761 Tasting Notes

65

From my advent calendar. This one wasn’t bad. Not great, but not bad. The hibiscus seemed a little muted which is how I like my hibiscus. I am not a fan of hibiscus as it comes across far to sour for my taste. The Bird and Blend herbal (caffeine free?) advent calendar has had hibby in almost every tea bag so far. That’s okay. I’ve gotten to try quite a few teas I haven’t had before.

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80

My Bird & Blend herbal advent calendar has been a bit of a bust for me. I have had only one so far that I liked: Apple Strudel from last night. My darned nose is sealed shut and I have a headache. No sore throat or cough, no dripping nose. Just a tender feeling face, aching teeth and plugged nose. I figure it is allergy/sinus related.

So I dug into my tea drawer to find something to drink tonight and came up with this one for tonight. Really nice flavor. Sweet, smooth, warming and comforting. Just like the name says: a Cozy Cuppa.

52Teas

I’m happy that this tea brought you some comfort! I hope you get to feeling better soon!

Kaylee

Hope you feel better soon!

gmathis

Ever try a Vicks Vapo Rub shower? Just a glop on a washcloth and drop it on the shower floor. One of our go-to home remedies. Hope by the time you read this, there’s no longer a need for one!

Maddy Barone

Thank you , everyone! I turned my humidifier on high, used Afrin and took two benedryl. I slept well. A little stuff right now but breathing through my nose!

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65

B & B Caffeine Free Advent Calendar Day 1:

This was my my evening cup last night. It was pleasant. I am not a fan of hibiscus and it was very present here. It did not completely overwhelm the flavor, so I was able to drink it. There are two teabags in each window, and I think I’ll be able to drink the other bag, or maybe save it for when my friends Brandi (who likes fruity teas with hibby) comes over. So my take o nthis tea is that I am glad to have tried it, but it will most definitely not be a re-order.

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75
drank Mandarin Mimosa by Teavana
761 tasting notes

I still have a few bags of this. I had an AWFUL day at work. I have tomorrow and Friday off so I was cramming to get everything done today. I had a schedule of what had to get done and when I would do it. It was completely do-able. I even made sure I had time in my schedule for the unexpected things that tend to crop up. But it was one dumpster fire after another. Of the 20 items on my list I completed three. I left (35 minutes late) and decided to have tea. I don’t drink alcohol, but days like me make me think I should.

This tea popped out at me. It has a mild, pleasing flavor. I wouldn’t mind getting more, but this was a one time purchase at TJ Maxx, so I will enjoy what I have left. Here’s to a 4 days weekend! Those other 17 items will just have to wait until Monday.

It’s almost time for Advent Calendars! I have my Bird & Blend herbal one ready to go!

gmathis

Sorry about the wonky workday!

Martin Bednář

I feel you with work stuff. Once I return to the office (as I am on sick-leave) I will have a week long list that needs to be done. And if I remember correctly, I will have only a few days for that.

Schedules are a good thing though and I do them sometimes as well.

Michelle

Yay for advent calendar tea! Enjoy your weekend before returning to the work you know is still there.

Nik

I bought this one for a friend and she loved it! I keep meaning to try it, myself, but I keep forgetting. It’s just as well—my tea cupboard runneth way, way over.

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95

This one remains one of my all time fave black teas. I had my flu, pneumonia and Covid vaccines yesterday and I felt just fine until around 3 pm. Then, I was struck by a headache, sore throat and general malaise. It’s mild but definitely there. I had to work late so I decided to make a cup of this.

Man, I forgot how smooth and rich it is! So delicious. I see Whispering Pines has the Imperial North Winds on sale right now. I am really tempted to grab a couple of ounces of it to see how it compares to this one. I still have about an ounce left. But that won’t last long.

Kelmishka

Hope the vaccine side effects fade quickly!

Nik

Oh, hope you’re feeling better already. Smooth and rich are adjectives I like to see applied to black tea. Gonna have to try this one. =)

gmathis

You’re brave to try all three shots at once!

Maddy Barone

Went ahead and ordered a few ounces of Imperial North Winds. Can’t wait to try it! On the vaccine front, I am over it. And I’m not sure I’d call myself ‘brave’ for getting all of the mat once. I thought it was convenient, also known as stupid. ;).

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92

This is a great straight black tea! I made a pot yesterday right after supper and had a cup. I didn’t finish the pot because I was exhausted and went to bed early, But darned if I was going to pour it out! I put it in the fridge and I finished it cold this afternoon. It was delicious cold too.

I don’t know why I am so tired all the time. Well, yes, I do. It must be the lingering result of the radiation I had the first two weeks of October. But it’s been 3 weeks! We have our annual church business meeting when we vote on the 2024 budget and the appointees to various positions in the church. I am too tired to attend. I emailed my votes in an hour ago. I’m sure I will feel better soon. I see my regular doctor for my annual physical next wednesday. If I am not over this fatigue by then I will bring it up.

One good thing about being so tired? I can drink regular black tea in the evening without worrying about the caffeine level!

gmathis

This does sound like a nice one! Do take care of yourself—your body has been through some trauma. Praying that you’ll rest and rebound soon!

Michelle

Enjoy the caffeinated tea all the time while you can, I’m sure your energy will return!

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75
drank Just Peachy by DAVIDsTEA
761 tasting notes

We’re getting snow here in North Dakota so I thought I would brew up something summery. This one is certainly not bad. I’ve had it for a few years though and I think maybe some flavor has faded. I was hoping for that juicy, sweet explosion of flavor I get when I bite into a peach. I was disappointed because I didn’t get that.

However, the flavor though mild was pleasant. Just a tad artificially sweet, but not bad.

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 4 min, 0 sec
gmathis

I guess late October is about normal for you? The cold air is supposed to be moving our way—just in time for Sunday’s planned Trunk or Treat on the church parking lot. Brrr! Hoping an indoor Plan B is in the works.

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72

I decided to have this one last night. I am still struggling with the fatigue but I am forcing myself to stick it out all day at work this week because my counterpart is on planned PTO. At first I was going to make a black tea to stay awake, but then I thought “Why? If I want to go to bed at 6:30 pm, I can!” So I reached for an herbal tea.

I need to drink down more tea so I can excuse buying more. Something about cold rainy days makes me want to shop for tea. This isn’t a favorite, but I’ll be darned if I will throw it away. The flavor it so mild it is almost non existent for someone without a sense of smell. I wonder what would happen if I added a bit of a chai blend to it? Hmm… maybe I will try that soon.

Michelle

Hope your energy is on a steady uptick, even with going to bed early (which is much easier when sunset is early)

gmathis

My body is already on standard time. The Lord did not intend people to get up in the dark ;)

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74

I am done with radiation. The doc is 98% sure he killed those two cancer lesions dead. More scans every 3 months for at least 3 years to be sure to detect any return early. To celebrate I stopped at Sweet Dreams Confections on the way home and bought two raspberry truffles and some expensive gourmet hot chocolate. They also carry some Republic of Tea canisters and some English Tea Shop gift boxes. I did not buy any tea, because, really, I need to drink what I have!

Blech. That $3.99 cup of hot chocolate did not agree with me. Made a cup of this instead. I think I gave this a rating of 70 before, but I am raising it tonight. This tea is very nice. It’s flavor profile is not bold, but tonight it was just the thing.

ashmanra

Celebrating your good news with you! Hooray!

Michelle

That sounds like a very good reason to celebrate, hope the ginger helped so you can celebrate further!

Arby

Very good news, congrats on your recovery!

gmathis

Celebrating right along with you! That’s great news!

tea-sipper

Wonderful news! Congrats!

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90

Last Sunday the high was 95. But finally, FINALLY, we have autumn weather. It is 48 degrees and drizzly, so perfect weather for a spicy tea.

This remains one of my faves. On Monday I started radiation for the cancer spots in my lung. I’ve been battling cancer since 2020 so radiation isn’t new for me. last time it took 15 treatments before the extreme fatigue kicked in but this time after treatment #2 I was swimming around in a fog and falling asleep by afternoon break time. This time is only 5 treatments. I guess my body didn’t want to procrastinate.

This tea is absolutely lovely. And going through radiation is the perfect excuse to be utterly lazy. Naps a wonderful things.

gmathis

Permission universally granted for you to curl up and rest all you need under your favorite blankie this weekend!

ashmanra

Curl up with a warm blankie and favorite teas and teaware only! Time to really treat yourself!

Kelmishka

Agreed with all of the above — I hope you treat yourself to all the best and most relaxing things, and that the fatigue doesn’t get too bad!

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Bio

I love cats. I love alone time. I love sitting indoors on a cold winter night with a book or my knitting while drinking tea. I don’t have a sense of smell, so many of the more subtle flavors of tea escape me. Two of the things I CAN taste are bitter and sour, so any tea that has even a slightly bitter taste is nasty for me. And what others might perceive as pleasant tartness may be horribly sour for me.

I’m also a writer. I love writing, and a mug of hot tea helps me get through the hours sitting in front of the computer. Although I’m a comparatively new tea drinker, I’m jumping in feet first. Feel free to recommend any teas you think I might enjoy.

100-91 – Wowza! I want to keep this tea in the cupboard all the time.
75-90 – Very nice. It would be good to have this tea on hand from time to time.
60-74 – OK. Wouldn’t keep it in the cupboard, but I would drink it again.
45-59 – If a friend served this I would drink it to be polite, but it’s not really my cuppa.
Lower than 45 – Blech. It was too sour or bitter for my taste. Would not drink it again.

Location

Fargo, ND

Website

www.MaddyBarone.com

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