902 Tasting Notes
I had planned on posting this log yesterday…must love holiday travel!! So, here’s what I wrote up yesterday:
Gar, I’m in a rush this morning to pack and travel to my parents’ for the hols. I’ve got so much to do, and I’m supposed to be there by noon…I don’t see that happening. Anyway, I opened up the tea of the day, measured out all of it (3 tsps) and remembered to put 3 cups of water into the Breville!! Oh, joyous day that I did something right tea-wise first thing! And it’s a new tea to me. Happy dance!!
It’s very nice and light. Love the Bai Mu Dan, and there’s just a touch of the black currant to make it gently berry. Very sweet and just a touch tart. It’s delicious, and I’m definitely glad I got to try it. I don’t know if I’ll invest in a full pouch, but if these samplers are regular things (and I really hope that they are, cause it’s a great idea), I’d pick up another one to have a small variety on hand (like I don’t have a variety of tea on hand already).
Preparation
Backlog from yesterday…crazy day, didn’t get to log anything!!!
Well, I continue in my early morning tea-fails.
First off, let me say how completely excited I am to try this tea. I’ve been wanting to try it forever, since chocolate mint is my second favorite chocolate combination (peanut butter, of course, being the first). And Frank’s blends are amazing, so I was really holding this to high standards.
And then I went and mucked it up. Poured 2 cups of water into Chloe, scooped out 2 tsps of tea. Then I realized that there was only 1 tsp left and decided to just make a three cup pot. Got the brew basket ready, set the timer, and forgot to add that third cup of water. So I got a brew that’s much stronger than it should have been…the mint is definitely strong enough to clear the sinuses and is overpowering the chocolate quite a bit (to the point I’d just call this a mint black tea and leave chocolate out of its name). The addition of chocolate milk helps bring it back into check, though, and I highly recommend drinking it that way (and that’s kinda a big deal for me to actually admit). I’m going to resteep these leaves, this time with the proper amount of water. I’m going to have to preset tea on weekends/snowdays…my first pots these past few days have been utter disasters without tea already in my system.
Second steep at 5 minutes was nice…still more mint than chocolate, though.
Preparation
Finishing up the last bit of this from Rachel. Have lowered the steeping temperature to hopefully improve this blend.
It did improve. The bitter citrus pith taste is nearly gone. But there’s no pomegranate and no tangerine flavor, either. Just a breakfast tea taste. I’ll be able to finish this pot, but won’t be visiting this one again.
Actually, I imagine this is what the “tea” from the beverage machine in Hitchhiker’s Guide tastes like. It’s more tea-like than actual tea.
Preparation
I’ve already had a crazy morning. Got a phone call at 6:20 (still in bed, no school = no work = no wakey wakey Jaime) from one of my managers that a vendor was at her school to deliver product (which shouldn’t have happened, but…), so have already had to do some strategic phone calling to get mess fixed. Then I went to open the tea of the day (it’s not this one, don’t worry), and when I was cutting it, I somehow managed to make a hole at the bottom and it started coming out. A goodly portion is now on the floor in the kitchen…and regardless of the fact that it’ll be put in boiling water later, I know exactly how clean that floor isn’t. Perhaps driving into office later is a bad idea.
So, anyway, this sample is from MeghannM. I’ve got enough for another pot, which is great because I definitely want to try different steeping parameters on it! It’s very nice…I can taste the oolong, and the Bai Mu Dan, and there’s a buttery note that screams green tea to me, though I don’t know which green it’s coming from. And all this is gently folded in with the apricot flavoring. Apricot, my friends, was a fruit that was intended to be in tea blends. This is one shining example, and Apricot Kernel from SanctuaryT is another (but in rooibos form). I’m so glad that I’ve gotten to try this…and as the cup cools, even more of the apricot is coming out. I’ll definitely be doing another infusion of these leaves!
Preparation
Were you able to salvage any of the tea of the day?
Yes, I had a baggie close by (I was getting teas ready to send out, luckily) and managed to get the whole package in. I probably lost 1-2 cups of tea, but I’ve enough for at least a cup later. I’m afraid to mess with it right now…my karma has not gotten any better, as my heat decided that it was a good time to question whether or not it was feeling like working (we’re all good on that front now, though).
Bummer about the sample! I do think the packaging is less than ideal – I find it a bit putzy. Even when I open the top carefully with a scissors, I’m finding it somewhat difficult to scoop out a mug’s worth.
Backlog from 8-something this am:
Ah, another snow day. Whilst I don’t like the fact that I have to make up these days later in the year, when there’s a half inch of ice overtop the 1 1/2" of snow on my porch, I’m very happy that I get to stay in and not deal with the traffic.
So, first pot of the day gets to be the tea of the day! I’ve had it before (Meghann had sent me a smidge), but I think this time around it’s even better! Coconutty, creamy, and this time I’m getting a flaky pie crust taste. Mmm…pie. I think I’ve said it before, and I’m sure I’ll say it again, but Frank’s got a way with tea! Love the flavor combinations that his mind comes up with!
Preparation
Inspired by MeghannM, I’m steeping the last pot of this from the 12 teas of Christmas sampler at 5 minutes. It’ll likely be my last pot of the night…school has already been called off for tomorrow, and there’s a merlot in the fridge with my name on it.
At 5 minutes, I do taste a bit more of the rum and coconut flavors. I’m undecided as to which steep I like better, but I think this one might just be winning out. Yum!!
Oh, and just so you know, I’m about to post today’s tea of the day. So, in case you’ve not looked in your little pack o’ tea yet…well, I’m about to spoil the surprise!
ETA: yup, I like this better at 5 minutes!!
Preparation
Rachel sent this to me…yup, today I’m digging into my samples to try to get them under control…I think it might be working…maybe?
Anyway, brewed up all of this to have hot, though apparently it’s quite popular iced. 1/2" of ice on top of the snow is plenty enough for me, so I’m having this hot! It’s not as sour as I would have expected. I can taste the lemon verbena and the lemongrass along with the honeybush, making for a gentle, sweet lemon tisane. I think this would make an amazing hot toddy…drop of honey, big splash of bourbon or sweet tea vodka. Sadly and surprisingly, I’ve neither in the house right now. I would love more of this, but since it’s no longer on the 52teas’ website, I’ll have to look for something similar.
Preparation
frenchvanilla sent this one to me…thanks!!
I’ve not had many of Golden Moon’s teas (in fact, I think I’ve only had their Lapsang Souchong), so I’m really excited about this. I didn’t sniff it prior to brewing (too cold!! Must get tea into tea maker and retreat to nest on couch!), but I could smell it after it had brewed, and it’s got this wonderful oolong scent to it…sweet, golden grassy notes.
Coconut taste is very mild to me…in fact, I don’t know if I would have identified it had I just been handed the cup to drink. It is smooth, and creamier than most oolongs I’ve had (perhaps the coconut milk does this?). I’m definitely enjoying it, but if I’m going to drink a coconut flavored tea, I want it to be really coconut flavored. And probably in a black tea base.
