985 Tasting Notes
I have been a good girl lately, and decided to treat myself to a tin of Marco Polo. Thank goodness they carry it at Williams-Sonoma, and I was able to get some without ordering. I have to be quite honest in that I was not wowed. But I think I had this built up in my mind to be the perfect tea for me…..overblown expectations…I could definitely taste the strawberry and fruits, and it had a round and full flavor that was incredibly smooth, and something creamy going on. In the words of my heroine Elizabeth, it was “quite pleasant.”
Now that my initial taste is out of the way (I am sorry Marco, that my expectations were a little out of line!) I will have to try it again for a better read on it. But I am thinking it will take several tins for me to get the full effect. Better start saving my pennies…..
I am writing this one in retrospect…..all the way to yesterday! This was my evening tea….and I quite enjoyed it. It is too funny in that I was pretty sure I had Decaf Strawberry rather than Mango, but it was the Mango that was out this morning. I am pretty sure since I thought it was Strawberry, I had probably better stick to that one, and forgo the larger size once my sample is gone. It was definitely pleasant, and probably slightly less sweet than Adagio Decaf Strawberry. I do remember thinking that this was a similar flavor to Marco Polo (which I had my first cup of yesterday) but not quite as full and rounded tasting. Hmmm. Maybe I will need more once my sample is gone…….
On the search for a new breakfast tea. Yes, ever the bargain shopper, I was pretty certain I could replace my $10 for 3 oz. tea since I was not over the moon for it. This is my first breakfast blend sample from Upton.
I like this one, and can see it being the one, but I have to ‘date around’ a little more before I am certain. There is the very slightest hint of smokiness, but it really is perfect. My current breakfast tea smokes a little too much to meet the perfectly steeped bliss quota. Definitely in the running!
Preparation
I ordered a sample of this because it was quite a bit lower in price than the China Rose Petal I had been buying at another vendor. Normally, I am not too concerned about a little cost difference here and there, but this time we are talking half the cost. Since samples were available, I figured it would be a fun experiment. The chemist in me took over, and I prepared them identically, using the same kettle boil, and duplicate infuser baskets (man, am I thankful for my tendency to overbuy on having two of the same infuser!) The dry leaves are very similar in appearance, down to the color of the petals in the tea. The smells are also comparable. In side by side tastings, they seem incredibly similar. I say seem, because I am not an expert tea taster having only been really into tea since last September.
All in all, I think I have found myself a new source for my rose scented tea. Price often is an indicator of quality, but not always. I am determined to find the exception where I can!
