Jaime

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It’s rather smokier than I was expecting it to taste. The smell is all vanilla-caramel, with just a hint of rose. There’s vanilla in the taste, but also this burnt-smoky flavor as well. It reminds me of the Stash decaf creme caramel I had a while back and couldn’t stomach. Perhaps I’m tasting the caramel flavor and not enjoying it in tea form? Which is rather sad, since I adore real caramel.

As the pot dwindles, it’s getting smoother and I taste more vanilla. But I doubt I’ll ever invest in more. Still just tastes burnt.

Sadly, the keyboard on my laptop is not working. Having to type up my note on my iPhone isn’t all that grand, though it’s nice to have as a backup option.

I really like this blend!! It’s creamy and smooth, with hints of vanilla and caramel. The spices hint that it could have been a chai, but preferred to be more laid-back and mellow. The almonds and pistachios lend it a subtle sweetness, and the black tea base is delish. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone making a Sanctuary T order, and to anyone who finds most chais too spicy.

So I absolutely loved the “fall back” this morning. But now that it’s afternoon, and the sun is already starting to creep down, I’m feeling a major afternoon slump coming on. I let the tea randomizer (jaydee.net) pick out this tea. It took a few goes to pick a decaf that I had at my desk. It’s a good, basic, no-frills cup that’s amazingly soothing this afternoon.

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Now this is more like it!! It really does taste like a cherry vanilla coke! It’s smooth, and almost has an effervescent taste as well. The cherry is lighter than the vanilla, but I think that makes it better (since some cherry-vanilla things drown the vanilla in the cherry). I wish I had some vanilla ice cream to make a float out of this tea…I know it would be amazing!

Oh, and thanks, Meghann, for sending me some of this and the pumpkin pie!

Definitely getting the pumpkin here…but not the pie. There’s some spices, and a hint of sweet, but the pie comes across more in the scent than in the taste. There’s a slight bitterness to it, but it’s almost more of a blandness that really surprises me. I can smell the cinnamon, but not taste it.

Added brown sugar and milk to the second cup. Tastes like…brown sugar and milk, with some tea thrown in. Pumpkin is gone now.

Small sad.

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Resteep of yesterday’s leaves is just as good. Slightly less apricot, slightly more almond.

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I adore the little tins that Adagio has! They’re the perfect size for a sampler. Spiced Apple Chai sounds so perfect for this lazy Sunday morning, to sit and gaze at my decorated tree (and, if you knew me in real life, you’d be checking the back of my neck after reading that. I don’t normally do holiday cheer).

It’s definitely got the spice down. I only brewed for 3 minutes, not the recommended 5, and used only 1 tsp per 8 oz water. The spices are still strong, more like wassail or mulling spices than actual chai. As it cools, I detect a bit more of the apple and get an apple cider-esque drink. It could definitely use more apple, though. If you’re looking for apple cider, I don’t suggest this one. If you’re looking for a nice, seasonal-spiced chai, this one fits the bill.

It’s Sunday, and normally I do myself a semi-fancy breakfast on Sunday mornings (french toast, or pancakes, or quiche), but I really don’t feel up to it yet. So I’m having this tea to substitute for my “fancy” breakfast item, and cereal.

This tea gets better and better with each sip. I’m getting more raisins out of this cup.

Frank, have you thought of doing a sticky bun black tea? Caramel, cinnamon goodness?

I really want to give this an awesome review…but I really don’t want you to go and buy up the stock of this until payday and I can get a tin (I only bought a teaser).

It’s amazingly good. Apricot is the perfect fruit to pair with rooibos. It enhances the rooibos and tones down the woody flavor. The almond is also amazing in this, making it sweeter and baked-goods tasting. This could easily become a regular nightly pot for me.

I’ve got the tree up and the lights on it! The house is still a disaster, but there’s always tomorrow, right?

I saw the tasting notes on this, and it sounded so good that I had to order a sampler of it. For those who don’t know, Octavia has changed the name of this to “Chocolate Mint”.

After a mild tea spill (still had the vacuum out, so clean-up was very quick), I had a pot of this. It’s very nice: the rooibos is more of a background flavor, the peppermint is nice and strong, and the chocolate and vanilla round out the cup and make you feel like this really is an actual dessert. The taste is very similar to a York peppermint patty, or even a Thin Mint. Very, very good! I only purchased a sample, but I would definitely invest in a full tin!

Having a big pot of this to finish off the sample that LiberTEAS sent to me. Taking a bit of a break from the pre-Christmas decorating cleaning spree to enjoy it.

Does anyone have any Christmasy-chai recommendations?

5 minute steep this time. It’s a bit stronger this time, but still tastes a bit weak to me. Perhaps I’ve gotten used to chais?

Well, anyway, it’s an okay Christmas tea. Comfort & Joy and Tea of Good Tidings by Republic of Tea are much better…and it’s looking like I’m going to need to invest in those two again this season.

I’ve been in the holiday spirit, and have decided that I’m going to put my Christmas tree up this weekend. It’s been a number of years since I’ve bothered with it, but I’m really feeling the season.

So I reached for this on this cold, winter-like morning. Vanilla and mint together always gives me the warm holiday fuzzies. Meghann tucked some of this into my sampler box. Creamy vanilla, smooth black tea, and the perfect amount of mint to give you a pleasing zing and warm fuzzy feeling. This is delicious!! Thanks so much for sending some my way!

I have been stalking the “shop” button on the Tisano site ever since I saw LiberTEAS’s review of it. So when I saw they were giving away samples, and you just had to pay shipping, I jumped at the chance. Got it in the mail today (yes, 4 out of 5 weekdays this week, I got tea in the mail), and almost immediately brewed it up.

The dry “leaf” smells soooo good!! Got a tin of Hersey’s Cocoa? Go sniff it, and you’ll know exactly what this tastes like. Not kidding, I did a side-by-side sniff test. And after it brewed, it smelled better. Seriously wondering if that stuff is edible, or if my insides would really get messed up if I tried it.

Okay, just realized I totally didn’t follow directions (then again, when do I ever?), and only used 1 teaspoon per cup (instead of 3). Yes, I could have read the package, but again, when do I ever do that?

Okay, even brewing it at 1/3 the suggested volume, this is still pretty darn good. I love the dark chocolate taste that’s there. Yes, it’s a smidge weak…but, honestly, I could drink it like this and be perfectly fine and happy. Yes, I’ll try it the way it’s supposed to be done next time. But seriously, the smell of this stuff is amazing!! It’s like I’m baking a chocolate cake and the smell keeps wafting out of the kitchen. I’d love to have a whole tin of this to experiment with; I think it’d be great to blend in with other teas to give them a chocolate edge!

I have solved the problem of my tea getting cold whilst I’m talking on the phone/away from my desk: a candle warmer. I feel so smart right now.

Restocked the office stash…and I love this stuff. Even gave it to a non-tea drinker, and she went and bought a box of it! Absolutely fell in love with it. It’s a great beginner’s puerh…unless you don’t like chocolate.

Have been driving around to my schools this morning, and just happened to visit the one that’s not even a block from Cuppa. So, I stopped in for a latte…

Chocolate-covered Strawberry: Strawberry Santiago, frothy milk, and chocolate syrup.

Commence drooling.

Candy, candy, candy!!

Accidentally started this on the oolong setting instead of the green tea one…and it’s better this way. More of the fruit flavors have come out…gonna steep for 5 minutes next time, and see what happens.

I’m a sucker for different, unique teas. And sweet potato in tea is definitely different. Meghann picked me up a sample of this on her trip to the Adagio store (I’m 15 shades of jealous, let me tell you). Thanks again!

So, let’s speak briefly of the sweet potato pie. It should be ever-so-slightly starchy, have a creamy, mousse-like mouthfeel, and taste of brown sugar, cinnamon, and (of course) sweet potatoes. The crust should be buttery, flaky, and leave a distinct filmy-texture in your mouth after you’ve finished it.

I’m thinking Adagio and I have different recipes for sweet potato pie.

I’ve only steeped for 3 minutes, but the black tea base is strong, bordering on bitter. Normally I enjoy my teas at this stage, but with the combination of the sweet potatoes, it really doesn’t work. I’m getting a hint of sweet (marshmallow, maybe?), and definitely starch. I agree with Cofftea on this one, it’s definitely a “dry” tea; very astringent.

Okay, just added brown sugar and milk to the second cup. Astringency gone, “dry” feeling still there, bitterness gone. I’ll try a 2 minute steep next time around, but this is probably how I’ll be drinking this tea…much creamier/smoother/pie-er. Which bumps the rating down a bit for me.

From my Bigelow sampler pack…

I couldn’t decide what to preset last night. Spent about 10 minutes gazing at my tea cabinet, picking up one after the other only to put it back. I thought I’d want something rather basic, but not bland, but nothing that was very, very new so I wouldn’t need to worry about writing a comprehendible log in the morning. Finally settled on this one.

I’m not sure if it’s the tea itself, or if having it sit overnight in Chloe did this, but the bergamot isn’t all that strong here. It’s kind of an Earl Grey-light. Which, for this morning, works really, really well for me. My best friend keeps this at her place for her mother to drink…I may sneak a few bags next time I’m there.