Steepster

I have tried Rooibos in the past, but this is a really great classic version of it.

Got this in the Steepster Select June 2014 pack and accidentally left the first steep for way too long but it was a real nice cup after all.

Wow. This was my first sample from the June’s Steepster Essentials vol 1 set. I’d describe it as bright and rounded. Just opening the pouch released the scent of bergamot, causing me to smile. Very tasty. I’m considering purchasing some when my small pouch runs out.

Something really strange is happening to me. I spent the weekend with a group of girlfriends from high school up at a house in Hood River. After much drinking and catching up till wee hours in the night, we went to breakfast and I needed caffeine badly. The only black tea they had was an Earl Grey. I seriously despise all things earl grey. But I was desperate so I had it. It was the Steve Smith one. It was delicious. I thought it must have been due to my desperation for tea and caffeine.

Then this morning I was desperate again after the puppy and toddler took turns waking me up all night and I had no time to make any tea before hitting the road. I went through a drive through coffee stand and they only had Paris by H&S. I had never tried that before due to the Bergamot, but again, desperation won out. It was SUPER delicious. Could I blame my enjoyment on desperation again?

Nope, when that cup was empty, I wanted more. And not just more tea, I wanted more bergamot. So I made this one. And it’s delicious. What the hell? My WHOLE life I’ve absolutely cringed at the thought of bergamot and suddenly I can’t get enough.

What’s wrong with me? Do tastes really shift soooooo rapidly? The only time that’s happened before was during pregnancy, and I know I’m not pregnant.

My tea world has been turned upside down!

I do love Earl Grey in pretty much any form but this was heavenly! I love the intensity of the Bergamot.

Delicious, perfect summer morning cup.

I really enjoy the fruitiness combined with black tea. I would definitely drink this again (I didn’t use it all at once) and would definitely considering purchasing if available.

So I’m not a good instructions-follower & just dumped the entire packet into the filter and filled my mug up to the top. I also tend to lose track of how long it’s been steeping. The first steep was good, a really bold flavor (probably my fault from steeping too much). The 2nd steeping is fantastic — it has a lighter flavor, and you can taste the citrus much more. Love it.

OH yum, this is some tasty tea. i’m not 100% sure it’s not identical to American Tea Room’s Tangier, this one MIGHT be a bit peachy-er, whereas Tangier is pure unadulterated apricot.

Either way, this is delish – so far i’ve been enjoying it hot with a spoonful of sugar. this afternoon i think i’m going to attempt a sun tea jar full to keep in the fridge…good stuff, good stuff.

Oh My!!
I tried this one first warm and it was just a bit too fruity for me to enjoy as a warm tea so I went right to making an iced tea with it and it.
I really can’t describe how intensely refreshing and fruity this tea is OMG it is really rocked my world, just amazing!!
The tea is brisk and bold and the main flavor note is very apricot with other stone fruits maybe a slight plum note, also there is a very slight mint type of note not that it taste minty or anything just a cool refreshing feeling kinda like a mint note, added a little sweetener to make it sweet iced tea and i’m getting also fruity/floral notes of Jasmine, Too Good!
I’m really enjoying this one :)

Go Iced for this one!

Yummy!

I’m always afraid to try the Steepster teas because there’s no way to get more of them if I fall in love. Just a small teaser and hah! no more for you!".

Luckily this isn’t a fall in love tea but I’m still drinking it with a bit of distance, not wanting to become attached.

When I first poured the water over it the tobacco smell was super strong and I started to get turned off from it. But then after I let it cool to drinking temperature. I found it delightfully rich and caramel. Burnt flavors but in a good way, not charred. It reminds me of these amazing gelato bars, they’re like popsicles but made from gelato, and there’s a burnt caramel flavor that just knocks my socks off every time. That’s what this tea tastes like. The mouth feel is thick enough to be reminiscent of gelato too.

I feel weird comparing tea to gelato. The whole hot/cold thing seems a bit of an odd contrast but as I’m stream of conscious typing that’s exactly what this tea is.

Ok maybe I do like it enough to want more of it. Damn you steepster select!

(1st steep: 2 min) I have been looking forward to this tea all day. Luckily, I was not disappointed. The blended aroma of cut grass and toasted rice grains is solidly presented in this tea. The cut grass carries over into the flavor, and is well balanced with the toasted grain and bread flavor from the rice. Also, there is a brightness brought to this tea from the matcha powder. It adds weight and a chewiness to the tea which makes it filling. I would be happy drinking this tea any time of the day.
(2nd steep: 2 min 30 sec) There is less of the grassy notes in this steeping. I believe this is due to the lack of matcha powder in this steeping. However, the toasted rice has taken on a malted barley aroma. It is sweeter than the first steeping. Some of this sweetness carries into the flavor, but not enough to where I can be more specific. The flavor in the tea has turned more herbal than grass. However, I am having trouble placing it due to the toasted notes from the rice. As the tea cooled, the herbal flavor is clearly similar to seaweed, and goes well with the tea.

Samples Only TTB
Backlog
Strangely. I found this to be much more smokey than the Golden Yunnan I tried from In Pursuit of Tea, even though everyone seemed to find that too tobacco-y. Wasn’t really a fan, much too smokey for me apparently. I did end up adding extra sweetener and liked it better that way, but it’s not something I would ever buy.

(1st steep: 4 min) This is the most unusual Darjeeling I have ever tasted. I had to go back an reassure myself that it was indeed a black tea. It looks and smells like many of the Japanese green teas I have had and enjoyed in the past. The aroma is very grassy and vegetal with a a very slight sulfur finish. These aromas carried over into the tea’s flavor. Very solid cut grass and green leafy vegetables, like spinach or kale. The is a slight pine and orange pith finish. Very interesting and unique. I am looking forward to the second steep.
(2nd steep: 4 min 30 sec) Much of the cut grass aroma is toned down, but there is still a solid vegetal presence. I will say that the flavor of the tea has changed and reduced the cut grass flavor cute a bit. It and the strong green leafy vegetable have been balanced with a malt and slight chocolate flavor. Which doesn’t sound like it should taste good, but it is quite pleasant. The tea finishes smoothly with almost no drying in the mouth.

(1st steep: 5 min) There is a very distinct aroma to an English breakfast teas. That is my first thought when smelling this tea. There is all of the usual aromas of a black tea along with a slight breadiness. I imagine as it cools some sweeter fruit aromas will appear. The first flavor I pick up from this tea is biscuit followed by a slight tart bitterness. It reminds me of an almost ripe strawberry or blueberry.There is a dry mouthfeel to this tea, but it doesn’t seem to dry the mouth. I believe in all the English breakfast teas I have tried this is the second on I have liked. I am curious as to how the second steeping will turn out.
(2nd steep: 5 min 30 sec) The aroma is the same as from the first steeping, but the flavor has changed slightly. There is still the dry mouthfeel which I enjoy. However, there is less biscuit flavor. Taking its place is a slightly sweet fruit flavor. It is subtle and doesn’t remain long. I would love to have more of this tea to enjoy on a daily basis.

This one came my way from CelebriTEA. I love jasmine pearls when they are done well. The peals seem smaller than others I have tried. Could be my imagination. They smell lovely. The bottom of the unopened sample pack was not completely sealed. That may greatly affect this review. After steeping the leaf really expanded. Almost completely on the first steep. Tastewise this seems kind of metallic tasting. Otherwise the jasmine is very nice. The one question I have with the Steepster samples is what’s the point? I mean, if this were the most incredible tea I had ever tasted, it appears it can’t be purchased anywhere.

This was from the December 2013 Steepster Select box.

It was a really rainy night last night and I really wanted to curl up into a ball under blankets and read. This toasty oolong seemed liked the perfect company. Being the start of summer, I haven’t been drinking too many of the darker oolongs lately. This was a nice treat. Roasty, sweet, lighter oolong. I brewed this gong fu style and it just kept giving and giving and giving. I had to call it quits and go to bed before the tea gave out. I enjoyed this one!

Backlog:

I was very excited to receive this in one of my past Steepster Select boxes. I love white pearls! These pearls were a little smaller than I remember the white tea pearls that I’ve had in the past being. These are closer to the size of a jasmine pearl, and I seem to remember the white tea pearls being a little larger than these.

The flavor is sweet like honey! A thinned honey. Light and crisp, subtle notes of melon, air, earth, and a hint of flower in the background. A really good tea for those who tend to shy away from white teas because they find that they are too subtle. This white tea has a well-pronounced flavor!

A really beautiful tea.

Samples Only TTB

This is my second pick from the TTB. I would have tried another fruity one, but it was close to dinner and I wanted something more like this, a black tea with a hint of flavor. I’m not sure if this tea is “flavored” black tea, or just black tea with a lot of character. I don’t know enough about Steepster’s varieties to know…

The flavor is like a really pure delicious black tea with a sweet floral or fruitish note accompanying it. The nose is sweet and not at all bitter with a fruitish, flowery tail. The lingering flavor is very smooth and sweet, almost honeyish, but more nectarish if that makes sense. It’s not a thick, deep sweet, but a light, fluid sweetness.

I really don’t taste even a tiny hint of bitter or astringent, so I suggest maybe others who noted that had oversteeped it or brewed too hot. This tea is perfect. I wish I knew where to acquire more of it.

Y’know how they (yes, “they”) say that Darjeeling can be more like a green tea than a black tea? Well, THIS particular Darjeeling has gotta be why. Truthfully, I think they kinda missed the mark there, too. Not seaweedy enough to be green, not heavy enough to be black, it tastes like itself! Just exactly like itself. Flowery, sweet, darjeelingy. The first flush leaves show winter what it feels like to be spring! I adore it. Absolutely adore.