111 Tasting Notes

51
drank Strawberry Matcha by 52teas
111 tasting notes

Okay I’ll admit it I’m a virgin. A matcha virgin that is :) that is until today. I was so excited to get in my 52Teas order so that I could try this and I researched how it was to be prepared and all I can say is that I think I am on Team Chrine on this one.

I prepared it according to Wiki (One flat teaspoon to 2.5 ounces of water) all I can say is that I don’t think I am going to end up finishing this bowl. I seriously think this is an acquired taste. I can appreciate foods/drinks that are acquired tastes I mean I love raw oysters, boiled crawfish but I don’t see myself acquiring a taste for this ANYTIME soon.

It is strong like BLECH what was that, strong!!!!!!! I do pick up on the strawberry and that was the part that I think I liked. I am going to hold out on rating this tea in order to try it latte style and to try much less matcha to water ratio.

In the words of my son’s teacher DO NOT DO RESEARCH VIA WIKI. :)

Go TEAM CHRINE!

PART TWO: (My Second attempt at Matcha)
I would have posted the picture from flicker here __________________ but my 14 year old still has not taught me how to do this. LOL I can post pictures, send pictures I don’t know why I cannot paste a link here?! (aggravated) BTW I also have my after picture up on flicker of my before/after tea cupboard cleanout.

Anyway it’s round 2 Me (Soccermom VS 52Teas Strawberry Matcha) yesterday depending on how you look at it Matcha might have won it kicked me in the mouth and I threw it down the drain! Today determined to tangle with this wild drink and win I made another bowl of it and followed Shanti’s advice I started out with way less than a teaspoon and about 8 ounces of water. Did I mention I love the strawberry smell from the pouch? Well I do. I do not have exact measurements of anything used today I eyeballed it I didn’t have time to put on my fighting gloves in other words measure. I had to look this tea straight in the eye and try to intimidate it. I definitely did better this round as I didn’t get punched in the mouth like yesterday but instead we are fighting a fair fight Shanti’s advice was like having Freddy Roach in my corner I’m forever grateful for it. It tastes nice and mild actually I don’t know if I’ll be craving this but I wouldn’t mind stepping back in the ring for another round or two with this fruity but strong competitor.

Cofftea

You must not have seen my wiki matcha fail… just add more water til you can drink it.

SoccerMom

Will do next time.

Cofftea

I think the 3 scoop measurement on wiki is accurate… but if I go by weight it’s actually 7! You could start w/ 1 scoop in 3-8oz of water and either increase the matcha or decrease the water till you get a good ratio you like.

~lauren.

Oh, I wiki everything for the quickness of it all! However, I say the same thing to the kiddies ‘wiki does not equal research’ when they are homework-ing. Hehehe now that I write it and look at it, sounds a bit double-standard-ish. But, then again, they also google everything!

Lori

I always use wiki…:)!

AmazonV

i use wiki for things i would ask a neighbor, for things you must have right i use encyclopedias or other things i can blame for my wrongness if needed

__Morgana__

Matcha virgin here, too. I’m saving myself until I get up the guts to whisk…

Cofftea

I love it Morgana, that sounds really wrong.

~lauren.

All these comments are making me laugh! AmazonV – I agree! credible accountability is a must!

SoccerMom

Morgana- All I can say is use lots of water, my matcha to water ratio was not to my tasting. Next time I’m going to try at least 8 oz of water to one flat teaspoon and work my way up from there.

Shanti

Woo, matcha! I have three pouches of Mandarin left, so I didn’t order this one. But my tip is to try 1/2 to 1/3 of a teaspoon of matcha in 4 to 6 ounces of hot but not boiling water at first…as you get more used to it, you can start increasing the amount of matcha. But yeah, 1 teaspoon in 2.5 ounces of water is intense, especially if its a low grade matcha like the kind 52teas uses (I presume).

SoccerMom

Shanti, Thanks so much for the experienced advice. I will try this method, are you the one (Shanti) that I read about in Ricky’s post that stole all the Mandarin Matcha?? :)

Shanti

Yes, that’s me :) Or, actually, my evil alter-ego that swoops in an buys too much tea, Shantea haha :)

Cofftea

I tried 1tsp of powdered sencha in 6oz cold water (8x stronger than they suggest). It was, of course, VERY strong- but by no means undrinkable, helped by the addition of 2TB lemon juice. I also know that this is not matcha, but I thought I’d throw that out anyway.

Ricky

Seems we’re all confused as to how to prepare this matcha ;)

I’m going to turn this into a latte next time, hmmm or make some ice cream with it? Hmmmm…..

Cofftea

No, I just think everyone likes it a little different. And I’m no help cuz I don’t measure w/ a tsp. lol. It’s funny, I don’t like matcha and milk, but I’m TOTALLY grooving putting some of the this on chocolate frozen yogurt. And yes I know “grooving” sounds really stupid, but hey matcha makes me act weird lol.

AmazonV

now i am nervous eyes matcha perhaps I’ll start with the yogurt plan first?

Ricky

Matcha + Milk, delicious. Matcha + Chocolate milk sounds strange to me =P

Matcha + frozen yogurt… hmmm… now that’s a plan ;)

Cofftea

AmazonV, you could- it’s up to you. But don’t be nervous. Ya know… LiberTEAS is gonna shoot me lol, but are people having problems because they’re using a teaspoon to measure it? I use a matcha scoop and have very few matcha fails. Just curious.

Ricky, I got the matcha + ice cream (or frozen yogurt) idea from Den’s! (still waiting for their e-newsletter)

Cofftea

Ok, correction- I’ve only had one matcha fail (pertaining to ratio of matcha/water)… and that was completely wiki’s fault lol.

Ricky

We’re going to start a Teaspoon Matcha club, who needs the bamboo scoop!

Hmm, I have to look that up on Den’s website when it gets warmer again.

Cofftea

Ricky… Maybe more people do? I’m not about to tell people how to make their matcha (although I do think a chawan or bowl of some kind just has to be done lol), but it does seem as if people who are displeased w/ it or have ratio problems are using a tsp. Just an observation. At least it’s a cheap accessory/gadget.

~lauren.

I got a matcha banana smoothie/shake from garrett yesterday that sounds awesome – soon as I find all my blender pieces, I will let you know how that goes! http://steepster.com/Shojikoto/posts/35069

AmazonV

Yea, teaspoon club! we’ll crack this case – no way am i investing in more tea gear….i don’t have anywhere to put it! ok and i went a little tiny bit crazy with orders last month, just a little…

Cofftea

lol, that’s actually what I like about scoops- ~$5 accessory that can fit in pretty much any nook and cranny. Very portable for travelling. I’ve noticed 52teas matchas (at least the one I’ve tried) don’t need much whisking so measure, dump, swirl, and drink:)

~lauren.

Where on Steepster can you find a Steepsterite who hasn’t gone just a tad bit crazy in the last month or so on tea orders, I ask? He/She would have to be one very self-controlled restrained person in the face of all these yummy tea posts/reviews! LOL! But, AmazonV, I love tea gear/tea ware … they are so pretty and functional and absolutely a requirement !?!?!

Ricky

Haha, I’ve been very good lately. I’ve been trying to clear my cupboard to make room for summer tea. I even restrained myself from ordering DFT Series #2! Now I have a gap in my A&D tea collection, uhoh.

AmazonV

i gotta put together a little picasa on all my teaware….it’s a lot for a tiny apartment (2 dragon teakettles, 1 china, 1 porcelain, 1 cast iron, 1 glass, dozens of bone china teacups, 1 shelf of mugs, 1 shelf and 3 boxes of tea, 2 Russian tea cups, zarafina, breville water kettle, brita water pitcher, mr. iced tea maker, and more i don’t even want to unpack) that of course doesn’t even get into my coffee obsession…and a galley kitchen

~lauren.

Okay – you win! that is a lot of teaware! and if memory serves, you have some nice china teacups from mother-in-law, too! sorry for the awkardness of comment – now on iPod touch and am not that good on keyboard yet.

AmazonV

~lauren you are a better person than I – I keep trying to use steepster via Blackberry and end up with the most awful typing! half the time i give up and don’t post it

Ricky

She’s a Steepster addict :P. I can’t even stand logging into Steepster from my iPhone. It’s dreadfully slow :(

I ♥ NewYorkCiTEA

TEAM CHRINE has changed sides. Just came to the Strawberry Matcha page to tealog and was reading your tealog. I did 1/4 tsp in 8 oz of 180° F water. I cannot believe the difference. I thought there was no way I’d ever like matcha. Anyways, I’m about to post a tealog about the matcha surprise so you can read all about it there!

I ♥ NewYorkCiTEA

PS I also used Wiki the first time I prepared it. Bad Wiki!

Cofftea

I know chrine! Where do they get that 3 scoops weighs that much? If you go by wiki’s # of scoops and not weight, you’re good.

I ♥ NewYorkCiTEA

I have no idea. It was WAY too much matcha for me.

Cofftea

I know! The thought of the 7 scoops of matcha I used makes me gag… :)

Shanti

Oh, yay, I just noticed your update :) Yeah, I also tend to just eyeball the amount of matcha, and usually only make 3 or 4 ounces of it when I need a shot of something to force my eyes open. The bitterness (and of course the caffeine) are great when I’m feeling kinda “blah” and need to be jolted awake. I don’t know if I could handle 8 ounces at a time (plus the matcha might settle since I’m a slowish drinker). But yeah, maybe fiddling around with the amount of water might make it more palatable. :)

I ♥ NewYorkCiTEA

Oh, so it does settle? I thought I might not be mixing it enough still. (I just had some!) I noticed the perking effect and was wondering if it was in my head since I associated the super bitterness of the first attempt with high caffeine content. But it is a mellow perking, not a jittery perking.

Cofftea

chrine, take it from someone that often makes 8 (and on a rare occasion 16)oz at a time that it does settle if you don’t drink it quickly enough- it’s a suspension, not a solution. I prefer to take my time to enjoy it so an occasional whisk or two while drinking it does the job and I’m not forced to rush.

I ♥ NewYorkCiTEA

Thanks Cofftea, that’s good to know.

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61
drank Mayan Chocolate Chai by 52teas
111 tasting notes

This is one I couldn’t wait to try. It’s dry leaf smells so yummy. I steeped it up and the smell does change well loses some of it’s chocolaty notes. Steeped up the liquor is reddish brown and the taste is spicy I would have liked to have gotten more chocolate along with my spice and I do love hot spices (I mean I cook with habanero peppers often) while I didn’t find the tea to be too spicy it could be for some people and so people who do not normally eat spicy be warned.

I like this chai would have liked to have seen more chocolate notes to round out the spice but would definently drink again.

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 5 min, 0 sec
Cofftea

Hmmm… I think it’s like drinking mexican chocolate… maybe I’m just extra sensitvie to chocolate. What was your leaf/water ratio? Did you use any milk/creamer?

SoccerMom

One heaping teaspoon to about 8 ozs of water. I did not use any creamers or sweeteners. While it could have used more chocolate I don’t think it needed any sweetener either. It was just more spice than chocolate. The one time I had mexican chocolate I didn’t care for it it’s wasn’t sweet (it’s been several years ago) When I hear chocolate I think sweet creamy chocolate unless it’s labeled dark chocolate so it could just be me.

Cofftea

That’s quite close to my ratio- I used 1 heaping teaspoon per 6oz water- steeped an extra min if I used milk or creamer. You’re right though, this is more of a cocoa or dark chocolate that’s in Mayan Chocolate.

Lori

When I had this tea, I added milk and sweeteners. Sometimes, the addition of sugar brings out the flavor in these flavored teas…

Cofftea

I’ve never tried it w/ sweetener (I’m thinking of doing so in a few min so watch for my tasting note), but steeped in a mix of water and milk or adding creamer makes it taste like a hot chocolate milk.

SoccerMom

Okay I’ll try that (milk and sugar). I’m outta milk at the moment but have plans for grocery shopping tomorrow I will try it then.

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63
drank Weight To Go! by Teavana
111 tasting notes

This just came in the mail today from Erin (Thanks, Erin loved the note too). While I have had this tea I’ve only had it mixed with other teas so I’ve never had it on it’s on like this.

The smell is spearminty and nice. The dry leaf mix is chocked full of strawberries and various other goodies. It brews into a lovely pinkish, red liquor and the taste is……. Long pause while I take another sip. YUMMY its is minty with a flavor of berries I don’t taste the tea but that’s okay (on this particular tea) as long as it’s in there and I know it’s in there because I saw the dry leaves.

It’s quite enjoyable and I can’t wait to try it iced. Thanks Erin!!!

Cofftea

There are 2 types of tea I can’t fathom mint in. Pu Erh and chai. Unless it’s maybe a raw Pu Erh.

Erin

I wasn’t nuts about this one hot. I’m looking forward to eventually trying it iced though, because I bet it’d be great!

And Cofftea, I could never taste the Pu Erh in this, so I don’t think it’s an issue. Because you’re right… mint and Pu Erh? Haha, eeew.

Lori

I know it is near impossible to taste any Pu-Erh in this tea but it is very good iced…

SoccerMom

Cofftea, The pu erh from Teavana is not a typical pu erh (at least it isn’t to me) Teavana pu erh’s are sweeter than any other pu erh’s I’ve tried.

SoccerMom

UPDATE: I just had a turkey and pepper jack sandwich on a wheat bagel and thought I try this for “dessert” and this tea is good! I looked in my cupboard and my weight to go is mixed with raspberry lemon riot and there’s just too much going on in that blend but this one is good. I’m ordering.

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39
drank Tahitian Limeade by Teavana
111 tasting notes

Trying to find some flavored iced teas that my family will like (and agree upon) this is not going to be an easy task!

So I decided to start with a rooibos seems like a good start especially with it being allergy season. Made this according to the Teavana iced tea instructions and poured it over ice. It smells like lime mixed with apples and I want LIME not apples :(! I don’t mind apples but I don’t want apple mixed with my lime.

Next stop AmazonV’s suggestion Raspberry Zinger (good excuse to buy more tea).

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70
drank Peach Blossom by Rishi Tea
111 tasting notes

Picked this up today at Williams Sonoma it was on sale because the expiration is for the end of this month (or so says the bottom of the tin) and so I thought $6 what the heck I’ll either drink it fast or make iced tea out of it and then it will definently be used quick!

Opened the tin to the joy of peachy, tangerine scent what a fabulous smell for a tea! Steeped it up and the more it cools the more flavors I get I think the peach makes the tangerine stand out and it is a most delicious cup!

Update: bumping this one up a little because it is so delicious.

Preparation
185 °F / 85 °C 4 min, 0 sec
~lauren.

This really does smell sooo good! I haven’t had it in awhile – but thanks for reminding me – I think I just may have a cup today!

Erin

$6? Score! And Williams Sonoma sells Rishi?! I definitely didn’t know that… now I need to find my nearest store!

SoccerMom

Erin, Yep $6, I know! ;)

SoccerMom

What beautiful weather were having here in H Town today!! Weather + Peach Blossom Tea = :)

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I just had a serious craving for something sweet and this looked to fit the bill (I think it’s from reading all of ya’lls amazing caramel tea reviews). The dry leaf smell was amazing like as another poster said maple cotton candy smelling (if there is such a thing as maple cotton candy).

Once steeped I get more of a mapley sweet smell Yum! The liquor is bright yellow and the taste is as JaquelineM described sweet yet earthy in a very good way. This is definently filling the sweet tooth craving I was having. It’s a nice sweet treat that I might be able to find a little room in my cupboard for.

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 3 min, 0 sec
~lauren.

Maple cotton candy – YUM – if it doesn’t exist, I vote that it should!

SoccerMom

It should exist!

I ♥ NewYorkCiTEA

It should totally exist. I bet an Iron Chef could make some.

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drank Lung Ching by Harney & Sons
111 tasting notes

I have had this tea quite awhile and yet I never logged it. I’m not quite sure why that is but here goes.

The dry leaf is dry medium green flat leaf. Once steeped it is a slightly nutty, vegetal flavor I can’t say I would reorder this tea but it’s not a bad green tea it’s just Meh.

Preparation
155 °F / 68 °C 0 min, 45 sec
Lori

Hmm…not sure I am all that crazy about plain green tea..

SoccerMom

Lori, I can send you some if your interested in trying it?

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61

Not Unlike Ricky (in his review of this tea) I was feeling a little experimental today. First I must say I was born and raised here in Texas. Home of the best BBQ in the whole WORLD (okay I know that’s debatable) but this is my review so WE DO HAVE THE BEST BBQ IN THE WHOLE WORLD!

Anyway more important than BBQ on to the tea, I opened the package and was hit in the nose by smoke STRONG smoke (again I know smoke) and I thought Wow Angie, this is either going to go really good or really bad and I hoping for really good.

I finally take a sip and before My mouth hits the cup I smell strong smoke again. I was surprised the taste isn’t bad. I would compare it to liquid smoke but not in a bad way because if someone told me this tea is good it tastes like liquid smoke I’d go okay I’ll think I’ll have some oolong instead please. :) It is more liquid smokeseque not true hard core, intense liquid smoke but just a hint.

It’s a nice tea I wish I would have tried this in the winter when I probably would have enjoyed it more but hey I can always place an order in winter. It’s not a bad tea not an everyday thing but it’s actually kinda good.

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 0 sec
Jim Marks

Lapsang is smoked over pine wood, not hardwood, which is what is used for barbecue, charcoal and liquid smoke. That’s why the smoke is similar, but different.

If you want to try a lapsang that is very mild (but probably still best in the colder weather) try “black dragon” from Upton Teas.

SoccerMom

Thanks for the recommendation Jim!

Jim Marks

As an aside, I might be willing to concede that Texas has the best beef-barbecue, but, and this might just be my East coast roots, I have to say that I find pork barbecue superior to beef. But then, I’m living in Houston, and I suspect that the barbecue here is horrible compared to “real Texas”.

SoccerMom

Try Salt Lick in Driftwood, Texas (near Austin) if you wanna know about “real BBQ” and then well talk BBQ. I don’t promise many things but I promise you’ll like their BBQ! BTW as this cup cooled I picked up on the pine that you had previously mentioned.

__Morgana__

Awww, no…. Goode & Co is awesome! ;-)

Jim Marks

The only trouble with traveling for barbecue is that my wife is a veggie. But we may stop in en route to Austin the next time we go (we went recently, but it was Lent).

Jim Marks

Goode… is that the one with the Emerson, Lake & Palmer armadillo out front?

SoccerMom

Morgana-I don’t care for Goode & Co have you tried Salt Lick before?

__Morgana__

Really? I loved Goode. Never been to salt lick.

mpierce87

I agree, the Salt Lick has the best BBQ in the world possibly.

SoccerMom

Morgana and Jim take it from me and mrawlins2 try Salt Lick! :)
@Morgana my husband likes Goode & Co but he even says that Salt Lick is the best BBQ in the whole world and he’s an engineer (it’s not easy to get him to say things like that) LOL.

__Morgana__

Next time I’m in Texas (whenever that will be) I will, if I’m anywhere near Austin!

Jim Marks

Apparently I just dated myself with that EL&P reference. O well.

__Morgana__

No, I got it. I just don’t remember the Armadillo. Lol.

Ewa

I’ve heard some pretty good things about Salt Lick, it’s true. As far as good barbecue in Houston though, there’s Swinging Door ( http://www.swingingdoor.com/ ) It’s in Richmond, which isn’t THAT easily accessible, but it’s quite good.

__Morgana__

Har! Armoredillo!

Jim Marks

I live on the southwest side, so that actually works for me.

Erin

As a Jersey girl who has recently moved to Texas, I attract quite a few odd looks when people find out I’m vegetarian. Oh well!

Jim Marks

Try Houston. My wife’s a veggie and its no problem, here.

__Morgana__

Is the Hobbit Hole still around? I used to love that sandwich shop for great veggie sandwiches.

Jim Marks

The Hobbit Cafe is still just off Kirby on West Alabama, yes.

SoccerMom

Erin, Everytime that I see a post that says you are in Burleson I wonder about Liz from the MTV show “My life as Liz”.
P.S. I have a teenager that’s how I even know about this show. :)

AmazonV

BBQ for Northeast coasters = Dinosaur BBQ i <3 them! never had texas bbq to compare though

I ♥ NewYorkCiTEA

I heart SC BBQ – pulled pork with mustard-based sauce! But will eat any good BBQ and would love eat BBQ in TX sometime.

SoccerMom

@chrine, I wouldn’t mind trying some SC BBQ. :)

I ♥ NewYorkCiTEA

Now I’ve been wanting BBQ for dinner all day! Thanks guys! =)

Jim Marks

I am eating pulled pork I made myself, right now. I couldn’t eat it during all of Lent and it has been calling me since practically January. Now, it doesn’t stand a chance.

I ♥ NewYorkCiTEA

Jim ~ Do you give up meat for all of Lent? We only do it on Fridays and Ash Wednesday. But we usually give up sweets for all of Lent.

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62
drank White Tea by Golden Moon Tea
111 tasting notes

I’ve never had a unflavored white tea before and for some reason I was in the mood for my H & S white peach tea today. So I thought well I think I should be experimental and tried this white tea instead. Wow it’s a much fuller flavor than I would have expected and the nose to it isn’t very interesting kinda pollen smelling, which could be due to the chrysanthemums.

It’s a decent tea. Not something I think I’d crave but a nice cuppa. While I am not getting a ton of flavor I personally taste mostly buttery notes. It’s nice but it’s not going to be replacing my H&S white peach. :)

Preparation
2 min, 0 sec

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I guess you know what dropped on my doorstep yesterday? Well if you guessed the GM sampler you’d be CORRECT! I decided to wait till this a.m. to try something and a pulled out all the breakfast blends as I’ve never had a tea that had breakfast at the end of the name it was between English Breakfast, French Breakfast, and Irish Breakfast. I picked (obviously Irish) and it really does hit the spot.

Dry leaf is green and golden tipped and the dry leaf just smells of tea. Steeped a cup for 5 minutes and I have a reddish golden cup what I think Jim Marks in one of his posts referred to as chestnut color.

Steeped it tastes like tea a very smooth cup with the tiniest hint of astringency. If this tea is what I would be served with my breakfast while in Ireland I wouldn’t complain. :)

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 5 min, 0 sec

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Bio

New to the world of hot tea, being born and raised in Texas we typically only drink lipton black tea, sweetened and iced of course! I recently discovered the world of hot tea / flavored teas and am thoroughly enjoying my new little world of tea!

Favorite Tea Quote: A woman is like a tea bag – you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.
Eleanor Roosevelt

Location

Houston, Texas

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