709 Tasting Notes
Mmm, no time for breakfast tea this morning, so the beau whipped me up some of this in my travel mug. It’s the sort that’s see through with a big infuser basket, so it’s best for herbals (so the tea doesn’t over-steep, obviously). This mug o’ Wellness has been steeping for nearly an hour now and it’s still delicious. Finally cool enough to drink, too. : ) I used far less leaf than I would have ordinarily because I wanted to save one more mugs worth out of my sample. I placed my order yesterday, but now I need to wait for it to get to Canada. It seems like my tea experience is constantly hurry up and wait lately, lol. Anyway, the decreased leaf quantity actually isn’t hurting the tea at all. I know it could be stronger, but with such a long infusion time it’s come out really flavourful and I find I am picking up different tastes than yesterday. There’s almost a hint of something spicy. Delicious!
Preparation
How did this become an everyday tea? This is my third steep of a T-Sac that I threw together on Monday. I keep forgetting it’s hiding in my teapot. If I think about it too long, that’s really gross, but the tea still is coming through strong and clear.
Preparation
Looks like hibiscus. Smells like artificial apples. Not an auspicious start. Tastes blah. Very similar to the Apple Cinnamon Bigelow I tried yesterday. Both of them similar to Celestial Seasonings Apple Cinnamon. I can finish the cup, I think, but this is not good tea. I want my Joys Teaspoon back! : )
Preparation
My second sample from Joy’s Teaspoon. I feel in love with the smell of this one as well, and the flavour didn’t let me down. It brewed up a bright red liquor, likely from the hibisucs, which I could only barely taste underneath the sip. If you’re not a hibiscus fan, no worries – it’s mostly colour. To be fair, I did steep at half strength again, to ration out my sample until my order arrives. Anyway, I really felt I could taste the carrot occasionally, and in general it was just a nice well rounded cuppa. I felt it got slightly tart toward the end, but that’s inevitable when you let tea sit for a while. : ) Delish!
Preparation
My tea is here, my tea is here! Thank you Naomi for these samples. I asked for this one, and Wellness as well. As soon as we opened the packets, the beau and I lost our minds – the smell is absolutely amazing. AMAZING. I started looking up the price online before I even steeped a mug. That is selling power.
I’ve only used one teaspoon for two mugs of tea, because we’ve already decided that this needs to be rationed out until we can get more. Keep in mind that we haven’t even tasted it yet.
Okay, water is boiling. Now I have to wait. I gave the tea about five minutes to steep, because I already knew I didn’t use as much leaf as I ought to have. The smell continues to be amazing. I’m like a child in a candy store. The smell is really sweet and fruity, so if you don’t like rooibos, sweet or fruit, you’ll be displeased. I love all those things!
Tasting time! I’m in love. That’s it. In love. Naomi, please say you’ve established shipping to Canada, at least enough for me to have more of this trotting toward me ASAP! I am going to try Wellness tonight or tomorrow and then my order goes in…
Preparation
One off found at work, figured it was worth a go. I’m still recovering from my confused reaction to Cantaloupe Bai Mu Dan, so figured apple cinnamon was worth a shot. As soon as it started steeping bright pink/red, I suspected there was hibiscus involved. I checked, of course there is! I don’t mind it, luckily, but i will need to be careful not to oversteep.
This has the artificial checmical apple taste I so loathe in bagged apple teas, and puts me in mind of Celestial Seasonings Apple Cinnamon (I hate it) mixed with one of their zingers (not that bad). This tea is a bit of a blah. I wonder what it might be like without hibiscus, as that is my dominant taste right now, but I get the apple in there too. This cup doesn’t seem to be undrinkable, but it’s definitely not good.
Preparation
Okay, first impressions: The dry tea definitely smells like cantaloupe, but the smell is a bit off somehow. I presume that it’s the difference between fresh and dried cantaloupe. Steeping it in my usual imperfect office situation leaves me a little leery but I didn’t have time for a tea this morning and I need something – Figured I’d go for another of my new 52Teas. After my issue with the Peach Cobbler last night, I’m looking for another solid tea.
It’s steeping up a pale yellow liquor, as whites are wont to do. I always have an issue in believing that the tea is properly steeped when the liquor is so pale. Honestly, the little weirdness in the smell is making me nervous. Sort of like cantaloupe that needs to riped some more, when you eat it under-ripe and too close to the peel.
Luckily, the taste is actually quite nice. if I can get over my weird smell aversion, this will be a lovely refreshing cantaloupe cuppa to enjoy occasionally. Certainly not an every day tea, but good for occasions. Would probably be delicious iced. And maybe with some liquor and/or fresh cantaloupe in it.
Poor cup – after my first few sips I forgot to take the leaves out and over steeped it. Still nice enough, luckily.
Preparation
I don’t know what I think of this tea. I definitely don’t think peaches. I definitely think green – I’m getting the grassiness that people so often speak of. I don’t know that I like it…Both in smell and in taste I haven’t got any peach hints. It smells sweet, but I get a serious vegetal taste, despite the sweetness. I think I might have to play with this one…
So far, all I can say is that it’s weird. Maybe I understeeped it? Maybe I should mix it with things. I’m a little sad. I’ll try again though!
Update – Bigger mouthfuls bring in something approximating peach, but then I’m left with the grassy after-taste. Which I don’t like. Maybe I should give up on green tea?
