Tiff 'TheFemGeek' Send Message

This has got to be the worse tea experience I have ever had when it comes to taste. When I opened the tin the smell was wonderful and my eyes brightened up anticipating a great cup of tea ahead of me. I steeped per instructions and the color was a beautiful dark amber. The aroma was just scrumptious and the hot tea went down smoothly but as soon as it hit my taste buds, my taste buds tried to jump out and smack me. The words ’what the hell is this?" came out as smooth as the tea went down. Trying the Andrew Zimmern method of trying something three times before completely giving up, I knew this tea was NOT for me.

That overwhelming floral perfumee (if that’s a word) taste was just awful. It was like standing behind someone who had decided to spray perfume or cologne at the same time you walked up behind them with your mouth open to ask a question.

I’ve mentioned before that I have a rating system where I’ve decided to differentiate between the teas I like by putting a red check mark on the sample tins of the ones I will not drink on a regular basis and a black check on the ones to give away or toss. This tea has introduced a third mark, 2 checks for “Damn You”. Adagio Earl Grey Bravo…DAMN YOU!

Note: I kept the rating in the double digits because everything beside the taste (aroma, look, smoothness) was really nice

I have been drinking mostly white tea lately and the last black tea I drank was Adagio Chocolate which I didn’t give a favorable review. So it was refreshing to have a black tea and this was a great tea to try. With some teas I have to try the companies suggestion and then maybe tweak it a little to get the taste I want, especially with black teas. I’ll have to say following the instructions for Yunnan Jig worked great and it had a pleasant taste with a subtle aroma. It is perfect with cake, pie, or a cookie dessert and I give it two thumbs up

Note: I will try this tea again after drinking more black teas because it is quite possible drinking mostly white may make this taste better than it did. When I do I will post an update here

This was the first of the white teas where there was a faint smell with the leaves but no smell when you steeped it. That of course could just be me. Also when you taste it, there’s a very leafy, earthy dare I say fishy taste. It’s not bad but it does make you aware of it when you first drink it. What I’ve found is that it begins to taste better after it cools off.

I’ve had two cups already and it’s growing on me. If I continue to drink it, which I will but it won’t be at the top of the list, I will definitely let it sit for a few minutes. Not sure if I can give it thumbs up as a definite try but I will say try it because I’m curious to see what you think.

I like this tea and though there are some teas that I only need to steep for 3 minutes instead of the 5-7 mins some suggest this teas is better when it’s left for 5-7 minutes. I like the Tangerine flavor better than some orange flavors. Now I haven’t had all the orange flavor teas so this is tentative for now. I would suggest trying it and I had it with Pesto Pasta Primavera and it was great

When I opened the tin to this tea I couldn’t quite place what it was I was smelling but it definitely was the most powerful, in aroma, white tea I’ve come across so far. I’ve recently received my Perfect Steeper from EightCranes.com and my electric teapot from Adagio, so I was eager to try it. I was surprised how the aroma subdued only a little and the taste had what one drinker described as buttery. The first three sips I wasn’t sure but once I added a little of Splenda, I can say I like it. No it’s not at the top but it’s a little bit above average.

I’d decided to use the Perfect Steeper’s steeping time where white teas are steeped for 1-2 mins and it came out great. This will definitely be a regular :)

Here’s another white tea that I like. I’ve also found that I may need to train my palate for the subtle taste that are in the lighter teas. It took 3 cups to actually begin to see the difference between White Symphony and Silver Needle. But I did and this has a more floral taste that I do like. I can recommend it and will most likely have it again.

White Symphony reminds me of the Silver Needle I had last week. Only difference is that it’s even more subtle. It’s not spectacular but it’s pleasant and I enjoyed having it before leaving work. It didn’t quite mellow me out or leave an after taste, it was just a pleasant cup of tea. I would say average and most likely try it again

After trying Valentines and liking it, I was surprise how unimpressed I was with Adagio’s Chocolate. When I got the Valentines my brow frowned with the thought of chocolate tea but it was good. I think this one justified my frown. It wasn’t horrible and most likely I will keep what I have left in the cabinet for moments when I’m low on tea, which hopefully is never, but never hurts to be prepared.

I’ve decided to differentiate between the teas I like by putting a red marker check on the sample tins of the ones I will not drink on a regular basis and a black on the ones to give away or toss.

Adagio Chocolate has earned itself a red check mark – http://twitpic.com/14qsdl

This tea was really pleasant with the fault of having a little funky orange aftertaste. Didn’t last long though. The smell is just wonderful. I found myself just inhaling the orange spicy aroma every time I took a sip. With the taste and pleasant aroma I can forgo the aftertaste and for sure have it again.

It went very well with my pumpkin loaf

Silver Needle was very pleasant, it’s doesn’t have an outstanding taste but it’s one I can see myself drinking more often than not . It’s a light tea that goes down really smooth. There was no after taste (some after taste are good and some are bad so this statement is just an observation), the smell is subtle, and it is my first Adagio white tea. I give it thumbs up