1598 Tasting Notes
Yum! Thanks to Valerie for the sample!
I just realised that I like Assam teas, and while I don’t know what “Assam Melody” is in comparison, that doesn’t change that I like the base of this tea. The coconut makes it a bit creamy, while the apple and vanilla give it a bit of sweetness. It rolls around nicely in my mouth with each sip giving you a bit of a different flavour – - – I suppose that makes each sip as unpredictable as the Doctor. :O
The vanilla makes me think of Earl Grey too, which isn’t a bad thing.
I’m glad I got to try it, but I wouldn’t have bought it. Adagio teas are a bit too pricey, and I’d only be doing it for the pretty tin. (And $24 for a pretty tin is… sadly not worth it). On a sidenote, these are 6oz tins, so they must be a lot bigger than the ones from DavidsTea!
Oh – I noticed that 5 new people started following me in the last 24 hours. I don’t know what I’m doing, but HI! :D #NoPressureToBeEntertainingYIKES
Preparation
I’m not a big chamomile fan, but this tea has grown on me. All night my neck has been super stiff; the baby was sick, and I was worn out. A few sips of this and I’m already relaxed, and my neck feels better. Loosey goosey.
I asked my bf to open my tin of this the other day and it slipped and dumped an oz or so on the floor. Aaaaargh. Oh well. I think this is one I’ll get a full refill of- add to my permanent collection. No use crying over spilt tea. :p I can get him to pay for it. HahahahHa.
Valerian roooooooot…… ZzzZzzzzz
Preparation
I am really enjoying this Assam. It may even make it as my go-to black for the mornings! I could see what DavidsTea has for an Assam just to compare the two, but… Zen Tea also does sales so I’m probably best just sticking with this and buying it on sale.
Mmmmm… so bold and creamy and smooth, with a nice ceylon-like aftertaste. No bitterness=\0/
This has a bit of buttery creaminess, and it makes me think of vanilla, even though I don’t see that in the ingredients. It’s tasty, and wintery, but not really eggnog-like. Maybe if I added cream?
The cinnamon, nutmeg and whatever else they spiced this with are pretty good. It makes for a comfortable dessert tea when I don’t want any caffeine.
Preparation
It’s true. I bought this tea just because it says monkey picked. Then I looked it all up on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey_picked_tea. Neat stuff!
I wonder what the difference between this tea is, and Zen Tea’s TieGuanYin(Iron Goddess Mercy). Just the monkey? I bought both so I guess I’ll have to try and get back to you.
This is a stronger oolong than I’m used to. It’s dark and roasty, but there’s a bit of sweetness there too. I’ve had this before and I know it holds up nicely to multiple infusions so I will sip away at this all afternoon!
… and think of monkeys.
Preparation
I could be way off base here, but I thought the monkey picked teas were from higher elevations and that was why they once used monkeys? Thinkgeek has a true monkey picked that is still picked by monkeys and you can read a bit about it on their website.
Thanks for the info. That makes a lot of sense. I didn’t think they actually used monkeys for this tea, but I liked the idea. :)
This gives me an excuse to look at Thinkgeek’s site too. So much cool stuff.
Getting to the end of this tin – maybe 3-4 cups left! I think I’ll put my lapsang souchong in that tin as it needs a better home than my giant foil bag.
I never got the full doughy experience from this one, but the liquor comes close enough. I’d definitely restock it at some point, but in smaller quantities as this is one of the more expensive teas I’ve purchased. It has the same regular price as Zen Tea’s Coconut Oolong!
I had a coupon for a free cup of tea, so I decided to go for Ceylon Star.
I had read on a website somewhere that Star Anise was dangerous for pregnant or nursing women, so that scared me a bit, until I did some research and couldn’t find anything to back that up. Besides, with the quantities I’d get in tea, it seems unlikely to be harmful.
I’m glad I tried it. The Ceylon base is smooth and lively, while the Star Anise and chocolate take turns dominating each sip. I’m don’t really notice the coconut but maybe it’s the glue holding it all in together. It reminds me of Stormy Night, without the cinnamon. I would probably pick up a little of this if I had money to burn but will pass as it is now. These chocolate teas are hit and miss; sometimes it just tastes too much like watered down cocoa, and other times I’m okay with that. Same tea, different mood.
I saw that DT had Vanilla Oolong and Stormy Night in their 2 – 25g/$5 sachets. I was totally going to take my free tea and go, but I couldn’t pass up those 2. Just FYI if anyone else wants a deal on those and lives near DT.
I need to stop being afraid of running out of this, and just finish my tin. It’s a great tea, but there are others out there, and this’ll be back next year… Right?
If I never finish off a tea, I will end up with hundreds, and then how will I choose what to drink? #teaproblemsmyboyfriendwillneverunderstand
I oversteeped this one by 4 minutes, and I guess I didn’t let the water boil enough. The result is a lukewarm disappointment. This tea doesn’t cool well. I’m also not used to it without brown sugar and milk; apparently that is essential for maximum enjoyment. Will have to try again, but I’m keeping my rating high because I’ll want to fill a tin of it next year.
I’ve had this a few times but it’s never been as good as that first cup was. I don’t know if they just steeped it better than I do,or what but I’m going to lower my rating so I don’t buy more.
It would probably be best iced, so I may adjust this again when I finish my pack up in the spring. It’s just such an odd jumble of flavours!
Lately I’ve been drinking either new teas, or try to get rid of teas. Time for an “older” tea that I actually enjoy.
Yep! Still smooth and tasty like I remember! I’ll have to try it next to my DavidsTea Darjeeling second flush just to see which will end up on my permanent shelf.
I’ve been cleaning out my cupboard lately, too. Couldn’t fit all the new stuff in there so I got rid of a bunch of things I hated or that were probably stale. :D
That’s a pretty good idea! I may see that some of my bagged stuff gets misplaced in the garbage, but I just feel bad throwing stuff out.
Were you happy with your Murchie’s order? I like my Prince Charles blend, and the Library Blend, but DNW the Ceylon Best, Darjeeling or Earl Grey. They range from drinkable to OK but with so much AWESOME out there, it’s almost like why bother?
I reorganized all my stuff into tins!!! Red is black tea, the green/white one is herbal/rooibos/honeybush and the little Dr. Seuss box is green/oolong/white tea! I have some in a cupboard but those are the ones I want to just disappear.
Sorry – here’s the pic. :P http://i45.tinypic.com/akva5f.jpg
Heee!! I like it! Know what you mean about throwing stuff out but I’m pretty sure some of my bagged teas in flavours I hate, ie “cleanse” and anything with chamomile, etc have been around for YEARS and no one drinks them. So yeah. That or stick em in a bath, maybe?
I do like my Murchies teas – I got the Christmas one plus fruit-blacks, they’re all teas that I could make a pot of and just mainline through while making art or something, like excellent every day teas, I guess? I still haven’t tried the mango one yet, though.
Yeah I should see if Lauren wants any of the ones first, then… POOF! :O Putting them in the bath is a great idea too!
Good to hear you like your Murchie’s teas. Must be that I just don’t like their straight blacks as much – they just taste so bitter to me and it doesn’t matter if I steep it for 3 minutes or 1. Maybe I got a bad batch, or it’s just not my thing. IDK. I’d re-order the other two, and snag the Christmas blend so I’m not against the entire company or anything.
Maybe I just like my tea bitter-er than you? Idk, they don’t taste bitter to me though.. hehehe maybe, MAYBE, that is proof?? I’m sending you a BUNCH of Xmas blend, don’t forget!!
Oooh Xmas blend!!! Maybe I’ll stuff some of the Murchie’s ones in my envelope to you so you can see what you think. :P (Also, less for me to drink – bwa ahahahah). They are ok with milk and sugar – I just like drinking my blacks plain now so I can taste the actual tea!
yeah adagio teas are pricey. what i think is super cute though (and smart of the owners to cater to fandom in this way) is that if you purchase both blends in a “ship” you get a dollar off both bags. eleven was paired with river :DDDDDD