Thomas M. Frank

Nothing particularly special about this Lapsang. For me, it lacks the small nuances that other high quality LS’s have to offer. This LS is straight up smoke with just a hint of sweetness as it cools. I tend to get a more robust flavor profile from other LS’s that provide a multitude of flavors and scents. This tea definitely lacks that quality. So overall I would rate this tea just so-so.

No notes yet.

Having breakfast on my way back to school at the Aeronuove bar at JFK’s Terminal 5. Not unlike most of the other breakfast blends I have. Maybe a little more floral/sweeter than usual.

Finally got the brewing down on this blend. Glad I did! I got in touch with some of the Samovar people and got the inside scoop on how they prepare it in house. They typically use 1 1/2 tablespoons of tea with 14 ounces of water at 170 F for about 3 minutes. A lot different than the boiling water, 1-2 minute, small amount of tea routine I found on their store. The result was an extremely rich and creamy full-bodied brew that I had heard about. Great stuff.

Nothing special. Usually fairly tasteless in my opinion. Shame starbucks carries this stuff.

Decided to give my new gongfu style oolong pot a try from Samovar, paired with their Wuyi Dark Roast. In my opinion, this is the best method for preparing this oolong. Each infusion exhibits stronger singular qualities that are typically hidden when brewing en masse. The Wuyi slowly develops into the sweeter honeysuckle and raisin qualities with each brew and loses some of the stronger peat/chocolate notes that are present at the start.

Amazing tea. I love the smooth and rich taste of the toasted rice blended with the sencha and matcha powder. It has a great grassy/kelp taste that deepens the overall flavor profile. However, my only gripe about this tea is the brewing instructions. The Ryokucha video online recommends using 16 ounces of boiling water added to 1 teaspoon of tea infused for 1-2 minutes. Yet, the can recommends the traditional preparation with the cooled water, 1 tablespoon, and 2-4 minutes. What do you guys recommend? I basically did a hybrid of the two and met in the middle.

A nice floral and earthy tea. Easy drinking with a light mouthfeel.

Very impressive tea. I’ve brewed this blend about 4 or 5 times now, with multiple infusions each time. Really getting used to the multitude of flavors associated with this particular herbal/green. The first time I brewed this tea, I deliberately made the batch a bit stronger than usual to really get a sense of the punch this tea can muster. I was really impressed with the strong mint aftertaste and the hints of fennel, ginger, and black pepper that I’ve really come to enjoy. Each infusion releases different aspects of the tea that were hiding before. One may be particularly strong in cardamom or fennel, while other infusions are more subdued, and tend to exhibit more minty, earthy, and sweet flavor characteristics. Great tea. Samovar continues to deliver on quality and tase.

Well this is my third tea that I received in the Diggnation “Hippie Glenn” Samovar set, and I must say I think I saved the best for last. I’ve been a huge fan of Russian/Lapsang blends for years now but I think this one takes the prize. This is the first lapsang style blend that doesn’t “punch me in the face” when I drink it. This blend is creamy, smooth, and remarkably sweet for such a smokey tea. The balance of flavors is impeccable. Great with scones and jam in the morning.

Decided to brew this delicious herbal infusion after receiving it in my Diggnation “Hippie Glenn” Tea Set. The first thing that hit me about this tea is it’s amazing aroma. Hints of blueberry, orange, and hibiscus float gently off of this red, almost fruit punch looking brew. The flavor profile reminds me of blueberry pie, with a tart kick and creamy mellow finish that is dominated by the schizandra. Simply spectacular. As a less than frequent herbal drinker, I must say that this infusion may become a part of my daily routine.

Just got this tea in today for xmas in addition to the Diggnation “Hippie Glenn” set from Samovar. After about 2 or 3 infusions of this oolong, I have to say I am pretty impressed. The Samovar website lists the flavor profile of this tea to be rich and complex with roasted notes and hints of raisins, barley, peat, and honeysuckle. From what I can tell, they are spot on with their description. Great tea.

I’ve been meaning to review this tea for quite some time. A staple in my weekly lineup, Octavia’s 100% Organic Silver Needle is a very earthy, sweet, and refreshing tea. The leaves are exquisite with a robust nectar/honey scent and the distinct “fuzzy” profile. They seem to have been packaged perfectly with only a trace of broken leaves. After brewing for about 4-5 minutes, the tea lived up to its description with a natural mellow/sweet finish and a touch of earthiness. Although its not the best Silver Needle I have brewed, it’s definitely worth checking out.