278 Tasting Notes

82

Method: 1 tsp, 8 oz, 175 degrees, 3 minutes, Forlife Brew-in-mug strainer

Dry Leaf and Brewing Aroma: Bergamot

Flavor: Is there such a thing as an earl white? That’s what I’d call this. I didn’t taste any jasmine, but I liked this tea. I like earl greys sometimes, but often the bergamot is all up in yo face. This is very mild. I like the very gentle bergamot here, and prefer it to most earl greys I have tried. That being said, bergamot still isn’t my fave, but it’s very nice here.

Preparation
175 °F / 79 °C 3 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML
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MzPriss 11 years ago

OK. I love the name “Honeybell” I might have to change my name. Except I would spell it “HoneyBelle”. Bergamont is awesome. I like it all the ways. I have blue flower tea :D

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Haha, honeyBelle is totally you MzPriss :-)

SarsyPie 11 years ago

OK, I’m totally calling you HoneyBelle from now on. :p

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80

Today was NOT good. I started by spilling my AM oolong all over the counter. Then I had to make tea at work where the water temp isn’t high enough. Then I ran around like a crazy person all day because 2 girls are on vacay, so everyone keeps dumping their stuff on ME!

But I had a nice dinner with my Mom and my Aunt, and now I am settling in with a lovely summer thunderstorm and a cup of this tea! On to the review!

Method: 1.5 tsp, 8 oz, 200 degrees, 2 minutes, Forlife Brew-in-Mug strainer. And of course, the Dr. Who mug because the Doctor always makes you feel better!

Dry Leaf Aroma: Lightly floral and also fruity. What’s that? Dried apples? And this also has a lovely buttery aroma.

Flavor: Interesting. This one has a more subtle flavor than I expected, after going for 2 minutes. It’s a little fruity and has a very pronounced floral taste when slurped. Almost perfumey. I pick up some of the buttery notes, also. I thought this might be a little sweeter, but I haven’t found that to be the case. I’d like this to be a bit stronger, so I am going to try 4 min on the resteep.

It didn’t look like the leaves opened all the way on the first steep, but they definitely unfurled all the way on the second steep. The tea is darker and has a little astringency, but not anything unpleasant. The floral is still present, but not the apple or butter. I think I like the first steep better, though I do pick up a very nice raisin note on this steep! This is a good tea, but I think I can get a little more out of it. I am going to try it gong fu style next time.

Thanks to GTT for the sample!

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 2 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML
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boychik 11 years ago

Nice samples to try both methods

SarsyPie 11 years ago

Indeed. There’s enough left to try another method, which is awesome!

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

That’s a leafhopper bitten tea. The one I have from butiki is so sweet and honey like. You remind me I must review my Green Terrace samples as well!

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78

Method: 1.5 tsp, 8 oz, 205 degrees, 3 minutes, French Press

Dry Leaf Aroma: Seaweed

Brewing Aroma: very lightly floral

Flavor: Mild, with floral notes. I thought this was a pleasant tea. It’s not my fave, but I liked it!

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 3 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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70

Method: 1/5 tsp, 8 oz, 200 degrees, 3 minutes, French Press

Aroma: Smells like blueberries

Flavor: It’s a little light for me. I would have liked more blueberry. It’s still good. I added a little sugar at the end, and that was nice. I think the blueberry was maybe a 5 on a scale to 10. I would have liked an 8 or better.

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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74

Method: 1.5 tsp, 8 oz, 208 degrees, 7 minutes, Forlife Brew In Mug strainer

Dry Leaf & Brewing Aroma: Smells strongly of citrus. Very pleasant.

Flavor: I let this go beyond the 3-5 minutes of recommended time because Cameron B stated there wasn’t much citrus flavor after 5 minutes. I thought that maybe more time would equal more citrus.

On the plus side, this looks like liquid sunshine in the mug. Very pretty. But I do wish the flavors were more pronounced. I added a little rock sugar, which brought them to the forefront a bit. So to sum up: use lots of tea, steep for a long time, and add a little sugar! The result was quite nice. I think I may let this go to 10 minutes next time, just to see what happens.

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 7 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML
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Cameron B. 11 years ago

Glad I could help! Lol. :)

SarsyPie 11 years ago

Indeed! Thank you :)

Cameron B. 11 years ago

I hardly deserve thanks just for posting a tasting note… Happy to be the guinea pig! :P

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97
drank Morning Sun by Mandala Tea
278 tasting notes

Ehrmagerd! OM NOM NOM.

This tea is amazeballs. I made it like this: 1 tsp, 8 oz, 208 degrees, 3.5 minutes. I used my brew in mug strainer. I sampled at 1 and 2 minutes, but it wasn’t strong enough. 3.5 minutes is perfect.

I am going to try a second steep, but I’m already sold. This is gorgeous. It smells and tastes like malted yum. It’s mild and smooth, like velvet.

Now I am going to settle in, drink this little beauty, and read some mysteries on Oyster, which is the greatest online service since Netflix. If you love books and you haven’t heard of it, please check it out immediately. I may never leave home again because I just don’t see the need!

Update: I steeped the leaves a second time for 5 minutes and the tea had a little hint of spiciness. Where the hell did that come from? It’s sublime! I drank a little and then added a teensy bit of maple syrup, since that seems to be all the rage around Steepster. So. Good.

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 3 min, 30 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML
Show 10 previous comments...
TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

I so love this one too! And isn’t it pretty to look at also?
(Now I’m gonna have to check that Oyster of yours…)

SarsyPie 11 years ago

It’s so pretty!!!!

Yes, please do. You can get the first 30 days free. I only started about 2 weeks ago and I already have so many books on my reading list. :)

MzPriss 11 years ago

I adore this one as well. I’m also gonna go look at the Oyster thingie

Nxtdoor 11 years ago

But overdrive media console is free! (Online Library apps). Might not have all the recent books but it certainly has more than enough to keep me occupied. Those looking into oyster, look into overdrive media console too. But yes, you need a library card.

SarsyPie 11 years ago

Hmmm.. never heard of that. I’ll check it out. Thanks!

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Yes, Nxtdoor introduced me to Overdrive a few months and I just can’t live without!!!

mj 11 years ago

I use overdrive through my library too! So many books :-D

mj 11 years ago

Also, you can sign up for a mailing list called book bub. Everyday they email you a list of ebooks ranging from free to $2.99. Are they always the best books? No lol but they are often times completely free or $0.99 and the service is completely free

SarsyPie 11 years ago

I got a library card so I can use overdrive, wooo!

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Yay!! Let me know how you like it, there isn’t one day I don’t bless Nxtdoor for introducing me to it :-)

Nxtdoor 11 years ago

Yes! Overdrive rocks, yo! Especially nice is that you can go on a waiting list for a book and you get an email when it’s your turn to borrow.

Nxtdoor 11 years ago

Also, you all know of hoopla? Same idea, library system, but for movies and stuff. The downside is that you only get to borrow three movies per month. But hey, I dig it.

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82

Method: 1.5 tsp, 8 oz, 205 degrees, 3minutes, French Press

Dry Leaf Aroma: Smells like sweet florals. Very pretty

Brewing Aroma: Roasty, like toasted rice. It smells like a genmaicha!

Flavor: This tastes roasty with a light floral tone. It’s interesting. I’m picking up the same kinds of flavors that I’d find in a genmaicha. It wasn’t astringent or bitter. This was a nice, smooth breakfast tea. Yum!

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 3 min, 30 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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65
drank Campfire Blend by Verdant Tea
278 tasting notes

Method: 1 tbsp, 8 oz, 205 degrees, 10 minutes, French Press

Dry Leaf Aroma: Orange, spice, chocolate. Smells like orange cake.

Brewing Aroma: Orange & weird. Something smells odd. Can’t place it.

Flavor: I sampled some at 3 minutes and 6 minutes. The flavor was weak, so I let it go for 10. Even after 10 minutes, this has a mild flavor. I was hoping for more orange, but this tastes predominantly of cinnamon. The orange is a whisper. I have loved some of Verdant’s teas, but I seem to be striking out with their herbals. Too much cinnamon for me.

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 8 min or more 3 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML
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TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Thanks for the review, glad I didn’t order, don’t think it’s my style…

SarsyPie 11 years ago

If you like cinnamon, you’d like this. If not, then no. :p

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

But I do love cinnaNOM!!! I got distracted by your “aroma of orange & weird”, lol.

I just realized I have a sample from Dexter…will try it later!

SarsyPie 11 years ago

Eeeeeew, you like cinnaBLARGH!!!!! LOL. Try your sample. If you like it, I’ll send you all mine! : p

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Lol, cinnaBLARGH was not the problem here…you were right: weird!! Thanks for offering to send me the rest of you stash though, but I’m gonna pass, haha!

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65

Method: 1 tbsp, 8 oz, 205 degrees, 3 minutes, Forlife brew-in-mug strainer

Dry Leaf Aroma: Cinnamon and licorice

Flavor: Cinnamon and spices. Licorice. I don’t taste the fruitiness I was expecting. I thought this might have some sweetness from the elderberries, but I didn’t find that either. I don’t think this one is for me, as I’m not a big fan of cinnamon. Im a little sad because I really wanted to taste the elderberries.

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 3 min, 0 sec 3 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML
Show 11 previous comments...
MzPriss 11 years ago

I’ve been having some dried elderberries in this Northern Sweet Tea thingie of Brenden’s. I love their deep-syrupy flavor.

SarsyPie 11 years ago

I’ll get some of that the next time I order from WP! On an elderberry note, I’ll be making some elderberry wine soon. Hopefully that will turn out to be tasty!!!

MzPriss 11 years ago

The Northern Sweet Tea is something you make yourself (if Brenden would put the recipe on his website). Here is the recipe:

2 teaspoons Golden Orchid
1/2 teaspoon dried elderberries
! Tablespoon maple syrup
16 oz of boiling water – steep for 10 minutes – add the maple at the end. Make it cold.

Did I get that right B?

SarsyPie 11 years ago

Sounds awesome. I wonder if there’s any place around here I could find some wild elderberries. If not, I could get them online.

MzPriss 11 years ago

Oh that ! is supposed to be a 1

SarsyPie 11 years ago

I thought you invented a new measurement. :p

MzPriss 11 years ago

That should be a measurement of awesome

SarsyPie 11 years ago

No argument from me!

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

Haha! “! Tablespoon of maple syrup” that’s my official Maple measurement now, it’s so good it deserves exclamation point!!!!!

Sarsonator, i think they might sell them at health food stores, will check mine next time I go. In the mean time, I’ve been using blueberries and it’s pretty tasty!

SarsyPie 11 years ago

Blueberries sound good, and I already have some. I have maple syrup on my shopping list, so I can try this your way!

I’ll check the health food store when I get over there. They do sell some dried fruits and might have elderberries.

TheTeaFairy 11 years ago

That’s great, let me know :-)

MzPriss 11 years ago

They frequently have them in the bulk herb section as people use them medicinally as well as tastily

SarsyPie 11 years ago

I will check and update. Thank you both for the suggestions!

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86
drank Special Dark by Mandala Tea
278 tasting notes

Method 1: 1.5 tsp, 4 oz, 208 degrees, seconds: 30, 45, 60, ru kiln gaiwan. Then I blended these together to make 1 cup of tea

Method 2: 1 tbsp, 8 oz, 208 degrees, grandpa style

Method 3: Slightly less than 1 tbsp, 8 oz, 195 degrees, 2 and 3 minutes, Forlife brew-in-mug strainer, Dr. Who mug

Dry Leaf Aroma: chocolatey forest. This smells like Pennsylvania forests when you’re out for a nice hike. But then someone came along and dumped chocolate in the forest!

Brewing Aroma: Cocoa and stuff. It smells pleasant, but earthy. I can’t pick out the exact thing it reminds me of.

Flavor: The first method used shorter steeps. It was good, but it didn’t knock me off my feet. I could taste some of the chocolate notes, but it didn’t seem to have as much complexity as I expected.

The second method was quite unpleasant. The package says you can’t oversteep pu’erh. Since I love grandpa style tea so much (lazy), I decided to just let it sit and see what happened. Well I beg to differ, but you certainly CAN oversteep pu’erh! LOL. I call this one: The Burninator. It tasted like burnt dirt.

The third method was the goldilocks. Finally, woo! I took a sample out at one minute, two minutes and three minutes. Two and three were the best. I think I actually liked two the best, but you can’t go back! So I drank it at 3 minutes. The flavor is kind of hard to describe. I can taste a little cocoa, and some earthy flavors, but I can’t put my finger on them. I haven’t had many pu’erhs, so maybe I’ll get better at that as I go along. It’s a very rich tea. I suspect it would go well with some decadent dessert. I’ll be trying that soon! I would definitely buy this again.

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 3 min, 0 sec 3 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML
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Cameron B. 11 years ago

TROGDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOR! <3

SarsyPie 11 years ago

Burninating the countryside, burninating the peasants!

Cameron B. 11 years ago

Burninating all the people in their THATCHED ROOF COTTAGESSSSSSSSSS!

Epic.

boychik 11 years ago

If you add some milk and sugar or maple syrup you can have a nice treat ;)

SarsyPie 11 years ago

We need someone to make a Trogdor tea.

Cameron B. 11 years ago

Definitely lapsang souchong…

SarsyPie 11 years ago

Boychik: I’ll try that when I buy some more maple syrup!

Cameron: Totally agree. Maybe I’ll buy some and make a blend. :)

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