Katie Cooper

Y’know, for bagged herbal, it’s really not that bad. Because it’s so rich, I can’t drink too much at a time, but it’s not too bad. The in-laws bought me an entire case for some reason, and I’m slowly but surely working my way through it. Since I have yet to just give up and throw it all out, clearly they got something right.

Since it’s cheap and easy, it’s my go-to blend if I want to drink a tea/herbal in the shower. No, really. Drinking tea in the shower is THE BEST.

This won first for an iced tea category at the North American Tea Championship, and I can see why. This is amaaaazing iced. It’s all right hot, too, but iced it is brilliant stuff. My mother-in-law, who is a self-professed tea hater, keeps asking me to ice cups of this for her.

And another from TeaEqualsBliss (I’m going to be saying this a lot for awhile, I think!).

I think I had enough leaf for three cups, but I threw it all into two because I’d rather have two strong ones than three weak. Smells tasty!

cough cough Astringent. Very floral and… odd. Cardamom? Really, Teavana? Not sure I love that choice. Looks like this one got discontinued, and I can’t say I’m disappointed.

Thanks to TeaEqualsBliss for this one! I wanted to try this but didn’t get a chance before it was discontinued…

It’s all right, but I would have like a more maple flavour. Definitely more apple than maple, and I really love maple.

Interesting, smoky, sweet. A complex leaf. Another winner from Andao.

I got something I had a hard time putting a name to in the nose… Something fruity, somewhat sour, and a wee bit floral. Chrysanthemum, perhaps?

But the flavour, oh the flavour! Butter and corn make perfect sense here. The aftertaste in sweet and lingering – something I really value in a good tea. The flavour is quite off-track from what I’d consider classic first-flush Darjeeling, so it may not be for everyone, but I think I’m in love! It isn’t quite smooth but it isn’t harsh. It’s got some bite and leaves my mouth feeling somewhat dry. Hint of bitterness just for a moment after I swallow each sip. I’m definitely starting to think chrysanthemum was the right choice. An incredible depth of flavour and aroma.

Bottom line: Different, but good. I thought at first that getting the Lochan sampler would save me some money because I could try some first flush without having to sink money into large amounts of any of them. I was wrong. Might have to get the husband to hide the credit card.

Light, realistic, amazing iced. I caved and bought this when it was on Steepster Select, and I am very glad I did.

Not my personal cuppa, but worth a try, especially since ATR has samples. Definitely very interesting. I finished off my sample (each teaspoon steeped twice), but I wouldn’t buy this for myself.

I thought I just didn’t like chocolate teas/herbals because I’d never had one I liked, but this changed my mind. Bold, balanced, beautiful.

Smooth, smooth, smooth. Not the same experience as drinking a first or second flush single-estate Darjeeling as it isn’t nearly as intense, but I don’t think it’s meant to be. A great beginner Darj or day-to-day black tea. Love it.

Good, though not my favourite flavoured tea from ATR. Great base tea, though. Definitely a quality blend and refreshing to boot.

The best TGY from this past year I tried. Diamond, indeed.

Fruity and luxurious. Absolutely one of the best teas I have ever had iced, and it’s good hot too. So sad I’m out; hoping to buy more soon.

No notes yet.

One of the best green teas I have ever had. Endless muscatel flavour and smoothness. You can get two solid steeps from the leaf. Great stuff.

Very economical for how good this is. Smooth, vegetal, eternal lingering sweetness. My personal new favourite matcha for both its price and its quality.