400 Tasting Notes

100

This blend is wonderful. My student who’s obsessed with the Titanic wanted something “Titanic-y” for his birthday. I asked his mother (he’s six, so a black tea blend isn’t ideal for a young child his age) if she likes tea, but she doesn’t; therefore, I bought the tea, but gave him the tin—which is very cool.

The tea is magical. When looking for a good black/oolong tea blend, this is what I want. It’s rich, yet earthy. I like it as is (which is rare), but my wife thinks that it pairs well with a touch of sugar and cream.

(Side Note: I bought this tea prior to Christmas, and drank a few cups within a week. I just now finished it while eating an anise & almond pizzelle that my mother made for us, and it was the proper thing to have with it. The anise helped enrich the blend, and actually enhanced the flavor of the pizzelle. I will definitely buy this again soon!)

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML

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80

I wanted to give this tea try ever since I bought it a few weeks back, but I forgot about it, until today. So, I made a cup before work, and it’s good, but there’s something about it that was slightly off.

The tea itself smells great, and was very dark. However, there was a bit too much tannin. And honestly, it might’ve been the way that I steeped it/the water I used that made it taste that way; but, I’ll try it again. Although, once I added a few drops of half N’ half and sugar, it was very good (very malty and rich).

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 30 sec 2 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML

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85

I re-purchased this tea a few weeks ago, not remembering if I liked it or not. And I do. It’s very smoky, “meaty,” and campfire-esq. It would be a great tea for a winter afternoon or while camping.

It’s smoky and delightful.

I shared a cup with my Dad, who said that it was “no different than eating burning firewood.” So, yes, it’s an acquired taste.

It took me a few sips to finally decide whether or not it’s right for me, and I’ve decided that it’s a grand tea. I will be buying more from Twinings and other places.

(Side Note: It’s too strong on its own, but I really like it with a dash of cream and a teaspoon of sugar.)

Any suggestions on where I could find a quality Lapsang from, other than Twinings?

Flavors: Campfire, Smoke

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML

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90

Yes, yes, yes! If you’re interested in trying a solid Jasmine tea, this one is it. It’s sweet, floral, smooth, and slightly nutty. It’s quite relaxing and good to have when you’re feeling sick and cold.

Very nice.

Flavors: Floral, Jasmine, Smooth, Sweet

Preparation
170 °F / 76 °C 1 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML

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95

I had a long work training today from 8-4:30. It seemed to last an eternity, but thanks to Twining’s Prince of Wales, I managed to get over the four hour hump in the middle of the meeting.

I had thirty minutes to run to a cafe or eat lunch, and my boss said that this coffee house in downtown Akron had great coffee and teas. So, I went.

While she was looking at the coffee display-case, I happened to find a small wall of teas. There, I found Twining’s Prince of Wales. I asked the barista to make a cup, and bought two ounces of the loose leaf. It was excellent.

I just had it on its own. I must say that it was naturally sweet, smooth, light and mellow. It was soothing for an afternoon tea, and it helped the remainder of the meeting to go by nicely. Before I headed home, I made another cup with a pot of hot water provided by the trainers.

Let’s just say that the 4:30-5 o’clock traffic wasn’t too bad with a cup of tea.

Flavors: Smooth, Sweet

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 12 OZ / 354 ML

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85

I realized that I have a huge selection of teas from unknown sources. However, I was sipping on a cup of Teavana’s English Breakfast, and instantly knew this tea.

It’s very malty, earthy, smooth, and semi-sweet. It isn’t super heavy like an English Breakfast tends to be, though. I have had better English Breakfast teas, but this isn’t a bad tea at all. Overall, I like it.

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 3 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML

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70

Honeybush has a very rooibos quality to it. This tea smells sweet and has a honey-esq profile. The flavor is smooth and mildly sweet.

I figured that it’d be a great cup to have, with a book in hand, after a long day with cranky students due to the inability to have a snow day. It is definitely a good tea to have to relax with before bed.

(Side Note: I’d pair this with pastries and chocolates. It’s swell with a smidgen of cream.)

Flavors: Honey, Smooth, Sweet

Preparation
Boiling 6 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML

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95

Lichee tea is amongst my favorite black teas. It’s robust, loaded with caffeine, earthy, and just a plain great tea.

Today was cold and snowy. Before starting my car this morning, I wanted to make a good strong cup of tea (and something with a caffeine kick), so I grabbed this. I figured that it’d be a nice way to begin the morning, and was a good re-steep for an afternoon pick-me-up.

Flavors: Earth

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML

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100
drank Paris by Harney & Sons
400 tasting notes

Paris is a nice sweet blend. If you’re an Earl Grey fan, I’d suggest this tea to you. It has been a to-go-to blend for the past year or two. It’s a sweet vanilla tea with a touch of bergamot; creamy and smooth.

A majority of my friends who come over for good conversations always ask for a cup of Paris. It’s a good tea if you’re trying to cut out sweets, too. I think it’s swell on its own, but it goes well with cream and sugar as well.

Flavors: Bergamot, Creamy, Smooth, Sweet, Vanilla

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML

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90

Monk’s Blend is a smooth and light tea. It has a nice caramel and vanilla quality to it; yet, there is the slight earthiness that comes with black tea.

Flavors: Caramel, Earth, Vanilla

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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Profile

Bio

Mostly drinking sheng/shou puerh. Gongfu daily; western brew at work.

More to see at the IG account: Madhatterteadrunk

Drinking down a lot of my teas in 2020. I may not observe these sessions as much as I’d like, but I’ll note them, when the mood strikes.

Location

Northeast Ohio

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