1403 Tasting Notes
Maple hit first, followed up by bergamot. The second steeping stands up well with a smooth vanilla finish. A very enjoyable cup.
I think I might enjoy it more with a more body-ful tea base.
Flavors: Bergamot, Maple Syrup, Vanilla
Preparation
This is one of the Black Friday teas I ordered through Amoda. The idea of this blend seemed intoxicating.
I butchered the beautiful bag in trying to open it: the instructions give a pull strip which takes you to ripping the pouch, but how to rip is unindicated, so I ended up with the plastic open/close zip strips on the same side. However, I may have proceeded correctly but had a faulty bag to begin with. I hate that. It forces one to run around hunting up an extra tin. Who has an empty tin at this time of year?Anyway, the smell of the dry leaf is intoxicating too. Quite divine really. The leaf contains plentiful coconut bits and fat pineapple shreds. Pretty blend.
The taste is lovely, but a bit less lovely than one would imagine it would be. To me, the melding of flavours is less smooth than I would like. I don’t quite know how to explain it. It is as if each sip contains disconnected flavours: pineapple, coconut, and tea. Each flavour comes through clearly on its own. There is also the slightest bit of imitation flavour coming through at the end of the sip. Not so much as to tamper with the overall experience, but still.
Perhaps the second steeping will give up a smoother experience.
On the second steeping, the coconut creaminess and flavour come through far more prominently while the pineapple steps into the background. A far milder but still enjoyable cup. The imitation flavour disappears completely.
I may add the slightest bit of Lapsang Souchong to a cup at some point to see how it works with a bit of smoke.
Flavors: Coconut, Pineapple
Preparation
I nearly screwed up opening one of those bags too. Such an odd design to get used to, I think.
Hmm, maybe it’s good I didn’t grab this one. Almost did. Adding LS is such a unique idea. Not a fan of the stuff but I’d imagine that smokiness would pair perfectly with the pineapple.
Do tell how you managed to not screw up because I have another bag or two from Amoda which I have yet to open and I would be so sad to have to run around to find more tins or more elastics or contraptions to keep the tea from losing all its flavour immediately.
It is a nice tea. I’ve only had it for the first time today. The flavours of the pineapple and the coconut are bright and vivid. I thought that the hint of LS might mellow things out a bit. Not that there’s anything wrong with bright and vivid. Maybe it was out of step with the black tea? I really enjoyed David’sTeas Grilled Pineapple Genmaicha with that toasty ricey thing going on, so perhaps that was what I was attempting to conjure up with the LS. I will report back once I have had another cup or two and/or begun experimenting. I hope I haven’t preventing you from trying this tea. It is a nice one.
I have a couple more to open, and will probably try one a little later so I’ll let you know. From what I remember, I carefully lifted the tab up entirely before proceeding to start tugging at it, if that makes sense.
That does sound worthwhile trying. And thanks for reminding me that I still need to try Grilled Pineapple. Completely forgot that even existed.
Thank you. I will give it a go. And if it fails again, maybe I will send Teagan a note and report back.
Yes, do try it if it is still around. I really enjoy that one.
Yes, it is still around. I just checked. A heavy one and a bit expensive for a genmaicha/rooibos. I think I might choose this one as one of my upcoming free teas. https://www.davidstea.com/ca_en/our-teas/grilled-pineapple
Ok, just opened my last one, and definitely just do it very slowly and carefully. I know that isn’t much of a help but no tins are needed!
How sweet would you say Grilled Pineapple is?
Did you have to rip the bag? Or just pull the tab?
I’ve had several cups of Grilled Pineapple, but it has been a while. It is not overly sweet. That is to say that it is not a particularly sweet tea when compared to some of DT’s dessert teas etc. The pineapple comes through with more of a pineapple tang than sugar sweet in my recollection. The sweetness that is there gets toned down by the rooibos and toasted rice, so there is that groundedness to it.
I just took a look at the ratings. The average is 65 while I gave it a 90, hoisting up my initial 81.
You just have to pull the tab to the right and it’ll make an incision just above the ziplock part.
Cool, I’ll definitely pick some up next time I go.
Thanks. Maybe that is where I went wrong.
I just found out Zen Tea is having a sale now—last day. 30% off. Code is thanks. Where shall I post this so that people will see it in case they are interested?
If there isn’t a thread in the discussion forum, maybe there? I wish they had their Chocolate Mint rooibos in stock. SO GOOD. And they got rid of two of my favourites, so nothing for me. What are you interested in?
Particularly Coconut Island Herbal. But here is my cart so far.
Raspberry Vanilla Rooibos
Rooibos-Vanilla Almond – 10g (0.35 oz) sampler Rooibos-Vanilla Almond – 10g (0.35 oz) sampler
Black tea – Taiwan Ruby – 50g (1.8 oz) zip pouch Black tea – Taiwan Ruby – 50g
Black tea – Keemun Finest – 50g (1.8 oz) zip pouch Black tea – Keemun Finest – 50g (1.8 oz) zip pouch
Qty
Fruit tea – Blood Orange – 100g (3.5 oz) zip pouch Fruit tea – Blood Orange – 100g (3.5 oz) zip pouch
Fruit tea – Sweet coconut island – 100g (3.5 oz) zip pouch Fruit tea – Sweet coconut island – 100g (3.5 oz) zip pouch
This sweet and mild combination of coconut and tropical fruits will transfer you to a tropical island.Ingredients: ap…
Fruit tea – Blueberry Cream – 100g (3.5 oz) zip pouch Fruit tea – Blueberry Cream – 100g (3.5 oz) zip pouch
Sorry. Didn’t manage to clean that up very well.
Nice!
I am now trying to be sensible and whittling my cart down because yanno.
Have you tried any of those before or you’re just going with 100g of some untried?
The deed is done. Nice discount. Reasonable shipping. And in Canadian currency. So, yay!
I have been reading up on comments and making my own list of wants when I get ready to order. I reduced all the 100 gr ones except for the coconut one. And no, I haven’t tried any of them before other than the Milk Oolong. I have tried a few of Zen Tea’s herbals and have been quite happy with them, especially when pitted against the overly artificial ones DT produces. I need uncaffeinnated options (but perhaps I don’t need them immediately).
I see myself justifying the purchase of more tea. Hard.
Today’s morning cup because I had so little left of this batch in the tin, and I’ve been panicking about coconut teas going off so quickly. And I did buy another bag of this during one of DT’s recent offers.
Delicious. I used far more leaf than I normally would because I wanted to finish all of it, but I steeped briefly, as usual. Rich flavour. Buttery, sweet. Reminds me of butter rum lifesaver candies plus tea.
Just abs FYI- This is awesome as an eggnog latte if you are into that sort of thing!
Thank you, tigress! That sounds delicious, really delicious. Thank you for mentioning it. I will give it a try once I get my hands on some eggnog.
Ok, so today I had this as an eggnog latte. NOW I understand what everyone has been on about. This as an eggnog latte was like zabaglione in custard form. W.O.W. Thank you all for sending me there.
Lol, now you’re hooked!
I don’t know about hooked. It’ll be a once in a while seasonal treat. Normally I drink my teas black and unsweetened, so an eggnog latte was like pudding exotica though a thrilling one.
My second craving of the day.
You know when you don’t feel like trying a new tea because you want some kind of certainty in your cup? I’ve been taking all kinds of foolish chances on unknown teas this Black Friday weekend. Ok, maybe foolish, maybe curious, maybe thrill-seeking. Maybe it’ll pay off. Whatever.
Today, I wanted something I could depend on. The moment came for flannel pajamas and this. And to hell with the world for now. And my credit rating.
haha go you!
I am SO excited about the teapot I ordered that I can’t stand it. I’ve been stalking it for weeks. Oh, and tea.
ooh pics when it arrives! :)
We don’t have to wait! It’s this one. http://www.teavivre.com/shi-piao-yixing-clay-teapot/
awesome. is that your first?
Yes, Sil. It is my first and I am devoting it to oolongs. Would you believe that I still haven’t received it yet?
A strange, delicate, and lovely tea this one.
Who knows what bamboo is supposed to taste like? Here, each sip is a mellow variation of straw, strawberry tart, and sweet fruit tastes with a heavier silkier mouth feel than you would expect from such mild flavours. I am quite enjoying this pleasant evening tea. Gentle on my spirit after a trying day. Like a gentle camomile hug without the camomile.
I look forward to shaking the bag up a bit more and steeping a bit longer to see what flavours develop.And as for the question of what bamboo is supposed to taste like, I guess I will find out soon because one of my Black Friday sale teas is a bamboo-based one from Zen Teas.
Flavors: Red Fruits, Straw, Strawberry
Preparation
Seeing that I am a freak, I’d take my experience with a grain of salt, but bamboo tastes like cellar to me. I think it’s safe to say that it’s not supposed to taste like that.
The scent is a bit funky, old sneaker-like, but the taste is quite lovely. I think. I’ll be able to say more about bamboo when my other bamboo tea gets here.
This tea is a blend of Chinese Mao Jian and elderberries.
The scent of the steeped tea is green and lovely. There is the vaguest suggestion of pepper and fruit, but just the slightest bit.
The elderberries are meant to impart mild tartness. I am not tasting any tartness, just the sweet vegetal flavours and the slightest floral notes.An enjoyable cup of green tea.
Flavors: Vegetal
Preparation
The leaf is lovely, long, and fat. It doesn’t smell like much dry, but there is a fruity sweetness to the leaf.
Once steeped, however, the flavour pops in scent and taste. Mellow white tea with clear tangy pomegranate fruit notes. The guava may well be there, but I am not sensing it as a distinct taste. And I am a fresh guava fan, so believe me, I am searching. There’s also a vague mango flavour too. Or am I dreaming that up?
This tea appeared in my Wicked Tea subscription packet. I am quite enjoying the variety and value of this particular subscription. The teas are in inspired flavours with good execution and generous portions. I have not tasted any artificialness or bitter aftertaste in any of the teas. Several of the teas have been just super. None of them have been huge disappointments. Great packaging. And Canadian company, so yay! So nice to not be gouged on the exchange and shipping.
Preparation
The aroma of this tea, as the steam wanders up from my glass, is intoxicating: heavy rose and lychee carried on a bold Chinese black. The tea base is strong and rich, layered with rose and lychee—actually, it is longan, but lychee and longan are close relatives. Beautiful. There may be the slightest dusting of chocolate as well but in the distant background.
I do have Lychee tea from MLT somewhere here as well. Perhaps if I do a side by side taste taste, the flavours of both will further reveal themselves.
Flavors: Chocolate, Lychee, Rose
Preparation
So. This is not the first cup of Lime Gelato that I’ve had. I’ve had several. This leaf has appeared in various sampler kits from DT, and I’ve not been overly impressed.
Today, I was in the rare mood for a flavoured green tea, something tart and possibly creamy. Something diluted enough with other things to not contain too much caffeine.I have an apple green that I’ve yet to try, but apple seems to show up so often in DT herbals that I am a bit tired of it for the moment. I considered Movie Night, but no. So lime it is.
Previously, I had steeped the Lime Gelato from the tiny tins in samplers. Today, I opened up a fresh batch, and wow! The previous ones that I had tried must have been stale because this one is all flavour and loveliness. Lime and a few levels of sweet tang that you might get from a citrus sorbet. Not much green going on here. Perhaps in the second steeping it will come out a bit more.
Yes, it is lovely. So my rating is based on today’s moments with this tea.
Flavors: Creamy, Lime, Sweet
