Adagio Custom Blends, Cara McGee

I’m currently watching The Time of Angels/Flesh and Stone, so it seemed like a good time to have a cup of River, since I watched Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead at 4am on Christmas morning and didn’t feel like tea. I’ve always really enjoyed this blend, and every time I drink it I wonder why I don’t drink it more often. I don’t think I’ve actually looked at the separate ingredients until now, though – it always seemed like a bit of an enigma, only now that I’ve read what’s actually in it it makes perfect sense, a bit like the character herself. This is first and foremost an Earl Grey tea, but it’s soft and creamy rather than harsh and chemically. The bergamot mixes very naturally with the lemon, and the cream and vanilla complement the coconut. Overall I think it’s a very well thought-out blend. Citrussy bergamot and lemon in the initial sip is rounded out with cream and coconut which though only really present as a creaminess at first is much more pronounced at the end of the sip. The bergamot fades and the aftertaste is mainly lemon, cream and coconut to me. It actually reminds me quite a bit – in aftertaste only – of Butiki’s Lemon French Macaron. I am guilty of frequently overlooking this tea, but I actually think that if it’s still available I might pick up some more when I eventually come off my no-buy.

The more this cools, the less flavourful I’m finding it. This is definitely one that’s best when still hot.

ETA: I drank this with milk and half a sugar. The sugar brings out the lemon note more, and milk tackles the mild astringency and brings out more of the coconut.

Mastress Alita’s sipdown challenge – May Tea #7:- A “geeky” tea

So not only is ‘Anderson’ a geeky Sherlock tea, but I feel Anderson as a character was a bit geeky… geeky about following Sherlock’s antics so much that he ended up being the person that was adamant that Sherlock was still alive after his fall.  So this tea is double geeky.  I’m glad it’s finished, as it was a little faded there at the end… basically tasted like a plain strong Ceylon without flavoring.  That means a wrap for the four Sherlock tins that MissB sent me back in the day!  I will of course keep the adorable tins.
2022 sipdowns: 64

Thanks for this one a while ago, MissB! I will be having at least one Sherlock tea for the next three Sundays because of… SHERLOCK. I haven’t actually watched today’s episode yet. Maybe tomorrow. I haven’t actually written a tasting note for this tea yet either, because the grapefruit and Ceylon sounded as lame to me as Anderson. :D Turns out, I don’t love it. Surprise surprise. There is definitely grapefruit flavor here, but I am not a fan of grapefruit. At least it covers up the Ceylon. But I don’t think I mind Adagio’s Ceylon as much as other Ceylons. I only have a little of this tea left though, and I love it for the tin.

Sipdown 58/375 – and that’s the last of them. My cupboard should be up-to-date now.

I love Mrs. Hudson, but this tea was never my favourite (nor was it my least favourite). It was nice and all, but the almond flavour just seemed a bit lost to me. Sure, it tasted slightly biscuit-y, but I always just kind of wanted more from it. Still, it’s going on my wishlist because I want to give it a proper review.

Sipdown 57/375

Again I’m cheating, because this wasn’t in my real-life cupboard and it’s been so long since the actual sipdown that I can barely remember when it was. I LOVED this tea though; it really did taste like cake. I’ve added it straight back to my wishlist and as long as Adagio still stocks it in the UK I will definitely be purchasing more when my no-buy ends (if I ever get there).

Oi, watch it, spaceman!

Oh how I love Donna Noble. Even though I have a lot of love for a lot of the new companions, I think Donna might be my favourite. Don’t tell the others.

I feel like this tea represents more how people that don’t know Donna perceive her rather than how she actually is to those that know her well. Solid and familiar, but quiet and plain at first, with a hint of something spicy hidden beneath the surface that we don’t get to fully see shine, even though we know that the potential is there. Too much detail? Am I overthinking this association? Probably. Anyway, I like the idea that this is pretty much an Irish Breakfast you think you have sussed and then there’s a hint of ‘oh hang on, what was that?’ citrus zing and warm spicy cinnamon at the end of the sip, which becomes more pronounced the more you drink it. It’s a regular cup of tea turned up a notch, so it’s warm and comforting on another level, but imo as a lover of strong teas I think the cinnamon and orange flavours, particularly the orange, could stand to be a tad more pronounced. I like this tea, I really do. I just wish it shone more like the star that Donna is.

P.S. MERRY CHRISTMAS STEEPSTER!! It was a total accident, me drinking this today, but the flavours are perfect for Christmas!

P.P.S. Did anyone catch the Doctor Who Christmas special today?? I was at work while it was on but watched it afterwards. Doctor Who + superheroes = basically my personal heaven.

Sipdown 52/375

There may be a couple more sipdowns like this that have escaped my attention. I don’t know why I never wrote a tasting note for this tea but it’s been gone for ages. Smoky teas aren’t usually to my taste, but I really enjoyed this blend. Something about the combination of spices softened the smokiness so that it wasn’t overwhelming, and my favourite way to drink this was with a teaspoon of honey, maple syrup or agave which I thought rounded it out very well. Of course, this being an Adagio black tea blend, I drank it with milk most of the time because astringency. In fact, I’m almost convinced I can remember writing up a tasting note to that effect years ago (what is Steepster doing to all my notes from back then??). Because I do like a smoky tea every now and again and because of the novelty factor – it really is a good fit for the character it represents – there’s a good chance I might restock this at some point.

What the heck is guanabana?? I’m drinking through my Doctor Who fandom sampler (the original 10 tin one with guanabana Ten and sweet potato Rory) as I’m going through the show again, and it just occurred to me that I don’t even know what this one is supposed to taste like. A quick google tells me that “the flavour of the fruit has been described as a combination of strawberry and pineapple, with sour citrus flavour notes contrasting with an underlying creamy flavour reminiscent of coconut or banana” so that really narrows it down! I do get the sour citrus notes, and maybe some strawberry and banana, but no coconut or pineapple is really anywhere to be found. I’m sort of glad, because as it is I think it represents Ten pretty well. The malty Irish Breakfast is strong and dominates, which I often find with Adagio blends, but it isn’t unpleasant. Too astringent to drink without milk as per usual, but again that doesn’t really bother me since I drink black tea with milk 90% of the time anyway. The chocolate note stands out way more than the guanabana, and it’s not particularly authentic but I’ve also had way worse chocolate teas. It smells divinely chocolatey, and I think the scent might help suggest the flavour is present slightly more than it is. Malty-chocolatey-strawberry-banana oddness, but with milk and one sugar a nice non-committal cup to sip on while I’m winding down for the night. Nine will always be my doctor, both in the show and in tea form, but I do hold a special place in my heart for Ten.

treat from VariaTEA wasn’t sure about this one but it somehow works. Vanilla, smokey cherry…an interesting blend for sure. I don’t need this in my cupboard but i love these fan blends :) thanks for sharing madam!

Mastress Alita’s January sipdown challenge Tea #9: A tea paired with a hobby

I went the lazy route and went with a bookish tea, a Sherlock tea!  Though now that I’m realizing, I don’t think “the Woman” was actually part of Sherlock’s books?  Oops.  Anyway, one of my hobbies is reading and I couldn’t think of any other teas that could possibly represent a hobby…  this is an interesting blend, though faded now.  Fruity, smoky.
2022 sipdowns: 11

This one is from MissB from a while ago! Thank you! Sherlock is one of those things that comforts at the worst of times. I stumbled on the show at one of those times years ago, the first airing of the first episode. This blend is as intriguing as The Woman is to Sherlock (or maybe as Sherlock is as intriguing to The Woman.) It’s a unique blend that fits The Woman perfectly. Though I wish I were writing this while trying the blend fresh, it seems the flavor is a bit faded. There are only a few black tea leaves in the blend of mostly honeybush, but the smokiness on the lapsang souchong is definitely noticeable. I like the idea of cherry and vanilla but I see more rosehips than either of those. The rosehips didn’t add much flavor, luckily. The brew is so LIGHT… as this is mostly a smoky honeybush. But again, I wish this had been reviewed fresh. I think it had more flavor the last time I tried it. But a smoky cherry vanilla honeybush blend sounds exactly like The Woman. Great idea, faded blend.

This tea is really soothing on a sore throat.
I imagine that any tea would be, honestly. But this is the one I drank.
And I would like to repeat, for the record, that I like this gingersnap cookie flavor. Bumping it up a few points for how comforting it is.
I’m not sure whether it’s better to be sick over the week (getting stuff done at work while trying to survive life) or over the weekend (ruining free time). Looks like I’ll be sick over the weekend. At least I can watch Netflix in sweatpants. Actual pants are for suckas.

I am basically dead on my feet today. I couldn’t get comfortable last night (too hot). My dreams, when they finally showed up, were vivid, full-length science fiction movies about a government surveillance state that encouraged baseball doping.
This tea is juuuust right for such a morning. It’s non-aggressive and straightforward.
You know right where you stand with this tea — in a kitchen, next to a giant plate of gingersnaps.
Maybe your grandma or someone else’s grandma is standing next to you, telling you that you’re too thin. Eat a gingersnap. Put some meat on those bones.
Thanks, Grandma. I feel pretty. And this tea is tasty.
PS, I am tired. Very tired. This review may not be my very best work.

I bought a bunch of samples from Adagio’s Fandom Collection because I wanted the tins. I did read the descriptions of what was in the tea, mind you, but I must come clean about the tins.
I have absolutely no clue what I am going to do with them when the tea is gone. I should not be permitted a credit card.
The Bucky Barnes tea is chocolate and nuts because… the Winter Soldier wears a lot of black and is crazy? (???)
Why apples? Because apples are… American? And Bucky… used to be?
Or did the person who made this just find a bunch of tasty ingredients and say “yummy, just like Sebastian Stan’s face”?
Is there any logic here?
REGARDLESS, this tastes great. It’s like a nutty, chocolatey brownie.
I would want this after skiing.
Did the Winter Soldier ever go skiing in his Russian winters? Probably not.
…
PS — When I went to type “Roasted Nuts” into the flavors, Roasted Chicken came up as a flavor option. If anyone has a tea that tastes like roasted chicken, please let me know, because I am dying to try that.

This is the 2nd of the Sherlock Sampler from Adagio, That I Tried Today 5-21-2016, Naturally sweet, mild, and most importantly, calming and soothing. The Wife Finished the Tea Pot, I was able to get a Taste cup from the Pot, Very Good Light Tea. Flowery, Warm, Homely, Wet, Citrus, Light, Delicate, Feminine, Re-inviting a 2nd Cup I could not get from this Steep, My wife finished it, Keep on Steeping

Great Tea Blend from Adagio, Bold Irish Breakfast, Stronger then English, For the Foggy Mornings at Baker Street, Great Cinnamon Aroma during the 3 Min, Steep Time, Slight hint of a Smokey Flavor,

One of my faves, especially in the cooler months; this tea is essentially like a gingerbread cookie in a cup, with a dash of chocolate thrown in for a little extra decadence. Sweet and spicy, even with no sweetener added, and flavours that carry through even when milk IS added, this blend is one of my all-time favourites. I’d have it constantly in stock in my tea cupboard if Adagio’s international shipping rates weren’t a bit exorbitant.

Absolutely lovely in the autumn and holiday months; warm, inviting, comforting, and a little decadent. One of my all-time favourites.

The first time i brew this tea it come out tasting like soap, so i let it sit in my cabinet for a while. I’m not a big fan on mint teas, I got this on a impulse purchase last min, i wasn’t sure i wasn’t going to like it. But it is always good idea to have some mint tea in my cabinet i tend to gravitate to them when my tummy hurt, which is the case of today. I smell spearmint i can definitely taste the gun powder as a mid-note and the jasmine as an end-note. Today I was pleasantly surprise with this one everything works great! I love it so maybe i over steeped it the first time or the temperature was to high.

I mixed the end of this with the end of the Spiced Apple Chai so there’s definitely stronger tones of the Spiced Apple Chai in it.

Holy pepper! This is a spicy chai and I really love it. The apple flavor is surprisingly lost (normally apple seems to be overpowering) but I don’t mind. I’d say this is probably a safe replacement for a apple cider as long as you like it spicy.

I was feeling something chocolatey today and picked this one up. It doesn’t seem to taste terribly bad oversteeped (oopsies) but this has also never been one of my favorites.
The chocolate is more present than I remember in the past, but I also taste a faint smell of bananas and I know this is an Irish Breakfast base but it really reminds me of pu’erh – possibly the mix of chocolate and Irish Breakfast is similar to my puerh experiences?

Lately I’ve just been drinking down a bunch of herbal favorites (I’m trying to make a “Sipdown Advent Calendar” with the last teaspoon or tea bag from the teas that I’m running low on) and didn’t feel like logging again and again how much I love them :P But I figured I’d try some of this one that my friend swapped with me awhile back..

The chocolate flavor is actually there but it’s..mellow, the black tea definitely overpowers it which is a real let down for me. I like blacks but this one just doesn’t “do it” for me. It did remind me that I have to stock up on some more tardis tea though <3

Sipdown! Finished this one off at work today. This was probably my least favourite of the Doctor Who fandom blends. It’s not that I don’t like it, but it didn’t wow me in the same way some of the others did. Mostly, it just seemed to lack a decent punch of flavour – I got a lot of base tea coming through, but not much of the orange I was really hoping to taste. Farewell, Donna!

The last of my Doctor Who fandom blends. It’s nice to have a change of pace from Earl Grey, because I feel like I’ve been drinking a lot of that this morning. This one has a decent, solid base of Irish Breakfast, with cinnamon and orange flavouring. I used 1 tsp of leaf for my cup, and gave it 3.5 minutes in boiling water. I added a splash of milk.

For the first few sips, I could only really detect the sweet, caramel-like maltiness of Irish Breakfast. While nice, it’s not quite what I was expecting. Successive sips reveal some cinnamon, although it’s nowhere near as strong as I thought it would be. It lurks in the background, and only really emerges fully in the aftertaste, where it contributes a warming feeling and a hint of spice. The orange, I feel, is almost completely lost. I get the odd citrussy flash, but nothing I’d really be able to pin down as orange if I didn’t know that’s what it was supposed to be. Possibly this one has lost a little of its flavour, although none of the other blends in my sample box have, so I’m thinking it was perhaps a fairly mild blend to begin with. It’s pleasant enough – straightforward and easy to drink, not too in-your-face like some flavoured blends can be. I was hoping for more of an orange/cinnamon play-off, especially as its cold out today, but I’m happy enough with how this one turned out. It’s probably not one I’d repurchase, but I’ll have no problem finishing up my sample tin. Sometimes a fairly simple, reliable black tea is just what I’m after, anyway.