Stephanie

Hmmm…I can taste the keemun and lapsang most distinctly. The pinewood forest campfire flavor is tempered by freshly baked biscuits. Yum….smoky biscuits! :)

There is a refreshing tang of astringency with each sip. Not bitter but tannic, in a good way—“brisk”.

Russian Country can be considered the “gateway” to much bolder teas. Or a lapsang blend for the uninitiated. The smokiness is there but its boldness is tamed by the other yummy black teas.

Interesting…but not too complex—pretty good choice for a lazy weekend!

I was so excited to try out this new offering from A&D! Although I’m not a huge fan of Ceylons (from the few I’ve tried) , I trust that A&D has sold me only the very best of its kind.

Both dry and after steeping, this tea has a light fruity, malty scent.

The taste seems almost like raisin bread—but it’s very very subtle. They’re not kidding when they say this is “delicate”. It’s so mild, it’s almost not there. Totally innocuous.

So, in an effort to extract more flavor, I’ve kept this steeped for double the recommended time, but it has retained its gentle, smooth nature.

With this kind of “tame” flavor profile, I’m reminded of the “No Reservations” Holiday Special last year, where Tony tempered almost every acerbic comment with the disclaimer: “… [and I meant that] in a non-denominational, generic way.” This is sort of like that. I think this tea accommodates all tastes in an unoffending, non-denominational, generic way.

With that said, I think this will be a good choice for all those that prefer a mild-mannered, unassuming, well-behaved cup of tea.

But as for me, I just can’t help but wish that it stood out more—had more character, distinction or “kick”. But I guess that’s not how Ceylons are and I can respect that.

I like black currants. Baked in scones. As jam on buttered toast…

But…I think, not so much in a tea. :(

So sorry, but I can’t help but think of cough syrup when I drink this. Definite Robitussin overtones.

I know it’s just me. Those who love black currants will appreciate this. This is almost like unsweetened black currant cobbler—the fruit flavor is pretty potent. Maybe some cream and sugar will help?

Smells like cocoa biscuits. Or mocha-infused biscotti. There’s this toasty, malty mouthwatering scent. But there is a “dryness” too—like tea laced with a bit of sunbaked earth—terracotta.

The taste is surprisingly subtle and mild—I taste a bit of biscuit, cocoa and earth.

Pretty enjoyable—I think I love the scent overall. If anything, it makes me crave a plate of biscotti.

Oh my god….roasted chestnuts!!! I absolutely love this tea!!!

Such a delicious flavoring for tea.

If you love chestnuts too, you must have this.

That is all.

I was hoping this would be an Andes Mint in liquid form. :)

Actually it’s pretty pepperminty. Very herbaceous. I can detect the chocolate more in the aftertaste—making it more of an impression of chocolate, to me.

I think the flavors would be enhanced if prepared as a “milk tea”.

_{I miss SpecialTeas! But I’m finally getting around to opening my sample pouches now. Maybe these teas are part of Teavana’s mix now?}

Grainy, bread-y, toasty aroma—strong on the rye and pumpernickel.

Flavor is liquid rye bread with a surprising sweetness! Very, very smooth—no bitterness. I love the sweetness in this—it seems to get more “sugary” as it cools down—almost like molasses.

The taste also kind of reminds me of shredded wheat cereal or malt-o-meal.

I think this would be excellent with milk!

Cinnamon, cardamon, cocoa and cloves—flavors all swirled together in a delicious mixture.

I was thinking of adding some strong black tea to this but I wanted to see how this was like on its own—and it is yummy!

There’s a sweetness like sugar cane…maybe it’s the cloves…—ahh I’m getting a flashback to clove cigarettes _{(Djarums to be exact)} —from my disenchanted youth ;). Now I need to blast some atmospheric Dead Can Dance and light up some strawberry incense.

This tastes soo…pretty!!!

It’s a warm, sweet fruity flavor—very soft with just pinch of spice. Beautifully perfumed with apricot. I’m suprised I like this so much because I usually prefer the “bolder” blends.

But this tastes so peaceful and inviting and lovely—like sitting in a cozy, Victorian parlor, warm against the snow flurries outside. There’s this feeling of “nostalgia”. Very wistful.

What a surprisingly beautiful blend! :)

This is like chocolate gingerbread. It’s like being wrapped up in a warm, cozy blanket of spicy, cocoa-y goodness!!!

I love it. It’s good. :)

Thick, buttery, “steamed veggie” aroma.
Tastes potato-y, starchy—with a hint of mint in the aftertaste. It’s almost like a green tea “soup”—very full-bodied and savory.
No astringency, smooth and rich. This is very yummy!

I’ve had this tea forever (maybe for over a year) and I just now have gotten around to opening it. Seemed fitting for today. :)

The tea ball unfurls beautifully in my tea glass. Green tea “spokes” cradling two bright marigold blossoms. The flavor is mild, slightly toasty and chlorophyll-like. I think I taste the marigolds too—there’s this sense of dried petals and poutporri-ness in the flavor—almost like incense, in a way.

All in all, this bossoming tea is a lovely novelty and to look at it is uplifting. I can definitely admire the artistry and care in its creation.

But, as for the taste, it’s okay. I’m afraid that it’s not too memorable flavor-wise.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!! Don’t forget to drink some puerh after the feast! ;)

I’m finishing the last of my pouch and I have to say that I think this tea was just alright. I don’t think I’ll purchase it again.

It really smells luscious but the caramel and fruit flavors are very faint and “watery”. The black tea base is pretty docile as well—not much “kick”.

The taste is faintly like powdery Smarties…..or fruity Mentos.

Just jotting down some quick impressions:

Citrus rind. Lime-like. Orange pith. Grape-notes. Champagne? Milk or cream?—not much. Slight potpourri-ness. Grapefruit.

I guess I sort of like it? …it’s very delicate with an unusual non-bubbly “effervescence”…..but it’s a bit bitter and slightly sour. :(

Faint floral with a toasty aroma and taste. Hints of green and gardenias. Steamed roasted grains juxtaposed with an essence of tropical humidity. Then there’s something that reminds me of macadamia nuts.

Smooth, no bitterness, just a whisper of astringency. Refreshingly warm and soothing.

A lovely oolong overall. A very pleasant cup.

The scent is definitely Cherry Coke!! I can even smell the fizziness! Amazing.

The taste is fizzy cherry cola. This is one of those rare teas where the aroma matches the flavor.

I’m not a huge, huge fan of cherry cola but I can’t deny that this is delicious and refreshing.

And I love honeybush. I find it so calming to drink. I’m a nervous person by nature but honeybush never fails to calm me down, somehow.

I’m really liking this flavor. It’s totally true to its name. And it’s yummy and soothing warm in a tea like this.

Slight malty flavor. Hints of flowery honey. Seems to be a more “delicate” black tea? No astringency. Very smooth and mellow.

I think this would be perfect as an afternoon tea time tea. Complete with scones, clotted cream and marmalade!

This tastes like mango jelly on rye bread!!

The flavor is full of malt and breadiness. Very full-bodied and “chewy”. And there’s this grain-like “tartness”—similar to rye or pumpernickel. Overlaid with a candied dried mango taste—which not very strong but it’s definitely noticeable and lends a fruity lightness.

I’m surprised how how good this is. It doesn’t taste synthetic and all! And I love the bready flavor. So (like I’ve said before about bready teas) it’s like freshly baked bread without the bloat!

Yeah, this is pretty delicious.

Smells like polenta!!

As for flavor, this does indeed taste like corn! Freshly shucked corn. Very yummy. I love corn.

Also has a nutty undertone, like acorns. And grains—like oatmeal. Fresh and soft too—not earthy or dark at all—sweet even. With an underlying sappy green-ness.

This is delicious. I love it.

Hmm…this is okay.

Kind of earthy, malty, a little sour. Has a biscuity, grainy aroma. Smooth. Not much bite. Soft.

Overall, very drinkable but no “wow”-ness.

Simple, sweet, uncomplicated and straightforward. Good caramel flavor, a bit maple-syrupy and biscuity. No astringency.

Kind of stale, though. Other than that, it’s still pretty good for being over a year old and stored in a ziploc baggie. Poor mistored tea!

An interesting tea!! Very unusual. I think I love it. :)

I know I didn’t brew this perfectly. I just felt like I needed to try this today and so I threw it in my bag to try at work. (So my impressions are based on roughly 1 teaspoon of tea and 190 degree hot spigot water in a 12.75 oz travel tea mug):

It smells like freshly peeled corn husks!! With slighty sappy, crisp evergreen and watermelon-like notes.

Tastes delicate and sweet, yet somehow has substance. No strong floral notes or spice—maybe a wisp of clover and grain with a sprinkle of sugar.

I love the scent the best and I also feel very calm and centered while drinking this.

It looks like a full-size order of Late-Winter Budset Yabao is in my future!

So excited to try this!! My first sheng puerh!

Parchment-like aroma. Tree bark and limestone. Slight cereally background.
MIneral-rich taste. Flavor reminiscent of a rainforest—all lush greenery rooted in rich soil. Paradoxically, though, it also tastes delicate and dry. I’m reminded of beautiful, papery moth wings.

Very interesting. I like it. I admire it’s complexity.

But, the aforementioned “creaminess” eludes me, right now.

It seems that my lazy, quick, western-style brewing has done this tea a disservice! :)

I can’t believe I’m almost done with my 3.5 oz of this!! I just got it a couple days ago! It’s almost addicting. :)

It’s true, though. This tea is very good. And I feel really good while drinking it.

It’s very milky tasting, soothing and smooth. And there’s this intriguingly rich, round, buttery-green leaf flavor in the background.

I’m getting more milk than cream or candy. Steamed whole milk that’s almost silky tasting. Underlaid with something very “green” and crisp. Like butter-laced chlorophyll.

This is yummy and refreshing—not “heavy” feeling at all. Perfect for this sweltering, summer day. Perfect for any day actually.

I would have loved to have detected more “sugary”, condensed milk-like flavors (like White Rabbit candy in other reviews) but as it is, it’s delicious. I like it a lot.

This tea will be a staple in my cupboard.