Dax Pamela Dean

The flavor is deep and rich, with an aroma which reminds me of a good pipe tobacco. Some bitterness, as I’d expect in any substantial yerba mate. This has stems included. Some mate drinkers claim that the stem has more theobromine than the leaf, and that consequently yerba ‘con palo’ (with stems) produces more euphoria in the drinker. I’ve not been drinking YM long enough to have an opinion about stems. I bought a kilo of this, and I’m glad I did. Really energizing, and in a good way.

I expected and desired a double spiciness, and I always add milk and sugar, so this worked well for me. The bag showed double the amount of spice oil stain as the regular strength Stash black chai, and this is also okay by me. If a blend were to contain enough crushed or ground spices to attain that amount of flavor, then the bag would have to weigh about twice what it does, in order to continue to include enough actual tea for a good cup. As long as quality oils and extracts are used, the flavor can be quite good and the price kept within reach by po’ folk like me. I’d recommend this tea for anyone who wants the convenience of a bag and likes to add lots of milk, because the spiciness really shines through. The only thing I would change would be to add black pepper.

Yes, this cup was very tart drinking. There is an amount of good green tea flavor sufficient to carry the zinginess along. If it were bitter or astringent, then I’d not like it. But tartness is okay with me, especially in pomegranate or berry flavors. I didn’t even sweeten it — surprising myself, actually.

Stash uses an excellent quality oil of bergamot in this tea, which (whether or not you trust in aromatherapy) makes all the difference. A great lift to begin my day!

Used 1.5 tsp per 10 oz water at 180F. The dry leaf is a deep dark green, whole leaf with a slight twist. I sprayed it with cool water and let it absorb a minute before I poured the hot water. After a 2.5 min steep, I decanted a medium gold-green liquor with a barely perceptible haziness. The jasmine and tea aromas blend well and seem quite natural. The flavor is less astringent, more mature, and sweeter than the last cup of this tea; I credit the pre-steep wetting of the leaves for the improved qualities. A resteep of 5 min gave me a cup which was milder, less floral, yet drinkable.

4 gm tea, 8 oz water 190F, 2-8 min, steeped 5 times. I like this one more than most dark oolongs I’ve sampled. That it’s not too costly is a factor. The flavor is rich and well-integrated. No single one jumps out at me, but the effect is deep and satisfying. It’s going on shopping list; may buy, after tasting one other sample I’ve received.

Resteep 212F water 5 min, covered infuser. Drank this plain, just as the first steep. ‘Plain’ does not apply, though, to the liquor color, aroma and flavor, which are still quite good. And a resteep certainly wasn’t necessary in order to place this extraordinary Yunnan gold at the top of my list of self-drinking blacks.

Big bold dry tea, well twisted whole leaf, brown and gold, spicy sweet aroma. 2 tsp in 10 oz 212F water 5 min, covered infuser. Liquor is slightly hazy amber-brown. Smooth, rich nutty flavor, slight tannin dryness, full-bodied self-drinking. I’ve been seeking black teas with outstanding flavor but still mellow enough that I can enjoy them unsullied by milk or sugar. Happily, this Golden Tip Yunnan fits the description.

A spiced black tea (chai) which contains holy basil (tulsi), an adaptogenic herb. Organic India uses a mixture of all 3 varieties of tulsi. Fresh, mellow, balanced — the tulsi blends right in.

A fresh cup of bitter frustration. Out of respect for the complexities of white and oolong teas, I’m willing to check temps with the thermometer. But as demonstrated with this cup, it is guesstimates for the greens, which arguably are less forgiving of poor technique. As I ponder, this oyster of irony emits pearls of wisdom. So far though, I evade them, sensing they do not apply solely to tea.

Resteep with cooler water gave a less flavorful, but smoother, brew. Light yellow liquor, faint sweet aroma, thin mouthfeel. Greens are challenging for me, despite wanting to find some I really enjoy. This one seems barely worth drinking. If that is the most I can say, perhaps this sample will be the last of it.

Potpourri appearance with whole herbs displayed in an organza (ultra fine mesh) sachet. I love a good-lookin’ tea! A tsp of light agave nectar rounded the flavor out and added body. Similar to the less pricey Stash Lemon Blossom, but lacks it’s lemony zip. Very good in its own, milder way. I taste safflower, but it’s not in the ingredients listed by Mighty Leaf. P.S. Thanks to Becky, my tea swap partner, who sent me such a fine selection!

3rd steep continues some wood & moss, 4th too faded to be satisfying. This tea’s simpler flavor profile (compared to some I’ve had) may be related to the fact that the wet, unfurled leaf lacks reddish edges or spots, being an even dark, glossy green. Good tea but not thrilling.

This Ceylon Green is small curls, not as tight as gunpowder. 10 oz 180F (guesstimated) 3 min as recommended turned out brisker than I wanted. Serious existential question: “Will a green tea ever inspire me to get out the thermometer?”

too much loving tea / 12-Steep Program is the cure / so obsession goes

The dry tea is multicolored, finely milled, with a fruity aroma. A 4 min steep gave me a rosy liquor which was unfortunately too bitter to drink without milk and sugar. Compared to the fine Mim Darjeeling I had recently, this tea appears a candidate for making into chai.

simple classic tea _{~ peer at wet leaves? waste of time! ~} i know what i like

Heaping tsp tea, 10 oz water at 190F, 4 min yielded an enjoyably brisk, clear amber liquor. I don’t really notice the blackcurrant flavor, which is disappointing, and with milk and sugar, the green tea notes are lost. This calls for trying a whole cup without milk.

2nd steep, 4 min with a few leaves still balled up afterwards! Aroma a little less woody and more green, hinting of roasted chestnut. Flavors are smoother and better integrated than in 1st brewing. Fresh, medium bodied liquor carries a subtle sweetness. I’m definitely forming a positive impression.

Dry tea fragrance is very sweet but not floral. This China oolong wasn’t rinsed first, so the initial steep was 5 min, 190F and didn’t fully unfurl the leaves. Liquor is light gold with hint of green and aroma of wood rather than nut. Flavor is wood and moss, not astringent, with a lingering sweet finish.

Brewed same as 1st cup, but imbibed without milk. Its luscious fruit and flower notes made the perfect accompaniment to some dark chocolate :D

This Darjeeling has golden tips and a peachy (literally, to my nose) fragrance. Used a heaping tsp in 10 oz boiling water, covered infuser, 4 min. Light golden amber liquor is pungent with scant bitterness. Today this cup got milk and sweetner, yielding a rich breakfast beverage.

2nd experience with this tea, 180F steep 3 min, added a little light agave nectar. There’s just enough astringency for a pungent wake-up note, and the ginger soothed my case of “6am Monday tummy.” The matcha is likely what makes the liquor a bit hazy, and it settles out, so give the cup a swirl near the end.

One heaping tsp tea, 10 oz boiling water, 6 min, soy milk and agave nectar. Smooth with little astringency. Truly aromatic. Scents of ginger, peach and black tea waft from the dry stuff and all carry right on into both the smells and tastes of the light amber liquor. Well balanced flavors, plenty of ginger, too, which makes this a favorite.