2238 Tasting Notes

50

I know what it is about this one now. Hibiscus. I think my brain refused to believe it for a while. I mean, apple and cinnamon do not need hibiscus. So, yes, that’s why I spent ages puzzling at the taste. I only realised today when I left the bag in my cup at work and it eventually turned red. Then it clicked. At least that’s one mystery solved!

Preparation
Boiling 8 min or more

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70

I wanted a strong, warming flavour last night, so I went for a cup of this. I like the balance of chili heat, spice, chocolate and tea here — it’s pretty perfect in my estimation. I’ve tried spicy chais that are far too hot, and some that are a bit on the tasteless side, but this one strikes a pleasant balance. I like the dark chocolate, too. It’s not actually a tea I turn to a lot when I’m feeling well, so that’s something I’ll have to rectify. I can taste this even with a cold, though, and the chili and spices are pleasantly warming for my throat. Just what I needed!

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 0 sec

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100

I have a cold. Again. Boo.

Anyway, finished off the last of this when I returned from hosting my nursing interviews this afternoon. It made me smile, which is more than anything else has done today. I’m going for strong flavours today, because I can’t taste anything else. Colds suck.

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 0 sec
TheTeaFairy

Yes they do! Hope you feel better soon :-)

Stephanie

ugh bummer

OMGsrsly

Feel better soon!

Sil

boooo i hope this helped with your day and you’re feeling oodles better!

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90

I still love this one. I took it to work last week to try and finish it off, because it gets a bit neglected in my stash at home. The smell of this one dry never fails to cheer me up — it’s spot on gingerbread biscuit, fresh from the oven. It’s also one of the few rooibos teas where I think the base actually helps and enhances the flavour, rather than just being a carrier. This one tastes pretty much as it smells, and it’s a really great winter tea. I’ve been drinking it more than I’ve logged it here, and it’s one I’d definitely look to buy again next autumn/winter. It’s too delicious to pass up! Good with soy milk, too.

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 0 sec

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80

This has been neglected on my shelf at work for a long time, so I pulled the bag out on friday and gave it another try. I like this one with soy milk — it adds a nice creaminess, and tones down the cardamom enough so that I can actually taste the apple. Without any additions, I find it much too overpowering. Milk and sugar are the way to go here. I do like a nice apple tea, so this is one I’ll have to try not to forget about so much in future.

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 30 sec
teataku

Glad to hear that tip about adding milk, since I ordered this one a few days ago. :)

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80

Sipdown! Enjoyed two cups of this on friday, and then packaged the last up to send out in a swap. This is definitely my favourite of the teas I tried in my first Simpson and Vail order. It’s the only one that’s kept its flavour, at any rate. The rest just taste of paper now. I should have re-packaged them when they arrived, but I didn’t realise they’d deteriorate so rapidly. Still, lesson learned!

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 45 sec

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60
drank Sweet Nothings by Adagio Teas
2238 tasting notes

Tried a cup of this a couple of nights ago. I actually bought this set a while back, but have only just got around to opening it. I know, bad hoarding tendancies a go-go. Anyway, the first sniff reminds me very strongly of Adagio Peach Oolong, which I didn’t like at all. The peach was so artificial, even the smell of it made me nauseous. It’s very similar here, although there’s a hint of apricot too. Not that that makes it better, just very slightly different. I gave it a chance anyway, and brewed up a cup.

Fortunately, it’s not as strong to taste as the scent might indicate. The peach and apricot flavouring is hopelessly artificial, but it doesn’t quite ruin this one for me. The white base, which is white peony as far as I can discern, contribuutes a delicate floral flavour and a slightly savoury edge to what would otherwise be a ridiculously sweet, chemically tea. The lavender also helps a little, although it’s pretty hard to pick out at times. I wouldn’t say I really like this tea, but it’s okay. I’ll probably finish the tin, but doubtless it’ll take me a while. Not really a winner with me.

Preparation
175 °F / 79 °C 2 min, 0 sec

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100

A sample from KittyLovesTea! I haven’t been the greatest oolong fan thus far, but I’m definitely getting there thanks to Steepster! I have to say straight off that this is one of the best flavoured oolongs I’ve ever tried. It smells just like strawberry while brewing, and it tastes just like strawberry juice while drinking. I’m not getting the slightest hint of oolong flavour at all, really, it’s just sweet, juicy, awesome strawberry wonderfulness.

I can appreciate that not being able to taste the base tea isn’t always a good thing, and part of me would like it to have poked through a little. I like strawberry, though, and it’s just so perfect-tasting here with not a hint of artificiality. I could drink this for the rest of my life and die happy, I think. I can see myself really enjoying this on a warm summer day, if my sample lasts that long!

Preparation
180 °F / 82 °C 3 min, 0 sec
Fjellrev

Nice review. :)

VariaTEA

This definitely sounds delicious. It is always nice to read people who are very satisfied with their tea.

Sil

i don’t like oolongs and i like this one :)

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65

A sample from KittyLovesTea! I’m a lemongrass fan, on the whole. It’s fresh-tasting, citrussy, caffeine free…what’s not to love? My most recent favourite has been Teapigs Lemongrass, but this is equally as good. The pieces of lemongrass here are much finer and more green than I’ve seen before, and they seem to make a more potent brew. It’s still a relatively delicate flavour, in the grand scheme of things, but I can taste lemon clearly rather than the just sweet, hay-like, vaguely citrus notes I’ve experiences with some lemongrass teas. I’ve enough of this left to make a few more cups, and it’s a very pleasant herbal for either morning or evening. Thanks to KittyLovesTea for making me reevaluate my lemongrass tendencies!

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 0 sec
__Morgana__

This is making me want to steep some lemongrass. :-)

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100

This tea is my morning saviour at the moment. I really, really love the fresh, creamy lemon scent when I’m tired and groggy. It’s pretty much instant wake-up in a cup. I have a fair bit of this left, but know I’m going to miss it so badly when it’s gone…one to add to the repurchase list, for sure!

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 45 sec
Ysaurella

I really loved this one even if to me it’s not tea.

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Profile

Bio

Hi :) I’m Sarah, and I live in Norfolk in the UK. My tea obsession began when a friend introduced me to Teapigs a good few years ago now. Since then, I’ve been insatiable. Steepster introduced me to a world of tea I never knew existed, and my goal is now to TRY ALL THE TEAS. Or most of them, anyway.

I still have a deep rooted (and probably life-long) preference for black tea. My all-time favourite is Assam, but Ceylon and Darjeeling also occupy a place in my heart. Flavoured black tea can be a beautiful thing, and I like a good chai latte in the winter.

I also drink a lot of rooibos/honeybush tea, particularly on an evening. Sometimes they’re the best dessert replacements, too. White teas are a staple in summer — their lightness and delicate nature is something I can always appreciate on a hot day.

I’m still warming up to green teas and oolongs. I don’t think they’ll ever be my favourites, with a few rare exceptions, but I don’t hate them anymore. My experience of these teas is still very much a work-in-progress. I’m also beginning to explore pu’erh, both ripened and raw. That’s my latest challenge!

I’m still searching for the perfect fruit tea. One without hibiscus. That actually tastes of fruit.

You’ve probably had enough of me now, so I’m going to shut up. Needless to say, though, I really love tea. Long may the journey continue!

My rating system:

91-100: The Holy Grail. Flawless teas I will never forget.

81-90: Outstanding. Pretty much perfection, and happiness in a cup.

71-80: Amazing. A tea to savour, and one I’ll keep coming back to.

61-70: Very good. The majority of things are as they should be. A pleasing cup.

51-60: Good. Not outstanding, but has merit.

41-50: Average. It’s not horrible, but I’ve definitely had better. There’s probably still something about it I’m not keen on.

31-40: Almost enjoyable, but something about it is not for me.

11-30: Pretty bad. It probably makes me screw my face up when I take a sip, but it’s not completely undrinkable.

0-10: Ugh. No. Never again. To me, undrinkable.

Location

Norfolk, UK

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