Teas & Botanicals

Backlog:

I just came across this tasting note. I didn’t date it, but I also noticed that I didn’t log it either. I didn’t write a full-length review for it because the company has since apparently closed up shop.

This wasn’t my favorite black tea, but it wasn’t bad. I didn’t get the soapy/perfume-y flavors that TeaEqualsBliss talked about in her tasting note, fortunately, because yeah, that would be bad. Ick. The black tea was strong and I got a strong fruity note – a tart berry note that I wasn’t all that crazy about.

It’s alright … not my favorite black tea, fortunately, I only had enough for one cup. I won’t rate this one numerically since it doesn’t appear to be available anymore anyway.

I was rummaging through my tea stash and I came across this tea that I hadn’t yet sampled. It’s a bit old, not sure how old, but I do keep my stash in airtight canisters that keep them out of the elements that harm tea. So, I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

Well, either it’s lost some of it’s bergamot over time or it just didn’t have a lot of bergamot to begin with. I’m noticing that the bergamot here reminds me a lot of the bergamot that I’ve had from 52Teas – that is, it’s on the bubblegum-y side. I love 52Teas but they haven’t nailed their bergamot/Earl Grey yet. They need to find a better bergamot oil.

Anyway … this note isn’t about 52Teas but this tea from a company that no longer exists. It’s alright. Not the best Earl Grey I’ve had. Then again, I don’t know how much that is to be attributed to the age of the sampling versus the actual tea. So, out of fairness, I won’t numerically rate it. I don’t hate it though so I’ll be able to finish the cup.

Backlog:

Did you know that Pau D’Arco is actually Lapacho? I didn’t until I tried this and looked up Pau D’Arco. I don’t know that this is something I’ll ever need to know, but, I know it, and it is now taking up space in my brain that maybe … could be used for something more interesting. Oh well.

This is not my favorite functional tea that I’ve ever tasted. It is very herbaceous. I taste mostly hibiscus, and I’m not particularly fond of hibiscus. I don’t mind Lapacho so much, but it’s not something I like enough that I buy it and keep it as a staple in my tea cupboard.

The taste is medicinal, and I don’t really enjoy drinking medicine, so perhaps it goes without saying that this wasn’t the most enjoyable drink I’ve had in a long time. But, if it helps me with my immune system, OK. It wasn’t horrible … and it’s better iced than it is hot.

Well, I don’t think I am going to put a number rating on this one – it’s not overly tasty on my taste-buds but it is an herbal so if the herbs do their job I would hate to give it a bad rating. I’m not saying it’s nasty tasting…just not my fave herbally type taste, I guess.

I can taste the Pau D’Arco mainly, with the Hibsicus thrown in for color and tarty-fruity flavor to help counter act the herbal taste, I suppose.

I have read that Pau D’Arco helps as a natural antibiotic and I think my wisdom tooth is starting to flare up again…thought I would try it…see if it helps. Also…I know this is an Immune Booster – who couldn’t use a little Immune Boost every now and again.

I think I actually like this one better cold. I had a half cup hot and the other half cold.

Backlog:

Thank you to TeaEqualsBliss for sending me some of this chai! I love chai!

And I loved this chai! A very finely chopped CTC, but I think that this was not a bad thing, because it brought out all the flavors of the spices and the tea in a very good way. A very bold, delicious chai. I loved the spiciness of it. If you like chai, this is one I’d recommend!

Here’s my full-length review: http://sororiteasisters.com/2013/02/06/real-chai-tea-blend-from-teas-and-botanicals/

Thank you to TeaEqualsBliss for sending me a bit of this tisane.

This is almost “underflavored” – the tropical fruit notes are there, but they are so faint. But, I do like the way the floral notes mingle with the tropical flavors. Usually I’m not a big fan of the flavor of rooibos, but somehow here it works. The rooibos tastes sweet and nutty, but it isn’t that funky sweetness with which I often associate rooibos.

An interesting blend. Not my favorite, but not bad either, and one I’d happily accept if it were offered. Enjoyable.

Thank you to TeaEqualsBliss for sending me some of this tea. I hope all is well with you, and my thoughts are with you during this difficult time for you and your family.

This is good. The black tea is strong and offers a sturdy background for the flavors of fruit and a touch of cinnamon. Overall, the flavor is fruity, but, I like that the black tea is the strongest note with every sip. The cinnamon and black tea offer a nice contrast to the fruit flavors, which might taste a bit cloying without the contrasting elements.

A very pleasant afternoon cuppa.

This has very little aroma…just a touch of flowers and sweet rooibos.

It’s warming and sweet. The floral and Tropical Fruit notes are quiet and reserved. This is nice and soothing. Not overly flavored – but a nice way to relax!

Yup! Real Mint! X3…really…Peppermint, Spearmint, and MINT Flavoring! They’re REAL and they’re Spectacular!

(LOL – Sorry…had to…when the door opens…ya just gotta put your foot in!)
http://youtu.be/BL2PicT9Kng

This has quite a few ingredients – which sometimes worries me – but it all works really well together! My fave part is…NO Hibiscus! YAY! There are fruit flavors but FRUIT not TART Hibiscus stuff! There are tropical fruits, berries, citrus, etc type fruits and flavors. The cinnamon is just a TADS-worth. YUM!

This is good hot or cold but my favorite is luke warm, oddly-enough! Pretty yummy at any temperature, tho!

At first sip I wasn’t so hot on this but the more I drink this the more I do like it…it’s just not my fave from them so far. It’s floral and fruity and sweet and perfumy with a hint of that soapy taste but not over powering thank God! Be careful NOT to over infuse this one! Just a heads-up!

A nice medium-strength chai! The spices are nicely done! Peppery but not too peppery. The Black Tea Base is a dandy one, too!

Not only am I surprised I am the first one to log this tea from this company BUT I’m surprised I am the first to log anything from this company at all! And boy-oh-boy I have a few different ones to share with you! So stay tuned!

So – how does this EG differ from others I have already logged? Well…dry – this smells like a mellow to medium strength stereo-typical Earl but with a slight spearminty type hint underneath.

After infusing – it tasted like a medium strength black tea base with those obvious bergamot/EG type flavors but also a surprising hint of something else…something like a spearminty type bubblegum type hint…near the aroma hinted above but with the additional of original Bubble-Yum, almost. It’s very interesting, actually…the bergamot and EG flavors are NOT loud but overall this is a mighty fine tasting black tea that I am enjoying VERY much! If you are looking for that funky-screaming EG – this might not be it but if you are looking for an Earl that will make you think and isn’t loaded with artificial flavors you will appreciate this one like I have.

I do like this! Thumbs up!