Cheryl

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This review is for the loose leaf variety. Did you know? (from the Stash site) “Put four 100 g loose leaf teas in your Shopping Cart and the one of equal or lesser value is FREE.” Well, I went over there to order some loose leaf Moroccan Mint, and ended up with 2 free bags (ahem). p.s…that’s not a “sale” (usual promo, been there a while).

Anyway, the smell of this one in the bag scared me a bit. Smelled like a weird mixture of scents. They advise to brew 1-3 minutes at 170-190, so I started in the middle. And I’ve seen mentions of a pink hue when brewed. Not mine (light yellow).

But the tea! I’m actually surpised that the ingredients meld together so well (green tea, orange peel, safflower, rosehips, hibiscus, natural pear flavor, lemongrass, matcha, natural mangosteen flavor, citric acid). Can definately pick out the orange peel but everything else is a jumble. It has an overall impression of Juicy Fruit gum (with a little orange aftertaste, lol). I added usual amount of honey, and it seems just right on the sweetness scale (for my taste). This is an excellent candidate for iced tea … will play around with it and report back.

Have had this for a while by now, but the first two testings made me feel like I was doing something wrong (did not like…at all). How could I not like a coconut tea, so loved by so many on Steepster?

Well, as the saying goes: third time is the charm. Tried to be brave and try it unsweetened (blech…nope). After adding about a tbsp. of honey, this turned nice … much more so as it cools. This coconut is very obvious, but so is the tea. Since most of you have tried this, I’ll just say: yummy.

p.s. Have any of you cold brewed this? If so, any hints?
Still need to try some resteepings, so depending on how many and how it turns out, maybe chilling after is better ??

(copied from yesterday)
Design a Tea offers 2 samples of your choosing on their site (designed by you) for $1. You choose between black, oolong or green and then 2 flavors. Reading the site closer, the flavorings are said to be natural and organic. You get one teabag of each choice. Sent very quickly (I’m not as quick to review however).

This is an oolong tea, which according to their site is their Formosa Oolong (they also sell Ti Kuan Yin, but not for these purposes). I opted to add Almond and Coconut as my two flavor choices. Brewed according to teabag instructions, adding 1/2 tbs. of sugar (1/2 of what I used yesterday on the other sample) << still too sweet.

First sip is a little disappointing (after liking yesterday’s). Something is tasting artificial in this mix, or the tea is throwing things out of kilter (can’t really distinquish it on it’s own). Both flavors are equally represented and strong. As it cools, the artifical feel is less. Since I liked yesterday’s sample more and the black tea base seems better, that might be a possibility for the future. Yep, I think it’s the tea’s fault (not the flavorings).

Design a Tea offers 2 samples of your choosing on their site (designed by you) for $1. You choose between black, oolong or green and then 2 flavors. Reading the site closer, the flavorings are said to be natural and organic. You get one teabag of each choice. Sent very quickly (I’m not as quick to review however).

This is a black tea, which is Ceylon blend. I added chocolate and caramel as flavor choices. Truthfully, I wasn’t expecting much. Well, I was wrong. I was very careful to brew properly, added a tbs. of (crystal) sugar. I actually did not need to add so much sugar (too sweet). The black tea is not bashful, but behaves (not bitter). The chocolate and caramel add a dessert yummy character to it that I like a lot. As is cools, the caramel is overpowering the chocolate (boo), but it’s still good.

If I didn’t already have a tin of Upton Chocolate Earl Grey and Creme Caramel (which I have combined with good results), this would be on my order list. Think I’ll add it though, just so I don’t forget about it. With only one teabag to test, all reminders are gone : )

Having seen this get high praises on Steepster, I decided to include a sample in my latest Adagio order.

The dry aroma smells promising. Adding a T. of honey, it brews to a nice tart blueberry flavor, with noticeable tea in the background. While nice, it isn’t something that appeals hot, so was thinking of putting in frig, but then decided to do a 2nd steep with sugar, instead of honey.

Increasing steep time to 3-1/2m at 190, with T. of sugar, this is much more to my liking (although a T. of sugar is a bit of overkill…need to decrease next time). I do think the tea got lost in the 2nd steeping though. But am going for a 3rd (what the heck) and then sticking it all in the frig to see if it’s a candidate for iced tea during the upcoming hotter months. Another Adagio winner (which are few and far between for me, so I’m glad).

ETA: Put the remnants of the three steepings (about 1/2 of each) into big glass and put in frig to get cold. It tastes really good, but now the blueberry flavor tastes a little artificial (as if there is artificial sweetener, which I didn’t use).

I’m revisiting this today, because Adagio’s clever lil marketing game has me narrowing down an order. I’ve had 2 cups this morning. The first was plain, and it still feels like a green/black mix, and was noticing a slight vegetal (very slight) aftertaste this time (I took it easy on the honey for this tasting, lol). Like it a lot, but truthfully on it’s own, it wouldn’t be haunting me.

My real curiosity was about creating a spearmint Casablanca Twist (which is this tea with peppermint). I have Adagio’s spearmint and peppermint, so studying the Casablanca Twist, decided to go with a 1 part Darjeeling Sungma Summer with 2 parts Adagio Spearmint. Adding a T. of honey, brewed according to this tea’s parameters (rather than Casablanca’s of 180 for 2 min).

The verdict? Success! This is great. As a base, it adds substance to the mint (whether it be spearmint or peppermint). I can see playing with the ratios, even mixing the 2 mints and this remaining a player in the mix. Are there other teas that would play equally well with this scenario??? Oh I don’t doubt there are. But going to throw this to Adagio out of loyalty (guilt? lol).

Darn you Adagio (sticking out tongue). I’ve been trying to resist sales. Frank already got me, now you. And have tested 2 of Teavivre’s samples and have already fallen in love with one of those (Yun Nan Dian Hong Golden Tip) < will write that up after a few more tastings. Tick tock…

Picked this up during their 75% off sale, but hadn’t been inspired to try it until this morning (continuing a theme). The only other darjeeling that I’ve tried is from Adagio, and I liked that one (Darj. Sungma Summer #22), so I have at least one other experience to compare this with.

Brewed at the low end of their recommendation, my first sip impression is that this seems more like a green tea, or at least a combination of black/green. Very pleasant taste. Having added my usual T. of honey, there is a sweetness to this that meshes well and has me thinking that I need to do a side by side testing with the Adagio one (will rate the same for now).

I’m not sure I’d spend the regular price of $20 for 2 oz. for this, but am pleasantly surprised that I’m enjoying this cup of tea this morning. This is a SFTGFOP-1 … anyone have any experience with Darjeelings from Upton to give a recommendation? (did anyone see that Upton added a Wishlist function this past week? Yay!).

Been testing various Upton black teas lately… mostly the blends, but thought I’d try this out this morning. The leaves look very fancy, for sure.

Added my typical T. of honey to sweeten and the first sip is amazing. Not one itty bitty sign of bitterness anywhere. I am getting a sense that there is already sweetness to this tea, and the honey is blending in nicely.

Amy oh, you were right about exploring non-blend blacks… if this one is any example, I think I might have hit my stride in my quest. This is EXCELLENT. If I really like this one, what’s next? (ponders)

This is the last of the breakfast blend type teas from Upton that needed testing (of 5). I started with the simplest of blends, and ending with this one. To be honest, it’s the smoky part that worries me.

I’m not sure how much the added tbsp. of honey is altering my impressions, but first taste does not make me think “smoky” (phew). This tastes very similar to the Scottish blend, except there’s a little sharpness to it… a scratchy feeling (is that the smoke?). I’m liking the overall taste of this… probably 2nd fave out of 5… but, but, not the aftertaste at all (harsh). It’s making my throat a little scratchy too (ok, it’s raining out there and it could be a coincidence, as my major allergy is mold/mildew and it flares with rain… doesn’t help living across street from lake either).

Will retest on a clear day.

ETA: Yikes, can’t finish because allergies really flaring (doubt it’s the rain).

Sample 4 in my breakfast blend quest from Upton. Truthfully, by now I am wondering if I’ll be happy with any (to the point of “love” that is). Negative attitude = not fair, so while it’s cooling a bit, I’ll adjust : )

First off, disclaimer: a wimp size amount of honey was added while brewing (tbsp).

First sip: hmmm, wow, this is not bitter at all (like the others)… shocked.
This tea is definately on the strong side, but liking it so far. Being sensitive to bitter, getting beyond that hurdle is most important. Looking back at the description, it does seem to fit: brisk, malty and definately “full flavor” (not a wimp, like me…umm, me as a tea drinker that is, not in general, lol).

This is my favorite so far. Baker Street yet to go (that one scares me).

This appears to be new at Stash (online) and is offered in loose leaf variety. The leaves look amazing and promising. What I missed in the description was the “vanilla nut” part. What kind of nut? Well, my tastebuds are telling me hazelnut, and that’s unfortunate…hazelnut and I don’t get along. Hazelnut booms my tastebuds and everything else fades into the background. I don’t taste bergamot, only a little vanilla (but at least the tea base came through, which is really good).

For not being an Earl Grey, as titled, it’ll get low marks from me (sad).

This is my 3rd sample of various Upton “breakfast” blend type teas. So far, I haven’t had much luck finding one to love …

Not being brave enough to test this “naked”, I added a T. of honey to sweeten. First sip tastes promising. But now a bit of bitterness is creeping in. Phew, this is strong…too strong for me. Adding a touch of “sweet cream” is helping, but not sure this would be a blend for me (don’t want to have to add too many calories).

ETA: This got way better as it cooled (no bitterness).
Note to self: try less steep time next time, and level tsp, not rounded

This tea has cinnamon and cloves and falls into the “medium”, leaning towards light spiced “chai” category. Twinings does not reveal other details, but I’m definately getting an orange flavor in this mix. Since cinnamon and cloves are my 2 favorite chai spices, I’m finding this tea good … very good if you want a light take on chai.

The orange is making me wonder how this would taste with a smidgen of cream … hold on … mmmm, creamier (good). Btw, this orange is more of a fresh orange taste (not bergamot). And it stays bright underneath the cream (for the record, I use Coffeemate “Natural Bliss” Sweet Cream).

Prompted by ScottTeaMan’s tealog about Christmas Tea, I was reminded that I had 3 “Christmas” teas that still needed tested (since it’s snowing this morning, might as well). After not liking Upton’s Irish Breakfast at all, I thought I’d start with this one (a breakfast blend type).

This one is strong, but not bitter. Having added only a tbsp. of honey, this would probably benefit from a little milk/cream as well. I’m too much of a tea newbie to recognize the separate tea qualities, but the taste is pleasant yet complex. Not rating, other than to say that I will finish this cup (without any further additions). Not sure if would seek out more….will see.

2nd of 5 breakfast blend samples from Upton … tested with T. of honey.

I remember testing Adagio’s Irish Breakfast and liking it … setting it aside to retest later, and it seems to have gotten buried by so many others which have met the same fate (one of these days, I really need to revisit that box).

This blend is VERY strong. I’m one of those people who hates (capital H) coffee. I am not trying to substitute for coffee, but am looking for a non-Coke morning caffeine boost. This tea is very bitter, and is getting more bitter as it cools. I’m not even going to try and temper it with milk or cream. This one goes into the “omg NO” pile (thankfully a much smaller group).

This is ETS’s “Loose Organic” Earl Grey Cream (not the “Metro” Blend). The picture above matches, but not the description. I think there’s some confusion with ETS’s 2 versions.

Description: “Flavored with oil of Bergamot, like all Earl Grey teas, Cream Earl Grey was created through a series of experimental blends with flavors like cinnamon and vanilla.
For added depth and dimension, our blenders mixed fresh cream with this classic Earl Grey.”

Adding only a T. of honey to test, this blend is smoother than the Metro blend (imo). No bitterness detected. The bergamot level is about the same (as the other blend). I prefer more bergamot (for creamsicle effect). Has a slight creamy feel. Not noticing cinnamon or vanilla, but there is a slight sour cream aftertaste. As with other Earl Grey’s, my next step is to add some cream to bump up the yumminess, but could more easily drink this without.

For technicalities, this came from EnglishTeaStore.com, and is called Earl Grey Cream – Metro (Metropolitan) Blend. Recommended by SimplyJenW (thank you!).

This is the 3rd or 4th testing of this tea, and this morning I decided to go back to the basics of only using a T. of honey to properly test. I find that most Earl Grey’s benefit from some cream/milk and will add that shortly : )

There is a slight (only slight) bitterness to this tea, when only sweetened. That should disappear with added cream. The bergamot is on the light side of my preferences, but I like a lot to give it a creamsicle effect. There is a creamy feeling to the tea, but not overly so. Overall a very good Earl Grey Cream (but still prefer Upton’s). I’m off to add some cream now : )

Backlogging from last night:
This came in an assortment box that I purchased a while back, when I first began exploring teas. Not realizing I liked Earl Greys back then, it went untested. Having tested Stash’s Earl Grey and Double Bergamot Earl Grey recently, I found Tazo’s to be more “substantial” … meaning, I could taste the tea over the bergamot, and it was a strong cup of Earl Grey. No bitterness, nice balance.