424 Tasting Notes
I picked this out because it was low hanging fruit – a single serve sample that someone sent me, and it was an easy sipdown. In other words, I wasn’t expecting much.
It’s actually very good! A nice strong black with yummy malty tones. It’s rocking my afternoon.
Normally I keep all of my “day” teas (caffeinated) in a big basket on my kitchen island. I separated them into ones that are easy sipdown candidates, such as samples people have sent, and larger packages. It helps when I don’t have a taste for anything specific to rifle through the sipdown basket. I guess somehow it helps me justify the ridiculous amount of tea coming in. :D
Well I was happy that this was a sip down until I saw that I never added it to my cupboard. Sigh! At least it’s effectively one since it’s gone from my kitchen.
Even steeped for 2 minutes this is so astringent, it makes me want to go drink some water. It’s not bad tasting but my mouth is absolutely pruning up!
Also, my Aroma kettle arrived today and I had a lot of fun boiling water in it. How sad is that? What was the highlight of your day? I boiled water!
When I bought my new kettle, I had a lot of fun boiling water. Not going to deny it. And even more fun when I made my first mug of tea using it.
Oh gosh, my daughter thinks it’s a treat to use my “special-tea” kettle. I still marvel at how beautifully it works, and am so glad that I grabbed it.
I’m feeling the same way, boychik. I just bought a kettle for at work (I’ve had one at home for a while) and it’s been fantastic. I was worried about not getting up and moving around enough because I’ve got water at my desk now, but I’m drinking even more tea, so I’m getting up more to go to the restroom. Hahahha.
Thanks to Liberteas for adding this to a box at my request.
I am a big Marcus Samuelsson fan, so I was intrigued when I saw his teas at The Fresh Market. Of the four, this was the only one they didn’t have, and the one I wanted to try the most. Go figure.
I love Earl Grey teas. I realize that they aren’t necessary popular here, but they are what set me off on this tea journey. I like the Earl part of this, but the smoky taste is a bit of a turn off. I am enjoying the sips for the most part, but as the cup sits here under my nose, I am not enjoying the aroma, which reminds me of an ash tray.
To be fair, I don’t really like ash or smoke in any form – not burnt marshmallows, not cigarettes, and not the smell your hair gets after going to a smoky bar (and I don’t anymore). So I’m not going to rate this since that’s a personal preference for me.
I had this last night before bed. It was a really nice cup! I wasn’t transported like I was with Elder Grove, but I enjoyed it nevertheless. It was woodsy and earthy, with the tiniest whisper of mint. I am also sort of mesmerized by looking at the Whispering Pines mixes, since they are so different than other herbal blends. So many interesting things in there. Lots of berries – I didn’t recognize them as elderberries since I haven’t had much exposure to those, but there were lots of them in there. Little woodsy pieces, it’s just really interesting to see.
It might have just been the calming properties of the tea, or a coincidence, but I crashed hard right after this. I was OUT.
This was nice, I try to not drink caffeine after 4 pm, but made this at 3:55 so it was legal. :P
Nice raspberry balance, I didn’t get much cream but I still liked it. I think I have about 2 cups left. Thanks to Liberteas for the sample.
In other news, I finished season 1 of a The Returned. I am ready to see season 2! Started Rectify tonight. It’s too early to tell of it will be good but I have heard good things.
So I live in the part of the country where we get about 10 days a year when it is comfortable to open the windows, and I love that. I have a big overstuffed chair, side table, footstool and a 60" TV in the bedroom, where I can relax next to the windows, drink tea and pretend that tomorrow isn’t Monday already. But, first I might have to murder the neighborhood kids that have come out of nowhere to scream their guts out right next to my window. I am turning into the mean old neighbor lady.
Screaming kids and lounging don’t go well together, I’ll give you that.
Never heard of The Returned before reading your posts, is it on Netflix?
I think neighbors with loud kids prefer for them to live outside where they can destroy the peace :-p