Maracaibo

I took a sample of this from the GCTTB and was saving it for when I got a day that was a bit more relaxed. Life has been so hectic lately.

I think this sample was put in by Sil. Thanks Sil. I was pretty excited to try this tea.

I brewed for 10 min at 205F. Added just a little almond milk and a tiny bit of sweetner. It’s like having a cup of hot chocolate. Very nice! I can also pick up a bit of vanilla in there. Really enjoy this tea and might consider ordering if they have a good sale on in the future.

GCTTB

I was so excited to see this in the box. I’ve read quite a few reviews about it and was really wanting to try it. Whoever added it….thank you, thank you, thank you!

Ok, YUM!!! I let this one steep and then steep some more. I added a splash of creamer and a tiny splat of sweetener. This is just really delicious! Who needs hot cocoa when you got this? Taste is dark chocolate with some nuttiness. I didn’t find those cherry notes, but that’s ok. I’m happy with what I got.

Thank you to Sil for this sample, that I am only now getting around to trying. And omg I’m glad I did because this is delicious!

Incredibly rich and creamy – not at all watery tasting like I half expect from anything that’s supposed to be a chocolate tea. I thought I was going to have to add milk and sugar to this, but it’s pretty perfect the way it is (though I’m sure it’d be amazing with milk and sugar.)

Smooth, creamy chocolate, with a hint of nuttiness and yes, I can even see the cherry, though it’s subtle enough that I wouldn’t have picked it out without prompting. Not at all bitter.

So tasty. I think I will need to order some of this when my sample is done.

1tsp, 8oz, 96C, 10min.

Finishing off the last of this one with my favourite girl. Now my Crio Brüs are down to just Cavalla and Pumpkin Spice. Cavalla will stay, permanently.

This one is tasty, but came out ever so slightly bitter. I just seem to have the problem where I compare them all to the amazingness that is Cavalla. Regardless, I’ve been feeling off tea as of late, and this one is sitting great this afternoon as we sit and sip on tea while researching.

Infused for 8 minutes but I have been advised to try a longer infusion for next time (10 to 20 minutes). I used 1.5 tbsp for 375 ml.

Brewed infusion smells like dark hot chocolate. Flavour is quite dilute but I think the longer infusion time will give a better representation of the actual flavour.

Thanks Sil for sharing with me!

Ooh, another Crio Brü cacao beverage! This sample came from Sil, and she was kind enough to send me two servings worth. I’m going to try the first serving with the traditional method of using plain water for steeping. I think I may try vanilla soy milk for the second. Dry, the powder smells sweet and chocolaty with some vanilla notes. I steeped it for 10 minutes in a brew basket.

These are always a bit too bitter for me plain, so I added a bit of raw sugar and a splash of soy milk to my cup. I can definitely taste the caramelized nut flavor listed in the description, and perhaps a tiny bit of vanilla? I’m definitely not getting cherry. Otherwise, it’s a lovely rich and thick cup of cocoa love. Can’t wait to try this with the soy milk. :)

Sipdown! 47/365

I’m not sure I ever did a real comparison with all of these cocoa teas, but I believe I enjoyed most of them. This one was no exception, and I had a delicious cup of it (and 2 resteeps). Not particularly bitter, I still think this is a great choice for cocoa without the high calories. Similarly satisfying.

Sipdown (128)!

Thank you VariaTEA for the sample! So far, this is the Crio Bru blend I’ve enjoyed the most. To me, it came off a thicker and richer, and as for the “extra” flavour notes in this one (cherry, caramel, nuts) I feel like I at least picked up on a couple of them; primarily the caramel sweetness, but also a little bit of the nuttiness. No cherry though.

It’s kinda nice these Crio Bru blends aren’t all coming off as exactly the same, though.

Also, I just finished the first episode of Australian Big Brother, and I have to say that I’m a fan so far! It’s really weird watching a different format though – and I don’t mean that they’re playing in pairs. But, what’s weird for me is that they just handed someone the HOH title – there was no competition for it, and that totally messed with my mind.

And, the girl from last night (Tre’s date) – she’s here again. So, things going well I’d say.

variaTEA thought she was being helpful when she made this listing but all that means is that now i HAVE to put it in my cupboard whereas before i could pretend that it wasn’t eta and so therefore didn’t need to be added lol. I had this one iced in omgsrsly style tonight when i got home after a very long day. Let me tell you, the only thing better was addeing a splash of criollo to this for a bit of sweetness and alcohol ha!

I tried making this one iced but messed up all the measurements so it turned into a watery mess. I would be sad about ruining the last of the sample Sil gave me (thank you!) if I didn’t have some of this on the way.