KittyLovesTea

My second pot of tea today to help aid my completion of Bioshock Infinite. Apple tea in general is something I have a love/hate relationship with. It’s hard to find an apple tea that is just right without being too sweet or artificial. Plus I have to be in the right frame of mind to drink it too.

In raw form this blend does actually smell like apple pie. It’s a sweet apple with a toasted bread/crust aroma that reminds me of both apple pie and fruit loaf cake.

Once steeped the tea is dark mahogany in colour and a dark, spicy apple scent.

Flavours are delicate with a hint of a spicy after taste. The apple is clean, sweet and juicy with the almond giving the blend a sort of creaminess but keeping it light. A lot of the baked smell has gone since it’s steeped and it’s also not really there in flavour either so it’s more of the inside if the apple pie.

As far as apple tea goes for me this is a tasty spiced apple tea but lacks the baked goodness it’s raw scent offers. At least for me anyway.

Happy Easter Good Friday everyone!

I spent this morning snuggled in bed with my cat Ebony :) He is very loving and gentle, it’s put me in a good mood this morning. Yesterday was at a loss after having a severe headache from the moment I awoke until the moment I went to sleep.

First pot of tea is finishing off this lovely Earl Grey Creme which puts a little frown on my face :( but I have way too much Earl Grey on my shelf already. While it will be missed it will soon be replaced.

Still…vanilla in Earl Grey is always a winner.

See my previous notes for taster review

No notes yet.

In raw form this blend is a wonderful mixture of black Ceylon, large pink/red raspberry pieces and plenty of green chopped raspberry leaves. All being the three first noticeable ingredients. Aesthetically so it looks natural and oh so good.

As I opened the packet I was greeted with a raspberry and strawberry jam like scent that was thick and very sweet.

Brewing Method: Teapot with infuser

Water Temperature: Boiling

Steeping Time: 5 Minutes

Once steeped this tea is orange in colour with a sweet and rich berry jam aroma, much like it’s raw form.

My first few sips reveal a sweet yet mellow, berry jam fruit punch that has little tartness and leaves a clean, fruity after taste. There is also a slight darkness to it which may be the Ceylon and a coconut creaminess which make this more than just a fruit tea.

The more I sip the stronger the coconut essence becomes and it just seems to get creamier and creamier whilst staying light.

Victoria Sponge Cake? I would say so, as near as a tea can be to the real thing. It’s the next best thing which is almost calorie free. :D

I know what I will do next time I get a cake craving, make myself a pot of this tea before crashing on the sofa with my feet up to indulge to my hearts content.

For pictures and a 10% off code for Bluebird Tea Co. please view my blog.
http://www.kittylovestea.co.uk/2013/03/26/cake-cravings-vicks-sponge-cake-tea-will-cure-them/

No notes yet.

No notes yet.

That’s the last of this sample gone and I have plenty to replace it with. Even though I am not a Leo I love orange and thought I would try this whilst I had the opportunity to via swap with Courtney.

More vanilla than I remember but still nice, especially for a rooibos.

For detailed notes please check my previous posts.

Good morning everyone. I have managed to get the day off work (WOOHOO!) so I can relax and have another tea crazy day. I’m going to start off with a morning tea.

In raw form this tea has a spicy citrus smell and is rather twiggy and large in appearance.

Once steeped this tea is yellow in colour with a sweet lemon grass and ginger aroma.

In flavour there are strong lemon tones (particularly lemon grass and lemon verbena) with a spicy undertone of ginger which over all creates a stimulating and warm blend. The mate is rich but is covered nicely by the mix of flavours and would be suitable for those that are not keen on it’s robustness.

The flavours mellow rather quickly so you’re left with a refreshing and mellow lemon flavour in between sips. I believe the ginger works very well with the lemon and it would also be a great drink if your coming down with a sore throat or cold.

One cup down and I am buzzing like a very happy bee. (buzz buzz buzz)
It tastes nice and gives you the caffeine kick it promises. Well done. :)

In raw form you have a wonderful blend of brown/red Rooibos pieces with a generous scattering of yellow calendula petals, finely chopped green stevia leaves and some rough cut but small pink and white pieces of rhubarb.

As I opened the packet I was met with an amazingly strong aroma of rhubarb that has both sweet and sour tones but also an element of creaminess. It’s one of the best smelling teas I have ever experienced.

Brewing Method: Teapot with infuser

Water Temperature: Boiling

Steeping Time: 6 Minutes

Once steeped this tea is red/orange in colour with a pure rhubarb aroma that reminds me of the old penny sweets I used to have as a child.

The first few sips reveal a sweet yet creamy rhubarb taste that is mellow and oh so yummy! It not only smells like the penny sweets but also tastes like them and all in one low fat drink (estimated at just below 1 calorie per cup).

Suitable for those that are not a lover of rooibos, the rhubarb takes away the odd chemical taste that it naturally has and just leaves it’s sweet and light goodness.

It’s also clean and smooth tasting with just a touch of tartness from the rhubarb that blends in very well amongst the sweet elements.

The more I drink the more I find myself falling in love with this unique tea and the smile on my face is beaming. It’s also a hit with my husband who is a coffee person.

I would recommend this tea to anyone that likes rhubarb, childhood sweets or is simply looking for something tasty and unique to try.

For more information and pictures please view my blog:
http://www.kittylovestea.co.uk/2013/03/24/rhubarb-custard-tea-ooohh-my/

My last pot of tea before bed time. I can’t remember the last time I had this tea..must be a few months ago now. The tea bag doesn’t reveal much in terms of ingredient quality or content but the flavour is quite nice.

It’s a subtle orange and floral mix that is light yet sweet and succulent. Not sure I would have chosen orange necessarily for a night time tea but since I am such a fan of orange I don’t mind it. My husband thought I got the wrong tea bags because he also associates orange as being an energizing taste.

There is also a touch of cinnamon that adds a touch of spice to the orange. It reminds me of a few Christmas teas I finished off in January.

The hubby is home but frozen to the bone and in dire need of a ‘cuppa’. We usually brew Earl Grey to share (it’s our favourite) but tonight’s pot is a twist on the classic. I don’t recall ever trying an Earl Grey with strawberry, papaya or lime before so I have no idea what to expect.

The blend has an amazing strong bergamot and sweet fruit (strawberry being dominant) aroma. Also the fruit pieces look a nice juicy red and yellow colours that add an aesthetically pleasing tea.

Once brewed this tea is burnt orange in colour with a sweet fruity yet dark aroma. The first few sips reveal an interesting Earl Grey blend. You can still taste the classic black tea and bergamot partnership but this also has sweet fruitiness and a rather tropical feel. The kind of Earl Grey I could imagine drinking on my own tropical desert island surrounded by bliss. It has a fair strength and remains smooth with it.

Overall it’s a very pleasant tea that any Earl Grey drinker would enjoy. There are enough classic notes to make even the most sophisticated drinker happy but enough sweet fruity notes to put a smile on the faces of those that like to ride on the wild side. :)

Unfortunately my area is under amber alert for snow blizzard warnings after experiencing the worst weather for March in over 50 years. What a nice welcome to spring that has been. A snow warning means it’s time to take advantage of the situation and curl up on the sofa with a blanket and a pot of tea to keep warm. A great excuse to double my tea intake. :D

Spiced apple tea is always warming and hearty which is something I could do with on this frozen night.

This blend smells amazing! You have the sweet and juicy apple mixed with spicy cinnamon and clove to create a very strong and potent blend of Turkish goodness. In appearance you have the wonderful mixture of green, yellow and red colours with the ingredients varying in size for a pretty contrast. Everything looks fresh and natural. :)

Once steeped this tea is yellow in colour with a strong clove and apple aroma. The first few sips reveal: clove, apple, cinnamon. There is also a sweetness from the apple to match the spices whilst leaving you with a clean after taste. This blend is warming and comforting without being too heavy or rich yet still full on flavour.

I will admit that I’m not a fan of cloves at all but there is no thick, sticky clove flavour that makes me pull a face like a child eating vegetables. Instead the clove is more refreshing and mellow which when paired with the sweetness from the apple just lifts it that bit more to make it clove-licious.

I can feel a glow of warmth already :) Super delicious.

Thank you very much Mike from Bluebird Tea Co for this sample. :) Your a star.

This is such an interesting blend and it sounds perfect to celebrate the start of my weekend with. What sounds better than brewing a pot of Elderflower Champagne tea before lounging on the sofa to recover from a busy week? (I do love my rhetorical questions).

In raw form this blend is a very lively mix of which I can see: small dark green/brown Oolong balls, large apple pieces, tiny yellow elderflower petals, nice green lemon verbena leaves and a few dark red hibiscus petals. The other ingredients are hard to spot but with so much going on it’s nice that I have been able to pick out the lot that I did. :) It has a herbal rather strong elderflower scent: that slightly tangy yet sweet essence.

Once steeped this tea is pale yellow in colour with a sweet, light, floral aroma.

The first few sips reveal a mellow, sweet, floral and fruity blend. Very similar to chamomile but with added undertones of flavour and naturally sweet. At first tasting there is a honeyed floralness that strengthens into a sweet, apple melody before smoothing itself out to leave a refreshing and fragrant after taste. As it strengthens the citrus really shines through over the apple and it becomes increasingly buttery from the Oolong.

Overall it’s a wonderful delicate blend and very fitting to it’s name. I feel very relaxed after my first two cups (like it’s already gone to my head). I would recommend this to anyone that likes elderflower, a creative blend that is certainly a very tasty one. :)

http://www.bluebirdteaco.com/products/elderflower-champagne.html

I am pretty sure I have tried Vietnamese tea before as I have vague memories of staying up late last year to watch Full Metal Jacket and drinking a pot of it. I searched my tasting notes but I have over 470 and I can’t find it amongst them or even remember where it would be from. I suppose that is something most people don’t know about me, I am very interested in the Vietnam war. I’m not saying that I agree with war at all but I am just drawn in to it like a moth to light.

My point from the above text is that even though I have tried Vietnamese tea I have no vivid recollection of flavours or smells so I will be going into this tasting session blind. I enjoy doing blind sessions sometimes because it’s the now knowing that makes it interesting.

In raw form this tea has a very earthy, musky, leather like aroma. Very potent and thick. The leaves are black/brown in appearance and have been chopped into small pieces with a few small stalk pieces amongst them. There are also dots of green and yellow leaves amongst the dark contrast. Everything I would expect so far from an Orange Pekoe (OP).

Once steeped this tea is burnt orange in colour with a malted, earthy, wooden and subtly sweet.

The tea tastes sweet, slightly citrus, earthy, woodsy and rich. The fist few sips start with a sweet velvety slight smokiness which progresses into a light wood that gets deeper and darker until you are left with a rich earthy after taste. It’s not particularly strong but it offers enough flavour to be pleasing.

It reminds me of a Keemun but with earthier tones or perhaps even a mil Yunnan. I don’t think it will be a regular purchase but I can certainly enjoy it whilst it’s on my shelf.

Hip Hip Hurray it’s the first day of spring today!!! Officially it is anyway according to online sources. I have been saving this Spring Blend for a few weeks now to celebrate with. :)

In raw form this tea consists of dark brown Keemun (Congou) leaves that are shaped into random knobbly pieces that have been mixed with tiny pinkish/purplish heather flowers. It has a sweet and fruity scent that resembles blueberry or possibly even raspberry (but less sour and more sweet). Yummy. (My husband said it smells like blackcurrant which I can smell so strongly now).

Once steeped the tea is burnt orange in colour with a super sweet berry aroma. Very blackcurrant like and thick now, like cordial.

In flavour this is sweet, berry, sour, rich, earthy and dry. The bilberry is the star of the show with it’s sweet and juicy goodness while the Keemun (Congou) adds an earthy depth. The balance is very nice and it lightens very quickly to leave a fruity dryness upon the tongue.

What a welcome to spring this tea has been, not only has it put a smile onto both me and my husbands face but it also brings back memories of berry picking with my family when I was younger.

Thank you Dinosara for sending me this tea. It’s one of those rare days where my husband asks for a green tea and tonight is the time to try this blend.

In raw form this Bancha looks to be a nice quality colour green but there are some stalks amongst the crisp dry leaves. Also if you look very closely you can spot a few sesame seeds resting at the bottom. It has a light floral yet slightly toasted scent with sweet highlights.

Once steeped the tea is light yellow in colour with a sweet yet light toasted aroma.

My first few sips reveal a sweet green tea that reminds me of sweet pea mixed with broccoli and a nutty, toasty touch that holds itself in the after taste. There is a little hint of something floral or perhaps even fruity which gives the tea a smoothness that slips down wonderfully. Bancha always gives me a dry mouth though after a few mouthfuls and I’m not overly keen on that feeling but taste wise it’s very nice.

Drinking green tea gives me a tea buzz every time and my cheeks have started to go rosy. :)

Thank you Courtney for this sample. :)

Goji berries are not something I have had many times but I do remember experiencing their sour almost cranberry like flavours before.

It’s been such a long day at work and all I want to do is wind down and relax. Something fruity sounds nice and so does the idea of drinking something pink (which this claims to be on the packet).

In raw form this tea consists of large dried fruit pieces, red goji berries, dark red hibiscus petals and little shrivelled yellow petals that look like marigold. Looking at the ingredients list that covers just about everything so you can just about see it’s entire contents from looks alone. It’s nice when that happens. As the pieces are large they look like a mix between pot pourri and trail mix.

In scent this is fruity and sweet with high apple and citrus notes with a touch of something floral. It’s very yummy and juicy smelling. I used to have a lip gloss that smelled similar.

Once steeped this tea is light pink (the same colour as watermelon juice) and has a very gentle fruity aroma with a slight bitter tang.

Yummy. I can taste the melon and the apple :) I love melon. The consistency is light and refreshing with natural fruity sweetness and just a touch of sourness in the after taste. Thankfully the hibiscus is on the light side. While it’s sweet it’s on the lower levels of it but perfect for those of us without a sweet tooth (per say).

I just thought…I don’t crave puddings a lot of the time…I crave the tea form of it instead. If only there was a cheese and onion tea to take away my love for crisps (chips). A moment on the lips a lifetime on the hips…I need to remember that.

Ok back on course. The more I drink the stronger I can taste the melon and apple medley which is at the perfect balance for me. I imagine this tastes amazing as an iced tea, alas I only had enough to sample one teapots worth with (I’m not complaining…if Courtney wasn’t as wonderful as she is I would never have got to try this). Just making a mental note that if I am ever lucky enough to get my hands on some more I will definably try it iced. Maybe even in a slushy style (crushed ice).

The goji or hibiscus is coming through a little more now to create more of a sweet and sour fruit punch. It’s something that I would no doubt love to try again and those melon mad fans (like myself) need to try this.

Look at me I have waffle on a bit, so I will leave it there. I shall just sit back and watch Star Trek – Deep Space Nine.

In honesty today has been far from productive with my time spent mostly watching horror films whilst slumped on the sofa. I now fear it was too lazy…I have a sink of pots calling my name yikes and I need to prepare myself for dinner. Sometimes you just need a rest and most of you will know what I’m talking about.

Before I tackle the pots (I hate washing up) I need something to perk me up. Ginger came to mind as a craving for ginger biscuits ensued so ginger snap it is.

The blend looked like any other rooibos blend but with added large flakes of almond. It didn’t smell of ginger, though spicy it was more cinnamon than ginger.

Once brewed it’s the same story, I taste rooibos, something spicy like pepper and sweet fruit. I’m surprised cinnamon isn’t listed…I’m sure I can taste it. The fruit resembles pineapple with a sour after taste but everything else melds around it.

Despite not tasting like ginger it’s still quite tasty, a nice spicy fruit rooibos blend but it leaves a lot to be desired.

I’m surprised by how many Davids Teas I have managed to accumulate considering they don’t ship to the UK and it’s all thanks to you wonderful Steepsterites. :)

It’s 11:25pm and I’m still up in an over tired state which has given me more energy than I wish to have so while my body is sluggish my mind is racing. Hopefully this Rooibos tea will calm me down a little, it can’t exactly aid in my caffeine intake so theory says it should work.

This blend has an interesting set of ingredients and I’m at a loss on how this tea will taste other than fragrant and spicy.

I opened the packet and took a big sniff and was greeted by sweet almond (very marzipan like) with a pinch of flowers. It’s making me and my husband drool. I just realized I don’t think I have ever told you his name… it’s Richard. :)

The blend has large flakes of coconut, whole cardamom pods, big chunks of nuts, nice flakes of almond and a finely chopped mix of Rooibos and what looks like rose petals. All of this is easily visible.

After the long 7 minute the tea is red brown in colour with the same marzipan scent. I’m craving chocolate marzipan treats now that my nan used to share with me (RIP).

Well the taste doesn’t match it’s aroma exactly but it doesn’t need to be, it’s yummy in it’s own way. Sweet nuts with a spicy and refreshing glow that has depth yet remains fragrant and light. There is also a touch of flowers in there but it’s subtle and maybe pushing into light fruit territory. The nuts however are very strong but much nicer than Davids Teas Forever Nuts.

Even though it’s rooibos I can’t taste it other than a little in the after taste of the sweet almond. I’m starting to think that I’m going to miss this tea now it’s gone.

This is the last of my sample and I was surprised I had not already reviewed this tea.

In appearance the tea is dark brown/black in small squiggly pieces mixed with small chocolate pieces, some sort of biscuit looking pieces, large vanilla pod chunks and an abundance of rainbow sprinkles. It’s a happy sort of mixture.

The blend has a dark cocoa and vanilla aroma with some strange chemical tang. Oohh that’s not good.

Once steeped the tea is dark brown in appearance and has a sweet and creamy vanilla candy scent that is somewhat artificial.

Well it’s naturally sweet and very vanilla candy like but it’s rather pleasing. It has a silky creaminess that is smooth and elegant with enough vanilla ice cream essence to remind me of childhood. The chocolate is there but more in the after taste and with a cocoa slightly sour and sweet kick.

It doesn’t quite taste like ice cream cake but it’s not a bad feat for a tea. It’s creamy, sweet, vanilla, thick, chocolatey and good to drink if your craving something naughty (like I am craving an actual ice cream cake now).

Still the artificial flavours and smell knock this down from being something I would order or trade for again.

No notes yet.

The instructions for Gaiwan use states to use 95°C water and start with 1 minute infusions until the brick separates and continue with 45 seconds – 60 seconds steeps. It also recommends at least 10 servings per brick.

Steep One – 1 minute
Very little to describe as the brick is still compact but there is a gentle sweetness.

Steep Two – 1 minute
Light brown in colour with a subtle malt scent. A little flavour is present but again not much, it’s sweet, a little fruity and smooth.

Steep Three – 1 minute
My husband was first to note an almost citrus like tang which is still very subtle and my brick has yet to separate.

Steep Four – 1 minute
There is a sweet caramel tone that smooths over the citrus. Still the brick is whole.

Steep Five – 1 minute
It carries the caramel flavour well and remains very light and refreshing.

Steep Six – 1 minute
Brown in colour but still no real scent to speak of. The tea is still sweet and smooth with a little earthiness like dried Autumn leaves (which funnily enough is what this tea actually is). Still the brick is whole with only a few little bits that have been separated.

Steep Seven – 1 minute
Slight darker in colour with notable sweet yet musky malt tones in fragrance. Still silky smooth caramel sweetness but the fruit has been reduced to the after taste.

Steep Eight – 1 minute
Golden brown in colour with a stronger earthy malt scent. It slips down so easily like silk, delicious sweet caramel and fruit tones with dark chocolate highlights whilst remaining light.

Steep Nine – 1 minute
It’ starting to reduce in colour and flavour. It’s fruity once again with rich malt sweetness. Sort of like a citrus malt cake/loaf.

Steep Ten – 1 minute
I have decided the citrus notes resemble orange the most. Very subtle once again to leave me with a sweet smooth finish.

For pictures and more information please view my blog.
http://www.kittylovestea.co.uk/2013/03/17/the-gift-of-feng-qing/

Dinner was delicious and a hit all around :) My hard work was rewarded with clean and empty plates so I couldn’t have asked for more.

I’m due some more tea to finish the meal and this was chosen at random from my samples bag. It looks like you would expect but unfortunately my Sencha is not as bright green as the picture, instead it’s a very dark green. Long and thin leaves with a crisp dryness and grassy yet floral scent with a perfume kick.

Once brewed the tea is yellow in colour with a slight sweet and grassy scent with buttery tones. It’s gentle in flavour with grassy and dry highlights with a touch of floralness. There is some sweetness but it essentially gets lost amongst the dry starting to get perfumey essence. It’s too subtle for me, I like fresher Sencha that has a thicker grassy quality.

It’s by no means great quality but is suitable for every day drinking, still it’s not something that I would buy again.

I want to thank everyone for their kind words and wishes for my friend that was diagnosed yesterday with a tumour on her pineal gland. It takes me back to two years ago when my husband was battling with testicular cancer and 2/3 years before that it was my mother with Ovarian cancer. It still surprises me how many people develop cancer in their lifetime and it starts to ring in my head the fact that 1 in 3 people will have it.

Enough mortality…lets have some tea and try to forget the problems we all have. I got my husband to pick a sample from my large sampler bag and he pulled out this White Chocolate Grasshopper. I can see the spearmint leaves finely chopped and mixed in with the rooibos and also a few large pieces of white chocolate drops. YUMMY!!! It has a sweet creamy vanilla scent with a touch of mint.

Once steeped the tea is red in colour with a sweet vanilla and refreshing spearmint aroma. It is light, fresh and sweet in taste with creamy and sweet tones. The mint is not as strong as the vanilla and the roobios is nicely dressed up which loses the sweet thickness I usually associate with it. The white chocolate is very subtle but there is something cocoa and earthy there . Smooth, creamy, refreshing, sweet and a very pleasant drink. Spearmint is my favourite mint :)

Drinking this before dinner (which is leek and mushroom pasta bake in cheese sauce with a green broad bean salad – everything made from scratch). Mint settles my stomach before a rich meal and this was the perfect pick.