66 Tasting Notes

96

I didn’t drink this today – I ran out a few weeks back as I was alternating between this and 52’s cooling Chocolate Mint the whole time I was sick – helped my throat no-end!!!

Anyhoo, I’m just logging because it’s ridiculous how often I go to my cupboard thinking ‘what do I want’ and this still jumps to mind :(

I NEED more – Frank PLEASE .. Mayan Chocolate Chai just ain’t doing it for me – I wants the Puerh!

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68
drank Irish Breakfast by Twinings
66 tasting notes

Solid – Bold – Hearty – the Coffee of the Tea world!

This hits the spot like nothing else does and makes me want to yell ‘Assam me baby coz that’s what I’m talking ‘bout!’

The point is Twinings Irish Breaky – Me Love You Long Time ♥ ♥ ♥

*and I’ve upped the rating because I haven’t had this for a while and it’s even better than I remember it ..

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 2 min, 15 sec

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88

I’ve been really sick with a head cold that turned into bronchitis this last 3-4weeks so haven’t been able to taste anything .. Hence I’ve been eagerly waiting to try this sample sent to me by the lovely Rachel Carter herself, and today is the day!

This is my first ‘pumpkin’ tea and I really didn’t know what to expect as the only way I’ve ever eaten pumpkin before was roasted or in soup .. So I made a strong brew and the aroma is sweet & creamy, and I think I even smell some butter & nutmeg in there ?

Oh yum this is really good! I don’t taste ‘spice’ as such, which is good because I wasn’t wanting that .. I’m actually finding it hard to describe .. The flavour has a lot of depth to it, but it’s not ‘overly’ flavoured – it tastes natural, not oily or artificial in any way .. A sweet malty black with some unique pizazz to it, if that makes any sense to anyone other than myself ?!

Another reviewer says it’s “comforting, cozy and well-balanced” and I think that’s spot-on .. Perfect for drinking by the fireside with a cat on ones lap & good book for company – and I don’t even own a cat – I don’t even like cats! But that’s the image this tea conjures up for me lol .. And by ‘drinking’ what I mean to say is a big mug of ‘gulp-worth’ tea :P

I’d probably rate it a little higher than I did if the last couple of mouthfuls weren’t so full of tea leaf dust kwim?! But eh, it happens and I’ll just use a different infuser next time ..

I’ll definitely be ordering some more of this asap!

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 7 min, 0 sec
LiberTEAS

I hope you feel better soon!

RachanaC (Rachel)-iHeartTeas

Oh, I am so HAPPY you enjoyed this. However, I am sorry you are not feeling well. I hope you imaginary cat you may or may not like gets you well soon. :-)

Serendipitea

lol, I think my dog chased away the imaginary cat :)
But I’m definitely on the way up now, and I can’t tell you how good it feels to inhale without an imaginary brick-wall on my chest!

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98
drank Eros by Mariage Frères
66 tasting notes

Ohhhh Myyyy – This is absolutely delicious!

It’s like tLeafTea’s China Rose and 52Tea’s Earl Grey Cheesecake had a love-child .. Actually with a name like Eros it was more likely a threesome, because the tail end of the swallow is a little reminiscent of Harney & Son’s smoooooth Vanilla Comoro ..

This was very expensive and probably not something I’ll get the chance to buy again, but I’m beyond thrilled I took a chance and imported a tin! I also want to mention that this would make a wonderful gift as Mariage Freres know how to pack a treat .. From tissue paper to tins, menu’s and free postcards, this was a true delight to unwrap!

What more can I add other than simply sensational tea .. I seriously ♥ Eros, and am only taking points off due to the high cost ..

Now I must go make another pot because 2 cups wasn’t enough :D

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 4 min, 0 sec
ashmanra

Wow! I will have to check Southern Season to see if they have this one, but I don’t recall ever seeing it there.

Serendipitea

Yes you must try it!

I had four cups of this yesterday and was tempted to make another pot of it this morning, but wanted to give the Marco Polo a try .. Well it’s now morning tea time and I’ve got Eros steeping once more :D

Dinosara

I had to check if this one was on my list for my upcoming visit to Mariage Freres in Paris, and it’s not, only because it’s available in bulk in the states from Porte Rouge (http://www.porterouge.biz) (not that it necessarily helps you Serendipitea, but for others who are interested)… I’m trying to limit the teas I pick up to things I can’t get anywhere but Paris!

ashmanra

Dinosara – See if you can try Coquelicot Gourmand by Dammann Freres while you are there! I got some in a swap once and it was soooooo good. I haven’t been able to find any way to get it but to order it from Paris!

ashmanra

Yes! Southern Season has it! I may get to try it after all. The description sounds really good. If you want more, you can possibly save a bit on shipping by ordering it from them. They are in Chapel Hill, NC.

Dinosara

Thanks for the rec, ashmanra! So many of their teas sound amazing, it’s going to be really difficult to decide which ones to get!

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67

I had a really lovely Chamomile & Lavender blend the other day, however it’s been discontinued so was hoping this would be similar ..

Unfortunately the Chamomile was so dominant that I wouldn’t have known anything else was in there had I not seen what was in the bag prior :(
http://i55.tinypic.com/jie3xi.jpg

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 2 min, 30 sec

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I would like to restore some balance in my cupboard by extending my Green Tea range, however I find most I try way too vegetal for my liking .. So I was nervous yet open-minded and hopeful when I tried this sample ..

I cut open the triangular sachet (silk bag) to get a better look at what was in this blend .. Can easily identify the Green Tea Leaves, Calendula Petals (and a seed for that matter), Blue Cornflower Petals, Citrus Peel (great big chunks!) , and possibly Rose Petal ? There’s also some other outer-husky ‘straw like’ bits, stems possibly? .. And I’m not sure about the rest ..

Unfortunately even brewing this at a lower temp and for less amount of time than suggested left me with such an astringent brew that I had to sweeten with honey to drink ..

Second steep gave similar results so this is definitely not for me .. Hence I’m not going to rate it as it doesn’t seem fair ..
http://i56.tinypic.com/5mbmlk.jpg

Preparation
160 °F / 71 °C 2 min, 0 sec

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87
drank Apricot by Harney & Sons
66 tasting notes

Both H&S’s ‘Apple & Cinnamon’, and ‘Apricot’, are great fruity flavoured blacks teas, and I enjoy them both hot or cold .. Thinking outside the cup, they could also be an interesting flavouring ingredient; for example in what is currently being described as ‘The Best Fruit Crumble Ever!!!!!’ :D

You can use any fruit, but I spontaneously decided to soak some dehydrated Apricots, Apples, & Cranberries in what was left of this Apricot Tea (still warm) .. Then ladled it evenly into ramekins and put a layer of this mix on top:

250gm Butter
3 cups Rolled Oats
1.5 cups Stone-Ground Wheat
1 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
0.5 teaspoon Ground Clove
2 handfuls (shelled) Sunflower Seeds
1 cup Brown Sugar

- Rub together with fingertips until it resembles breadcrumbs ..
- This makes heaps so you can store left-over in fridge for next time ..
- Alternate Flavours: (add) Lemon Rind, Ground Ginger, Ground Cardamon, Walnuts ..

- Bake at 170°C for 15min, and serve at desired temp ..

Dinosara

I love the idea of tea-soaked fruit for a crumble! Sounds delicious!

Serendipitea

I love cooking with tea :D
The left-over fruit tasted even better so I think I’ll try and plan ahead, and soak for 24hrs in the future ..

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87
drank Apricot by Harney & Sons
66 tasting notes

Another free sample that came with my recent H&S order, and a good one to compare back to back with their Apple Cinnamon ..

Both of these teas make a lovely fragrant & fruity Autumn cuppa, but I’m not sure I’d need to have both on hand .. Like the Apple this has a sweet aroma and obvious flavouring, yet steeped for a longer period of time the Tea makes itself well known too .. Without becoming bitter or too astringent ..

Purely as a matter of personal preference I’m going to stick with the Apple, but if Apricot is your thing then I definitely suggest you give this a try!

I’ll update after drinking the glass I have chilling ..

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 5 min, 0 sec

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89

Equally as nice chilled!

And I do believe I’m picking up a hint of Cinnamon drinking it this way – or maybe it’s subliminal as I can clearly see some at the bottom of my glass :D

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89

This came as a free sample with my latest H&S order, and Oh My what a delicious treat it turned out to be ..

I think if I’d been served my first cup of this blind-folded I would have guessed it was some type of Apple/Chamomile Herbal mix, because the Apple dominates both aroma and flavour .. It’s smooth, sweet, and almost intoxicating!

The Tea itself started to shine though in my second brew, which I’d made immediately after with the last of the fresh leaves added to those already in the pot, and steeped for a few minutes longer (approx 6-7min) .. I still couldn’t detect any cinnamon though, but more importantly I don’t think it needs any ..

I’m so glad I got to try this and yes I will be buying a tin of it asap .. I’ve already drunk two large mugs worth in the last half hour, and have a third, sweetened with half a teaspoon of sugar, chilling in the fridge :D

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 3 min, 30 sec

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Bio

For many years I only drank coffee, and the occasional herbal tisane .. But eventually I got sick of people complaining that I had no ‘real tea’ in the house so I bought a box of cheap tea bags and remembered WHY I didn’t drink the stuff!

And so life went on until the day an English friend invited me to visit her home .. She made us a pot of (loose leaf) Earl Grey to enjoy in the garden – and finally I’d found a Tea that I truly wanted to drink!

Now-a-days my favourite alternates between home-made Masala Chai, Lady Grey with a few extra drops of Sweet Orange Essential Oil, Dessert Flavoured Blacks, and my latest interest is Dragon Peal Jasmine ..

any less = I wouldn’t drink it again
70 – 80 = Nice, but there’s better
80 – 90 = Mmm, Yummy Stuff ..
90 – 100 = Unique, Stand-Outs, & Can Not Be Withouts!

Location

New Zealand

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