Irish Breakfast

Wow.

So this one’s actually pretty interesting for me, because I think I’m beginning to be able to detect taste differences between different varieties of teas!

This one steeps to a medium-colored amber. It’s drastically different than the color of Twinings’ brew, which is so dark and murky it could be mistaken for coffee.

Even though I haven’t ever tasted Assam tea by itself, because I had some Ceylon last night, I was able to pick out the Ceylon taste immediately. In the first couple of sips I kept thinking “buttery” once again for Ceylon. This disappeared as I got midway through the cup, but it was still interesting. After each sip, I’d get a dark and interesting kick. Not bitter (and I think there’s a fine line here), but I guess a taste that could be described as “malty,” as Adagio and Lena have said. And I thought to myself, that has to be the Assam!

I really, really enjoyed this cup this morning. But here’s the crazy thing – I actually wanted it to be even bolder. I think the ratio of Ceylon to Assam is okay, but I would have actually wanted more of an Assam kick. I wanted the brew to be a bit more in-your-face, kicking ass and taking names. Towards the bottom of the cup, the Assam was definitely more present, and I felt myself grinning through those last few sips.

This is definitely more endlessly sippable than the Twinings blend, but I sort of like how assertive and RAWR-worthy Twinings’ Irish Breakfast is. Thinking back on it, it’s probably because they’ve dialed it up on the Assam a bit. Their blend made me feel like a scurvy pirate, slugging down my brew with a big “ARR.” It’s almost masculine. This one was more of a “rawr” without Caps-Lock. Not to say it isn’t delicious – because it is – but I was actually expecting it to be a bit stronger.

I don’t know too much about unflavored black teas. Some day I want to have a little side by side taste test. But for now, this tea. I can’t pick out the individual flavors too well. It’s overall nice and smooth, but it didn’t stand out in any particular way. I think this would be good for me as a breakfast tea (big surprise there, eh?) when I’m not really going to be examining the flavors, but looking for something that tastes pleasant enough and has caffeine. Normally I like teas better without milk, but this one seems to benefit from the addition of just a bit.

This morning we are trying straight blacks out. I felt I needed a pick me up. I slept the appropriate amount of time last night but I’m still groggy.

This is a full bodied, malty tea ending pleasantly sweet. The mouth feel is almost creamy. There is a touch of astringency that keeps this tea from truly feeling creamy for me. I don’t think it will grab me by my nonexistent chairs and shake me awake as well as some of the CTC irish breakfasts I’ve tried. Those teas that look like they may possibly be instant coffee really seem to pack a punch. I enjoy this one more. It’s more civilized.

I’ve been meaning to try an Irish Breakfast so for one to come by way of the TTB was perfect! And this one seems pretty well liked…I did find it first by searching “Irish Breakfast” so that’s something.

I do have a lot of black tea blends, so I’m not sure I want to have any more of this than one cup, but it being Assam and Ceylon also makes me want to reconsider.

Steeped it up and added milk, because I just need something with a bit more body to it right now…isn’t it supposed to be spring?

It’s not bad, I’ve had better blends. It’s a pretty hearty mix, but surprisingly sweet. I assumed an Irish Breakfast would have a bit more oomfph to it, I imagine them to be more of a CTC type and this isn’t at all. When I don’t have a ton of tea I’ll try some others. For now, this will move along in the tea box because of that.

Thanks, alphakitty, for including this in the teabox! This one is okay. It doesn’t have the flavor I’d like for kick-me, wake-up morning tea. (I like to think that is why they are called “breakfast” teas!) It has a sweet, malty, breadlike flavor, I just wish they were stronger flavors! I steeped it for a few minutes too.

Another purchase guided by the folks here at Steepster-78 is not an awesome rating, but it’s pretty solid considering well over 100 reviews. Also, this blend has Ceylon and Assam-the teas that make up RoT’s “Lucky Irish” Breakfast Blend (which I USED to love).

This is my first order from Adagio and I hate the packaging of the tea. It is a similar pouch that many companies use, with the mylar-type foil on the inside-but thinner than others. And the outside looks and feels thinner and cheap. There were some spots on the outside that looked like oil. It could have just been air-bubbles under the label, but I don’t like having to wonder about what it is. Some pouches are really nice and I don’t mind storing my tea in there-not this one. It went straight to a tin. Also, there is a hole in the bag for it to hang on a hook. I hate to think of my tea just being pulled off the shelf in a retail store-hope David’s doesn’t do that.

The tea itself-the dry leaves smell ok, aromatic enough-a little malty I suppose. Wet leaves, the same, just a bit more so. This is intended to be a first thing in the morning tea for me-not a sit there and ponder all the aromas and flavors type of tea. Liquor is mahogany brown. Flavor is good. Malty. However, not as strong as I would expect-this was consumed straight. I think tomorrow I will add a half teaspoon of tea and/or an extra minute of steep time. I may adjust my preliminary numerical rating after further brews.

Yes, I do work for Adagio and I fully admit this fact. I still think that our Irish Breakfast is an insanely good deal and very tasty to boot. So there.

keep it real Traveling Tea Box.
average middle of the road irish breakfast that i will never complain about.
slurp!

I found this item at a reduced price at our local Earth Fare market yesterday. This is my first foray into Irish Breakfast tea and my second venture into Adagio Teas.

Even if you don’t like Adagio Teas, you have to award them a high score for innovative packaging. They give you a fairly large and strong round tin with a solid tension-clipped plastic lid for tight resealing. In addition to the lid being clear so you get a good view of the tea leaves inside before purchasing, Adagio claims that the lid blocks ultraviolet rays to preserve the quality of the tea. Very cool!

When I sprang open the lid of the tea, the aroma that burst forth was like a spicy pipe tobacco. The unmistakable smell of Ceylon tea was also present.

I steeped the tea at 212 degrees for five minutes as prescribed by Adagio. The brewed liquid was a dark amber color.

The first sip contained fruity and standard black tea flavors. A tad of sweetness was also peeking in. I did notice a slight bitterness to the aftertaste. This may have been due to an extra spoonful of leaves that I might have tossed in when I lost count. The astringency dissipated with subsequent sips and complexities in the flavor began to appear.

My tastebuds are not experienced enough yet to immediately recognize all of the various types and growing locations of black teas. However, in this tea, I can tell that there is more than one variety involved. And, it so happens that this selection is a blend of Assam and Ceylon teas. It is a tasty combination with just a hint of sugar and spice.

I found this tea to be enjoyable and bold enough to start my always challenging Monday morning. It also seems to be a little more flavor-inclusive than some of the English Breakfast teas that I have tried. I am sure I will reach for this one again to help crank up my day and week.

Well, I didn’t cheat…I was tempted but I didn’t! I said I was going to do the ole’ random pick all day long and this one popped up…I really wasn’t in the mood for it but a promise is a promise, right!? I like this tea…but am interested to see how the rest of the random selection will go today…hum…