141 Tasting Notes
After my experience with Numi’s Emperor Puerh, I was not predisposed to like this tea, but I was pleasantly surprised. I was distracted, and let this oversteep, but it did not ruin the tea. The puerh flavor was present, but the earthiness complemented the cocoa, vanilla, and cinnamon flavors. The dominant flavor was chocolate, but it was not just like having a hot cocoa. The earthiness of the puerh made it a different drink, and it also didn’t taste like watered down hot chocolate that some chocolate teas taste like.
Preparation
This rooibos chai was okay, but it lacked depth. The rooibos couldn’t stand up to the overpowering spices, especially the cloves. I added some sugar, but this made it cloyingly sweet, though the addition of some cream helped tame the sweetness. I am not a great fan of chais, but I prefer them with black tea to rooibos.
Preparation
This is a good Irish Breakfast tea, but not my favorite. I can taste both the Ceylon Sonata and the Assam Melody, but the Ceylon is dominant. It lacks the punch of Harney and Sons or Twinings, probably because it has less Assam in it. I was unable to get a good second steeping out of the leaf, which makes me wonder if I am doing something wrong.
Preparation
As soon as I removed the plastic wrapper from the box, the orange scent wafted out of it, even though the bags were individually wrapped. The flavor tastes like mandarin oranges, sweet but with a slight bitter aftertaste, rather than regular oranges. I added a teaspoon of orange blossom honey to sweeten it. The longer I drink it, however, the less I care for it. It is too one-dimensional in its orange flavor. I would rather have the orange flavor paired with a rich black tea that would give it some depth.
About half way through the cup I tired of the flavor, so I added some more hot water and a ceylon teabag and let it steep awhile longer. The orange flavor was muted but at the same time brought out the citrus in the ceylon. I will have to try this again using the two different bags from the beginning.
Preparation
Wonderful sweet Darjeeling flavor, which comes out even more as it cools down to a warm temperature. No bitterness or astringency that I notice. It is like Twinings, but more intense and rich.
UPDATE: I made a second steeping of this tea, and it was somewhat weaker, but still tasty. I steeped the bag for six minutes.
Preparation
I made a second steeping of the leaves, and the tea was weaker, though with the same ceylon flavor. I was a little disappointed at the weaker flavor and at not being able to get multiple steepings out of these leaves, but it is still a good cup.
Preparation
I love this tea. It is like Twinings Ceylon, only better. The sweet citrusy notes come out even stronger and tastier in this tea. It was not bitter and the astringency was not really noticeable (I guess I am used to it now). The best Ceylon I have tasted so far. I added cream and sugar, and the tea stood up very well. Close to perfection in a teacup!
Preparation
Strong dark chocolate and orange aroma; the flavor is somewhat weak, though it improves with sugar. I liked this very much, though the flavors block out the flavor of the tea, the origin of which I am not sure. Although I really enjoy this flavor, I think I prefer to taste the natural flavor of the tea rather than any added flavors. I tried resteeping this tea, but it didn’t work – the chocolate pieces had already melted with the first steeping, and all that was left was a weak orange flavor.
I didn’t mind the Emperor’s Puerh, but honestly the mint one made me gag.