986 Tasting Notes

95
drank Caramel Black by Two For The Pot
986 tasting notes

Ooo, this is lovely! I love caramel-flavored teas and this is one of the best I’ve tried. A wonderful rich, gooey caramel flavor perfectly balanced with a hearty black base. I found it delicious with absolutely no additives, but I’m sure it would also make an amazing tea latte. Thank you so much to Kaylee for sending me a sample!

Flavors: Caramel, Smooth, Sugar, Sweet

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 4 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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15

I didn’t expect to like this tea and I was right…an unpleasant mixture of sharp chamomile, sickly-sweet honey, and artificial vanilla. It has an oddly thick mouth feel and an odd aftertaste that almost reminds me of mint (don’t know where that’s coming from, since mint isn’t listed as an ingredient or flavor). I finished my cup, but I won’t be drinking this one again!

Flavors: Artificial, Herbs, Honey, Mint, Vanilla

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 2 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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40

This was another bonus sample in my swap with Kaylee. Although I was impressed by Mighty Leaf’s breakfast blend, I wasn’t a fan of this earl grey. I followed the instructions on the tag and steeped it for 4 minutes and I’m thinking it may have benefited from a shorter steep. The bergamot was very strong and almost perfume-like, completely overwhelming the base. There was also a bit of bitterness to the aftertaste. It smoothed out pretty well with a splash of milk, but this still isn’t something I’d seek out again.

Flavors: Bergamot, Bitter, Perfume

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 4 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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30
drank Sweet Banana Crème by TeBella
986 tasting notes

This was another sample from Kaylee. The dry leaf smelled so good! I got a big whiff of bananas as soon as I opened her swap package (and the scent even seems to have gotten into the Praline Horizon tea that was next to it). Sadly, as soon as the water hit it, the chamomile took over. I taste a little bit of creamy banana, but mostly chamomile. Glad I had a chance to try this, but I’ll have to keep hunting to find a replacement for my Butiki Banana Walnut Butterscotch!

Flavors: Cream

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

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85
drank Miz by Nina's Paris
986 tasting notes

Mmm, I think this may be the best cherry-flavored tea I’ve tried! This seems to be a hard flavor to get right…it can easily be too artificial or medicinal or tart. But this tea tastes like real cherry juice: sweet and natural. The base tea is very light and silky and I’m not picking up any grassiness or bitterness after a 2-minute steep. Thank you to Kaylee for the sample!

Flavors: Cherry, Smooth, Sweet

Preparation
180 °F / 82 °C 2 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML
Kaylee

Glad you liked it!

Inkling

Thanks so much for sharing! I love trying new teas. :)

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90

Another sample from Kaylee! I’ve been really into white tea blends lately, so I was so excited to try this one. I’m really wishing I’d been able to snag some of this before Stacy closed up shop, because it’s lovely: light and creamy with soft coconut and strawberry flavors that mingle into a sweet, fruity treat. Delicious!

Flavors: Coconut, Creamy, Strawberry, Sweet

Preparation
180 °F / 82 °C 3 min, 30 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML
TeaNTees

Oh me too, such a tragedy! :(

Inkling

Yeah, Butiki is sorely missed!

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drank Praline Horizon by Butiki Teas
986 tasting notes

Kaylee was kind enough to send me a sample of this one in our recent swap. Sadly, I think it may have been contaminated by one of the other teas I requested, because I’m not getting pralines from this at all…just lots of strong, malty black base tea with a hint of unexpected banana flavor. Not going to leave a rating since I suspect contamination. I doubt this would have really been a favorite for me anyway…Crimson Horizon is just a bit too overbearing for my tastes!

Flavors: Bitter, Malt

Preparation
Boiling 1 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML
Kaylee

Aww, sorry it got contaminated!

Inkling

Not your fault! I’m the one that requested that delicious-smelling banana tea. :) Thanks for sharing!

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90

I received a surprise bag of this in a recent swap. Even though it’s a bagged, tea, the leaves are fairly large and unbroken. I tend to prefer Assam to Ceylon, but this one is quite delicious: robust and flavorful with a hint of sweetness and no bitterness or astringency, even after a 4-minute steep. I’m also happy to see that it’s organic. All in all, this is a surprise winner for me; I would totally drink it again. Thanks, Kaylee!

Flavors: Malt, Smooth, Sweet

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 4 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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80

One of my tea-loving friends brought this blend back from a recent trip to Charleston. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of decaf tea, but this one was quite nice. The base is very smooth and light and blends nicely with the juicy mango flavor. An enjoyable bedtime treat!

Flavors: Mango, Smooth

Preparation
180 °F / 82 °C 3 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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25
drank Mango Passionfruit by Stash Tea
986 tasting notes

I love fruity, tropical teas, so this sounded like it would be right up my alley. However, I am NOT a fan of hibiscus and that’s mostly what I taste when I sip this tea. There is also a bit of fruitiness and a slight licorice aftertaste, but mostly lots of tart hibiscus flavor. Not something I’ll be drinking again.

Flavors: Fruity, Hibiscus, Licorice, Tart

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

I do like Hibiscus, but I didn’t like most of Stash’s fruit teas because of the Licorice. It tastes really weird with fruit flavors to me.

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Profile

Bio

“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.” ~ C.S. Lewis

I was introduced to loose leaf tea by a roommate in 2012, but it wasn’t until I stumbled upon Steepster in 2014 that I discovered a world of tea that went beyond Teavana and the grocery store.

My tastes continue to evolve, but black tea is currently my favorite. I am especially drawn to strong, malty breakfast blends to wake me up in the morning and flavored dessert teas to sip throughout the day.

Just about everything in my cupboard is available to swap, so feel free to ask!

Location

Milwaukee, WI

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