545 Tasting Notes
I had such a good experience with 52teas Chocolate Mint black tea the previous day that I decided to try to try to work drinking up one of the other teas I have left from the chocolate sampler pack. I settled on the Smokey Chocolate black tea but remembered that the last time I had it it was more smoke than chocolate so decided to amp it up with some Milk & Cookies for extra chocolate flavor. (I’ve since remembered that I have a Double Chocolate black tea sample that I could do this with as well.) I ended up using nearly my normal amount of Milk & Cookies with a 1/4 teaspoon of Smokey Chocolate for just a bit of smoke with my chocolate and it worked out just how I wanted it to taste. So v good. Second steep was as well.
2nd steep: 20+ mins.
Preparation
Yesterday morning after reading about peppermint hot chocolate topped with whip cream in Linger, a peppermint hot chocolate was all I really wanted to drink. Even though it has no caffeine in it really. Even though I have no peppermint hot chocolate, only hot chocolate. I started thinking about how to doctor plain hot chocolate with stuff I had around the apartment to get peppermint hot chocolate. First I thought of dropping a soft mint into a cup of hot chocolate and letting it melt. Then I thought of steeping a strong mint green tea bag that I have and using that as some or all of the liquid to make the hot chocolate from. Then I remembered that I have still have this sample left. I don’t actually like mint chocolate as a flavor normally so I’ve been avoiding drinking it. But it is just what I wanted right then. So I was like yes! I have that mint chocolate sample and yes! I actually want to drink it and use some of it up so yes! go drink it now while I’m actually wanting some. So I did.
Since I’ve had this awhile, both the mint and the chocolate are muted and mixed. I actually enjoyed it better that I remember liking it, even if it was not the strong sweet punch of peppermint hot chocolate I had been looking for. I drink both steeps in quick succession. The way this tastes now, I think I’ll be drinking it again soon.
2nd steep: approx 15 mins.
Preparation
Two nights ago, I decided that this tropical flavored honeybush sounded good after a smoked turkey, bacon, cheddar, and white BBQ sauce wrap for dinner. I’ve had this tisane before, I think twice. But can see I haven’t logged it yet. I remember liking it quite a bit though.
Upon opening my small tin of it this time, I noticed that it had a decent smell of sea water/salt water to both the dry and steep tisane. I had noticed the same thing when I finished off my Raspberry Chocolate honeybush sample recently as well. The taste however was normal for both. But it’s hard to reconcile the smell with the taste.
As for the taste of this honeybush, it’s most distinct flavor is banana combined with undistinguished other tropical fruit flavors, perhaps papaya and pineapple. I think I would have likely rated it a bit higher but for the scent issue.
I put the second steep away and drank it the next night after an Asian chicken salad for dinner.
2nd steep: 20+ mins.
Preparation
First time in awhile that I haven’t started my day off with a moka coffee latte. Yesterday, I wasn’t feeling it and had a strong cup of this. It was as enjoyable as I remember it. Two steeps.
Preparation
The Barb & Bob Backlog – last tea for this week! Returning next Friday.
This one was Wednesday night’s late night tea. I had given my mom a few bags of this because she enjoyed a green mint tea she had when we were out in a restaurant and I’m trying to get her exposed to teas other than plain and flavored black teas.
Anyways, Wednesday evening was opening night of the season for the weekly wine strolling outside in the gardens of the plantation where my youngest sister works (she was recently promoted to daytime GM of the fine dining restaurant there and I’m very proud of her). Since it was the first night they did a sparkling wines and caviar theme with doubt the amount of wines to try as normal (and a higher price lol). Needless to say, I drank quite a bit and came home fairly drunk. Ate two delicious chicken enchiladas then promptly fell asleep on the loveseat.
I woke up feeling a bit of a queasy tummy and settled it quite well with this one. The minute and a half brewing time definitely produces a mintiness of a level I can handle.
Preparation
The Barb & Bob [my parents] Backlog for this week.
(I stay at their house a few nights a week most weeks. They live about 20 minutes away from me. They mostly have bagged teas.)
This one was Monday night’s tea during my late night online, gaming, and chatting time. I wish I could like it more, but it’s always got that note of sourness, no matter what temperature it’s at. I even tried brewing it for 30 seconds less than the recommending minimum time. But no luck. Thankfully, this is the last bag they had of it.