1430 Tasting Notes

drank Gingerbread by DAVIDsTEA
1430 tasting notes

This smells a lot like the Red Velvet Cake blend, with a flick of spice to it. I made up a cup yesterday, steeped in almond milk. It yielded an exceptionally sweet, rich cup, even if it was a bit bland.

Today I decided to throw in some raw ginger into the steeper and take it without milk. The cakey creaminess is still present but there is a load of fruit that I didn’t notice before. The pineapple and currants are definitely apparent. Maybe there’s more zing to it today, from the extra ginger (and the pineapple?). The whole citrus cream rooibos thing makes me think of Della Terra’s Lime Chiffon.

In the finish I do get some delicious cinnamon spiced gingerbread cookies. I wish it was more pronounced and spiced.

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 15 sec
Plunkybug

I’m gonna have to try this once I get back home after my trip next week.

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drank Choconut Oolong by DAVIDsTEA
1430 tasting notes

Backlog from last night. I would’ve preferred less licorice weirdness and more creamy nutella, David’s Tea.

Preparation
190 °F / 87 °C 4 min, 0 sec
TeaLady441

Booo. Sounds like the Winter Collection has been a fail so far. :(

Crowkettle

Yeah, not overly impressed right now. The only one I’m ok with so far is the White Chocolate Frost. Tastes like Cocomint Cream, with white chocolate instead of coconut, and without the apples.

I haven’t even gotten to Coffee Cake yet.

Courtney

I didn’t even pick up Coffee Cake. The scent alone so strongly reminded me of Red Velvet I just couldn’t :(

TeaLady441

Courtney – it’s REALLY similar so if you didn’t like RV, pass on that one. It has the same oily cake notes as RV.

And CrowKettle, I wish they’d brought back Cocomint Cream! :O I miss that one…

Michelle Butler Hallett

Licorice … with oolong? GROSS.

Crowkettle

Yeah, it’s not particularly appealing.

I miss Cocomint Cream, and even Merry Cranberry right now.

OMGsrsly

I really want to try Merry Cranberry still. I think it’s still on sale, but I don’t need that much!

Crowkettle

I’d possibly split it with you If you’re ever tempted.

OMGsrsly

It’s the 8.8oz size, so.. I just. Idk. I’ll think about it. :)

TeaLady441

If you’re really missing Cocomintt Cream, Jackie T had Simpson & Vail create a copycat blend based on a sample – http://steepster.com/teas/simpson-and-vail/36741-jaclyns-cocomint-tea She says it’s nearly identical!

Crowkettle

I’ve been meaning to try that out actually. Thanks for the reminder, Cavo!

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drank Spiced Fig by DAVIDsTEA
1430 tasting notes

Lots, of cloves, a little apple, minimal figs, and a dash of vanilla makes for a strange kind of spicy sugar water, not thick enough to be a cake. It isn’t amazing but I’ll finish it off easily enough. I might even grab a hot cup to go, if the fancy strikes me and I’m passing by.

I really want cider now.

Unlike Banana Nut Bread, it’s almost too sweet to be eaten like a trail mix (the clove note is not prominent when dry). The Figs and dates are delicious though.

Preparation
Boiling 6 min, 0 sec

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The loose leaf smells dominantly of peppermint but this steeped up (ha! unintentional) to having a very creamy “Christmas” aroma. Think peppermint white chocolate bark, maybe.

The flavour is still heavy on the peppermint with a light (not to sweet) white chocolate finish. It reminds me a lot of Cocomint Cream from last year. Of course this doesn’t have the coconut, the blackberry leaves, and I’m hoping the apple (there’s something fruity in the flavour though).

Freshness and cream are both good things in my book. Right now I like this one the most out of the new 2013 winter blends. My main complaints are that there’s stevia in here, the surface is oily (chocolate), and I get funky lime green droplets on the inside of my mug. The last one might be kind of cool actually. I’ve mixed feelings about it.

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 0 sec
Courtney

I also noticed the oily surface and green droplets hah. So bizarre.

Crowkettle

I guess the oil is inescapable when using coconut or chocolate. I wish I knew what made the green droplets though.

Michelle Butler Hallett

The green droplets are a deal-breaker for me. I really appreciate your reviews of these Winter Collection teas. I don’t think I’d enjoy a single one of them.

TeaLady441

The green drops are odd. I’ve got them too!

Courtney

That is true about the oil. Perhaps the green is some sort of amalgamation of the peppermint green and adhesive-like chocolate?

Crowkettle

I was thinking that might be the cause too. I’m not too put off by it, even though the broth itself is a murky, pale gold.. the green is “grinchy” in comparison.

Courtney

“Grinchy” haha! Yes I wasn’t too put off with it, but I did take a moment to notice and think about it. Either way, I did find the tea refreshing.

Uniquity

I think the green drops are mint oil/extract. It’s often coloured green. At least I hope they are. Yuck!

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Sipdown! Sort of. I’m going to re-steep this like crazy today.

All I want out of tea right now is this. It’s malty today, with a light dose of sweet smoke. There’s some citric pungency in the finish.

I still want to get that variable temperature kettle for school. I think this tea was steeped from anywhere between 195F-210F, probably accounting for the drier taste right now.

Preparation
1 min, 30 sec

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Look how quickly I move from Halloween to Christmas!

I’m picking up hibiscus, apple, citrus, vanilla, and something that could be marzipan or a combination of almonds and vanilla. It could even be the sultanas (grapes)! Zesty notes creep into the finish and then mellow out into a vanilla soup. It’s quite tart, and a couple sips is enough to make my mouth pucker.

I wasn’t expecting to enjoy this one as much as I do. It’s a crazy fruit blend, reminiscent of David’s Kanpe tea (that had cinnamon, fruits, and hibiscus). I enjoyed mixing the Kanpe with frozen pink lemonade but I don’t know if that would work here due to the stronger notes of vanilla sweets. Maybe it would work better.

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 6 min, 0 sec
BrewTEAlly Sweet

I can’t wait to bake stollen for the holidays, reminds me of my family overseas:/

OMGsrsly

My Christmas stollen is about to have an ‘accident’. Would you like me to include it in the box I’m sending? :)

Crowkettle

I have no problem with drinking more of this tea. It’s not something I’ll ever buy again but it’s easy. :)

OMGsrsly

Awesome! PS. Spiced fig smells similar, but no hibiscus. I hope it gives me the flavour I’m looking for. :)

BrewTEAlly Sweet

Would you please?! That would be awesome!

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I can’t help but think I’d be delighted to smell this delicious, sweet and buttery herb sauce if it was over a chicken dish, or something. I had these chicken sausages a few weeks ago. They were of the basil, feta, and apricot variety and they tasted exactly like this blend. I’m picking up the slightest tone of leafy citrus bitterness, just like in those sausages.. It’s an interesting tea but I’d be lying if I said I’m sad it’s all gone.

The Halloween celebrations over here are postponed until tomorrow. It seems so strange to do all that stuff on the 1st of November, but I know my roommates and I will be less stressed then. To everyone who’s doing stuff tonight, I wish you a Happy Halloween! :)

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

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86

This is a silly old note that was originally posted to the Caramel page. Just moving it here!

Coconut, distinctive level flavoring. One pound package. Free shipping sucked me in again. No regrets, though, because the sugary deliciousness of this burns with the intensity of 1000 suns. I will never get a green tea frappe from Starbucks again (that statement is almost definitely a lie).

I made this up as a warm latte, with one tablespoon of powder and about a cup of frothed soy milk. I didn’t sift or whisk anything up although I superstitiously stirred with a spoon a few times in a halfhearted manner. There was no debris at the bottom so I figure I got away with it.

I’ve tried the regular coconut matcha from Red Leaf at a robust level, and wasn’t particularly won over by the whole sunscreen on the beach vibe. It turned out to be an excellent flavour here, however; it’s a lot lighter on the senses than the robust coconut matcha. This is exactly how I like my coconut- creamy, thick, and light, with a good dash of sweetness to boot. One pound will likely not last too long.

My invoice says I ordered Caramel but the package label and it’s powdery green contents clearly say Coconut. I’m not phased by this whatsoever, and wasn’t fully invested in caramel anyways.

Edit: looking back, I never thought my mother would get so attached to this blend! It’s the only thing she asked for Christmas so it must be good..

Courtney

Haha I remember reading this ages ago, but the “burns with the intensity of 1000 suns” made me laugh again this morning. I really need to order this one, but I am so out of control with ordering lately.

Stephanie

This is my favorite Matchaccino flavor so far. SO GOOD!

OMGsrsly

Seeing this, it makes me want a coconut matchaccino RIGHT NOW! I suppose I can wait till I get home. :)

Crowkettle

If only my mother hadn’t consumed the whole bag in the last few months.. Hopefully more arrives tomorrow (I’m also out of control with ordering right now)! :)

OMGsrsly

LOL. My mom just steals my plain blacks and puerhs. :)

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88
drank With Open Eyes by Butiki Teas
1430 tasting notes

I think I got a lot of ginger pieces in my steeper today, and I’m picking up more toffee “nut bread” notes than I usually do. It’s a different spin on my favourite strawberry butter spread in a cup, but just as good.

Words cannot describe how much I love this tea but I’m still falling asleep trying to read this article (It’s on spirit possession/mass hysteria in Malay factories and schools). I’m not impressed with my mental stamina right now. This little essay needs to get done! I guess I need a few more cups..

Preparation
2 min, 30 sec

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I put off opening my two sample packets of this because Lapsang Souchong is a mood tea for me, and I wanted to be in the best state of mind to appreciate it. I shouldn’t have worried.

I poured boiling water over the leaves before I realized the label says 195F, so I steeped for only 30 seconds instead of 1-2 minutes. It came out gently sweet and smokey, and whispering of pines.

I’m looking forward to drinking the rest up this week. It’s funny, out of all the teas in my black tea sample pack I didn’t think this would be the one I would want to reorder. This and the organic silver needle so far! :)

Rating: 90’s, 90’s for everyone!!!!

Preparation
Boiling 0 min, 30 sec

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Profile

Bio

I started my Steepster loose leaf adventure back in 2012. I can’t say I’m completely new anymore, but I still view oolong as a magical, extraterrestrial creature that unfurls in water.

My favourites are teas like Milk Oolong, Silver Needle,and Japanese Sencha/Gyokuro, or fruity and floral flavoured ones. However, I generally enjoy ALL the teas, including a good old cup of Earl Grey or Breakfast blend.

FAVOURITE INGREDIENTS/NOTES:

DESSERT FLAVOURS
Vanilla, Maple, Caramel, Butterscotch, Cream, Toffee, Nougat, Marzipan, Butter

FRUIT & BERRIES
Citrus Fruits, Passionfruit, Banana, Pineapple, Melons, Blackberry, Raspberry, Currants, Elderberry, Persimmon, Rhubarb..

SPICES
Ginger, Turmeric, Clove-forward chai, Cardamom

AROMATIC & HERBACEOUS NOTES
Sandalwood, Frankincense, Juniper, Eucalyptus, Mints

FLORALS
Lavender, Jasmine, Rose, Lilac, Violet, etc.

VEGGIE/GRAIN NOTES
Spinach, Grass, Hay, Cucumber, Rice, Sweet Potato

Less Preferred Flavours/Ingredients:
Stevia, Apple, Cocoa Nib, Almond, Licorice, Cinnamon-forward blends, Chinese Sencha

Subjective Rating System:
I don’t give a lot of low ratings out, since a) I tend to grab tea I know will appeal to me, and b) I don’t have a lot of strong dislikes.

90-100: Favourites. The Desert Island Teas.
80-89: Loved teas. Possibly staple-worthy.
70-79: Good teas, but I’m less likely to repurchase. Minor quibbles.
60-69: Ok teas. Likely a few preference and/or quality issues.
50-59: Cup of meh. Will do in a pinch.
11-49: Varying levels of undrinkable tea.
1-10: Nightmare tea from the chaos realms. This tea is the embodiment of the primordial swamp, an unholy abomination. It’s very gross and I’m almost positive it doesn’t exist.

Location

BC, Canada

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