I haven’t ordered from Whispering Pines in a while, and all my favorites were out of stock :( so I had to try something new. This tea smells divine in the bag. Strong vanilla and chocolate. But when I brewed it, most of those notes were lost somewhere in the process. I was left with a cup that tasted very much like North Winds. I didn’t pay attention at the time that this tea is, indeed, made with North Winds. But that’s OK, since I LOVE the North Winds black tea. Although I’m not sure if the version I tried last is same as current version. At any rate, this tea is good, but I was disappointed in translation of dry leaf to cup. I think Ill have to change the brewing parameters next time and see if I can’t bring out more flavor. Also, sometimes my taste buds have an off day and don’t notice the obvious. I’ll be returning to this tea soon for re-evaluation.
This is You :-D
Profile
Bio
Name: Shelley Lorraine Limegrover
Location: Livingston, MT
Hobbies: Learning, reading books, math, physics (have a degree in it), literature (have a degree in it too), anthropology, traveling, piano, and drinking TEA, of course (^o^)
Favorite teas: Kukicha, Green teas in general, aged oolongs, charcoal roasted oolong, taiwanese oolongs, Assam . . .
Don’t like: Genmaicha, Earl Grey, Darjeelings, ginger, coconut, smokey teas (even mild ones), nut flavors, overwhelmingly strong floral flavor (esp. Jasmine), most della derra and adagio teas. . .
My Rating System
100 My happiness absolutely depends on it
95 Will definitely repurchase
85: Might repurchase (teas that depend on my mood)
75 Won’t repurchase (but I would drink it again if offered).
65: meh
45: I reluctantly finished a cup.
15: Couldn’t finish a cup.
I simplified my ratings to single numbers rather than ranges because I can’t precisely compare so many teas with a system more detailed than this.
An unrated tea is most often one that I recognize as having significant notable quality, but that does not suit me personally. Sometimes, I leave teas unrated for other reasons, such as I am undecided or I brewed it wrong, etc.
Note: Boiling temp. barely reaches 200 where I am (and a few times it sticks at 195, I assume due to unexplainable shifts in altitude or the position of the moon. . .aliens?. . .).
Location
Colorado
Hey Shelley, the vanilla in Golden Orchid (especially older stuff) can sink to the bottom of the bag. Try giving it a good mix-up before scooping next time, and hopefully that helps :-)
I’ll try that next time. Thanks!