788 Tasting Notes
Steep Information:
Amount: 2 tsp per ~ 12 oz mug
Additives: honey
Water: filtered, boiling
Tool: make your own paper teabag
Steep Time: a little over 7 minutes
Served: Hot
Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: fruity, sweet
Steeped Tea Smell: fruity
Flavor: berry, sweet
Body: Full
Aftertaste: fruity, a little tart
Liquor: deep dark red
I raided my mom’s tea stash and made some of this tea. My sister had picked it out one time when we were at Teavana and apparently didn’t finish it yet.
It’s good, but I think the strawberry kiwi is better.
images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/teavana-loose-leaf-herbal-tea-sweet.html
Preparation
Steep Information:
Amount: 3 tsp
Water: 22 oz filtered, boiling
Tool: Cast Iron Teapot with Mesh basket strainer
Steep Time: a little over 4 minutes
Served: Hot
Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: sweet and fruity
Steeped Tea Smell: black tea, cherry
Flavor: black tea, sweet, fruity
MilitiaJim: vanilla
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: astringent, fruity
Liquor: translucent dark orange-brown
As I said earlier, my taste buds appear to be ignoring vanilla lately. This is sad as I love vanilla.
This was a lovely scent, a blend of sweet fruits that makes your mouth water. The flavor is more subtle than the scent, but still smooth and a very nice cup of tea.
Post-Steep Additives: German rock sugar
Less astringency
Resteep: 4 minutes
Slightly weaker, but still delicious
As I drink the second pot (I was expecting some help, but apparently all 44 oz are all mine) I noticed that the tea is silky smooth – not buttery, but when I swallow there is a silken residue in my mouth and throat for a moment. I was too busy chugging and noting before to get that feeling.
images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/dammann-freres-loose-leaf-black-tea_16.html
Preparation
Steep Information:
Amount: 1 tsp
Water: 1 zarafina cup
Tool: Zarafina black-loose-medium
Served: Hot
Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: chocolate, nut, tea, something else I can’t identify
Steeped Tea Smell: sweet black tea
Flavor: astringent, nutty, black tea
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: astringent, a touch bitter
Liquor: translucent dark reddish-brown
There was not high star frequency in the tin. I think 1/3 of my cups may get one? So the picture is a bit misleading.
The taste however is smooth and very pleasant. I very much enjoyed this tea.
I did not pick up the vanilla, I think my taste buds need a reset / recalibration :( I have been missing it while MilitiaJim has been spotting it lately.
I prepared this while running around getting ready for work. I have been trying to wake up early enough to review one tea each day before work, but I am not a morning person. Thank goodness for the zarafina, it takes care of the tea while I work on packing lunch and everything else.
Post-Steep Additives: German rock sugar
Sweet tea, hint of nuts and coco
I took a few sips and then went back to getting ready for work.
Resteep: Zarafina black-loose-medium
I started this immediately after pouring the first steep off. The second steep was the same as the first steep, after assessing this I then mixed the two together into my travel mug and then ran to the train.
images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/jade-teapot-loose-leaf-black-tea-starry.html
OK… I fear that I may actually NEED a zarafina.
hold out for the fancy breville pot! although the zarafina is awesome it’s kind of a black box – i don’t know what temp each “tea” is – on the other hand, it is awesome for the busy person who had no time to check temp and set timer and pack lunch and brush teeth and feed the pets…..
You are so generous! If I had a 1 outta 3 ratio for stars I’d give it like a 30 lol:)
But… what I don’t like about the Breville is that it doesn’t dispense the tea (thereby removing the brewed tea from the steeped leaves) so if you “forget” about it, the tea continues to brew. So, for me, the Breville is really nothing much more than a fancy, programmable kettle… When you get the Breville, though, will you please let me know and give me a comparison? I have had my kettle now for about 4 years, so I think I can get some fancy-pants gadget that I don’t need for my birthday next month…… (this website is very very bad for me and my principles)
LiberTEAS, you’re just experiencing a paradigm shift… albeit a steepster induced paradigm sift, but a paradigm shift LOL:) I thank God for my paradigm shifts, I’m a much better person for them.
“Variable steeping times control the tea strength — strong, medium, or mild.
Tea Basket auto-raises at the correct time to prevent over-steeping.” I am not exactly sure when it’s being released though, but I will certainly review it in comparison to the zarafina as soon as I can get my grubby paws on one
Some time during May I believe… I have no clue what part of May though.
excellent, AmazonV. I’d like to hear which one you prefer and why to help me with my decision… Now… it’s a matter of explaining to hubby that this is what I want for my birthday. LOL
No explaination should be needed, it’s your birthday:) Although some men (of course NOT saying yours since I don’t know him) don’t get why women don’t want weed wackers for their birthdays lol.
He probably would understand why I want it… my tea fanaticism is pretty well known around here… (that’s an understatement)… but the task is in explaining why I want a zarafina (or breville) over say… a 29 dollar electric tea kettle like I have now. It’s kind of like explaining to him why Gyokuro is better than Bancha.
Oh… and please note – he is NOT a tea drinker and does not understand that one tea is different from another.
Eh I think the gyokuro vs. bancha would be a heck of a lot easier since you’re so anti gadget:)
true. But he doesn’t really see the anti gadget thing because I collect teapots and teacups… so he thinks I’m pro gadget. LOL
Does he really like coffee? woodworking? we can angle this….
He likes coffee… but he doesn’t drink it very often and his favorite is the instant stuff (is it called Via?) from Starbucks. Not so much into woodworking. He likes the Steelers.
Yep it’s VIA.
LiberTEAS, you could just do what I am planning copy his C.C. and order the new Breville and then make his favorite dinner and when he inevitably says
“This is sooo good what have I done to deserve all this?” then I will tell him he’s been stuck with the bill for the new Breville!
This is a joke but as in all comedy there is some truth in it. :)
drat, i was hoping your hubby would be into something like coffee so you could compare it to the nice alarm clock coffee makers LiberTEAS – bleh! the VIA is my emergency backup coffee, we have a burr and blade grinder and preferr fresh beans made in a french press or stove top espresso maker
Steep Information:
Amount: 2 tsp
Water: 2 zarafina cups filtered
Tool: Zarafina black-loose-medium
Served: Hot
Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: apple, spice, black tea, sweetness
Steeped Tea Smell: caramel, apple, spice, maybe cherry
Flavor: black tea
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: bitter
Liquor: translucent dark reddish-brown
I did something wrong, the tea smells fabulous, but is weak and a bit bitter. I think I need more leaf, and less time?
On the other hand both the tea and leaf smell so fabulous I am happy to just sit here and sniff….
Post-Steep Additives: none
Resteep: zarafina 1 c, same 2 tsp, black-loose-medium
stronger body, astringent, less bitter, black tea, hints of apple and spice
Next time 2 tsp / cup and some sugar
images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/dammann-freres-loose-leaf-black-tea.html
Update on The Republic of Tea Company Teabag Herbal Tea ‘Natural Hibiscus’
Iced tea made in a large pitcher with 16 teabags, 8 cups hot water (filtered, boiling), and some ice.
A bit tart, so i added a splash of lemon juice and sugar free raspberry torani syrup
Delicious; sweet, hibiscus, tart, citrus, then raspberry sweet
Next time it could bear for some more water though, or less bags, and perhaps honey while it’s hot.
“A bit tart, so i added a splash of lemon juice” now that’s an oxymoron:)
well, it needs to decide, i am TART or i am not…it was kinda being all wishy washy at me, silly tea
sounds yummy! I have some Pina Colada Honeybush chillin’ in the fridge that I plan to try tomorrow. And then I’m bustin’ open the Pomegranate Honeybush to compare (both 52teas). Hooray for iced tea weather!
ooo Janefan I can’t wait to see the comparison :)
Steep Information:
Amount: 4 tsp
Additives: none
Water: 22 oz filtered, boiling, then let set until approximately 170-180°
Tool: Cast Iron Teapot with Mesh basket strainer in cup
Steep Time: a little over 3 minutes
Served: Hot
Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: DELICIOUS, fruity with some vegetal scent
Steeped Tea Smell: fruity, cherry, green vegetal tea
Flavor: sweet, vegetal, slight hint of floral and fruit
Body: Light
Aftertaste: bitter
Liquor: translucent yellow-green
This tea brings immediately to mind spring cherry green tea.
I believe in my excitement to try this tea I used too much leaf and / or perhaps water that was too hot.
I unfortunately decided to break into this tea (it smelled so fabulous I could not resist!) after 6 o’clock pm. I do hope it won’t keep me up all night.
Sadly right now I must award it only 2/4 leaves. I do believe once I tweak the steep it will be a 3/4 however I do think that it is on par as a tea with spring cherry. I am not saying this tea is not good, but I certainly won’t bring it from France to the US if there is a comparable tea here.
Post-Steep Additives: none
Resteep: 3 minutes – still a nice vegetal fruity tea, dumped in honey and drank it all up
I got my order in from the group order from Dammann Freres with Doulton today!
The packaged smelled delicious, simply delicious. I had to have one right away.
I also got some surprises in there I can’t wait to try!
Rating: 2/4 leaves
Images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/dammann-freres-loose-leaf-green-tea.html
Preparation
Steep Information:
Amount: I put 10, because that’s what came when I took a tsp
Water: filtered, boiling, 16 oz
Tool: in my ceramic Tea Forte solstice teapot
Steep Time: a little over 1 minute
Served: Hot
Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: floral, very vegetal like walking in a muddy flower field
Steeped Tea Smell: floral, vegetal
Flavor: odd, different, smooth, vegetal, it’s not bitter but there is this almost bitter like taste I can’t describe, it makes my mouth
Body: Light
Aftertaste: that funky fuzzy tingly feeling
Liquor: translucent light green
I was sent for free Purple Chrysamthemum Wild Flower Tea thanks to an offer posted on Steepster
JK Tea Shop Website
I paid $1.70 shipping
The tea arrived Tuesday April 13 in waterproof shipping bag. Inside the bag was a well bubble wrapped package of tea.
Inside the bubble wrap was a silver foiled resealable pouch.
Inside the pouch, gorgeous whole flower heads!
1 minute was too short, I couldn’t taste much. So I left them in for a bit while working on another tasting note, next thing you know it was at 8 minutes! I think that may have been a bit long, but it still taste very similar to the tins and plastic bottles of Chrysamthemum tea I have gotten in Asian grocery stores.
I am sorry that my descriptive skills and vocabulary are not up to the task – if you’ve had Chrysamthemum tea before, this is it. I had it this time unsweetened, but I think that I enjoy it more sweetened.
Post-Steep Additives: none
Resteep: not sure how long, but just the same as the first!
images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/jk-tea-shop-loose-leaf-herbal-tea.html
Hey IT’S THE KILT CUP!!! It’s sooo cute! I heart it. It is the kilt cup right?!?
Yes it’s the kilt cup :) I climbed on top of the counter to fetch it just for you!
I plan on trying this one tonight as well, as soon as I’m finished infusing my Tai Ping!
Oh do be careful with it. It’s beautiful I can see you have tea parties with lil AmazonV one day out of that pretty heirloom.
Quick tips LiberTEAS – 1 minute is not enough for 10 buds and 16 oz water, but 9 is toooo much….my second steep is excellent, umm 3 minutes ish? i wish i timed it I can’t wait to see your review!
AmazonV Thank you for the tip! I will bear it in mind… and watch over it a bit better than I did my second infusion of Tai Ping. I think I can get at least 2 more infusions from my Tai Ping … probably more.
Ha! my bad eyesight plus MilitiaJim’s moose like destructive tendencies – we buy cast iron pots, pans and tea pots for their ability not to break! i’ll be lucky if the china survives him…he’s already broken one crystal wine goblet shrug he’s a bull in a china shop
Hence the name “MILITIA” Jim? Hehe
Oh Lovely! I just saw this post – hence my tardy appearance on these comments – but truly lovely! Did you say they were a family tartan? Keep the bubble wrap from this tea and use it to store these precious teacups & saucers!!!
hehe bubble wrap the whole house! It’s the Stewart Clan tartan…which I’ve adopted (long story, dating 10 years, have engagement and wedding bands, and wedding clothes, but no wedding, it was supposed to be this past summer but we ran out of money) it is really MilitiaJim’s tartan
You should say The Noble Stewart Clan Tartan – somehow it needs caps! Oh, the history of it all – that’s so great – you know, the continuity of something historical like that and being a part of the future of it! Not being clear about it, but I’m sure you know what I mean.
V. nice tartan cup. I haven’t tried this yet, am looking forward to walking in the muddy fields. ;-)
none of their history is tasty! every robbie burns day we eat haggis, and get to hear all about the history, all the while we smuggle in mustard and other things….they do scotch and wine tasting perhaps i can find some scottish teas and get tea tasting added next year!
Haggis isn’t so bad. I draw the line at blood pudding, though.
Or is it black pudding? Been a long time since I was last in Scotland.
go for the tea tasting! or better yet, make up some tea blends that represent The Scottish Way and we’ll think up a cool name for the tea and you can have that instead.
it’s called both blood and black actually http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_pudding
so projects for next year (have till January) find Scottish teas and/or teas that go well with the clotted cream and scones and scotch
LOVE the tea cup!
Steep Information:
Amount: 1 tsp
Additives: none
Water: 1 zarafina cup, filtered water
Tool: Zarafina Black-loose-medium
Served: Hot
Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: Sweet fruit
Steeped Tea Smell: Sweet black tea, nutty
Flavor: astringent, bitter black tea, a little cake-y
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: bitter
Liquor: Translucent orange brown
Steepster Traveling Teabox Tea
Made this while rushing around in the morning getting ready to go to work.
I didn’t smell spice or ginger, more fruity.
I started the second steep before tasting the first.
I ended up chugging it as it was so bitter and astringent.
It could have used less time (mild) and perhaps cream and sugar to be palatable.
Post-Steep Additives: none
Resteep: Zarafina Black-loose-strong
images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/adagio-loose-leaf-black-tea-gingerbread.html
I made this one as a chai, and it was drinkable… but still didn’t taste like gingerbread. If you have more, that’s how I’d recommend you try it!
i’ve got a weee little spoon left
Another tea off my wishlist! It’s sad to hear that this was not gingerbread-y.
Aw, looks like I’m still on the hunt for the perfect gingery black tea then
task: google gingerbread recipe – try and throw all those things into some black tea
ginger, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, vanilla + sugar …. perhaps a chai mix could do it…
If you blend it, AmazonV, I’ll order some from you! :) You can get into the tea blending business : AmazonV’s amazing Gingerbready Black Tea!
hmmm, i hate being server farm babysitter….And mango, if i start blending by golly i will make a tea with mango in the name that tastes like MANGO
Go For It!!! LOL! I’ll be your first customer! But don’t forget to provide tracking for shipments, that seems to be a huge issue!
being I’ll have minimal income when i start I’ll just deliver them door to door! market it as a premium service :)
Oh dear, but you’ll still be getting these help-us-or-we’ll-expire-without-you phone calls in the middle of the night from your server/computer job friends! I see exhaustion in your future but lots of $$$!!!
lol! yea those pesky servers are after my sleeping time
AmazonV, LOL I could just see MilitiaJim and Bobbie’s faces if you told them you quit your job to blend tea!! LMAO
I would order from you though!
Actually, mom offered to help me open a tea shop, I just don’t think I could!
Of course since I pay rent i think it would be a bit of trouble…
and hence why i still babysit the servers (who are behaving this week!)
Steep Information:
Amount: 1 tsp
Additives: none
Water: 1 zarafina cup filtered water
Tool: Zarafina black-loose-medium
Served: Hot
Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: toffee, chocolate, tea
Steeped Tea Smell: not much, put my nose in it i get sweet black tea
Flavor: weak, black tea
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: sweet, toffee
Liquor: translucent orange-brown
Perhaps I should have done strong instead of medium?
Post-Steep Additives: none, should have added some sweetener but this was sip taste, CHUG and run to work
Resteep: Zarafina black-loose-strong
weak, bitter, astringent black tea, chugged it luckily
Hopefully it’s better next time
images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/52teas-loose-leaf-black-tea-heath-bar.html
I, too, was MASSIVELY disappointed w/ the flavor of the tea considering I wanted to eat the raw leaf w/ a spoon lol.
What a disappointment! 25. I love heath bars and Skor. My husband and I have debated which one is better and then (more than once) have purchased both and did taste comparisons and we thought skor to be better.
SoccerMom… I have absolutely no clue what happens between the scent of the raw leaf and the flavor of the decanted tea… it was my 1st 52teas disappointment. It is a very good sweet black tea- but it doesn’t live up to its name.
Skor? never seen them here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skor
There very good. It’s sounds like you like Heath bars not the tea but the candy bar so I think you’d enjoy Skor.
Steep Information:
Amount: entire sample, approximately 4 tsp
Additives: none
Water: 22 oz filtered, boiling
Tool: Cast Iron Teapot with Mesh basket strainer
Steep Time: a little over 5 minutes
Served: Hot
Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: sweet fruit
MilitiaJim: hint of bitter
Steeped Tea Smell: fruity
Flavor: hibiscus, citrus
Body: Full
Aftertaste: tart, citrus
Liquor: translucent deep red / maroon
The name includes the word mango, I do not taste mango. We are having a bad time with mango tea apparently.
Tastes like hibiscus citrus tea.
Post-Steep Additives: none
images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/harney-and-sons-loose-leaf-herbal-tea.html
Agree, although if you mix it with the orange blossom tea it’s a great combination.