Stephanie

What can I add that hasn’t already been expressed? If you’re at all a fan of jasmine, then you will love Jasmine Green.

Simply put, Jasmine Green is an absolutely lovely rendition of a classic.

I love jasmine and this Jasmine is soulful and delicious!

The scent is wonderful—very dewy and fresh! Almost like honeydew. The taste is only faintly melon-esque. I taste mostly the white tea overlaid with a suggestion of melon. The white tea itself seems outstanding—just slightly vegetal, no bitterness or astringency. I think I detect some creaminess?

This is a very refreshing tea, overall. But it’s so ephemeral it’s almost “not there”. Like a dream of a tea.
_{(…did I drink this…or not?…)}

My sample was starless too! :(

But even with its lack of stars, the black tea itself is yummy. It tastes very vanilla-creamy, almost like a buttermint! There is a woodsy, smoky aftertaste that is not unpleasant and seems to add some depth.

Very, very smooth. With little astringency and only a hint of bitterness. An exceptional tea to enjoy with something sweet at breakfast—preferably french toast with lots of cinnamon (freshly grated), butter and maple syrup!

But -1 because of absent stars!

No notes yet.

The dry leaves in the packet do smell like fruit and nuts….and wood—reminiscent of a fruitcake nestled in a cedar box.

The flavor seems a little thin, to me. And bitter. Almost like unripe grapes on the vine. Or like grape seeds—bitter and green with a woodsy bite.

The tea mellows out and becomes more “floral”, as it cools. Floral like gardenias. It seems like a white floral notes are common to tea leaves.

This was my first Darjeeling. It was okay, I guess. I’m not sure if I’m intrigued enough to seek out more.

The scent is like Thomas Sampson eating grapes! A grape-y Thomas Sampson. Must be the Darjeeling in the mix.

The taste is kind of “thick” and malty with just a hint of sweet. I think I’ve steeped this beyond 5 minutes (close to 6!) but it’s not overly astringent or bitter at all.

This breakfast blend is pretty delicious, overall—it has plenty of body and is strong enough to hold up to milk and sugar, but I like it fine on its own. Although, If I were to change anything, I would make it just a bit stronger, add a bit more “punch”.

And it tastes more biscuit-y as it cools. Biscuit-y is always good.

This tea smells suprisingly like warm honeyed biscuits! The taste is a bit like milky, toasted oatmeal— yummy!

I’m really enjoying this tea, although I wasn’t so sure I would. I’m kind of prejudiced against Ceylons because, from the few I’ve tasted, I’ve found them too mild, timid and non-descript—fit only as bases for flavored blends.

But this “French Breakfast” is opening my mind. It is mild, yes. But it’s mildy elegant . The flavor is present but in a soft and comforting way.

The harsh glare of morning may be too much for this “temperate” tea. It would be better suited for a lazy, luxurious brunch. Or as an afternoon repast—with plenty of milk and sweet nothings.

Drinking the last of my tin. I loaded up two heaping teaspons into my 12oz. mug. The taste is so potent it’s almost like I’ve added hazelnut coffee creamer to this! But it’s so much healthier.

Until we meet again, Bogart! This was only the beginning of a beautiful friendship. ;)

Just delicious when paired with a durian sponge cake from the local Vietnamese bakery. I think the smoky, vaguely meaty flavor of the tea balances out the “unique” , slightly fermented, custardy vanilla flavor of the durian cake.

two thumbs up

No notes yet.

No notes yet.

No notes yet.

I have so many tea samples to log that I feel overwhelmed and find myself just reaching for my favorites.

So, Caravan is one of my new “favorites”—I am its biggest fan.

Caravan goes perfect with pizza! :) All that smoky, woodsy goodness—it’s just sooo yummy, I can’t stand it!! And that hint of sweetness at the back of throat just seals the deal.

I love Caravan and will follow it to the ends of the earth! I just wish it were sold on its own.

I think I’m liking this again. The flowers taste sweet—like candied rose and sugared jasmine petals. They’re not overpowering at all, this time. Maybe last time I used too much leaf?

Anyway, this still remains my favorite Earl Grey incarnation! I’m bumping up the score.

This seems so “Easter-y”. It brews up a pretty reddish-pink and the scent is very fresh and fruity—a harbinger of Spring! The rose and raspberry aromas are beautiful together.

But all I seem to taste is the tart hibiscus! Here and there, the apple manages to peak through followed by a haze of candied rose petals and a splattering of raspberries. But the hibiscus domineers.

I don’t mind hibiscus, though—I find it very refreshing and uplifting. But I want more of that delicious sugary rose!

Thomas, your feats of strength never cease to amaze! Even after more than 6 minutes submerged in boiled water, you’ve retained your malty deliciousness. I am in awe.

An impulsive Ode to Jackee blurb:
Just rounding off the night with my “ol’ reliable” Jackee. Oh Jackee, I know our time together is numbered—so I will enjoy you to the fullest and without hesitation!

(she says as she carefully measures out each teaspoonful)

I’m now having a craving for a seriously decadent dessert so—

White Chocolate Cashew to the rescue! :P

The dry leaf scent is intensely syrupy sweet! The leaves have a slight sheen from the flavoring oils. There are whole pieces of white chocolate chips and chunks of cashew mingled in. Once brewed and stirred, the chocolate chips melt in seamlessly and turn the liquid opaque.

The scent and the taste are pretty faithful to its name—like white chocolate covered cashews! But it’s not too sweet at all—I think the black tea base evens everything out with some slight bitterness.

Overall, this tea is fun to drink! I know I’ll be brewing it often for dessert!

After all the black teas I’ve been drinking, I felt like I needed to “lighten up” with a green.

Brews up a deep chartreuse. Scent is savory and a bit peppery with hints of sweet flowers—like wilted swiss chard and honeysuckle. The taste is surprisingly smooth and buttery (mmm…butter) —reminds me very much of the gyokuro I sampled from the Jade Teapot.

Overall, this seems like an exceptional green tea—all the best qualities of a green tea are expressed (well, at least the qualities that I like :) ).

Nice!

Mmmm…smoky! Like the purifying incense of bitter herbs, resins and charred woods. I envision the thick, beefy smoke weaving its way throughout some obscured Gnostic temple. Then, through an open glass window, high above, the clean, sweet breeze from a spring-laden forest wafts in.

The leaves brew up slowly into a rich, heady liquid the color of an ancient redwood. The taste is very much like its scent! Just a bit “grittier”, down to earth….and with a side of bacon (wrapped in butter lettuce). Yum!

I love this tea! It’s my first “official” smoky tea—my first “Russian Caravan” blend and my first Lapsang Souchong! I need to seek out more of this type. I’m hooked.

From today onwards, I am a Caravan groupie. And proud of it! :)

Drinking the last of my pouch, this morning. The last bits are intensely raisin-y and maybe a little burnt buttery?

Farewell, Raisin Toast tea! You were delicious ’till the very end!

I’m discovering that eating something sweet with Jackee makes him taste like bacon! Because right now I’m having this really sweet cheese danish with lemony crumbles and it really enhances his smokey pine notes.

It’s like Jackee but with extra campfire!

I felt like something fruity and sugary, so I chose this.

Oh, this is honey alright—pure wild honey. It’s a musky, pollen covered, honeycomb dripping of honey one day old. The scent is like a sticky, sappy honey-coated pear so sweet and overripe it’s almost turning to brandy!

The taste is less brazen, more candy-sweet and “translucent” like a lollipop or pear jello. Underneath, the black tea base is toasty but sweet—as if the leaves have been so completely infused with the flavorings that they’re almost indetectable.

The tea is cooling now and I really am reminded of Middle Eastern desserts! Something about it reminds me of pistachios and saffron and rosewater…and syrupy baklava.

Yummy tea..I like it!

Okay..second steeping..

Aroma is of roasted nuts, caramel and…cocoa powder. First sip is definitely like roasted nuts—like the inside of a peanut shell, sort of dry and toasty like that—but not salty. Subsequent sips as the tea cools…tastes more peanut buttery to me. Maybe like brazil nuts. Chocolate lingers on the aftertaste.

I know this is not a flavored tea. While I enjoy flavored teas, they only aspire to be this— compared to Dawn, they are shadows…just brash imitators. Dawn shines with quiet confidence.

Guys, this is the real deal. A must try. Don’t miss it!