1444 Tasting Notes
This tea is exactly what it’s name suggests. Cardamom and black tea. You can’t fault it for that.
I do enjoy cardamom, but I’m not completely sure I enjoy it this much. I am finding this tea tasty, but if I’d have to really be in the mood to want it if I had it in my cupboard.
Thanks Dexter3657. I would’ve probably never had the opportunity to try this one out if you hadn’t sent some along to me :)
Preparation
This one might not have been “your cup of tea”, but what you are saying about it is how I feel about NMTC in general. If they call it cardamom black, that’s what it is. I’ve ordered from them a couple of times and have been happy with the teas….
I was actually quite impressed with this one. I didn’t know what to expect and it’s a perfectly true flavour of cardamom and black. Thanks :)
Thanks to Dexter3657 for the generous sample of this :)
This is one I’ve been wanting to try for a while now so I was thrilled to get this swap package in the mail today.
This is definitely a strong black that could really wake a person up. It’s deep and smooth. The only downside for me was the smokiness. I hadn’t read any reviews and I wasn’t expecting it at all. I have only smelled and turned down smoky teas thus far, and I think the smokiness was ultimately a deal breaker. Perhaps I will try to expand my smoky tea repertoire and come back to this one in a while, since every other aspect of this tea was amazing.
Preparation
LOL Interesting, if you had asked me if this was smokey, I would have said – no. Love how we all perceive teas differently.
Haha it was the first thing I noticed. Then I tried to tell myself it was all in my head and to keep drinking. I made it halfway through my cup before I finally looked up the reviews haha!
Thanks VariaTEA :)
This does smell like chocolate, but maybe more like chocolate ice cream? There’s something there that isn’t quite cake. There is a chocolate flavour, but more in the background here, though I can’t quite tell what’s masking it.
All in all, this was a decent cup.
Preparation
The scent when I open this bag was a little overwhelming, but the steeped tea actually turned out pretty tasty.
I’ve been a little wary of 52Teas because I don’t find the black tea base to be my cup of tea, but I noticed someone mention the other day that these blends are best brewed just below boiling, rather than at boiling, so I tried that out this evening. I am quite pleased with the results.
The coconut is here, but not overwhelming like the scent, and the black tea base isn’t overtaking the flavour or lacking. I do think I prefer is hot rather than as it cools.
Preparation
I have some of this on the way and I am excited to try it and other 52 teas! The package just arrived to my Dad in California so it will be coming my way soon!
I tend to brew all flavoured black teas at below boiling regardless of brand. I find the flavouring often comes out better that way. Kusmi’s black flavoured blends actually have a below boiling recommendation on them.
This came as a sample in my recent Verdant order! Actually on the bag it says “Wuyi Qilan Oolong”, but when I searched the website (including out of stock and archived blends) I could only find reference to this name so I shall put my tasting note here.
I actually weighed out my tea for this one to 3.6 oz. in my 15 oz. mug. I did this first steep for 1 minute, and I’ll try to update with subsequent steeps.
This tea is quite rich. I’m finding it almost filling.
Second steep 2 minutes. Still plenty of flavour.
Preparation
This was a sample in my recent Herbal Infusions order, woot.
I’m really not big on citrus teas. I’m finding I’m exceedingly picky when it comes to fruit and tea. Anything fake it a deal breaker. Upon smelling this one, I was a little wary but I couldn’t just not try it haha.
So I brewed it up, and surprisingly it’s really not so bad. There is no fakeness or overwhelming sickening sweetness. In fact, it’s almost low on flavour, but to be honest I’d rather low true flavour than more fake flavour. There is a hint of almost carbonation of the end of the sip from the grapefruit and eucalyptus mix which is fascinating. I have a feeling this one would be even better iced. Perhaps I’ll use the rest of my sample to cold brew.
Update: This one IS much better cold. I just poured the rest of my mug into a cup and put it in the fridge rather than cold brewing. The grapefruit really shines as a cold tea.
Preparation
This is so tasty! I’m not a chocolate fan to be honest, and I’m quite sensitive to sweets, but this is just awesome.
I wasn’t completely sold on the hot tea, but as it cooled the flavour became so much more enjoyable for me. I did enjoy it hot, don’t get me wrong, but as it cooled it just became more and more likely to be a repeat order. The dark chocolate flavour from this tea is just so clean and refreshing.
Preparation
Another delightful tea sent my way from Stephanie :)
This tea is nice switch up from my Mi Xian today. It’s got a completely different flavour with a lovely natural sweetness. I could see myself ordering this occasionally.
Preparation
Thanks Stephanie for sharing this with me :)
I decided to have this one tonight, along with the Wild Hunagshan Mao Feng, just to compare the only two truly straight greens I’ve tried.
I’m not sure I can truly differentiate the subtle differences between these two teas, but this one seems less creamier, though not in a bad way at all. It’s more vegetal and fresh, but still calming. Overall a good green tea evening!
