa!

52Teas

PS: I brewed this pot of tea strong so I can go latte with it. It is sooooo good as a latte! So good!

Crowkettle

You’re going to break my tea buying hiatus if there’s any amount of this available on your site at the end of the advent. It’s seriously delicious!

Although I never had the chance to try Frank’s version, it’s neat to see what you changed up! Thank you for sharing. :)

derk

Ha, now that I see what black teas you put in this, it makes sense. I mostly taste Ceylon, but I can now gather Assam and Nilgiri but not Yunnan. I bet the Assam and Nilgiri are what made Kiki think “fruity”, whereas I thought it might be Darjeeling giving her that fruity impression (which I didn’t get). Great tea, Anne :)

52Teas

@Crowkettle – I hope you’re not expecting me to apologize for breaking the tea buying hiatus. :) because – sorry, not sorry.

52Teas

@derk Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it. There is a very small amount of Yunnan – just to add a bit of roundness to the base, but not so much to add an assertive Yunnan flavor. The Ceylon tends to work best when it comes to the bergamot. Not sure why, it just does – the bergamot just seems to need the Ceylon to live up to its full potential. However, my plan is to slowly phase out Ceylon from my regular inventory. My plan is to only utilize it for my EG teas as I prefer Assam and Yunnan teas (and these two together will be my new go-to base for black blends). As for the Nilgiri in this blend, I wasn’t terribly sure about adding it, but because Frank utilized a Darjeeling tea in the original blend for this tea, I decided to go with a somewhat similar base – Nilgiri – in my opinion – is the stronger, bolder cousin to Darjeeling and as a result, I tend to prefer Nilgiri over a Darjeeling, especially in a blend. And all of that is probably more than you wanted or needed to know when it comes to my mental processes while blending teas!

Kaylee

Actually this was super helpful and informative, both because it’s just interesting and because it helps me assess how the blend is likely to affect my comically delicate constitution. Thanks for sharing!

ashmanra

Kaylee: I have found that black teas from India tend to do a number on my stomach. I steep them with delicacy! Green Indian tea has never bothered me – Harney and Sons often uses it for their flavored green blends. I guess terroir plus processing plus varietal all matter.

Kaylee

ashmanra: yes, same! black teas from China, even Nepal are usually fine, but Indian black teas are just not my friend.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

52Teas 12 Teas of Christmas 2023 – Day 2

I am absolutely certain that I’ve told the story at least once or twice about my affection for figs, so I shan’t bore you with that story again. At least, not now. Maybe at some point in the future. But not now.

I really like how this tea turned out. It’s sweet with a pleasant fig note & the gingerbread is sweet yet peppery with just the right amount of spice to make this a cozy cuppa. And no caffeine so maybe I’ll be able to get some sleep tonight!

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

Profile

Bio

52Teas offers you high-quality, hand-crafted, small batch artisan tea blends – a new flavor every week!

<><><>

Full Disclosure: The individual operating this UserID is the Mad Tea Artist who creates these blends every week. I’m aka LiberTEAS. I took over the 52Teas brand from Frank of Southern Boy Teas. I’m keeping both accounts active at the present time because I still have some tea reviews to post and I didn’t think that I should do that as 52Teas!

Location

Vancouver, Washington

Website

http://52teas.com

Following These People

Moderator Tools

Mark as Spammer