67 Tasting Notes
I’ve had expensive Assam and I’ve had…well, this offering from Good Earth. I rescued a tin of this loose leaf tea from a clearance rack as I wandered the aisles at Sprouts. Pretty much everything else I’ve seen from Good Earth is some wildly exotic or flavored blend. Maybe that’s why it didn’t sell at full price. It’s tea. Actual tea. And it’s good.
I’m a fan of Assam tea to begin with, and this is surprisingly smooth and sweeter than some I have in the cupboard. Just enough of a malty edge to remind you it’s from Assam, this organic tea is one I’ll replace when it’s gone. At full price if necessary.
Flavors: Dates, Honey, Malt
Preparation
As I continue trying to reduce caffeine intake – or at least the “catch and release” effect of coffee – I steeped a couple of cups of this tasty Oolong today. My first impression is that Golden Moon’s Coconut Pouchong is very nice. The coconut is evident, but not overwhelming.
On further reflection, I’m reminded I’m not really a “flavored” kind of guy. I like tea for tea, coffee as coffee, and Ritz as crackers. I’ll finish this small pouch, but not right away.
Flavors: Coconut
At first the ‘fishy’ smell was overbearing, but as this tea cooled, the aroma dissipated and gave way to amazing flavor. Multiple steeps reveal a sweeter cup each time.
If you let it air a couple of,hours first, no fishy. Also, I think mrmopar recommends,doing a rinse and letting it rest a LONG TIME and then having your sessions with it. Great if you have time! I like this one, and my son used to drink it so much that he would ask for the biggest bag of it for Christmas.
It can be liked a baked potato. Takes much longer in the oven than the microwave, but worth it! LOL. Actually, I had a super fishy one from Southern Season years ago that I set out in a bowl for about 36 hours, then put it back in a container. It was enough to de-fish it without losing all the flavor. It wasn’t a great grade of shu but it was all right, especially after all the airing out.
I had a 20% coupon from a grocery vendor, and got free shipping at a certain point, so I used it for more tea! Wanting something convenient to keep in my desk drawer, I ordered a big ol’ box of these Yorkshire Gold teabags, knowing the worst case scenario would give me something for iced tea.
Not the worst case, at all! I have actually enjoyed many morning cups so far. Nothing fancy, just a brisk, malty blend that brews a deep copper cup of flavor. Perfect for the morning, but I’ve enjoyed several cups after dinner, too.
Preparation
I purchased a 4-ounce tin of this to round out an order for free shipping recently, and am quite pleased. I don’t really have a daily go-to, but I like a brisk drink in the morning, and this fits the bill. I have to take the edge off with milk and stevia, and that makes it a perfect cup for me. I steep it at 205° for 4-1/2 minutes for the best cup – or at least the cup I enjoy most.
Preparation
Nice March weather in NC, so when my wife announced she was walking to a local store I couldn’t resist joining her. Since I had no agenda, I wandered to the tea and coffee aisle where I spotted a box of PG Tips. At about a dime a tea bag, I took a calculated risk and took a box home. Exactly what I’m looking for in a morning tea! Brisk, bold, flavorful and capable of handling some milk and sweetener.
In search of a convenient and mellow cup for my “low caffeine days”, I ordered this unique blend in sachet form so I could carry it along to work or wherever.
It’s really interesting! It’s nutty, and a bit sweeter than I expected (not a bad thing!), but there’s a vegetal edge that reminds you those pellets of buckwheat are coated with matcha. Great aroma, nice flavor…I like it!
Flavors: Artichoke, Nutty, Spinach, Sweet
Preparation
What a delicious start to the weekend! I received a nice sized sample of this tea from Upton a few months back, and it was the perfect “something different” in my first few cups this morning. A wonderful convergence of malt and sweetness, the long, dark leaves with their golden tips produced a deep amber cup with just a hint of chocolate as it lingers.
Steeped for 4:45 just short of a boil.
Flavors: Chocolate, Malt, Sweet
When you’re willing to try something again, the second time may turn out to be the charm. That was the case with this tea. Maybe my expectations were off, or perhaps it was the method, but whatever it was, I was not thrilled with my first tasting. Not so this time around! Our good friend ashmanra offered some tips, and I just enjoyed two perfectly steeped cups of a tea I had previously written off.
Good to see you here again! And good tea on clearance? Bonus bonus bonus!