314 Tasting Notes

100
drank Almond Cookie by SpecialTeas
314 tasting notes

Having one of my favorites!! This never fails to warm and comfort. I love the dough-y, toasty, sweet, marzipan flavor—it’s like an almond bakery.

This is simply the best. A flavored tea classic.

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 30 sec
QueenOfTarts

This sounds so good. I haven’t found an equivalent of this tea since SpecialTeas closed. I never got to try! Do you have any ideas of an equivalent tea that mirrors this just about exactly? I’m loving the doughy, sweet flavor that I’ve seen mentioned!

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

80
drank Tiffany's by Leland Tea Co
314 tasting notes

Spent the rainy afternoon, warm and relaxed, indoors at Leland Tea Co. today. Had this tea with their “Tea Lunch”.

Tiffany’s is hearty, full-bodied and brisk. Very slightly smoky—reminded me of a lighter Irish Breakfast-type tea. I did not detect any floral notes. It seemed like a pretty straightforward black tea. It was dark as coffee and tasted delicious with milk. Very warming.

A perfect cup for a cold day!

Sarah Ruthven

I am always curious about this, how much milk? I never seem to get it right. Also I love, love, love your profile picture!

Stephanie

Thanks Sarah! My picture is from “The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy” by Tim Burton (love him!). As for the milk, I just added a dollop to the cup first (about a tablespoon I think) then poured the tea. Turned out perfect!

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

88

After reading all these delicious notes for different Golden Yunnan teas, I just had to try this sample!

Tastes like a spicy, mashed up sweet potato! A little green bean-ish and “vegetal” (this word is so overused, but I have to admit it’s a good, general tea adjective).

Some butteriness. Smooth, no bitterness, with a slight, refreshing astringency. Scent is like sweet potatoes, too.

Pretty good, overall!

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 0 sec

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

75
drank Carol by Lupicia
314 tasting notes

Now I know why they call this “Carol”—it’s short for “caroling” (like during Christmas)! How clever! :)

I’m so happy this was Lupicia’s free teabag selection this month. I’m always game to try strawberry-flavored things.

This doesn’t disappoint in its strawberriness. Over the tannic “bite” of black tea, I taste a creamy, candied strawberry—like Creme Lifesavers. Very yummy. I agree with the Strawberry Quik comparison, too.

I’m drinking it plain, but to diffuse the black tea’s astringency, it would be better with milk.

Overall, pretty good. Glad I tried it. But it’s cooling down now and the bitterness is getting a little distracting.

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 30 sec
Suzi

Whoa.
You’re so smart.
I never put “Carol” and “caroling” together.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

70
drank Strawberry Matcha by 52teas
314 tasting notes

I’m glad I have this, but I think it’s best mixed in smoothies and desserts and such. On its own, I find it a bit too bitter and tart. I don’t detect much strawberry, drinking it neat. I taste more citrus than berry.

But I have it mixed in my smoothie now and it’s pretty good!

Cofftea

I have the same disappointment from the apple, although luckily I find this one very strawberry-ish and not bitter.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

90

Very toasty!
Strong roasted flavor but it tastes “fresh” at the same time, almost green-like. Extremely tasty and smooth. I love toasty flavors and this tea has it in abundance.
Super large twisted, charcoally-looking leaves. Very cool. :)
Super generous sample. Thank you Gingko!!

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 30 sec

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

90

Yum!

Malted barley-like in flavor. Cereally with subtle sweetness. Aroma is reminiscent of cocoa or carob. Very smooth.

I’m really enjoying this tea! It is delicious. :)

Thank you, Gingko, for the generous sample!

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 30 sec

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

90
drank Russian Blend by Samovar
314 tasting notes

Had this at the Tea Lounge at Yerba Buena. I loved it!! It’s smoky, rich, chewy and kind of fruity—like black currant. It’s just as advertised. Served with cute little silver pitchers of milk and brown sugar—which I added both to—enhanced the underlying sweet jamminess.

A delicious tea for a cool, blustery afternoon.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

78
drank Tulsi Original by Organic India
314 tasting notes

I’ve been feeling a little out of sorts this morning…kind of anxious. So I thought that a sort of medicinal herbal blend might help.

I emptied three tea bags into my travel mug and topped it with hot water.

Tastes like spicy mentholated basil. It’s different and pleasant enough.

I’m going to drink this all day (using up the rest of the box) and see how I feel.

Preparation
190 °F / 87 °C 8 min or more

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

80
drank After 5 by Lupicia
314 tasting notes

Smells like Doublemint Gum. Tastes like a green tea buttermint. Refreshing and soothing. A little light and thin…“crisp” is right.

Not much else to say. This is simply good! If you like mint, that is.

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 5 min, 0 sec

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

Profile

Bio

Virgo Sun, Pisces Moon, Aries Rising

My ratings are purely subjective and each note varies according to my perception and mood at the moment. So, with that said, my rating scale can be deciphered as follows:
90-100: I am in love! A must have at all times! :D
80-89: This is good. It is full-tin worthy! :))
79-70: This is okay. Glad I tried it. Might get more. :)
69-60: Meh. I’m indifferent. Neither here nor there, this is Tea Purgatory. :/
59-under: Mediocre and Sad. Really not good enough to try again. A disappointment. :(

My Misc. Personal Favorites List (because I love making lists!):
Books = The Mind Parasites by Colin Wilson, The Neverending Story by Michael Ende, Beauty by Sherri S. Tepper, The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher, Personal Darkness by Tanith Lee.
Movies = E.T., The Princess Bride, Babette’s Feast, Enchanted April, The Age of Innocence, Death Becomes Her, GATTACA, Fight Club, The Matrix, The Others, Pride and Prejudice (2005 version), Nacho Libre :).
TV Shows = The Twilight Zone (a classic!), Star Trek TNG, Buffy the Vampire Slayer (I miss this!), Mad Men, Sherlock, Being Human.
Music? = I find myself perennially stuck in an 80’s-90’s New Wave & Alternative time warp. ;)
Quote of the Day: “There really isn’t anything; only the story appearing now—and not even that.”

Location

San Francisco, CA

Following These People

Moderator Tools

Mark as Spammer