Jaime

LiberTEAS is one of the true genius tea blenders. This floral chamomile blend is fantastic…just floral enough without being perfumey. It’s just what I needed this evening to send off the day.

No notes yet.

No notes yet.

I think I’m going to pick up some mulling spices at the store tonight to put into this tea. I’m pretty sure that this would be fantastic brewed up with a couple spoonfuls.

Part of the sampler from Bigelow that I’m still working my way through. I left two bags at home to use in Chloe, and brought one to work. I’ll wait to rate until I’ve had it brewed at the proper temperature, but with the water from the HotShot, it’s pretty good. Better than I was expecting, since I’m not a huge fan of unflavored green teas. Grassy and buttery are the descriptions that come to mind for this.

I can’t believe Monday is going by this fast…there’s too much that needs doing. Finally getting to sit down and enjoy a cuppa. Everyone needs a bit of cranberry before Thanksgiving, right?

Also decupboarding this one…yay!

Found this on artfire, and couldn’t resist trying out a new Earl blend.

This is a rather nice blend. It’s creamy, and the bergamot is subtle, but very well-done. Definitely one of the better Earl blends that I’ve had.

I even got a sample of another tea from the company. My only complaint is that neither tea was labeled, so I had to go to the website and guess which tea was my sample based on the pictures. So that does knock the rating down a bit for me.

I am delving into my swap boxes this morning (and I need to do so for quite a few mornings to come). This lovely-smelling blend is from Rachel, and is one of her own creations, too. Thanks so much!!

Had just enough for a pot this morning, so am sipping-down as well!

It’s delicious. Spicy-warm without being too bold, gingerbread-cookie tasting with a vanilla finish and some caramel notes. It’s a tea that your grandmother would treat you to if you popped ’round for a surprise visit, and serve with shortbreads. A shortbread cookie dipped in this would be amazing.

Rachel, thanks so much for sending me this!

Meghann M sent me a few bags of this as part of a fantastic swap box…thanks!!

I do really enjoy this tea. It reminds me of being back in England, where there’s blackcurrant-flavored things everywhere. And of pubs, and my first taste of lager & blackcurrant. So I’ll spend this pot imagining I’m back on the balcony of the flat at Knaresborough, and put off the real world for just a bit longer.

Yes, Frank, I definitely have this one! And I shall be sleeping well for a good long while!

I’m very shocked that I’m the first one to log a note on this, not gonna lie. I know that other Steepsterites have this one in their cupboards!

So, let us speak briefly of the search for the perfect chamomile. It’s one that shouldn’t be too flowery, or be covered up by some other flower (hibiscus, I’m talking to you). It should be soothing and calming, of course, but not so soothing that you fall asleep with your nose in your teacup. Ideally, this unicorn of a chamomile will be a unique flavor blend as well…because who wants to spend a night cuddling under a blanket with something that’s boring?

May I present Citrus Spice Chamomile. Soothing, warm, chamomile without being overly floral, and with just enough hint of spice and citrus to be reminiscent of a chai blend, without being bold enough to jarr you awake. It warms you like a hug from an old friend. I’m not sure if it’s Mr. Chamomile Right…but it’s definitely Mr. Chamomile Right Now.

I picked this up on my last trip to World Market. It was with the Holiday teas, so I’m going to assume this is their special holiday blend for the season (I very well could be wrong, and if I’m missing something good, someboday please tell me!).

The taste is similar to the Year of the Tiger tea, though this one is stronger on both the chocolate and citrus fronts. You can also taste the difference in the citrus…this one is definitely blood orange rather than a regular orange flavor. It’s stronger on the citrus than the chocolate, and if you’re looking for that elusive chocolate-covered orange tea, this one still isn’t it.

That being said, it’s still rather nice and will be a very good tea to cuddle up with on a cold winter’s night.

Finishing off my sample of this from amandajo. I didn’t have quite enough for a full pot, so I threw in a bag of Bushbabies (rooibos/honeybush blend). All I can taste is the chocolate malt, and boy, is it good!!!

Ah, a pot of tea finally. Have been out of town, and was kept quite busy. It’s nice to be home and relax with a nice, yummy pot, and go through the mail to see what came (goodies!!).

No notes yet.

No notes yet.

Another tea I get to decupboard! I do enjoy this one, and will revisit it.

Oh, and has anyone else heard the Twinings radio advert? I heard it on the drive last night…was amazed that a tea company was advertising on the radio! And it made me realize that I wasn’t pronouncing the name right. Woops!

Actually had a cup of this last night. I ended up making a semi-surprise trip to Louisville to attend a visitation. Whilst doing this, I picked up specialty baked goods for my best friend’s parents and made a delivery. Her mom is a huge tea fan as well, though she doesn’t drink the “fancy stuff” (her words, not mine). I was barely in the door before she asked “caffeine or no?” Caffeine, please.

It didn’t get timed and the water was microwaved. And it still turned out rather well, if I may say. I think I would have liked it steeped a bit longer, but it was still a fairly strong cup. It’s a good, basic English Breakfast blend that would definitely do in a tea-pinch.

The cookie and conversation didn’t hurt anything, either.

And…last cuppa!!

Sample from the RoT catalog. I had a full tin of this last year, and nearly grabbed another last night, but decided to hold off.

It’s not as good as I remember it being. I don’t know if it’s because it’s a new batch blend, and they’ve changed something, or if my taste buds have changed. I remember savoring this tea last year and being upset when the tin was empty, but now…well, Twining’s Christmas Spice is very much better. And it’s leaving a kind of gritty texture in my mouth.

RoT, if you changed the formula, you need to change it back. Stat.

No notes yet.

No notes yet.

After reading Meghann M’s and JacquelineM’s reviews of this, I decided I had to try it. I made a semi-unexpected trip to Louisville yesterday, and stopped in World Market whilst there (really, I couldn’t not stop, could I?). I picked up a tin of this and some other teas.

It’s not nearly as spicy as I was expecting/fearing (I do that with all chais, yes, I need to stop). The coconut flavor isn’t overwhelming, but is definitely there and blends well with the spices. I think I might like Adagio’s Thai Chai a bit better, but I really like that this is in bags. It’s destined to become my work-chai because of that.

I think I’ll try it at 5 minutes next time…let’s see how strong the spice can get.

No notes yet.

No notes yet.