615 Tasting Notes

94

I wish every tea inspired me to stroke my teacup like a precious object.

Yes, yes. Get in my belly.

55

I mostly grabbed this one because it sounded like such a strange thing for tea to try to be.

I’m enjoying it, though the tea flavor is the dominant note by far. There is a bit of almond flavor. It kind of sneaks up on you when it hits the back of your tongue, and then hangs there until your next sip. I was expecting this to have a bit of creaminess and didn’t really get anything in that way.

I don’t think I’m getting almond milk from this one, but it’s definitely an acceptable cup of iced tea. I’ll finish off the pitcher before I give it a rating, though.

Yvonne

No kidding – this is an interesting premise! Hope you enjoy the rest of your pitcher.

moraiwe

Thanks! Hoping so :)

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59

These little pressed disks are adorable. And for the first 30-40 seconds or so, while it was still beginning to unfurl, it puttered around the top of the water line like a little boat. Eventually it got weighted down, but that was fun to watch. About the midway point in steeping though, it totally looks like a sea creature lurking in my water.

After a five minute steep, the brew color was a a fiery burnt orange — really pretty, and the aroma was fragrant, mildly floral (in the chamomile sort of way), mildly sweet, and mildly berry-like.

I’m a bit mixed on the flavor, because I’m mixed on chrysanthemum and I don’t enjoy it as much as chamomile (despite their similarities). It’s definitely chrysanthemum with a bit of tartness and natural sweetness. The tartness does become kind of a sweet-tart berry flavor as the cup cools, though. If you have unsure feelings on chrysanthemum, this probably isn’t a good choice because it is very potent in that department. Even so, I would probably drink this again, because it isn’t offensive and lives up to the promise of chilling out that its name implies.

Thanks KallieBoo!

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

What an odd choice of name for this tea! I never thought of chilling out being at all associated with TNT. There must be something I’m missing!

moraiwe

I’m guessing the TNT stands for something (that isn’t trinitrotoluene), but I couldn’t tell you what.

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70
drank AppleTEA'ni by Art of Tea
615 tasting notes

I really thought I had more of this, but this was a sipdown this morning.

With the green rooibos in there, it’s really easy to forget it’s rooibos based at all. It’s so much more mild and less medicinal than it’s red counterpart. This was a welcome cider-y today — warming and calming. It’s very cinnamon-y with a touch of apple and ginger.

I still think it’s named all wrong.

I wish it had crossed my mind to put a bit of vanilla bean in here to get an apple cider a la mode thing going on.

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 0 sec
Yvonne

Sounds quite good, actually! I’m on such an apple kick right now :P
Love the name.

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69

I’m totally having on of those days where I really just don’t want to be an adult. I want to make a blanket fort, draw pictures and watch Disney. I just kind of hurt all over today.

I popped a fresh set of leaves into the fridge last night after dinner, so this probably about 14 hours. It’s very green tasting with nutty accents, and a bit of pepper. It’s a little like brown butter green beans. It’s quite good this way, and would be nice in the summer.

Preparation
Iced 8 min or more
Stephanie

I totally feel you on the adulthood thing…

Roswell Strange

Me all month ;P

Dustin

I think you should build a blanket fort! I love those things, which may explain my fondness of canopy beds. Hope you feel better!

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9

I’ve brewed this tea a couple times (without blending it with other things) now, and I hadn’t reviewed it because I thought it was on me why it won’t turn out tasty at all. Today was the last go around, and while I’ve been thinking for a while that it’s the tea and not me, I’m 100% certain now.

It starts out tasting thick and caramelly-like, and then becomes muddled with out of place spices, an artifical chocolate note, and an ‘off’ type of sweetness from the licorice — it’s sweet in the back of your throat but not in the sip while it’s in your mouth. Then’s a touch of salt that blends with the sweetness as well. Because of the amount of things going on, and the fact there’s kind of a heavy, oily body to this on, I find it pairs better with milk than water. Either way, there’s a film on the cup.

I honestly just can’t find any way that I enjoy it without mixing it with other teas. For something that sounds so good, it’s a huge disappointment.

Preparation
Boiling 6 min, 0 sec
Dustin

Not you at all, definitely the tea! I took mine back to Teavana for a refund.

moraiwe

I didn’t even know that was an option! I only have a tbsp or so left, and it mixes all right with Ceylon Star, so that’s what I’ve been doing. But I’ll keep that in the back of my head!

Yvonne

I’m still curious about this one – I’ll try it one day!

moraiwe

I’ll gladly send you what I have left if you want to try it!

Yvonne

That would be amazing – thank you so much!!

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69
drank Cocomint Cream by DAVIDsTEA
615 tasting notes

I was perplexed by this tea last time I had it, because I didn’t think there was enough mint to balance out the buttery feeling of the coconut, but I definitely managed to get more in this time.

Now this tea is so creamy and buttery and balanced is almost unreal. It has a slightly cooling minty feeling. There’s also a lot of natural sweetness. It tastes just like melted buttermints.

I dont think I could drink this everyday. It feels too decadent and rich, and I prefer my peppermint bright and refreshing. But definitely enjoyable.

Preparation
Boiling 6 min, 0 sec
Courtney

S&V’s version is tasty too. I find I prefer it slightly with the unsweetened coconut.

Yvonne

I wish this was still available!

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69

This came my way from momo. So thank you!

Steep One (185F/3:00)

It starts out a little nutty, a little earthy, and ever so mildly floral. The mouthfeel is a little thin, and has a nice clean aftertaste.

Steep Two (185F/3:30)

This steep is more vegetal with floral notes on the forefront. The floral comes across as a bit orchidy. the cup is a bit creamier with a fuller body than the previous steep. There’s still nuttiness, though it doesn’t show up till midway in the sip, and then lingers becoming the flavor that hangs in your mouth.

Steep Three (195F/4:00)

Mmm. There really isn’t much roastiness left to the flavor. The veggie notes, which remind me a little of steamed/wilted spinach step up and dominate, then linger well after the sip is down. The floral is more subtle, but seems to wind through everything and brighten up the cup just a little bit.

Steep Four (Boiling/5:00)

Vegetal and a little sweet, but not nearly as flavorful as before. I think it’s exhausted and won’t be going for a fifth.

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94

Jasmine has this magical thing it does where no matter where I’m at emotionally when I start my cup, by the time I finish, I’m in a good place. I think if I absolutely had to decide on one type of tea to drink for the rest of my life, a variety of jasmine would absolutely be in the running. It’s easily my favorite floral flavor.

In this particular one, the silver needle is sweet with notes of honeysuckle and pairs perfectly with the jasmine, which is delicate, floral, and sweet itself. It’s so smooth. I enjoy the first two steeps the most, where the jasmine and silver needle are in harmonious balance, but the jasmine starts overcoming it by about the third steep.

I don’t think jasmine is a flavor. It’s an experience.

Preparation
170 °F / 76 °C
Roswell Strange

I really, really agree with that last line.

__Morgana__

I so agree. I love jasmine.

AnnaEA

I have to agree. There’s something about tea and jasmine that’s just incredibly synergistic.

tigress_al

Mmmm, I love jasmine, especially this particular one!

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63
drank Pumpkin Spice by Adagio Teas
615 tasting notes

Wow! The reviews are all over the board for this one!

I apparently don’t hate this as much as most of the reviewers, but I think part of that is that I’ve danced with Adagio’s black base for almost a decade now. (I’ve found if you go at it at about 205F for just under 3 minutes, then you don’t get the bitterness. Then wait until it cools a bit before drinking to avoid the astringency).

That said, I wish there was more pumpkin in my pumpkin spice. I get cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, but the pumpkin takes the back seat to the spices and only really makes itself known with the addition of milk. The spices are warming and perfect for a cold, blustery day though.

Thanks jeweledthumb!

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 2 min, 45 sec
Fjellrev

Ha! It’s amusing when a tea gets such diverse teas. Makes you wonder which side of the spectrum you’ll end up on as you’re taking that first sip.

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Profile

Bio

Intro:

Name: Lauren
Location: Wisconsin (previously a Chicago girl)
Occupation: Student by day and super hero by night
Super Hero? Yep!
Which One? I can’t tell you that! Secret identities and such. Just know I’m not the hero they want, but the hero they need.
Sidekicks: Fiance and two budgies, Skitter and Gandalf

Hobbies:

Reading, writing, cooking, video games, computers, drawing, crafting, papercraft. Oh and tea.

A brief history:

I grew up in a family where the only working coffee maker was in my dad’s office. So the name of the game for my mother and I quickly became (bagged) tea. In 2004/2005, I discovered Adagio Teas. I don’t remember how it happened, or why I decided to pursue a purchase but here we are. I haven’t looked back.

My tea tastes have changed over time and I’ve moved from liking solely flavored teas (mostly black and white) to enjoying Darjeelings primarily, though malty unflavored blacks, fresh tasting greens, and lightly oxidized oolongs come in pretty high on my list, too. Of course, I still enjoy a good cup of flavored tea. I prefer caffeinated teas, as I have a horrible caffeine addiction that I don’t plan on kicking any time soon.

Red rooibos and lapsang souchong (or other strongly smoky teas) are my arch nemeses and I will see them defeated and removed by force from my cupboard. Like all thing, there are exceptions, but I assume they’re guilty until proven innocent.

I really don’t like negatively rating things, because I feel like if you don’t have something nice to say, you probably shouldn’t say it. But in the interest of non-biased tea reviews I’m going to give it a shot. I view every tea as a potential adventure so I’ll try most things at least once.

I love trading and swaps are always welcome! Please note, though, what it in my cupboard includes amounts ranging from a couple cups to 4 ounces or more, so please PM me to find out if what you’re seeking is available in that trade amount.

According to my spreadsheet, I also have about 100 other 1-4 cup samples that are not in my cupboard.. Feel free to message if you’re interested in see the spreadsheet for possible swap options as well.

Tea Ratings:

100-95 Nectar of the teagods that has been bestowed upon my unworthy tongue. I will never let this tin run empty.

86-94 These are the teas I would like to keep regularly stocked, but sometimes life gets in the way. Lovely teas, but not quite god tier. I still get cravings for these.

74-85 Good teas, but not amazing. I enjoy these, but may or may not restock once they run out. I would still recommend these to others.

60-73 Not bad. I’ll gladly keep drinking my cup, and wouldn’t say no if someone offered me this tea. I probably won’t rebuy these as there is likely something else that is comparable and better.

47-59 Certainly drinkable and might even have some characteristics that I enjoy, but I won’t pick it up again

30-46 I’ll probably finish my cup, but this tea isn’t to my taste OR it’s just overwhemingly mediocre. Life’s too short for bad tea.

11-29 This cup is in the sink now and I will never willingly consume this again. If you see a tea rated this way, I probably followed it with mouthwash.

0-10 Please say a prayer for the cup I destroyed in the process of disposing of this tea in the quickest manner possible. I may need tea therapy before I drink a similar tea again.

Location

Wisconsin, US

Website

http://atinyteapot.tumblr.com/

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