sTEAp Shoppe

I’m not a fan of Lapsang Souchong – or at least the little that I’ve tried. Something about “smokiness” in my teas just doesn’t sit right with me. I don’t know what it is.

Anyway, I tried this with hesitation, and it’s not bad. It’s definitely a muted smokey flavor, and not unbearable like a straight LS might be. I’m not really getting any of the coffee or chocolate flavors either, though, unfortunately.

I’d recommend this to someone who doesn’t like LS, but doesn’t hate it either. I wonder what someone who LOVES LS would think of this.

Thanks, STEAp Shop for the sample! This is for the Virtual Tea Tasting 9/23/12

Hey, this isn’t bad. When I brewed it hot, I could definitely taste the cinnamon but was having a hard time tasting the berries. It reminded me of an apple cider, even though there are no apples in it. But then as it cooled off, the berry flavor came through a lot more and the cinnamon flavor became a bit more muted. This is much more enjoyable cold.

I like how there are varying steep times, too. I’ll have to see how the flavor changes the second steeping of this later tonight.

Thanks, STEAp Shop for the sample! This is for the Virtual Tea Tasting 9/23/12

I like this tea. I like it because it completely shocked me.
Green apple, huh? I was expecting something sour or bitter (I’m not a huge green apple fan). This is neither of those things.
What it is is a surprisingly smooth green tea. The apple peeks out, mingling its astringency with that of the green tea. I don’t taste the other dried berries so much as… perceive them, I guess. They are on the periphery offering a tiny bit of sweetness and a tiny zing. I smell them more than taste them. I really love the mix of apple, cranberry, and green tea. It’s nothing I would have put together myself but it really works.
This tea is just plain interesting. I keep thinking that it’s just a basic sipping tea and I keep finding myself enjoying the aftertaste (that’s where the berry flavors come through) and the interplay of the flavors.
ETA – Thanks, STEAp Shop for the sample! This is for the Virtual Tea Tasting 9/23/12

Confession: I don’t really like mint. I know… mint can be so awesome. It is good if you feel sick, it smells amazing, it’s great in candy canes and of course, in mint juleps (I do like making mint juleps with my own wild mint and homemade simple syrup), lots of great stuff!
But mint in tea isn’t my cuppa. That said, this tea was pretty nice. I feel like there is stevia in it, it had a pleasant sweetness to it. I ended up getting to my cup when it was a little cooler. I want to try this again, hotter and with a little more leaf to water.
But heck, I’m impressed. It was a mint tea that I didn’t dislike!

ETA – I just saw in the description that the tea has ginko in it – maybe that was the sweet element? I definitely have to try this again!

ETA Again – Thanks, STEAp Shop for the sample! This is for the Virtual Tea Tasting 9/23/12

THIS is the LS for all those out there who don’t think they like LS! Lapsang Souchong is what I mean by LS.
Really the smokiness is JUST at the right level in this one!
This is going to be a STELLAR compliment to my vegetarian chili I am making!
Not vegetarian anymore but sometimes I go back to my roots, and I am sick of all the factory farming, meats from god knows where BLECH.
I may be reverting! Not a bad thing.
Anyway I am going to go review this on http://sororiteasisters.com/ so look for it on the 22nd! :)
SO GOOD!
Thank you sTEAp Shoppe for this sample!

I ordered a few teas from sTEAp Shoppe and this was one of them. When you first open the tin you are feel like you opened a bottle of vanilla extract while holding a flower to your nose. As I steeped my first cup first tasting without any sweetener then adding the sweetener I found the flavor notes similar to the aroma. The first sip (no sweet)was hearty with a smoothness from the vanilla and the combination of black tea and white tea I found to be quite a pleasant combination bringing in a mild yet robust floral flavor. The hue is a quite dark amber color I believe due to the vanilla bean which some of the small vanilla bean beads did go through my filter and lingered in the cup. This tea is heavy yet light I am not sure quite how to say it but maybe like comparing it to whip cream, you know it’s heavy and creamy but it’s texture is so light and fluffy. Then I added the sweetener and wow! there was the cocoa flavor taking my taste buds for a ride. Unlike the sweedish delight I commented on this teas second cup is very similar to the first. The flavors seem somehow more settled now but all the notes I found are still there front and center. I not sure anyone could really dislike this tea because it is so versatile. Oh and I must not forget what did I serve this with you ask. Because after the first tasting the second must have a complimentary food to grace my palate. I knew it would be desert but was unsure as to what avenue to take. Go simple or rich. I took some time because I must admit the desire to put a brownie smothered in chocolate sauce and topped with vanilla ice cream seemed to be the perfect match. But I decided for the less obvious and less caloric approach and had a strawberry sorbet. Yes, I realize this seems way to simple but it’s not the name of the food but the effort and love that went into making it. Fresh cool strawberries and a wonderful hot tea loaded with chocolate and vanilla flavors. What could be better on a hot day.

I purchased this tea along with a few others from sTEAp shoppe hoping to try something new. The anticipation of waiting for a new tea is one I delight in. The day the box arrived I found myself savoring each moment as I opened each tin of tea and got lost in the wonderful aroma’s. Once I open the tea I must consider the proper food to serve it with in order to embrace it’s true intent. Yes, Tea has intent you must first smell then steep it partake in the flavors without any sweetener then add a sweetener to see what additional flavor notes can be pulled from it by adding sweetness. Tasting tea is not just relaxation it is a mission with intent. Well getting back to the tea I must say from first scent I was engaged with the unique aroma of Cardamon a wonderfully mild yet bold spice. As I took my first sip of the first cup I found my taste buds attracted to a tart berry flavor and noticed the color of the steep had a pinkish hue to it. This was floral yet fruity with a bit of orange to compliment the cranberry like flavor. The Second cup I found had a more subdued berry flavor and the floral hearty tones of the Ceylon tea and the earthy Cardamon came through a bit more. This tea is such a departure from any tea I’ve tasted and resteeping your cup seems to bring on such a drastic change it it’s flavor it was like I was drinking a different tea almost. Very exciting. I decided this tea deserved the perfect accompaniment and I was on a mission to find it. As I combed the isles of the grocery store I debated whether to counter balance the flavors or to mimic them. I made my selection and as I left the store a whole new bit of excitement came over me as I anticipated what my flavors would bring to this tea. So I sat down for lunch on a sunny Saturday with hot tea in had. I had created a sandwich I felt would be worthy of my spectacular tea. I found this spectacular deli that sold smoked turkey (the real stuff none of that processed crap) a wonderfully crispy yet soft centered Ciabatta fresh from the oven and created what I believe worked beautifully. Slightly toasted Ciabatta with a wonderful cranberry Wensleydale cheese just barley melted onto it 3 sliced of my juicy smoked turkey, 2 thinly sliced heirloom tomato slices, a small bunch of arugula and the condiment of choice a sweet corn aioli(my own creation). There have been better Saturday afternoons I am sure but I can’t think of one right now.

This is my personal favorite tea! I was never a tea drinker until I tried this After Dinner Ginger with its freshly dried lemons. I first tried it with honey when I was sick to help my sore throat and i was surprised at how good it tasted. I was also surprised by how much it helped my throat and made me feel better. Since then it has become my preferred winter drink. I just add a little honey and its perfect!! Relaxing, soothing and delicious!!

perfect blend of vanilla with the black tea.

excellent!!!!

An inherently sweet with spicy warmth, the chocolate chai has such a richness. This dessert tea tantalizes your taste buds and delivers warmth in the evening!

The chocolate is just present enough to smooth things out while the orange sweetens things up. The taste is lovely and light, and the chocolate and orange work well together to make a sweet, smooth flavor.

It does not become too strong for me. The taste and smell of the chocolate flavor in this tea is very intense, and there’s not an overpowering taste. I will keep buying this blend again and again!

i simply love my tea! It i such a calming tea with a sweet aroma tempting to anyone. I love this tea to start my morning with, who needs coffee when you have tea! i always have some of this tea around, i drink it almost everyday!

It is a perfect mix of lemon and ginger! It is a very warming herbal tea and tastes light on the front end . I drink this tea with some equals, which makes it a perfect nighttime treat.

A great rich morning treat, with a citrus aroma and a wonderful chocolate taste!

The white tea and rich white chocolate are paired together to yield a soft sweet taste. If you love chocolate and tea, this is surely one to try. Instead of having desert having a cup of this is sure to keep that sweet tooth happy !

I love this tea;one of my favorites, by far! I love having it after dinner and before bed, it is so smoothing . This tea isn’t just great tasting it helped my skin! i progressively started noticing my mild acne clearing up!

This blend is hard to resist with the sweet aroma of chocolate and orange! Add a touch of sugar for a truly decedent treat!

A great tea for anytime of day: morning, afternoon, or even late at night. It’s very soothing but at the same time very refreshing .