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“This tea tastes really artificial, sour, and soapy to me. I actually have yet to brew a drinkable cup. I’ve tried different temperatures and steep times, and nothing helps. It just tastes like...” Read full tasting note
““An Ode to Tea” Alphabet Challenge – V This was part of my S&V order late last year, but I haven’t gotten around to trying it yet. Today’s the day! I admit, I’m not expecting much after seeing...” Read full tasting note
“I’ve been dreading writing a note for this one, since it’s the rare S&V tea that just isn’t good. This seemed like a really nice combination of flavors. I guess I missed the ONE Steepster...” Read full tasting note
The process of producing Jasmine tea started in China sometime during the Song Dynasty (960-1279) using tea blended with Jasmine blossoms. Jasmine teas are created using different types of tea: white, oolong and green predominantly. The base teas used are picked, depending on the type of tea, from March to June, but the Jasmine blossoms do not bloom until the summer. So the teas are picked, processed and stored until the fresh blossoms can be added. The blossoms are picked in the morning when the dew has dried off the closed buds. The buds are then kept cool during the day and then in the evening, when the buds begin to open, they are mixed into the tea. After at least 4 hours, when the tea has absorbed the jasmine scent, the blossoms are removed and fresh buds are added. For standard grade jasmine teas, the blossoms are added 2 or 3 times. For premium grade jasmine teas, this process may be repeated up to 8 times. Once the blenders are satisfied that the tea has the appropriate amount of aroma, the tea is re-fired to remove the moisture that was introduced to the tea by the fresh jasmine blossoms. Jasmine tea destined to remain in China usually has the spent blossoms removed from the finished product, but with teas that are exported, jasmine blossoms are sometimes left in the finished tea for their appearance.
Historically the aroma of Jasmine blossoms was recommended for stress relief, depression and relaxation. Flavored with orange and vanilla, they create a relaxing aroma.
Enjoy the fruity creaminess of this spectacular combination of flavors on a first rate jasmine. The tea brews to a light ecru cup with long green leaves.
Ingredients: Jasmine tea with vanilla flavor and orange spice flavor.
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This tea tastes really artificial, sour, and soapy to me. I actually have yet to brew a drinkable cup. I’ve tried different temperatures and steep times, and nothing helps. It just tastes like soap. I ended up throwing out the rest of the bag. What a waste of money.
“An Ode to Tea” Alphabet Challenge – V
This was part of my S&V order late last year, but I haven’t gotten around to trying it yet. Today’s the day!
I admit, I’m not expecting much after seeing the other notes for this tea. But it’s honestly not bad. I do taste bubblegum, as tea-sipper mentioned, but I have that issue often with Dammann’s orange teas as well. I don’t really get vanilla, and only a little orange. Mostly it’s a strong jasmine green tea with some bubblegum.
Not exactly good, but not awful either. I’ve been spoiled by Teavivre’s lush jasmine teas, so this pales quite a bit in comparison. That being said, the jasmine is okay, it doesn’t taste like perfume or anything. But I am happy that I only have one ounce to sip through!
Flavors: Bubblegum, Candy, Floral, Jasmine, Orange, Sweet
I’m glad you didn’t hate this anyway! I probably lowered expectations with my tasting note. And yeah, it’s hard not to think of Teavivre jasmine teas when I drink any jasmine tea now.
I really need to order some of their pearls but every time I look at them, I can’t decide which one to get! XD
My opinion, the superfine pearls are hardly different from the premium. Both are very great.
I’ve been dreading writing a note for this one, since it’s the rare S&V tea that just isn’t good. This seemed like a really nice combination of flavors. I guess I missed the ONE Steepster rating that gave the score of a lowest of the low … a score of ONE. Don’t see that too often. The reviews on S&V’s site are much better. I also seemed to have missed that the base of the tea was green and not black. It doesn’t seem to be mentioned on the website or the pouch. When fresher, the leaves distinctly had the fragrance of all these lovely elements: orange, vanilla, jasmine. But now that the blend is getting older, it definitely smells and tastes like only BUBBLEGUM. The cup cools and the more I’m tasting bubblegum. And then the green tea is also getting a little bitter. But the bubblegum is so odd and not really what I wanted from this one. Second steep: more bubblegum. I think I have learned that some orange flavoring tastes like bubblegum, so I think that is the problem here. Can’t win them all.
Steep #1 // 1 1/3 teaspoons for a full mug // 40 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Steep #2 // 32 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Uh oh, I have this one and haven’t tried it! And I totally get bubblegum all the time from some of Dammann’s orange + spice teas…
Yeah, I kept seeing your notes on orange tasting like bubblegum and thought of this tea! Hopefully you like this one better than I did…
If not, there’s always the compost heap, LOL!
I know what you mean! When there’s a S&V tea that I don’t like, I always find myself making excuses for it like, “Oh it was probably my fault, not the tea!” :P
Vanilla, orange and Jasmine must clash in my opinion. Especially vanilla and jasmine. Both very distinctive aromas and can’t imagine them both in one cup.
As you write can’t win them all. That’s right. Totally!
AJ – Yes, S&V is usually on point. This might be their first unlikeable tea for me.
Martin – Now that you mention it, some of these flavors do sound a bit odd together.
