411 Tasting Notes
From the fabulous Lena, I got a sample of this. I didn’t bother reading the instructions first, so I made this with 3 tsp tea and 16 oz water. Next time I’ll try the tablespoon per cup it recommends.
It’s very clean with a hint of creamy sweet in the background. The vanilla isn’t prominent, but it’s definitely there. And I’m not tempted to sweeten, which is surprising for me. I can’t taste that the black tea is pu-erh rather than just black, but it blends well.
Nice tea. I think I like it. I don’t know I’ll buy more, but I like it.
My general rule of thumb is as follows:
Herbal tea – sweeten
Black tea – milk and sweetener
Green tea – no sweetener
Oolong – no sweetener
So, true to form, I tried my first cup of this without sweetener. It was a bit harsh. The green tea components were fine, but the flavorings were a bit sour and overpowering.
Second cup, I sweetened. YUM!!! For me, it made it sing. The ginger plays the low note to the lemon high note, and the whole thing blends with the green in the background. I can see this as a lovely iced tea or after dinner tea, or pretty much an “any time I want something yummy tea”
My first real cup of tea since getting back from vacation and a business trip. Not a bad way to jump back in! My pot brewed up dark – I added my entire sample to my zarafina, and I think I should have cut it back.
The flavor is smooth yet high in tannin, and has a slightly drying mouthfeel. This may be because of too much tea leaf, but I didn’t mind.
Yummy, dark, and smooth. A good morning, wake-you-up tea.
Jade Teapot sample
Zarafina brewed at the black/loose/strong setting
Smells divine – the vanilla blends into the tea base aroma beautifully.
I drank it with milk and sweetner, my personal preference for the darker teas, and it was lovely. No bitterness, full mouth-taste, and the flavor of the vanilla blended well with the milk.
Lovely tea. A mellow, soothing tea.
Like the others, I got my sample from the Jade Teapot. Unlike the others, I was having a harder time tasting the blood orange through the rooibos. I think that I’m more sensitive to the rooibos taste than most, making some teas that are amazing for others tasting overly woody to me. This tea was good, but not one that is inspiring song and visions of large orders.
I do just need to say that the free sample from the Jade Teapot was very generous and shipped quickly. I’m very much hoping I fall in love with one of my samples, because I want to give this company my custom. Thanks Jade Teapot for being awesome.
Had this, bagged, in my meeting yesterday, and it was the one thing that was making it livable. However, it wasn’t the best of teas – it was just decent. I drank with milk and sugar, and would probably not like much without because there was this background “blea” to the tea that I can’t put my finger on – possibly the black tea base? Icky vanilla beans? Not sure. However, it is a heck of a lot better than the bad coffee they’re offering, or the incessant soda cans.
Hrm. I’ve been looking forward to having this iced. Tonight my hubby decided that’s exactly what we needed to do, so he made it up.
Yeah, this batch needs some help. It’s gonna require a light hand – too strong a brew and it tastes… off. Too light, and there’s no flavor. I will need to experiment with this more. I’m not touching the score because warm, it’s still a good tea, but so far, iced – not so good.
