323 Tasting Notes
Not terrible, not great. Neither especially pumpkin-spiced, nor an especially good chai (unless we’re going with the literal “chai is black tea with spice added” definition).
I do get a hint of cloves and cinnamon in the scent, and a bit in the taste. It’s not sweet, despite the inclusion of pumpkin candies, but they don’t add much, either. It’s not a terrible black tea, but it’s not particularly good either.
I’m glad I only purchased 2 oz. It’s a bit disappointing, as I was hoping for a spicy fall treat, but I will drink it.
Preparation
Tea #2 of the night.
Drinking this down after I bought it at an Adagio shop up in Chicago about a year ago.
It’s funny to read back on my old tasting notes and see a little diary of the early days of college. Especially notes like “I don’t like straight Earl Greys since I don’t like bergamot… I prefer Earl Grey Creams.”
Oh, honey. Just wait a few years and you’ll be wearing bergamot perfume and looking for the sharpest flavors you can find.
Anyway. Adagio recommends a 5-10 minute steep time for this, and it definitely can use something on the longer end of the spectrum. It’s fruity without being too sweet; the sour cherry, rosehip, and hibiscus takes care of that. The color is the deep red that you get from hibiscus teas.
I remember hating on hibiscus back in the day. I think it was because Teavana put it in EVERYTHING and I didn’t (and still don’t) love when its tartness overpower the rest of the flavors. I don’t have an anti-hibiscus agenda anymore, at least.
I’ll use up the 3oz I bought – there’s probably not more than 5 cups left – but it’s not likely to be a re-purchase.
Preparation
I’m back?
Steepster was kind of the center of my life around 2013/2014 or so. I used to run a fairly large Tumblr tea blog (at its height, it had between 1,000 and 2,000 followers, I think). I used to drink a lot of tea.
Y’all remember me?
Anyway, Midsummer Night’s Dream. Sample from when I ordered the David’s advent calendar – last year was the first year I was able to get my hands on it, and I’ve already got mine for this year!
I left this tea to brew while I was cleaning the kitchen, but I wish I’d let it steep longer. It’s lacking in flavor, although the color developed to a point where I thought it was done! Like a mid-gold color.
The spearmint and marigold are top notes for me. I get tiny hints of the rose and the apple – I think the apple especially could have used a longer steeping time.
Anyway. Glad to be drinking tea again. I missed it.
Preparation
Ah, my favorite. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of this one. Cara McGee knows her stuff.
Preparation
Yes, she does! I love her blends!
Cara McGee really really is a great blender, i agree with you both. i will never hesitate to add her teas to my shopping cart.
It’s funny, cuz even though I don’t care much for earl grey blends, when it’s a cara blend, like Tardis, I seem to enjoy it! :D
This was given to me by a friend. The package is all in Chinese characters. She gave me about six of these little foil packets, each containing ~3 tsp of leaves. They smell oolongy, but not sweet or floral at all. Very woodsy. There’s something reminiscent almost of a Yunnan black in the scent.
Taste is similar to the smell. It’s a darker oolong, but it doesn’t taste roasted. Just… dark. I may have oversteeped as it was a little bitter, but I still finished a large mug.
Iiiiinterestinggg…..
The only tea I had yesterday for St Patrick’s day was a bagged Wegmans green – shocker! I was at my roommate’s for the weekend, and that’s all they have in they have. Not that I’m a tea snot or anything :)
So I’m making up for it today. My trip to Ireland in April 2010 was what started me drinking tea, and there’s a special place in my heart for IBs. I need to wake up because (1) I’m about to drive 300 miles home, and (2) I just had breakfast and it’s 1:30 PM. Whoof.
Just tossing this sachet in and hitting the road. Doesn’t get bitter. YAY.
