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15 Tasting Notes

White Monkey from Adagio Teas
72

The leaves are absolutely beautiful with the mix of green and white slightly crumpled curled forms. The scent dry was of a nice green tea with bit of “grass”(vegetal?) edge to it. When wet, the leaves smelled light, sweet, slightly grassy. I found this tea lovely through the whole pot, since instead of like so many greens, the grassy note is not allowed to become the loudest, and instead as a note in the harmony of the drink.

Cocomint Green from Adagio Teas
75

Enjoyable tea. I was surprised by the name between ordering and receiving; I had forgotten that it was chocolate not coconut (an odd combination I agree, but I would have tried it once).
The leaves were pressed paper flat and a beautiful dark green. The first smell of the leaves was very strong, very minty, with only a whiff of very fake chocolate scent. While steeping the wet leaves smelled clearly of mint and chocolate and pleasantly “Junior Mint movie time.” Through to the dregs, the taste was steady for me; I used two teaspoons (not measuring spoons, the kind you use on the table). I think it would be great over ice this summer.

Coconut Pouchong from Adagio Teas
78

I received this tea from Cofftea in our “Pay It Forward” Karma Tea Swap and I was thrilled with every cup from my first teapot to a fourth forgotten resteep. The delightful coconut scent came through the envelope even before I opened it. To clarify, this is not an overly sweet coconut flavor; if it is flavored oil, it is used beautifully sparingly, if real coco. maybe it was toasted? The first cup has the lovely Coco. scent again and the color is a deceptive brown rather than green or yellow. But when I tasted it, the green tea came through more strongly and almost drowned out the light Coco. taste at the end. In fact, my first thought on the first swig (sorry aficionados—I rarely sip) was >Bang< “This has an acrid taste” with a quick follow of coco. taste. It may be due to the high water temperature that I used. This did not continue into any following cups from this pot or any following resteeps.
As they unfurled, the leaves were lovely, wide, and green. Most of them were full leaves that flitted and floated while I filled my steeping pot. My tea spent around 4 minutes or so in this pot until I filtered and filled my fat brown stoneware two-cup teapot. It probably would hold more if I used cups instead of mugs.
The rest of the pot was much smoother, giving me nutty oolong flavor with additional coconut scent and taste. Even as the pot cooled I enjoyed the tea.
The next three pots were very nice as well, the tea becoming more and more the background flavor, while the coconut came forward. The fourth pot provided the sweetest cuppa I have ever had black. It was completely cold because I forgot the steeped tea sitting and poured a cup before I left for an appointment. This was just like having a bite of coconut macaroon in liquid form, sweet and light and lovely. The tea will be very nice this summer over ice as well.

Looking back over this rating, I apologize for all the superlatives. I was very pleased with this oolong—I used find them a hit- or miss proposition.

Green Tea Kombucha from Yogi Tea
69

This was my first cuppa Green Kombucha by Yogi and overall, it is worth more. The first impression on taking it out of the packet was an overwhelming spearmint scent to the point that I was worried that was all I would taste as well. The box recommends using “very near” boiling water and a 3 minute steep time and I followed those steps.
The first sip gave me a happy light taste of plum, a tart lemongrass aftertaste, and mint refreshment throughout. The mint scent tamed down considerably once under water.
The second brew with one bag was very pale and much less enjoyable even though I left the tea bag in the cup while I drank it. I didn’t try a third.
It is billed as aiding in digestive and immune functions; I won’t put any money on either unless I drank it constantly and there are too many great teas out there to enjoy.
So this is a good tasting tea but not the best bang for my buck since I can’t re-brew it.

Perfectly Pear White Tea from Celestial Seasonings
34

This is a nice tea. When I opened the fresh box, I really liked the pear scent & flavor and the vanilla didn’t take over the tea. Now that the box is about three weeks old, the scent and flavor have changed considerably. The vanilla scent is much too strong and the flavor is too unbalanced to enjoy. Since I throw my “boxed” teas separated in air-tight canisters (learned that the hard way!), I don’t see how the pear could have dissipated to this point in 3 weeks.
When new I kept the steep time down to about a minute or so and the light pear flavor came through well. I agree that the vanilla was not always a good addition, based on what I was eating at the same time. I use “getting close to boiling” water, around 195 to 200F.
I don’t know that I’d purchase it again since the flavors were good only for the first week or so after the box was opened.

Goji Berry Pomegranate Green Tea from Celestial Seasonings
77

This is a nice, light tasting tea, very enjoyable. I liked the Goji berry and pomegranate together against the green tea; all three were very well balanced.
I’ll definitely buy this one again. I’ll have to try this over ice in the summer.

Wild Sweet Orange from Tazo
37

Backlogging
I drank this tea at a customer location because it was the only non-black available. If I kept the steeping time very short, it wasn’t so sour/bitter. I have to say that some days this tea was as delightful as the others have stated, and other days, it’s like they included too much of the white under the rind. I agree the smell is wonderful and the look & clarity of the bowl beautiful.
But overall this isn’t a tea I would buy in anything other than dire straits because it seems a roll of the dice on taste.
I drink all my teas plain, no milk or no sugar, until I’ve decided it’s not salvageable any other way.

Dry Desert Lime from Numi Organic Tea
65

Backlogging
Quite a number of years ago, this was my favorite when I could find it. I agree with the earlier Steepers (What do we call each other?), the tartness is a bright note and it sparkles when the tea is fresh. I assumed that I received a bad batch because the tea oil tasted off and the lime flavor I had enjoyed had dulled appreciably.
You all have inspired me; I’ll have to try it again.

Moroccan Mint from Numi Organic Tea
54

Not my favorite mint tea. Was re-steepable 2 twice, with extremely fast declining mint flavor leaving very little tea flavor behind. The scent was very agreeable, fresh and invigorating. This is not a tea I can drink all day long because after the re-steep, the taste is disappointing even in a new cup.

Blackberry Sage Decaf from The Republic of Tea
80

This is one of my decaf favorites, both hot and iced. Because of the blackberries, the iced >tastes< like summer. This tea can be re-steeped several times because it is quite strong. #tea

Daily Green Tea The People's Green Tea from The Republic of Tea
18

Although I tried this many times, People’s Green was too grassy for me (as in I went to my yard & mowed some for tea). I have a couple of traveler’s tins of this and when stuck away from home and mistakenly taking only these, haven’t been able to find the taste that I can enjoy in this tea.
I’ll try it with some of my stronger teas to see if it can be moderated; otherwise it’s going in my swap pile. #tea

Chai Green from Stash Tea Company
28

Trying this for the first time was quite a shock — way too much cinnamon & cloves to the nose, so strong to the point I questioned whether I wanted to make a cup with it or not. Alas, the taste is just as overpowering. There is too much cinnamon & cloves to let the nutmeg, ginger & cardamon shine in harmony with them. It’s like someone slapped me upside the head with a branch of that cinnamon tree instead of singing the the flavors of chai.
Don’t get me wrong; I’m a big fan of cinnamon & cloves (and the rest of the spices), in fact I’ll add them at the drop of a hat to most recipes. In comparison, I really enjoy the RoT White Chai but this Stash tea goes into my swap pile. #tea

Cardamon Cinnamon from The Republic of Tea
87

This is one of my favorites as well. I love the cardamon & cinnamon scents and flavors. Unfortunately, I find this is one I cannot re-steep for the same taste as the first cup. Still love the first though.

Orange Blossom White Tea from The Republic of Tea
92

I find this delicate white tea a great pick-me-up in the morning, if I have enough time to enjoy rather than toss back a mug and run. #tea

Republic Green Chai from The Republic of Tea
91

Drink this straight all day when working. Can taste the cardamon & other flavor notes clearly. One of my favorites. #tea

Profile

Bio

I’m 53, used to be I/T project & program manager and live with a pug (Rhumba) and a domestic longhair cat (Dottie). I drink white- and green teas almost exclusively to cut down on caffeine.

I enjoyed black tea in college when I drank gallons all day long. Unfortunately the only tea available then was Lipton & Nestea. sigh What a difference now, in the stores and with the Internet.

I’ve been inspired by all of your taste notes to try different manufacturers, URLs, and flavors, so thank you Steepers.

Location

Omaha, Nebraska, USA

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