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426 Tasting Notes

Hot Toboggan (organic) from DAVIDsTEA
43

Interesting. I didn’t get the caramel notes as discribed. My first reaction was that it tastes like a sort of light cider. Definitely something you could enjoy on a cold snowy day. Still usually on such days I prefer that which a bit heavier and this is clearly light. I got this as a sample from David’s Tea so I don’t have any more to experiment with but I imagine if made stronger with more tea and longer steep time perhaps I could have added honey and maybe a little milk but that would be reaching for me. Nevertheless, it was alright and I imagine I will not be trying this again because if I wanted to I’d have to purchase it unless they send me more with another order and I simply didn’t like it enough to order more.

Jade Snail from Adagio Teas
67

This is just as discribed. I found the color once steeped to be very light. It was barely colored at all. Shockingly though there was definately flavor there. It was delicate, green, fresh, and just a touch nutty.

Although, it is good I like teas that are a touch more robust in flavor, even my greens. So perhaps I will fiddle a bit more with leaf quantity and steep times until I find what’s perfect for me.

Pink Pearls from Keen Tea Thyme
82

I purchased this from the lovely KeenTeaThyme who has a site on www.Teatr.de it is one of her personally created blends.

First, I mixed up the bag since much of the ingredents decided to seperate. After doing so I decided to steep it in my Gaiwan. The dry leaf smelled wonderful. The strongest scent was the bits of strawberry. I do love strawberry and this had a wonderfully juicy smell to it.

Once steeped I found the flavors to be nicely balanced. However, I was hoping for a stronger oolong flavor but it was to be expected that it wouldn’t since this blend did have a wide variety of ingredents. Nevertheless, it was a pleasant treat and I am glad I purchased it.

Picture: http://instagr.am/p/mRiCY/

Darjeeling Puttabong Summer (#2) from Adagio Teas
77

Having this a year later, new batch of course. I must it was a bit more enjoyable this time so I have bumped my rating up from 67. Goes to show how important it is to try from different harvests.

Taiwan Jin Xuan Milk Oolong Tea from Teavivre
82
Premium Jasmine Dragon Pearls Green Tea from Teavivre
81
Da Hong Pao from Harney & Sons
73
Blueberry Merlot from Tea Forte
45

First, I’d like to thank Tea Forte for sending me this sample.

I found this tea to be very tart with a taste of blueberry in the background. I can tell why they call this a merlot. Being a wine drinker, I can taste hints of that merlot sort of flavoring. As for accuracy it is what it says it is. However, I do believe adding sweetner to this tea would actually enhance its flavor. I would imagine that the tartness would be deminished and the blueberry flavor stronger. Unfortunately, I usually don’t sweeten my teas and I didn’t make an exception this time either so as is this is not something for me but have high hopes that it can be worked with and as a result be more palatable.

Daily Beauty Tea from BijaBody health+beauty
76

Thanks BijaBody for sending me this tea to try. This is my first video review of any tea. I hope there will be more to come. Check it out…

http://iheartteas.teatra.de/2012/01/video-a-tea-review-of-daily-beauty-tea-bijabody/

Breville One Touch Tea Maker from Teaware
97

A basic overview of what comes with the Breville One-Touch Tea Maker and how it works. I had a few people that were curious about the basic so I put together a quick video I hopes will help to answer some questions.

http://iheartteas.teatra.de/2012/01/video-breville-one-touch-tea-maker-the-mechanics/

Breville One Touch Tea Maker from Teaware
97

Please be gentle this is my first ever video that I have made with the intent of sharing with all my tea friends. It is a little long and a little boring but still I hope it captures my excitement I was feeling when I finally got my first chance to use this lovely Christmas gift I received from my dear husband Ralph.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D08-Gu4CDAw&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Enjoy!

As for the tea – The Milk Oolong I used turned out amazing. I absolutely enjoyed this just as I would have if I had made it the traditional way.

Snow Bunny (organic) from DAVIDsTEA
94

After a day of putting away the Christmas decorations my husband and I decided to make this tea as a treat for a job well done. I was concerned he wouldn’t enjoy it since it has walnuts in it but sometimes tea doesn’t react the same way as food so I made it anyway. This particular tea happens to be one I received as a sample with my order and boy am I glad. The moment I opened the package the aroma was intoxicating. I only hoped it would translate into the finished product. Once steeped it did translate but not as strong. Still enough to make one delicious cup. My husband didn’t even taste the walnut. He thought there was a strawberry flavor. I didn’t get what he got. I got the flavor of a dense warm slice of banana nut bread. I love banana nut bread. A great cuppa. I suspect I will have to order a larger bag in the future. Thanks for sending me this sample DAVIDsTEA

White Peony (Bai MuDan) Tea from Teavivre
60
Hong Jing Luo from thepuriTea
80

My second time reviewing this tea. However, my opnion on this tea has changed slightly. I am reviewing a fresh batch I just received recently. Although, I enjoyed this I just didn’t as much as before. Not because of the tea itself but because since the last time I reviewed this tea I have tired so many others and have expanded my base of reference. My previous score was 86 and I have reduced it ever so slightly only because my palate has since expanded. It is funny how opinions can change or be fine tuned after trying so many teas.

Full Review: http://iheartteas.teatra.de/2012/01/hong-jing-luo-black-tea-thepuritea/

Hong Jing Luo from thepuriTea
80
Milk Oolong from thepuriTea
100

Just recently ordered some more Milk Oolong. The freshest batch since they restocked. I found this to be just as delicious as the last batch. The only difference I noticed is as follows…

1. More delicate
2. More subtle creamyness
3. A lot more balanced in flavor

I made this first on December 31st 2011 and used it to make the first cup of tea using the new addition to the family… My Breville One-Touch Tea Maker and it did not disappoint. I made it again today 1/5/2012 to honor my daughters 5th Birthday and served it to my family. Everyone raved about it. Even my stereotypical “big black guy” brother in-law enjoyed it. He is normally a Gatorade kinda guy. (My statement isn’t meant to offend anyone. My bother in-law would laugh at my statement and if he isn’t offended no one else should be either. I am only mentioning this because I know it may come off wrong to those who don’t know me and my humor. Thanks!)

Wild Black Yunnan from DAVIDsTEA
79

Finally a review on my family day on vacation and I used my new Breville One-Touch Tea Maker to steep this beauty. It truly enbodies what I imagine the Earth the would taste like. This is a dark brew, it isn’t for those strictly dainty, pinky straight up in the air tea drinkers. Although, I do that from time to time myself. I found it representive of all things earthy such as nutrient rich soil, mossy covered stones, basically an ancient forest bed. I immediately feel transported under a large old prehistoric tree sipping this cup of tea that only binds me closers to the forest around me. This tea tastes just as described and doesn’t disappoint. Next time you place an order I suggest giving this one a try.

Sweet Autumn Tea from Lupicia
83

Drinking this sample tonight and the moment I opened the bag the delicious smell was the first thing I noticed. It is a full flavored cuppa that I truly enjoyed. The sweet potato is the strongest in flavor but is perfectly proportioned. A delicious well balanced cup reminiscent of all feelings and flavor of autumn.

Decaf Ceylon from Harney & Sons
47

Finally took the opportunity to try this sample. It was a little strange for me. On first sip it tasted unusually sweet. Keep in mind used no sweetner so it was a bit of a shock. Once I got past that flavor I will say for a decaf it wasn’t awful. It actually tastes like tea but still it wasn’t my cuppa but happy I had the chance to try it.

Magic Carpet Tea from Magic Carpet Tea
46

An earthy blend with potential. See here for a complete review…
http://t.co/70A491vT

Apple from Lupicia
59

Finally, getting to some of my samples and starting with this one. I found the black tea base to be standard lacking any sort of distinguishing markers thus making it an alright choice for a flavored tea. The apple was accurate and even fresh in flavor. It was remenisant of a Red Delicious Apple. Overall, not a bad tea cuppa at all.

Earl Grey from thepuriTea
59

Earl Grey my nemesis. See what happened when I cold brewed it. My 5th and final review in a five part series.

Full Review: http://t.co/nnlBDebp

Dan Cong from thepuriTea
69

The 4th of 5 teas I have cold brewed from thepuriTea. This one was not exactly what I expected.

Full Review: http://bit.ly/mVdUVN

Assam #1 from thepuriTea
81

This is the third of five teas from thepuriTea I have now tried cold brewed. It was wonderfully simple and hit the spot.

Detailed Review Here: http://t.co/qr2IiLUD

Profile

Bio

A lover & provider of tea, teas accessories, and tea-inspired beauty products. A bit of a geek, and I think it works for me.

Follow Me (Personal Account): www.Twitter.com/RachelKCarter
Follow Me (Tea Biz): www.Twitter.com/iHeartTeas

To purchase my products and samples from various other tea companies please visit…
www.iHeartTeas.com

Location

Chicago, IL

Website

http://www.iHeartTeas.com

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