Saroyan

Unlike other Keemuns I’ve had this is less chocolate and more smokey with an almost blackcurrant sweetness. I steeped only for two minutes which was plenty. It has a brothy mouthfeel with a dry aftertaste. Nice but I like Keemuns with a chocolate taste better.

This tea tastes just like miso soup to me, brothy and creamy with a slight sweetness. The aftertaste is a hint of very dark chocolate. This is my favorite by far of the adagio black tea sampler. I don’t know if it’s the pan frying method or what but this is the first tea I’ve had that has had an almost “soupy” mouthfeel. Very good.

Up to steep #3 and it hasn’t improved very much, slight sweetness and creaminess but the ashy/dry taste has become a little overwhelming. It isn’t the most enjoyable oolong I’ve ever had

First smell is roasted but the taste is quite mellow with a slight ashy/woodsy taste. Not as sweet as the bai ho oolong and I definitely did not let this one steep too long. Heavy smokiness starts to linger halfway through the cup, its like a baby lapsang but not as harsh.

I’m up to steep three and now I’m getting a buttery aftertaste, its become less vegetal and more sweet as well.

This “baby” oolong is really nice. It has a vegetal green tea like flavor and then ends with a sweet almost brown sugar taste at the end. It has a little more oomph then a green tea, almost like it’s the white tea of other oolongs. I’m a heartier oolong guy but this is still very nice, perfect relaxing afternoon tea.

This is my first pu-erh and I’m not sure how I feel yet. The smell is reminiscent of week old salmon wrapped in hay, but the taste is like pure soil with a hint of sweetness. I don’t dislike it and I’m curious what another steeping would do. I would like to try older cake pu-erh to compare. Interesting…

I got three steeps and then it got a little watered down. I definitely liked the earthiness and the sweet aftertaste. I’ve always been a black tea snob, especially Keemun and Lapsang Souchang but I think oolongs are slowly winning me over.

A woody oolong with a slight pineapple aftertaste like somebody else mentioned. I think I like the formosa from adagio better but this is still a very nice oolong and I’m excited to see what happens in further steeps.

No notes yet.

I got four steeps in total and number three definitely had the sweetest peachiest taste. This is one of the better oolongs I’ve had and one of the first truly fine enough for re-steeping. Sample package is sadly half gone already because they recommend two “heaping” tsps so maybe I’ll try to conserve for next time. I would definitely get this in bulk though.

This is a great oolong, soft and peachy. I’m excited to try steep #2 and beyond.

Like others have suggested I didn’t steep this one too long. Even with only two minutes the taste is bitter and not very gingerbready at all. I got this free in my black tea sampler and I’m glad I didn’t get too much or I would have to unload it on someone. The smell is reminiscent of a holiday candle from Yankee candle, there’s a waxiness to the taste as well. I usually stay away from black teas flavored to be like desserts, it’s just too risky.

Mellow and malty with a slight sweetness. Like others have said it is a little mellow and not as peppery as they describe. I steeped for three minutes I’ll try four next time. I was expecting an almost spicy aftertaste and instead its more of a subtle smokey dark chocolate, but I might be pushing it. Its pretty mellow. I got the adagio sampler package and I’ll see what I think of the other black teas.

Smooth and grassy with a slight honey sweetness. It’s a great end of the day tea.

A nice super rice heavy genmaicha. Not my favorite though, I like ones that have some matcha thrown in for good measure. Still a good basic genmaicha that I like to have in the afternoon, it also makes me super hungry.

No notes yet.

A strong malty assam with a very earthy taste. Assams are not my favorite unless I have a big indian meal to accompany it. Also do not oversteep, the website says three to five minutes but I think thats crazy. I poured boiling water and my cup instantly turned dark amber, the tea is strong enough for a minute-ish.

This tea is from one of my favorite stores in chicago, the guy who runs it is the sweetest guy in the world and he is incredibly helpful in finding new teas for people. This tea is not my favorite I’ve had there but it is very good. Do not steep for too long because it can become bitter in almost two minutes, I go for a minute thirty at most. It has a nice light sweetness with a slight tart aftertaste.

As per usual at Costco this box of green tea comes in bomb shelter size. It’s almost a year’s worth of green tea. And yet it’s pretty good. The matcha has real nice sweetness to the tea. I tend to cut off the top of the tea bags and pretend its loose tea which seems to work just as well.

Second steeping brings some sweetness and slight fruity flavors, don’t think I could get another steeping out of it though.

A nice creamy oolong with a tangy aftertaste. I really like Argo although sometimes I feel like some of their teas haven’t been bought since 03. When I brought this oolong up to the counter they gave me this look like nobody had ever asked to buy loose tea, especially this one. All in all, a good tea.

A good simple peppermint tea, needs a little honey or sugar. Tastes better then others, some of which have a Listerine after taste.

No notes yet.