308 Tasting Notes
Before Drinking:
Name thought – I love whimsy, fancy names such as this for teas. Windsor’s Castle? Awesome name.
The Tea Table sent me this package in a nifty looking golden package that tears at the top.
After taking a whiff of this, the smell is a fresh, definite black tea before steeping. The leaves are small, even, and non-distinct looking.
Picture after Brew:
http://photos-a.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t51.2885-15/10802635_426679040818824_1333565126_n.jpg
Yes, have some leaves in there, but liked the steam look
After Steeping:
A strong black tea that I’m glad I sampled before steeping too long. Definitely only do at 3 minutes tops, it can get oversteeped (Bitter) quite easily. There is an almost bitter afterthought when taking a sip of this.
It leaves behind a satisfying silkiness on the tongue. I taste that the darjeeling and assam were blended well and smoothly. It’s an ideal breakfast tea, strong and robust, brisk and noticeable blend. There is not any golden, spices, or other distinct flavours. Improves with each sip.
After a few sips, it’s definitely relaxing and soothing. I tried this with a small amount of sugar, but did not sample with milk. Would go well with a splash of milk if that is what a person prefers. Would also be great as an iced black tea.
Preparation
Since I’m in LOVE with Bog Goblin Green Tea from the same company, I couldn’t resist trying their Chai, which is a favorite type of tea for me anyway.
Instagram pic – chai and a treat, yummy:
http://photos-a.ak.instagram.com/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t51.2885-15/10852852_1426058957684480_1648789881_n.jpg
Rating? Decent, sharp and smooth. Drank straight black, then with sugar. Have not added milk. Overall I prefer Chai with more cinnamon – you can sense the clove first and foremost with this one. Their Green Tea is still the winner in my book, but this is pretty good, although my tongue is almost numbing from the clove after drinking too fast. I did oversteep a little, will try again to see if steeping right brings out cinnamon more.
Flavors: Clove
Preparation
A strong and hearty black breakfast tea. No frills or whistles, smooth, no bitterness. I drank with a little sugar but it’s fine without, haven’t tried with milk. Stout and a good go to for the morning. Leaves a nice silkiness behind in the mouth.
Preparation
Hm, I’m not an expert with Keemun at all, so I really can’t say much about this in comparison to others. I do know that to me this is a good, very basic, plain black tea, with no special frills or pleasantries. When first steeped it had almost no flavor, but after cooling slightly it improved. Still, it’s a flavorless black tea to me, smooth and decent, but not worth making again. It may not be Zen Tea’s fault, though, it could just be that all Keemuns are like this. I’m confused as I see descriptions of smoky, or chocolate, but I get absolutely none of that.
Preparation
My aunt sent me this for a Christmas gift. I fell in love as soon as I took it out of the box. Pictures don’t do the design justice. There’s the cup, saucer, lid, and infuser, all except the infused with the design that really stands out in person. Unfortunately on one side of the cup the design is absent, but this isn’t a huge deal. It’s a treat to hold with the style, and love the lid. This is the first infuser mug I’ve had that wasn’t a metal form of strainer, and I love that too. It does get some leaves and twigs in the cup, but this doesn’t bother me personally – I’m finding it a relief how easy it is to clean.
I’m using my new mug my aunt sent me from Teavana for Christmas. (Okura Ume Blossom Infuser Tea Mug – their website picture does not do this mug justice AT ALL) I love this infuser mug – ceramic steeper is surprisingly fun, it’s so easy to clean when I’m used to metal meshes, and the design is just upping the experience for me. I’m eating two of my mother’s chocolate chip cookies she baked today for the occasion.
I have had this sample of Golden Monkey for awhile. A few years back I tried Adagio teas Golden Monkey and remember enjoying it quite a bit.
This tea really does have a comforting, golden glow about it. It just puts me in a good mood to drink it. I add a small smidge of sugar but it already has a nice sweetness that radiates from it. Very smooth and delicious to gulp up. It’s just as yummy while it cools down!
Preparation
One of my new favorites. This one stands out as unique without overpowering or seeming fake at all. I am in love with this tea. I usually don’t like cocoa notes much but this one is right on. I saw a review earlier that said there is something cozy about this tea, and they are so right. It has a certain indescribable quality. I just ordered a big bag after having two samples – so delicious, cannot wait for my order to arrive. Stunning tea that will be a staple in my kitchen.
Preparation
I’m still not a huge fan among the second cup but it’s better. I found the trick was to steep a lot of it for a short time rather than how it normally goes (5 minutes with 1 tsp). This tea is so strong it’s better kept to under two minutes. This alone makes the tea very dark. It also still needs to be drank hot and not cooling at all. The clove again mildly numbs the tongue after awhile but not as badly as the first time. A tempermental tea. I sense cloves but I’m more of a heavy on the cinnamon type gal
Preparation
I don’t like peppermint tea but this is the best one I’ve had. It’s mild and not in your face peppermint and works to blend with the other flavors. Pleasant to drink and calming. Also smells delicious. I wasn’t able to taste any nutty flavors though.
