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drank S'mores Genmaicha by 52teas
6106 tasting notes

Bleh. So, I’m torn as to whether my issue is with the genmaicha, or 52teas’ cacao nibs/chocolate flavouring, which must have changed, because I’ve never previously had problems. This packet had the same “off” smell as Browncoat Genmaicha and Marshmallow Treat, although it was definitely more similar to BG. It’s almost a chloriney aroma, and it’s really offputting to me (and I don’t quite get how nobody else is picking up on such things :/)

So, brewed up, yeah, this one still has the off aroma. And the flavour? Bleh, I’m actually really not much enjoying this. I can’t breathe in while the cup is near my nose, otherwise I gag a bit, and there’s a bitterness in the flavour that’s not working for me (and my brewing parameters should be just fine). I can taste the chocolate… ish… but there’s a chemically flavour, and I can’t taste the genmaicha, or any lapsang souchong whatsoever. I am honestly completely confused as to why I seem to be the only person disliking these blends, when I know I love Marshmallow Treat, and I previously have tried Cherry Cheesecake Genmaicha, which was also delicious. I have Chocolate Malt Honeybush on standby as well, because it also has a really off aroma (which is why I’m uncertain as to whether it’s the cacao nibs/chocolate flavouring or the genmaicha… or both).

So, this is better than Browncoat Genmaicha, but… I really do not like it, which really, really sucks. I guess I’ll try it again later…. and then maybe swap it away to all you Steepsters who seem to enjoy it.

ETA: Opened up my package today to let it air out a bit, as was recommended. I am no longer smelling the chloriney smell (although I am sick, so take that with a grain of salt), and therefore it does smell somewhat appetizing to me. I will leave it to sit open overnight and perhaps give it a shot tomorrow. I need to dig out my package of Browncoat Genmaicha and try the same thing, because it was definitely worse. (Marshmallow Treat Genmaicha and Chocolate Malt HB will be getting the same treatment).
Preparation
180 °F / 82 °C 2 min, 30 sec
10 comments
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jessiwrites
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I didn’t care for the cacao flavor so much, either, but still overall enjoyed the tea. I way prefer Marshmallow Treat, though.

Kittenna
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I definitely did not enjoy it. It was better than Browncoat, but I still feel nauseated from having drank most of it.

Sil
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Hmmm ill try at his sooner rather than later.

Stephanie
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At least you’ll have an easy time swapping it out since everyone is after this tea! :/

Kittenna
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Yep, that is true! Sometimes being the only dissenter does have its perks :)

Indigobloom
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Hmmm, I just tried the MT and it was amazing. Might be the cacao, since I get that note from the browncoat as well

Kittenna
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Yeah, the MT was ok, thankfully. Not quite the same, but I’m not overly concerned. S’mores and Browncoat, though…

Indigobloom
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Just had my second steep. Getting a hint of that chemical taste now :(

CHAroma
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Wow, I’m really curious how this tastes. Let me know if you do end up swapping it!

Kittenna
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Odd are quite high that I will be swapping it :P

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Comments

jessiwrites
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I didn’t care for the cacao flavor so much, either, but still overall enjoyed the tea. I way prefer Marshmallow Treat, though.

Kittenna
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I definitely did not enjoy it. It was better than Browncoat, but I still feel nauseated from having drank most of it.

Sil
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Hmmm ill try at his sooner rather than later.

Stephanie
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At least you’ll have an easy time swapping it out since everyone is after this tea! :/

Kittenna
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Yep, that is true! Sometimes being the only dissenter does have its perks :)

Indigobloom
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Hmmm, I just tried the MT and it was amazing. Might be the cacao, since I get that note from the browncoat as well

Kittenna
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Yeah, the MT was ok, thankfully. Not quite the same, but I’m not overly concerned. S’mores and Browncoat, though…

Indigobloom
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Just had my second steep. Getting a hint of that chemical taste now :(

CHAroma
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Wow, I’m really curious how this tastes. Let me know if you do end up swapping it!

Kittenna
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Odd are quite high that I will be swapping it :P

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Bio

I have always been a tea fan (primarily herbals and Japanese greens/oolongs) but in the last year or so, tea has become increasingly more appealing as not only a delicious, calming drink, but as a relatively cheap, healthy reward or treat to give myself when I deserve something. I should clarify that, however; the reward is expanding my tea cupboard, not drinking tea – I place no restrictions on myself in terms of drinking anything from my cupboard as that would defeat my many goals!

My DavidsTea addiction was born in late 2011, despite having spent nearly a year intentionally avoiding their local mall location (but apparently it was just avoiding the inevitable!). I seem to have some desire to try every tea they’ve ever had, so much of my stash is from there, although I’ve recently branched out and ordered from numerous other companies.

I like to try and drink all my teas unaltered, as one of the main reasons I’m drinking tea other than for the flavour is to be healthy and increase my water intake without adding too many calories! I’ve found that the trick in this regard is to be very careful about steeping time, as most teas are quite pleasant to drink straight as long as they haven’t been oversteeped. However, I tend to be forgetful (particularly at work) when I don’t set a timer, resulting in a few horrors (The Earl’s Garden is not so pleasant after, say, 7+ minutes of steeping).

I’m currently trying to figure out which types of teas are my favourites. Herbals are no longer at the top; oolongs have thoroughly taken over that spot, with greens a reasonably close second. My preference is for straight versions of both, but I do love a good flavoured oolong (flavoured greens are really hit or miss for me). Herbals I do love iced/cold-brewed, but I drink few routinely (Mulberry Magic from DavidsTea being a notable exception). I’m learning to like straight black teas thanks to the chocolatey, malty, delicious Laoshan Black from Verdant Tea, and malty, caramelly flavoured blacks work for me, but I’m pretty picky about anything with astringency. Lately I’ve found red rooibos to be rather medicinal, which I dislike, but green rooibos and honeybush blends are tolerable. I haven’t explored pu’erh, mate, or guayasa a great deal (although I have a few options in my cupboard).

I’ve decided to institute a rating system so my ratings will be more consistent. Following the smiley/frowny faces Steepster gives us:

100: This tea is amazing and I will go out of my way to keep it in stock.

85-99: My core collection (or a tea that would be, if I was allowing myself to restock everything!) Teas I get cravings for, and drink often.

75-84: Good but not amazing; I might keep these in stock sparingly depending on current preferences.

67-74: Not bad, I’ll happily finish what I have but probably won’t ever buy it again as there’s likely something rated more highly that I prefer.

51-66: Drinkable and maybe has some aspect that I like, but not really worth picking up again.

34-50: Not for me, but I can see why others might like it. I’ll make it through the cup and maybe experiment with the rest to get rid of it.

0-33: It’s a struggle to get through the cup, if I do at all. I will not willingly consume this one again, and will attempt to get rid of the rest of the tea if I have any left.

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