343 Tasting Notes
Overboard Traveling tea box
I am so glad I didn’t pick a tin of this up. It’s bitter and almost has a cardboard note (can cardboard be a note?). Anyway, I steeped for 3 minutes, tasted a bit and added sweetener. With sweetener, I’m still getting the cardboard note, but at least it’s only 6oz since I used 1 bag.
Preparation
Overboard Traveling tea box
I’m up drinking caffeinated tea, but only because I chose to go out late and also drink a Diet Coke, so what’s more caffeine going to do what hasn’t already been done? Also, I made the mistake of going to Kmart and trying to use their e-coupons. It’s a great idea, but never works… anyway, right – this tea.
It was freezing when I came inside so I figured I should make myself a cup. Unsweetened, it’s light, a little bit floral and citrusy, though I’m not detecting anything buttery about it; its mild. I tend to like my earl grey with a bit of vanilla. Ok, a lot of vanilla, like I added cream but don’t want to clog my arteries. I’m sure my palette isn’t refined enough to appreciate the finer nuances of tea, but creamsicle tea is pretty awesome. I added sweetener, which made it a sweet citrus tea. Tasty, certainly not horrible, but I’d reach for my Argo Earl Grey Cream over this, even if this is easier and bagged and white.
1 sachet in 12 oz of water.
Preparation
Overboard Traveling tea box
Well yesterday’s tea hiatus really worked because this morning, my throat finally feels normal again and hopefully it will stay that way knock on wood! I’m so bummed that I missed out on many of the Butiki teas that I wanted to try before they were in the process of closing and before I knew it, the one I would have wanted to stock up on was sold out (the Pistacho Ice Cream one). I almost made orders so many times but then I would look at my overflowing cabinet and just couldn’t do it; plus, I have this free shipping ""issue"" and $75 of tea is a lot. Anyway, this was on my wishlist because I love pumpkin teas, especially Davidstea Pumpkin Chai. I can actually taste the flavoring before adding sweetener in this blend, which is always appreciated but I added some anyway and it makes the caramel really pop. I bet this would make an awesome latte.
Sad to see Butiki go before I could restock some favorites that I discovered through swapping, but like this box, hopefully some of the blends will be shared for a little while longer, but I will be keeping the rest of this sample.
edit
Oh my goodness, so I remembered I had bought a couple boxes of Aspen Powdered Eggnog mix (which at 80 calories for 3 tsp is far less than regular eggnog when prepared with skim milk!) when World Market had them on sale. I heated up some skim milk in the microwave, added 2 tsp of the eggnog mix and the resteep of the Pumpkin Creme Brulee and a tiny bit of sweetener since I didn’t do the full 3 tsp of the eggnog mix. I used my trusty Ikea frother and wow, eggnog latte. But even better, pumpkin creme tea eggnog latte. So good. If you have a World Market nearby and like eggnog lattes and watch your calorie intake (cause eggnog is extra caloric – even if it is delicious), give this a try. Mmmm.
Preparation
There are a few herbal teas that can help with heartburn. I looked into it because I got heartburn while pregnant. Chamomile was the most helpful for me. Mint makes heartburn either better or worse depending on the person (it made things worse for me). Marshmallow is supposed to help as well, but it’s harder to find. There’s actually a heartburn tea in the Herbal TTB that you might want to try. If it works for you, let me know and I can send you the other two boxes I have.
@rosebudmelissa: I saw that and am eager to give it a try! I don’t get it often, but enough black tea on a more or less empty stomach usually gets me (reduced appetite is a side effect of a medication I’m on so for a day there, I had way too much tea and not enough food).
Overboard Traveling tea box
I totally over-did it on tea the last couple of days. Acid reflux from hell. Poo. Anyway, I figured a little rooibos wouldn’t hurt. This one was odd, unsweetened it doesn’t really taste like anything, sweetened I’m getting a faint creamsicle taste but it’s not obvious and could easily be confused as just sweet. Back in the box it goes.
Preparation
Overboard Traveling tea box
Hot this was weird and really hibiscus-y, but cold, it is really nice! I steeped per the instructions on the back of the bag (175 degrees, 3 minutes), tried it warm and just thought “oh, no no” and carefully poured it into a glass to be put in the fridge. It actually kind of reminds me of my Tealux Angel Falls Mist. Definitely drinkable unsweetened. I can’t even taste the licorice! Total win. Definitely claiming the last 4 bags of this!
Preparation
Overboard Traveling tea box
Hmm, I’m pleasantly surprised with this one. Unsweetened, it was something I wouldn’t mind drinking, but adding a touch of sweetener really brought the hazelnut out and covered up the remains of the rooibos taste. I wonder how this would taste with some cacao thrown in… hmmmm. Might have to keep this one for experimental purposes.
(omg the remains of the first steep with a tsp of cacao husks and a tsp of cacao nibs and some sweetener is… really yummy)
Preparation
That does sound delicious! Where did you get your cacao husks and nibs?
@rosebudmelissa: The nibs you can get at any “gourmet” or specialty grocery store – although I often find them cheaper at HomeGoods (or Marshalls/Tjmaxx). The husks, on the other hand are a slightly bigger pain to get a hold of, even though they are the casts off in the chocolate making process. There are a few brands that sell husks: Herbal Infusions, Tisano, Teaobroma, though I’m sure there are others.
Thanks! I love chocolate, so I think I may have to look into this. I noticed that there’s a discussion about chocolate tea, where someone mentioned that the shells have a lot more flavor. Do the nibs add much to the flavor in your opinion, or should I just go for the shells? And do you know anything about how they compare to brewing chocolate like Crio Bru? (can you tell I got distracted researching this after I asked my question? :)
@rosebudmelissa: In my opinion the nibs add some flavor, but not a heck of a lot and the husks and the nibs need to be steeped for a long time before you get much flavor, and when you get flavor, it’s not sweet chocolate like many would expect, so I almost always add some sweetener. I did a LOT of research on the husks myself… in fact, I wrote a lot about it in this tasting note (http://steepster.com/jeweledthumb/posts/231665#likes). I’m half tempted to buy the beans, roast them myself and get the husks for tea and have a (probably horrible) attempt at the chocolate making process just to see.
(You don’t want to know how many articles and youtube videos I watched on the chocolate making process after trying “chocolate tea” for the first time – so I totally understand!). When I learned that the husks are the cast offs, I was really annoyed that the “chocolate tea” is so expensive. Most places probably get the husks for free or close to it!
Thanks for the information. I look forward to trying it out for myself.
Overboard Traveling tea box
So this one is a bit odd. Without sweetener, it barely tastes like anything; maybe a little oolong, but it’s minimal. With sweetener, it tastes like sweetener, but there’s no specific fruit that I can detect, definitely not fig. And of course, it doesn’t have the buttery appeal of greener oolongs either so I’m quite meh with this one. Back in the box it goes.
Preparation
Overboard Traveling tea box
I’ve learned that Adagio whites benefit from major overleafing, so I used 3 tsp for my 12oz mug. I’m getting a faint hint of strawberry which actually reminds me of their strawberry tisane. It’s not in your face, but it’s present. I’m not finding this as buttery as the other Adagio whites I’ve tried, which is a bit of a disappointment, but I think it’s the rooibos in it (not sure why they added that in to be honest). It’s ok, but it’s not on the to-buy list and I wouldn’t add it to an Adagio order.
I decided to add a tiny bit of sweetener which made the strawberry much more obvious, but it’s still lacking the kind of quality I’m used to with the whites from this brand – and they aren’t even the best out there! Anyway, drinkable, but not great.
This was finished by me.
Preparation
Overboard Traveling tea box
Woah. Who would have thought I would like a plain black tea? Not I. This seriously smells like sweet potatoes and it tastes a little sweet even without added sweetener. Thank you The Cookie Lady for adding this to the box; otherwise, I wouldn’t have had a chance of trying this. Yum. Keeping the remaining sample.
edit
Well, I’ve already gotten 2 steeps out of the leaves and I’m pretty sure I could get a 3rd; but I want to try some more teas before I’ve maxed out on my caffeine limit for the day. Tasty.
Preparation
Overboard Traveling tea box
This one isn’t as tasty as the banana unsweetened, but once you add sweetener, I am definitely getting apple and caramel. Almost reminds me of the Celestial seasonal tea I love Caramel Apple Dream, which of course, I can’t find anymore. This will be a good substitute. Keeping it.
Preparation
I love the Caramel Apple Dream tea, too! They have it at Walmart.
@teaqueen: Though I loath to go to Walmart during the holidays, I might just to have to make a trip to see if they still have this in stock since I’m nearly out. =/
I hate going to Walmart at this time of year too :( At least it won’t be too crowded in the tea aisle (hopefully).
I’ve only had a couple of flavored blacks by republic of tea,but I’ve really disliked both of them.