1500 Tasting Notes
Thank you to Allie for sharing this sample with me!
I made sure not to mess this one up, even though Allie was generous and sent more more than enough for a few cups’ worth.
I taste more mango than anything when it’s straight and hot, however when I sweeten it, it’s all pineapple juiciness. Tasty and easy to drink, with zero astringency or bitterness. It’s all smooth at the finish too, likely due to the mango (which I can actually taste the granularity of the mango, how weird and awesome is that?!)
Thanks again Allie for letting me try this. I’ll definitely enjoy this to it’s fullest.
Preparation
I keep on messing up this tea. It’s too expensive for me to keep on messing up! :)
Steeped it close to 18 minutes today, completely by accident. Therefore, I’m definitely getting some bitterness at the end of the sip, however the clove shines now, and the orange is more prominent. Still missing anything vanilla, bourbon or custard however… then again, I’m not using milk or sweetener, and there is a slight caramel finish. Still good though, and hopefully next time I can do this right.
Preparation
:D my name:) I must have it!
It’s relatively expensive. Cost me $24/100g, and I found it at Holt Renfrew, if it helps. I can send you some?
24$ ? gosh…here in Paris it is 7 or 8 euros for 100g…did you get a tin at least for this price ?
French teas = expensive. Good to know it’s at Holt Renfrew. I called there and spoke with a snooty receptionist who said they weren’t carrying Mariages Freres, so thank you MissB for confirming with me :)
Holt Renfrew most definitely carries it; they probably didn’t realize you were speaking of tea. Mostly sachets though, although this came in a tin. In Vancouver they’re in the mall downtown (Pacific Centre?). Walk to Holt Renfrew from the upstairs walkway from the mall, and as you enter the store they should be all right there, kind of blocking you from getting past them.
Ysaurella, someone will ask you to be a tea mule if you aren’t careful! :) The cost is so high because of availability here and shipping. Cheapest I can find it online is 13.50 euros, and then shipping is 25 euros. The only other place I could find in town that sells MF teas, sells them for $38 CDN a tin.
sil has it all broken down: with shipping if you buy 13 blends/100g per it’s 16$ canadian INCLUDING shipping. (she’s got a whole algorithm thing going). costs a lot less if you go for bags versus tins. ysaurella had to bludgeon me a few times before i saw that, lol. pretty tins…..
Hahah. I’m a sucker for pretty tins. Unless I realize I’m spending $8 for them! :O
It’s in the Holiday Gift Shop area of Holt Renfrew, with all the jams and italian boxed cakes and things.
Ah, thank you OMGsrsly. I’m having computer problems, or else I would’ve posted pretty much exactly that.
I’ll likely buy a whack of DM and The O Dor my next paycheck (so, end of the month), if anyone wants to grab some with me since 100g is just so much… and then save on shipping, too.
OMG, MissB! The O Dor! What’s DM, though? My acronym-translator is failing me. :)
After having quite a few of Red Leaf’s matcha’s, I’m learning that some really do need a much stronger flavoring than delicate. Lesson learned.
Size: Large (60g)
Quality: Classic
Type: Regular
Flavor: Delicate
Made with 8oz coconut milk, 1 tsp Truvia, and mixed with a chasen.
http://www.redleaftea.com/matcha-tea/belgium-chocolate-matcha.html
This smells like matcha to me out of the bag, even though I was hoping for something a bit more cocoa-like. Taste-wise, I wanted a whallop of chocolate flavoring, yet really only felt like it was somewhat cocoa-y at the very end of the cup, when it was more sweetened than the rest. I can tell it is a chocolate matcha, however I need to ramp this one up to robust next time. Good, and likely great with a different base or flavoring.
Preparation
Many thanks to Dexter365 for this sample that I completely forgot about in my swap drawer. Time to sipdown!
This is a lovely tea, perfect decaf to help me get back to sleep after only two hours of rest. I’m getting mostly sweet almonds from this, with a little bit of dryness from the chamomile towards the middle and end.
I love this company concept, and need to spend more time on their website playing with new creations. Muahahahahaa…..!
Preparation
This is a very different experience from the last time I drank this, and I’m puzzled as to why. Still great, still lovely with lots of depth, however it’s lacking in flavor.
Am I getting sick? Is my general poopiness bringing my tastebuds down? Hm. Weird. Going to add some Truvia and enjoy the liter I brewed.
Preparation
This is exactly what I needed tonight, and probably should brew more than just a cup. However, I have some Fauchon waiting for me… and so I drink this happily.
It’s a lovely mix of spices (ginger, licorice mostly) and makes me feel mellow and more able to unravel this mess of 200yds of wool.
Preparation
In a *#%$@ mood tonight. Was awesome earlier, then met up with someone I forgot sucks all the joy out of me (even as they make me laugh), and so this is why I’m eating 85% dark chocolate, drinking this tea, and winding a ball of really finicky, tangled, super beautiful and expensive yarn to knit my troubles away.
I like this tea, although I find I liked it more when it was still hot. Cooled, it’s a vaguely flavored rooibos; hot, it’s got a creamy lime tang to it. Cooled and sweetened? Slightly creamy, tangy lemon lime. Yes, I’ll finish this one quickly now.
Preparation
(HUGS)
knitting does build neural nets that help to process stress…. as does spinning.
Sorry to hear that. Hope the knitting/tea/chocolate trifecta makes it all better.
I spent all evening getting 4 rows of my scarf started, only to realize I made a mistake on that last row, and then had to frog it all. :P I’m back to my 1st row at least, and willing to try sleeping with at least that satisfaction.
Oh no! I actually started this hat last night with a different yarn, but then the intended recipient shared a different color choice, so I trekked out to a new yarn store to find something suitable. They should’ve wound it for me, and yet… sigh. I’m still working on it, three hours later. Frogged what I started, too. Hopefully I can get to row #1 like you!
Yesterday must have been a day for frogging. I had to rip back almost an entire side of the Katniss cowl because it was an inch and a half longer than my customer wanted. Argh. It’s those moments when I’m truly grateful for tea.
One of these days I’ll learn to knit or do something crafty.
I learned to knit because frankly, I had nothing else to do at the time. Once I sat and committed to it, and realized how meditative it was for me, I was hooked. Then I started going to yarn shops… drool. I want to touch everything – and I do!
I said once to a friend of mine, “I want to play saxophone.” He replied, “If you wanted to, you’d already be doing it.” He’s right. I have yet to play saxophone, but once I got it in my mind I wanted to learn to knit… I just did it. We all make time for what’s important to us. For me, knitting is me time – crucial when you’ve got kidlets, your own business, and a wonderfully crazy life. ;)
Really though, that may sound harsh, however I mean it kindly. It’s something I ask myself now each time I say I “want” anything. Do I want it so much that I’ll take action right now? No? Okay. I’m cool with that.
“Once I sat and committed to it, and realized how meditative it was for me, I was hooked.”
Haha was the pun intended?
Also, I totally get what you say, and for me, yes I want to learn, but clearly I have other priorities or I’d be doing it now.
hooking is crochet.
Darn. I got it wrong. My bad.
What’s a Katniss cowl look like?
Also, speaking of hooking – I just bought the Stitch ‘n Bitch ebook for crochet because it was called the Happy Hooker. :D I’ll teach myself crochet someday, once I’m more comfortable with knitting.
MissB- I find it super relaxing as well! Well, when it’s working.
Which is easier to learn…crochet or knitting? Clearly I know very little about either.
Cavo…. depends on the person. i’m a master class knitter. i can do it with my eyes closed and have been designing for years. ask me to crochet and i just ask you to repeat yourself over and over and over, lol.
OMG James. We totally need to do a tea and knitting meetup in Victoria. You super busy boxing week? :) Or we could do it here and include MissB and other area Steeps.
YES!!!
James – well if crochet doesn’t work out for me, I won’t be discouraged.
Also it’d be awesome if you guys met up and got crafty. I’d love to see your projects – I’m always looking for ideas.
sounds good! i think my right hand might finally be up for it!! (it’s been 8 months). i’m working on that sweater that neo wore in the matrix… the one with all the runs. =0) not in a neutral though, screaming red…. lethal looking. =0D little old ladies look at me suspiciously at first as though i’m having them on (a punk dude with a red mohawk armed with stabby needles), then we argue about technique. life is fun.
Vic or Van, you guys let me know, and I’ll be there. :)
Here’s a picture of the coel Jennifer Lawrence wore in the movie.
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wNZqtl44F1E/Upt03DxU8dI/AAAAAAAAKAQ/dlbK3Uh033M/s1600/people-katniss2_zpsf54a57e7.jpg
Ravelry has several patterns for both knitted and crocheted versions. There are a bunch for sell on Etsy, too.
Ha! I can’t knit to save my life. I’ve tried several times, and even taken a couple of classes. Crochet, on the other hand, I taught myself from a book, and I picked up crochet in no time. Someday I will learn to knit! :)
Veronica – thanks! I never noticed it in the movie (unless it’s from the sequel). It looks very warm and cuddly, but it would take a lot of work too. Wow.
Thanks, Veronica! I had seen some versions on Ravelry, but hadn’t seen the original. A lot of the Ravelry ones I’ve seen are less casual and slouchy, more fitted. It’s neat how everyone interprets things for their own style. :)
all this talk of knitting and crochet is REALLY making me consider picking it back up. something i would have never expected to think about again. yet another reason to admire tea people and this site :)
I love to knit, even when I have to rip back the entire crown of a hat because I failed to read the instructions properly. ;)
That cowl is gorgeous. Just gorgeous!
I’ve never seen a cowl like that before.
interesting, that’s an amended version of an infinity scarf…. one that gives an anchor.
this is the one i’m building: http://filmschoolthrucommentaries.wordpress.com/2012/12/30/color-and-the-look-of-a-film-visual-analysis/matrix-4/
but in a really vibrant cranberry. (i’m not a neutral kind of person….. i also added way more runs, lol)
You’re welcome! It is different and much more structured than what’s been popular for the past few years, but I like how it sort of looks like armor.
OMGsrsly – I find the different interpretations utterly fascinating. This is the first trend I have followed from the beginning in a long time. From what I’ve seen the knitted ones seem to be more fitted and have the ringed neckline (which I love!). The crocheted versions seem to be looser and more casual. I’ve seen a few with a structured neck, but most seem to have a looser cowl. All the ones I’ve made have slouchy necks because they are more comfortable. :)
JustJames – Please post a picture when your sweater is finished. It sounds amazing.
One of the days of the Dammann Freres Advent Calendar – I forget which one. I’m sure other commenters have noted it.
Yet again, I oversteeped this. Suggested brewing time: 5 minutes. Actual brewing time: 23 minutes. Ack!
It still tastes lovely though, and is a solid green mate. (Not an herbal, as the package lists it). Tastes very much like mate and lemon rind, although there is a weird cinnamon smell to it that’s a bit offputting.
I love other mate’s though, so this will stay out of my rotation. Having said that, I’ll definitely enjoy the energy boost it gives in the next hours or so!
Preparation
It must be the name, because the ingredients you and Lala have described don’t seem anything spectacular or out of the ordinary – but like I noted on her tasting note, this just seems really interesting! I guess this is just another example of how much impact a name or title really has…
i will send some of the polo club mate vert for you. and i’m adding this to my damn shopping list. why are my tastes expensive?
It’s just sitting here on my desk – how can I not try it? Yes, yes, I know I need to parse some out to various Steepsterites that have asked for samples or part of this order – and I will. I’m just waiting to pick up the NINE packages of tea currently waiting for me at the border, when the snow dies down a bit and I feel safer making my way there.
So until then… ;)
This is a lovely, full-bodied tea with zero sweetener needed, although it does punch up the caramel flavoring somewhat. And it’s the caramel here that takes center stage for me: chewy, juicy, gooey caramel amidst the black base. I could easily drink this every day.
Preparation
YAY PACKAGES! :D
holy crap packages that is so exciting!! (also i have 100g of this coming soon too and i can’t wait!)
IF this makes you happy, then it makes me happy. This sounds amazing…
so excited to read your notes!
It’s super exciting. :) I’m going to hold off on trying anything else though until I get my butt to the border.
I’m glad you are enjoying it! :-)