Jenny O select Send Message

Since the description included with the tea did not recommend a steeping time, I went with my standard infusion time for white teas, (two minutes and thirty seconds) and kept the water at 160 (just in case)

Unlike the previous blends I’ve had from the Asylum Emporium, this tea is rather delicate on the palate. I’m not very fond of white teas in general, but this blend surprised me.

The peppermint is the more dominant flavor of the blend, and initially overpowers the chrysanthemum and silver needle. But the added chrysanthemums help smooth out the sharpness of the peppermint. The silver needle base adds a very subtle, buttery quality to the tea, which pleasantly lingers after each sip.

Overall, this is a delightful blend.
I would recommend sipping to wind down after a stressful day.

(the other good news is that, while the tea is a bit pricey, it re-steeps quite well)

Despite the absence of cinnamon in the actual blend, this tea has a sweet spiciness to it, even reminiscent of ginger, just based on the way it lingers on the palate. Those who do not agree with ginger, don’t be turned off though! I’m not sure it’s even ginger I’m tasting… maybe nutmeg…but I digress.

Back to the tea!
The creamy pumpkin notes blend effortlessly with its oolong base. It’s a perfect autumn blend: spicy pumpkin, drizzled caramel notes, a smooth dash of vanilla, and topped with warm cream.

pairs perfectly with a thick sweater and a brisk autumn morning.

this tea re-steeps rather well, so go make a pot or two!

I’ll keep this short and sweet. This tea is delicate, light and refreshing. The overall taste is that of buttered honeycomb mixed with a sweet white wine. Always smooth, never astringent, even upon a second steep. It pairs well with fresh berries on a lazy Sunday morning.

Smells more like rose out of the bag, with an afterburner of violet and honeysuckle and jasmine. Just like a summer picnic in the park.
granted my only exposure to calendula is in a soap from woodsprite organic… so maybe i’m missing it.

Probably a bad idea to write this note after I finished a very oversteeped pot of oolong and ate a bunch of grape tomatoes. Yet here it goes anyway.

Soundtrack of the evening has been a lot of memphis blues, but i switched to a more modern folky tune to pair better with my cup of liquid summer. this is a very light floral tea and makes me crave the wind.

it may just be the tomatoes, but all i get is a silky honeysuckle and rose hybrid baby that leaves a lingering violet trail. floral teas and i are involved, so overall this is a great tea to finish up my evening with. everything is very light and delicate, so your tongue has a few thin layers to sift through to get everything out of it- lots of candied petals to taste!

song of the moment that helps your summer transportation experience- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoKzyr4zMNE
this works too- though this is more of a summer roadtrip tune http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXFvSE7GBbs

happy sipping people! and don’t forget the sunscreen.
(also steeped this about 15 degrees higher than instructed, just because it’s an oolong and my 203 degrees is standard for most of my oolongs. i compromised.)

Alright. So it’s finals time again which means I needed to break the bank and restock my cupboard. (otherwise I’d be found in the bathtub with a toaster and a beer)… but I digress. Ahem.

Needless to say, I splurged and got a sweet black friday deal from butiki teas. This little gem was included and I am pumped to have this on my shelf for the holiday season.

The first thing I did was stuff my nose into the bag. holy eggnog batman! this couldn’t be more on point in terms of scented teas. I started creeping on the tea leaves, and was a bit nervous about a green tea base for such a creamy holiday beverage tea. After I sipped it, I started to doubt myself. There was no trace of vegetal flavors anywhere… how suspicious. Could it be a white tea base….? i hate white teas…

Apparently I was right the first time- it’s a green base, but I’m amazed at how well this tea is blended. I added no sugar, and it was a sweet and smooth dessert tea that made me think of sugared plums, christmas cookies, and other happy holiday memories. The green base tastes nothing like a typical green, all you can taste is the buttery deliciousness bathing your tongue. The taste after sipping was reminiscent of powdered sugar and cookie dough- but not overwhelmingly sweet. The flavor stayed rather consistent through a second steep, so I’m a huge fan.

I also may have put the second cup in a griswold moose glass…. if you’ve seen national lampoon’s christmas vacation- you get me. just add a dash of half and half and it looks and smells like you’re drinking the real thing… alcohol optional. don’t judge me.

overall- a great holiday tea, and a great new replacement for my sugar cookie tea.

(I must confess I have a weakness for dessert teas and vanilla, so this review may reflect that. plan accordingly and double knot your laces before sipping.)

and for now, the toaster will stay out of the bathtub. happy holidays and stay alive!

True to its name, this blend includes a healthy dose of pumpkin (not just pumpkin pie spice), and a creamy caramelized finish that makes me drool just thinking about it. This is a warm and pleasantly spiced tea, with a perfect balance of flavors.

I can’t stress it enough, this tea is perfection.
I have a dessert tea problem, and this tea is great on it’s own- no sugar needed. A true dessert tea in my opinion. It’s so good that I actually take the time to sip it, rather than just toss it back in the name of my law school homework.

This tea is glorious, and (to everyone I end up forcing a sample upon) a universal favorite. It combines the better parts of my tea addictions and has led me to neglect all other loose tea blends in my cupboard. Highly recommended. Floral, but not overwhelming. Sweet enough on its own, even for those who have at least two spoonfuls of sugar normally.

Oh dear it’s been awhile. I suppose this tea is a bit old now, and I don’t have nearly enough time (law school can do that to you) to fully review it. Either way, a tolerable black tea (possibly because of the woman who blended it), a lot of strong flavors overlap, so prepare yourself. And have a LOT of sugar on standby.

Upon reading other reviews, I’m not entirely sure if i’m confusing the chocolate taste for what i thought was vanilla…. perhaps wishful thinking. Either way, this tea has a creamy/sweet undertone which is absolutely lovely. I’m not really big on citrus notes, and I will consume anything that tastes remotely like vanilla, or ginger, or mint. (I’m really bad at speaking taste bud as well, so if you know my general preferences that may help). I just finished a tin of this, and the cup sitting in front of me really isn’t a proper cup (a lot of tea powder) but this stuff is so good i’m making due. This is one of my favorite “black” teas; it’s very smooth and well balanced. I’d put it on the same level as golden monkey- liquid heaven. Do yourself a solid and pick up a tin, or at least a sample. And pick me up one as well? Cool! Thanks! You’re the best!

so…. on a masochistic whim, i decided to give this tea another go. (retroactively thinking i had been unfair in judging this tea so harshly in february of this year)

i even used my porcelain tea cup in an attempt to perhaps appreciate the color of the tea and so i wouldn’t immediately drop the cup.

thankfully for my cup, i exercised some restraint. porcelain cup and saucer remain unbroken.
the tea still looked and smelled like hot tang.
i never add anything to my tea, but this tea is soooooo tart, my tongue curls up in fear just thinking about it.
and it’s not the pleasant sour patch kid tart, or even the lemon after the tequila shot tart. just straight up foul.

even after turning the tang into liquid diabetes, i lacked the willpower to consume it.
it wasn’t even suited for the drain i poured it down. my poor kitchen sink.

for all of those who enjoy this tea, i admire your courage. and your steel tongue.