1118 Tasting Notes
Tea #10 from the ‘Here’s Hoping’ teabox.
This was my first tea this morning. The tea was lighter than I expected, and there was an oily film on top of the tea once it steeped. I know it’s the oil from the flavoring, but it kind of grossed me out. Especially first thing in the morning. Once I moved past that and was able to taste the tea I was pleasantly surprised. Lots of maple flavor, but nothing over the top. There was a bready note form the base tea, and the combination of maple and bread reminded me of French toast. Strangely, I haven’t had French toast in years and years, but now it’s all I can think about. Maybe we’ll have breakfast for dinner tonight just so I can give in to my craving.
Tea #9 from the ’Here’s Hoping’ teabox.
This tea is a bit bland to me. There’s a faint peach flavor, but I’m not getting anything from the sencha or the jasmine. I made sure my steeping parameters were appropriate, so I’m thinking this is not the tea for me. However, I love the idea of peach and sencha together, so I’ll have to see what other options are out there.
Tea #8 from the ’Here’s Hoping’ teabox.
Last tea before bed. I have to say that today has been a highly enjoyable tea day. After having so much caffeine I knew my last tea would have to be an herbal. Otherwise I would never get to sleep tonight!
I was hesitant to make this tea because I’m not a hibiscus fan, but I loved the idea of all the different fruits so much that I brewed a cup anyway. I timed it carefully it wouldn’t be too tart, and I added a little bit of sugar. The result was a fruity concoction that almost tasted like the juice from a jumble berry pie. Very fruity, and while there is a touch of tartness it’s nothing overwhelming. This was a perfect way to wind down and get ready to sleep.
I’m sure I’m going to dream about tea tonight, but at least they’ll be happy dreams!
Tea #7 from the ’Here’s Hoping’ teabox.
This tea is weird… I think I like it. I don’t taste apple at all, but there is a very sweet note at the beginning of the sip. Not sure if that’s the apple or the anise because there’s no distinct flavor – just sweet. It’s followed by the savory flavor of the fennel and then the heat of the chili bits and ginger. I don’t smell or taste cinnamon or cardamom which is strange since they’re both distinct (and often strong) flavors.
I like the mix of flavors. It’s different and definitely invigorating. Not something I would care to drink every day, but every once in awhile it’s nice to have a weird tea. :)
Tea #6 from the ’Here’s Hoping’ teabox.
Moment of truth… I don’t like eggnog. Never have. For some strange reason, however, I am very curious about eggnog flavored teas. Maybe it’s my love of vanilla, or maybe it’s the spices, but for whatever reason anytime I can get my hands on a tea that taste like eggnog I have to try it.
This tea definitely smells like eggnog. Lots of sweetness and spice right out of the package. After it steeps the smell reminds me a lot of vanilla chai. The taste is vanilla with a hint of spice and a creaminess that surprised me. I thought I would need to add milk, but I think the tea is good on its own (well, I did add a bit of sugar). I wish the spices were stronger, but even with less spice this is one of the better eggnog teas I have tried. I’ll have to remember to look for it in the store next Christmas.
Tea #5 from the ’Here’s Hoping’ teabox.
I love lemon and ginger, so when my daughter asked me to make this for our afternoon tea I was happy to do so. The scent while steeping is mostly ginger, but when I poured the tea into cups the smell of lemon was really strong. It made our house smell so good!
The taste was much like the smell – lots of ginger up front with a sweet lemon burst towards the end of the sip. I really loved it, but my daughter thought it was just so-so. If some honey were added it would be the perfect sick day tea, and while I toyed with doing that I decided to add ice to the last cup. I let it get lukewarm and then added a bit of sugar and lots of ice. Heaven. This is an iced tea that’s meant to be drunk outside on a wide porch while rocking in a big white chair and chatting with the neighbors. It’s light and citrusy, but the ginger gives it just enough of an edge to keep it from being boring.
Another tea added to the shopping list. Yay for wonderful teaboxes!!!
Tea #4 from the ’Here’s Hoping’ teabox.
First, I love the name of this tea. It makes me laugh, and it makes me want to read Sense and Sensibility (which, at times, also makes me laugh). Second, blackberry vanilla cream tea? Why yes, please. I think that would be lovely.
This is another tea with a strong black base tea. I find I really enjoy this in flavored teas. I want to be able to taste all of the flavors, but I want to feel like I’m drinking tea, too. Any edge that might have been in the tea is smoothed out by the cream flavor. On top of that is a mix of blackberry and vanilla. Neither flavor is super strong, but they are both present in such a way that it makes the tea easy to sip and enjoy. I don’t have to stop and “look” for the flavors. Everything is there and in balance.
This tea is going on my shopping list and will easily find a place on my pantry shelf. I can see this being a delicious iced tea this summer.
Tea #3 from the ’Here’s Hoping’ teabox.
I’ve seen this tea in the store and been tempted on several occasions to buy a box, but I’ve always passed it by. Since it was in the teabox I decided to brew a cup in my travel mug before going out to run errands.
The taste was mostly mango with the faint flavor of coconut slipping in on occasion. I’d take a sip, think that it was nice, and then continue on with my errands. While it wasn’t a mind blowing tea I would definitely drink it again if offered. As far as tea bags go, this one is more than decent. In fact, I probably will buy a box the next time I’m at the store because I like to carry tea bags in my purse for “tea emergencies”. I’m sure I’m not the only one. ;-)
I keep trying to not like Stash. Around here it is half again as expensive as other bagged teas (with the exception of Numi) and contains a third less tea. But dog gone it, I find myself enjoying them anyway… for those ummm tea emergencies of course.
I know what you mean. The fact that there is less tea in the box is the reason I’ve passed it by so many times before, but honestly, it is so much better than a lot of the other bagged teas.
…and long live tea emergencies.:)
Tea #2 from the ’Here’s Hoping’ teabox.
Wow! This is spicy. Just as the spice hits the back of the throat there is a wonderful sweetness from the coconut on the tongue. I really, really like this. I added some sugar and milk to my cup. The milk smooths the spice just a bit, and the sugar highlights the coconut so that the toasted flavor comes out more.
Yum!
My first tea from the ’Here’s Hoping’ Teabox. It’s a very good choice, if I do say so myself!
The bergamot is not overly strong, but it allows the raspberry to be the star of the show. I like that the raspberry is a fruity flavor rather than a candy one. So the taste is mostly of raspberry with the bergamot being a lovely end note. It’s absolutely delicious! The black tea base is strong, which I also like. I wish more EGs were paired with a strong tea base!
I’ll definitely resteep this tea later today. I wish I had known how good this was before Ovation went out of business. C’est la vie.
