Taylors of Harrogate

This one had been relegated to the back of the shelf for summer hiatus. It has been missed: bagged tea that is strong enough to wake you but smooth enough not to bludgeon you; not picky about steep times. With milk. Mmm.

Snow. Again. It would be beautiful if it were December; now, it’s just an annoyance.

And I do have to go out in it soon, so something with clout is needed. Love this stuff. A little milk helps it stick to your ribs.

I don’t avail myself of second steeps like I should in the mornings; usually, I’m off to work minus the leaves or so absentminded I just don’t think about it.

Taking advantage of a lovely morning off work (“officially” to write and sorta observe son’s high school graduation; truthfully to stay away from the local media hype—town is crawling with press and publicity events to observe 1-year anniversary). So I could enjoy a second cup of Yorkshire on the same bag. Same strong buck-you-up kick, but the tangier, more astringent teas in the blend take the lead. Would’ve been a little better with milk.

My morning kickstart for what’s going to be a keep-a-stiff-upper-lip sort of day. In the roller coaster that is geriatric medicine, it has been determined that Mom is mobile enough to come home. By complete strangers who don’t know that her chief caregiver is an 81-year-old rheumatoid arthritic who hasn’t had much sleep for a week. I’ll just step off the soapbox right there. (Have I thanked all of you recently for putting up with all the angst and tooth-gnashing that has accompanied my notes lately? I need to.)

Reading through others’ notes on this one…much being said about how stout and occasionally bitter it is. As a die-hard Assam lover, this is right smack in the middle of my tasty zone. Wheat toast in a cup. A little nourishment to remind me that “those who wait upon the Lord…will walk and not grow weary.” Or if you prefer Winston Churchill, a little boost so I can Keep Plodding On.

Tea that’s a thoughtful treat from a friend tastes three times better! (Thank you again, thoughtful friend!) So my evaluation may be a little overbalanced.

Nah…regardless of its source, this is good stuff for a bagged tea, especially if you are a lover of all things Assam (packet says this is Assam + East African tea blend). Fresh off a 5-minute steep, the flavor was indeed smooth and golden and nice. I’m toward the bottom of the tumbler now and as it cools, there’s more of a bite to it. But it’s a good bite!
Maybe this little nip at my heels will get me going this morning; nothing else did!

I cannot remember the last time I had this one. Tagless bagged version. Over 3g in each bag. I do recall this used to make a very stout cup. I steeped for 3 minutes, and added a bit of sweetener to the cup. The past 6 months have been a joy ride of one fabulous tea after another and just for giggles I wanted to go back and see how this one stood up to the competition. Unfortunately, it has been in the cupboard way too long. The sparkle is gone. It’s not brisk. It’s just astringent. It still smells wonderful but the taste is flat. As it cools it improves but just not enough. I hate wasting tea. The flower bed will love it I guess.

A clean and refreshing taste.

Tea of the evening…..

And day 14 of 24. I think this one came from JacquelineM, but I am not positive. Apologies if I am wrong….and thank you if I am not! (How’s that for sounding completely batty?……)

This one is more hibiscus than I like, BUT I am drinking it without sweetener. I am not really sure I have done that with an herbal like this before. I do get raspberry flavor, but very little in the realm of vanilla, because the hibiscus overpowers the cup a little too much. Why, oh why to herbal tea blenders go so heavy on the hibiscus? Really, it ends up tasting quite a bit like lemonade. And it might actually be very nice for those days when you have a sore throat.

8 oz boiling water, 1 teabag, 5 minutes. No additions.

Bitter tea.. Smells good though.

Decent cup of Minty goodness. A simple mint tea.

Enjoying the fact that the hotel room I’m staying in has something other than Lipton. If it was for more than a day, I would have brought some tea tools, but I new I’d be near a teavana and caribou and would survive a day with out my own teas.

This is a lighter Assam. It holds up to a splash of cream and packet of sugar to be just what I need to clear my hea this morning. They also have a peppermint which I will have next to help with the sniffles I have.

(moving note from 5 days ago to this listing now that I know who makes it )

tried to drink this in honor of the World Cup. WAY oversteeped it (It is very fine, almost like coffee grounds, and therefore very strong). 3-3:30 min is too long! It was bitter and astringent, and no amount of sugar or cream could save it (I tried!)

Will try again soon with much lower steeping time. It is very good when prepared correctly!

(moving review from 3 months ago to this listing now that I know who makes it)

Wow! Great honey color and strong honey notes. Tempers the strong black tea. I suspect this one “sneaks up on you” – goes down smooth but packs a caffeine wallop?

tried to drink this in honor of the World Cup. WAY oversteeped it (It is very fine, almost like coffee grounds, and therefore very strong). 3-3:30 min is too long! It was bitter and astringent, and no amount of sugar or cream could save it (I tried!)

Will try again soon with much lower steeping time. It is very good when prepared correctly!

Wow! Great honey color and strong honey notes. Tempers the strong black tea. I suspect this one “sneaks up on you” – goes down smooth but packs a caffeine wallop?

I enjoy the process of making tea as much as I enjoy the beverage.