150 Tasting Notes

25
drank Oprah Chai Tea by Teavana
150 tasting notes

Backlog – I had this iced last night from Starbucks.

Hmmm… As a die hard TAZO Chai latte fan… when Starbucks launched their Oprah Chai, not only was I pretty irritated with them, but I was irritated that they had to pick HER to be the ambassador. I personally cannot stand Oprah. I find her whole deal to be pretty fake. As much as people say she’s made strides for women, race etc… sorry I just can’t stand her.

I initially felt this way about her Chai. There is an off-putting after taste that comes from both the hot and the cold version. I can also taste the rooibus which I don’t appreciate. I like rooibus, but on it’s own merit.

So why did I order this yesterday? Well because Starbucks is giving 4 stars to registered members if they order this. Marketing ploy to get the numbers up on this drink no doubt, but I’ll take the 4 stars and put it towards my typical TAZO Chai Latte.

I do find it’s to be spicy, but I also find the other flavours just do not go well together. I wish Starbucks wasn’t skirting TAZO under the rug. I feel like they refuse to acknowledge that the original tea company that made them famous to tea lovers is probably being phased out. How about… since Starbucks owns TAZO too… they just amalgamate the brand under Teavana, but keep their blends???

I digress… After having it twice in the last couple days, I still remain faithful to my TAZO Chai… I do not like the Oprah one. It tastes more generic and like every other coffee shop Chai latte out there.

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50
drank Chai by Earth Teaze
150 tasting notes

Another buy from Homesense. It was on sale for 3.00. Really… 50g of chai for 3.00.. I pay more for a Starbucks. So good buy first off.

This morning was my first morning of my health kick, so I was up nice and early. I decided to reward my dedication with my new tea.
When I first smell this tea, I get ginger right away. I can see pieces of clove, a few cardamom pods and maybe cinnamon bark. It doesn’t smell particularly spicy. I’m was worried when I saw that there was mate in it because I find the taste of mate unappealing. The tea leaves are rolled quite long.

When I taste it, it’s pretty… for lack of better word… bland? No spice to it at all. I had it with a coconut milk creamer because I am off dairy for 3 weeks. It’s still worth the 3.00 I paid, however it’s definitely an uninspiring blend. I haven’t put any sugar in it because this is also something I am eliminating for 3 weeks, so maybe sweetness would perk it up? For now it’s a middle of the pack tea.

Flavors: Ginger

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 20 OZ / 600 ML

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75
drank Pear Tea by Fauchon
150 tasting notes

One of my scores at Homesense the other day. During the last Fauchon craze, I had steered away from it because I am not really a fan of pears. In general they are not really my favourite fruit or flavour.

I was a bit worried when I opened up the tin and took a whiff. It smelled like that fake pear smell and subsequently taste that you get from pear candy. It did smell a little more genuine than a candy would, but it still made me cringe a little. For 10.00 though, how could I go wrong, and I am sure I will have guests who like pears in the future so why not.

Brewed, it was subtle and crisp. Much nicer than I was expecting. It isn’t my favourite, but it is lovely. The French are always so masterful at blending and smells though, so I should have known better. If you’re thinking of buying it when you see it in your local TJ Maxx chain store, I would recommend it :)

Flavors: Honey, Pear

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 30 sec 2 tsp 750 OZ / 22180 ML

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87
drank Earl Grey by English Tea Shop
150 tasting notes

Another ridiculously adorable tea tin full of delicious Earl Grey. I am on the hunt to find an Earl Grey that I can keep in stock as part of my classic collection. Plus nothing can make you feel better than a classic cup of EG. I know some people do not like the bergamont taste, but I do and always have.

This blend has a good smell to it. It’s a sweeter EG at first sniff. It has nice piece of orange peel in it but it lets the oil be the star.

When brewed, it smells heavenly. I had mine with cream and sugar. I brewed it a bit strong I think. I will reduce it down to 3.5 mins next time I think.

All in all a solid EG, one that I would recommend! I got this tin for 6.99 and for an 85g tin, I’d say that’s a steal!

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 650 OZ / 19222 ML

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73

After a bit of a tea buying hiatus (too many teas in the cupboard and trying to avoid the proverbial eye rolls from my significant other) I decided to end that the other day with some Fauchon and this! Isn’t that tea tin just darling… my inner Victorian British upper class lady was shrieking with delight when I saw these LOOSE teas in these adorable tea tins… I had to have them. Winners and Homesense can be a VERY dangerous place to go. Thankfully in the summer months, they tend to have less stock, and therefore I do not frequent as much. However… with fall looming (YAY! My favourite season!), the stock is piling in and the temptations that come with it! Naturally I had to try English Breakfast this morning on this beautiful Sunday morning when I am stuck working.

Let me tell you, it was STRONG. Phew! I like my tea strong and I found myself going back to the cream and sugar. I think I will under leaf and reduce the time. Other than that a nice cup of English Breakfast. I am not going to give a rating yet, will try it rebrewed.

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 4 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 500 OZ / 14786 ML

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65
drank Chai Tea by Tetley
150 tasting notes

I’m not going to lie, this tea has been sitting in my cupboard for probably years. I went home in Oct 2012 and it had been at my desk in the office for at least 2 years. I remember trying it originally and feeling as though it tasted like licorice, meaning too much anise or fennel maybe. But I kept it, partially because it stacked nicely and if I got rid of it it would mean for uneven stacking of the Tetley Brands I do keep in the cupboard. This morning was the day. I figured why not? It is not bad actually. It is a bit soft in the flavour profiles but I was modest in my steeping times. I added cream and sugar to it and it perked up. I think I will try brewing stronger next time.

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 30 sec 3 tsp 20 OZ / 600 ML
Sil

haha

Tuscanteal

Shhh it stacks better okay ;)

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86

Mmmmm hello Chai! I love you.

This was a morning treat today and it was excellent. No water and extra hot. Delish. Not like the Oprah one… ew.

Please don’t get rid of it Starbucks, you will lose me as a customer.

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90
drank Coïncidence Black by THEODOR
150 tasting notes

So my day today has been less than stellar. I ended up making this tea and putting whipping cream in it (33%) instead of either coffee cream or milk. You know you’re going to have a rough day when…
Anyways it still remains delicious and an amazing comfort on a day that needs to end!!!

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 4 min, 45 sec 2 tsp 20 OZ / 600 ML

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69
drank Fall Harvest Blend by Fairmont
150 tasting notes

This is an almost sipdown, I have like 1 cup left of this tea.

I don’t now if I am going to buy it again yet. I have put it on my wishlist, but I want to try some new teas. Right now I am trying to drink through a lot of my current teas and get them down and then look at buying more tea. I have way too many right now and I want to explore more. I have my favourites of course, but I’m not sure if this is one of them.

A good solid black tea though for anyone interested.

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 17 OZ / 500 ML

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86
drank Bollywood Chaipur by THEODOR
150 tasting notes

This is a lovely chai tea to which my supply is dwindling. I had it with milk and sugar and enjoy every sip of it. It’s so fragrant and one of my favourites.

I’ve been on a bit of a hiatus, but with fall around the corner, I’m back!!

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 5 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 20 OZ / 600 ML

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Profile

Bio

My passion for tea started at a very young age, thanks to my grandmothers beautiful china tea cup collection. I use to brew Tetley’s or whatever version of Orange Pekoe she had in the cupboard and pick out my favourite tea cup to use. It wasn’t until I was in my late teens that I really started to develop a passion for it. My town had the Urban Tea Merchant and it was there I was exposed to high tea and the very fancy Mariage Freres brand. When they switched over to The O Dor, my girlfriend and I found salvation in going for a lovely cup of tea and decompress with some tea scones.

It has since become an obsession. I have a tea cupboard, filled with a very large variety of teas. I also use the Breville Tea Maker to make my tea. I favour black teas, with a close second being North African Mint Green Tea. Because I have the luxury of working from home, I get to enjoy a wonderful cup of tea every morning, and the journey resets daily.

Location

Vancouver, Canada

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