53 Tasting Notes

85

The previous writers have already described the appearance. I want to emphasize the aroma- it really hits you when brewing with an awesome “green”, vegetal aroma much like my very favorite greens. I was surprised that the flavor was much more muted than the aroma suggested. As the tea cooled, however, I was able to detect more and more flavor. This was a very enjoyable experience of a lighter green tea.

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34
drank Cocomint Cream by DAVIDsTEA
53 tasting notes

This is an herbal tisane containing apple, coconut, peppermint, blackberry leaves, and the ubiquitous artificial flavoring. This attractive mixture of colorful ingredients has a strong aroma that brings to mind a York Peppermint Patty.

I brewed this tisane at a temperature just under boiling for 5 minutes, per the instructions. The resulting golden brown liquor is not nearly as aromatic or minty smelling as the dried pieces. Many of the tiny leaf and dust particles made it through the ceramic strainer.

Had I tasted this blindfolded, I would not have easily detected the coconut. Even concentrating, I get more of the floral/fruity undertone than the coconut. When I added a little bit of stevia I detected another underlying flavor, but I can’t identify it. The tea itself is satisfying, with a nice, smooth body, so I guess the “cream” part is apropos.

This isn’t bad. I might drink it after a meal or when I’m feeling chilled. Let’s just say that though I wouldn’t buy it myself, if I received it as a gift I would find time for it.

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 5 min, 0 sec

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drank Cookie Dough by DAVIDsTEA
53 tasting notes

The tea filters I’d ordered from DavidsTea arrived, along with three samples. I’m not big on these kinds of sweet, dessert teas, but DavidsTeas is very creative and the teas are popular, so I was intrigued by these samples. This is a white tea with cocoa, almonds, walnuts, caramel, chocolate, and “artificial flavoring.”

My first impression was Wow wow wow! This is quite a concoction. Chunks of walnut in my teaspoon? I ate one- it tasted like it had been doused in the Artificial Flavoring.

The aroma – good Lord! Very pronounced and sweet, like entering an ice cream shop, or more like a Yankee Candles store. This is chocolate mint cookie dough with a hint of caramel.

I drank this first without additives. It was smooth and slightly sweet, and quite flavorful, with a weak nutty undertone overlaid with caramel and almond. Not sure I taste chocolate or cocoa. A little vanilla almond milk could turn this into a chai reminiscent of a caramel-colored milkshake.

So, after two mugs I feel like I’ve had a decadent dessert. This tea is a bit over the top, much like the holiday season. I guess that makes it perfect for a cold evening this time of year.

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89
drank Sencha by Harney & Sons
53 tasting notes

I thought Matsuda’s sencha would spoil me for this standard, more affordable Japanese sencha, but no, I love it! I would describe it as buttery and vegetal with some sweetness to the aroma. The flavor is strong and that first mug easily becomes bitter when brewed over a minute (which I did. Sorry, Sencha). The liquor is clear, vibrant green-yellow, with lots of little particles at the bottom of the mug. Yummmmmm.

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I love this tea! The dark green blades open up to slick leaves with stems, and the pale green liquor is very attractive. The fragrance is sublime, for those who love strong, fresh, vegetal aromas. There’s even a popcorn-like background scent to the freshly-poured cup, which is the roasted “nori” that Harney detects. I like this tea as it cools as well. I steeped the first cup for about one minute. The second, about three minutes, which was probably a minute too long as it was slightly bitter (but not ruined).

Preparation
180 °F / 82 °C 1 min, 0 sec

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drank Bi Lo Chun by Harney & Sons
53 tasting notes

I got a sample of this yesterday and am enjoying it greatly. This is a light tea, both in color and flavor, and the pale liquor has the faintest floral aroma- so faint I thought at first that I was imagining it. I like the subtle flavors- they force me to quiet down and pay attention to fully enjoy it. This will probably become my “meditation tea.”

My sample, purchased in October, 2012, cost $4.00.

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drank Genmaicha by Harney & Sons
53 tasting notes

I have had genmaicha from three different retailers now. I find Harney & Sons to have a more mellow and smooth version than others I have tasted. The toastiness is there, but it blends well with the green tea- I find both the vegetal flavor of the tea and the roastiness of the rice to be well balanced. It’s kind of nice to see popped rice in the mix- makes this a unique tea.

Preparation
180 °F / 82 °C

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79

I am so excited about trying malt teas! I got the sampler pack because I had no idea what to try. I wish I could show you the cute packages that arrived today- I put the image links below if you want to check them out. Cute, reusable balsa wood boxes tied with string. The sachets inside are tied together with the string and have little typed labels. I forgave them for being somewhat late with my order because I was so thrilled with my treats.

Anyway, enough with the cuteness. I tried the Roasted Corn w/Roasted Barley because the description of sweetness balanced by bitterness sounded like a good start. I really liked the toasted, mellow character of this reddish brown liquor. The sweetness is subtle on the tongue, and fun to detect. I really didn’t notice any bitterness.

Is it the grain flavor that makes me think I could drink this with anything you’d drink beer with? Is it the toastiness that makes me want to drink it in the morning while others are drinking coffee? I wonder what it would be like with milk. It’s a very satisfying tea with a lingering flavor and aroma. It’s hearty!

By the way, I love blending roasted grains with teas. I don’t know what it is about oolong but I liked formosa oolong with soba (roasted buckwheat) and also like it with this. I’m looking forward to trying it with other teas.

I must add that this beverage is enjoyable hot, room temperature and cool. I’m not sure I’d like it iced, but it’s still in the 90s here- I may check that out!

http://flic.kr/p/dg1yHL
http://flic.kr/p/dg1wFp

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Uselessly overeducated, bored travel agent for whom teas are a blessed escape. I switched to tea after a lifetime of Pepsi addiction and haven’t looked back.

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