104 Tasting Notes

72
drank Ceylon OP1 by Teas Etc
104 tasting notes

It’s not the most exciting description in the world, but this is just a GOOD black tea. It’s simple, but the flavors are distinct and enjoyable, and there’s a subtle sweetness that rounds out the experience nicely. There’s also just a hint of bitterness that grabs at the edges of your tongue, but it doesn’t linger long, and reminds you that the tea is there and doing its thing.

The leaves themselves actually don’t have a strong aroma, though the steeped tea has a simple smokey/woodsy smell that’s pleasant, though very light. As such, the taste is a bit of a surprise, since the aroma would have you believe that this is going to be a very mild tea, but it does pack a little punch.

All in all, a very enjoyable tea that should be on any black tea fan’s list.

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 0 sec
JustDuckyInNE

Terrific; complete description of the experience and the tea itself when tasting. Thanks!

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59

This is a tea with a spicy kick that will catch you by surprise if you’re not ready for it! The aroma is a pleasant mix of chocolate and spice, and the color is a golden brown that gives no indication of the spiciness within. Even when you take a sip, you can actually hold it in your mouth and not really get the spice that awaits. Take your first swallow however, and it catches the back of your throat with a peppery burn that spreads to the sides of your mouth, and makes you remember what the main ingredients in this tea really are. Thankfully the burn only lingers for a moment, and you’re left with a general spiciness that’s enjoyable, though this is by no means a tea for fans of smooth, easy to drink flavors!

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 0 sec

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71
drank Genmai Cha by Adagio Teas
104 tasting notes

Though I had a cup from a friend’s pot that had been sitting for a few minutes, this was still a very enjoyable tea with a nice popcorn accent and a strong green tea flavor that worked well together.

It’s the type of tea that you can enjoy at any time, because the flavor is smooth and mellow, but there’s enough complexity to keep you interested.

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 8 min or more

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71

So I brought the water temp down and lengthened the steep time a bit and all I can say is WOW! It’s like a whole new tea. With just those few small changes, this has gone from ho-hum tea to the apple tea that I would create if I had the skill to.

The apple flavor is crisp but not overwhelming, with just a touch of sourness to bite your tongue. It also has a pleasant sweetness that’s not too sugary, and a spicy aroma that’s inviting and invigorating.

In short: When made correctly, this tea is a winner!

Preparation
180 °F / 82 °C 7 min, 0 sec
Meghann M

I may have to try this your way, I hope it improves. Such disappointment when brewed according to instructions.

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71
drank Coconut Cream Pie by 52teas
104 tasting notes

Let me just start by saying: This tea’s leaves smell AMAZING!! The coconut aroma is incredibly strong, and the hints of vanilla work really well together.

Thankfully the tea’s taste lives up to the expectation that the aroma sets, because this is a tea that aims to please. The coconut flavor has a unique sweetness that’s almost like caramel, and the vanilla adds just a hint of flavor to the experience.

This one’s a winner, and I’m looking forward to the next cup!

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 45 sec

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64

I was really hesitant to try this tea, since chocolate is usually a difficult flavor to get right in a drink, and the leaves have a spicy, almost cinnamon like aroma to them which brought back memories of the shock that you get when you first taste bitter baking chocolate and expect it to be like the sweet chocolate that you normally eat.

HOWEVER, I was actually (and pleasantly) surprised by how this tea came out, as the chocolate mellows out into a subtle accent, with just a hint of the bitterness coming through that does well to balance the flavor of the chai itself. The aroma does tend to be on the bitter side of the chocolate spectrum, but it’s enjoyable when mixed with the aroma of the chai, and creates a really nice, spicy note that accents the flavor.

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 15 sec

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78

This steeping had a little more bitterness than the last did, but I actually liked the change, since it took away some of the sweetness that made the last cup just taste like Froot Loops. This cup had a much stronger, flowery aroma, and hints of flower carried through to the flavor as well, which were accentuated by a bite of citrus in the aftertaste.

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 5 min, 0 sec

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82

This is such an easy tea to reach for when you’re in the mood for an easy to enjoy experience. Smooth flavor, a little hint of sweetness and just a touch of smokey accents mix together to form an impressive flavor that’s the perfect start to a cold winter morning.

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

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66
drank Shamrock Tea by 52teas
104 tasting notes

I didn’t taste any of the vanilla flavor, but there’s no denying the mint! This tea is STRONG in the mint department, and has a wonderful aroma in the leaves that lasts through, and may even be stronger in, the final cup.

It’s also a smooth tea that goes down cleanly and doesn’t leave a lot of aftertaste. There’s a hint of mint that leaves you feeling clean and fresh, but it’s pleasant, and doesn’t overpower your taste buds like the aroma would lead you to believe.

All in all, this is a great tea for any mint lover, and a nice green tea to drink if you’re looking to become one.

Preparation
170 °F / 76 °C 3 min, 0 sec

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79

I steeped this straight up, just like a regular tea (no milk, no sugar, no lengthened steep time, etc.) and I was pleasantly surprised by a well balanced tea that has a nice spicy kick to it without being overpowering or overly aggressive.

The aroma has a good amount of spice to it, though I’d say that the taste is stronger than the aroma would have you believe. The color is also fantastic, with the rich, golden/caramel color coming through from the rooibos.

The vanilla leads the flavor, with an initial sweetness that’s supplemented by the rooibos base. The spicy flavor hits you a moment later, with a bite on the sides of your tongue, and a woodsy spice towards the back of your mouth. The aftertaste is a peppery spice that lingers until the next sip, and really adds to the experience.

Overall, I would say that this is a really enjoyable tea, and one that I’m going to try different steeping methods with to see if I can bring out even more of the complex flavor.

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 0 sec

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