AmazonV

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 tsp
Water: 2 zarafina cups filtered water
Tool: Zarafina white-loose-medium
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: sweet and fruity (MilitiaJim confirms the fruity is current, I don’t know what currant smells like)
Steeped Tea Smell: sweet, fruity, leafy
Flavor: slightly bitter, leafy, fruity
Body: Light
Aftertaste: bitter, fruity
Liquor: translucent yellow-green-brown

Per all the tasting notes on Steepster I should try this iced.

It smells better than it tastes to me. It is a good cup of tea but I don’t see myself craving it.

Post-Steep Additives: none

Resteep: Zarafina white-loose-medium
less bitter than the first steep, a tad weaker

images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/52teas-loose-leaf-white-tea-black.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 tsp
Water: 2 zarafina cups filtered water
Tool: Zarafina herbal-loose-strong
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: exactly like “Terry’s Milk Chocolate Orange Ball”
Steeped Tea Smell: exactly like “Terry’s Milk Chocolate Orange Ball”
Flavor: orange, hints of rooibos and chocolate
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: hints of sweet chocolate
Liquor: translucent dark orange-brown

Oh my did the tiny rooibos chips make a mess inside the zarafina! They escaped the mesh basket and got everywhere.

On the other hand this is a delicious caffeine free dessert tea.

Resteep: zarafina herbal-loose-strong
Orange colored water, this is not resteepable – at least at whatever time the zarafina uses for strong.

Images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/thenecessiteas-loose-leaf-rooibos-tea.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 3 tsp
Water: 22 oz filtered, boiling
Tool: Cast Iron Teapot with Mesh basket strainer in cup
Steep Time: a little over 4 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: orange, fig
Steeped Tea Smell: black tea
Flavor: smooth black tea
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: none
Liquor: translucent brown

I really didn’t get any of the flavors listed strongly in the scent or the flavor. I think perhaps a longer steep or more leaves are in order.

As it is I find it a smooth black tea, nothing special.

Post-Steep Additives: none

images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/dammann-freres-loose-leaf-black-tea-des.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 tsp per ~ 12 oz mug
Additives: honey
Water: filtered, boiling
Tool: make your own paper teabag
Steep Time: a little over 7 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: fruity, sweet
Steeped Tea Smell: fruity
Flavor: berry, sweet
Body: Full
Aftertaste: fruity, a little tart
Liquor: deep dark red

I raided my mom’s tea stash and made some of this tea. My sister had picked it out one time when we were at Teavana and apparently didn’t finish it yet.

It’s good, but I think the strawberry kiwi is better.

images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/teavana-loose-leaf-herbal-tea-sweet.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 3 tsp
Water: 22 oz filtered, boiling
Tool: Cast Iron Teapot with Mesh basket strainer
Steep Time: a little over 4 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: sweet and fruity
Steeped Tea Smell: black tea, cherry
Flavor: black tea, sweet, fruity
MilitiaJim: vanilla
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: astringent, fruity
Liquor: translucent dark orange-brown

As I said earlier, my taste buds appear to be ignoring vanilla lately. This is sad as I love vanilla.

This was a lovely scent, a blend of sweet fruits that makes your mouth water. The flavor is more subtle than the scent, but still smooth and a very nice cup of tea.

Post-Steep Additives: German rock sugar
Less astringency

Resteep: 4 minutes
Slightly weaker, but still delicious

As I drink the second pot (I was expecting some help, but apparently all 44 oz are all mine) I noticed that the tea is silky smooth – not buttery, but when I swallow there is a silken residue in my mouth and throat for a moment. I was too busy chugging and noting before to get that feeling.

images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/dammann-freres-loose-leaf-black-tea_16.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 1 tsp
Water: 1 zarafina cup
Tool: Zarafina black-loose-medium
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: chocolate, nut, tea, something else I can’t identify
Steeped Tea Smell: sweet black tea
Flavor: astringent, nutty, black tea
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: astringent, a touch bitter
Liquor: translucent dark reddish-brown

There was not high star frequency in the tin. I think 1/3 of my cups may get one? So the picture is a bit misleading.

The taste however is smooth and very pleasant. I very much enjoyed this tea.

I did not pick up the vanilla, I think my taste buds need a reset / recalibration :( I have been missing it while MilitiaJim has been spotting it lately.

I prepared this while running around getting ready for work. I have been trying to wake up early enough to review one tea each day before work, but I am not a morning person. Thank goodness for the zarafina, it takes care of the tea while I work on packing lunch and everything else.

Post-Steep Additives: German rock sugar
Sweet tea, hint of nuts and coco

I took a few sips and then went back to getting ready for work.

Resteep: Zarafina black-loose-medium
I started this immediately after pouring the first steep off. The second steep was the same as the first steep, after assessing this I then mixed the two together into my travel mug and then ran to the train.

images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/jade-teapot-loose-leaf-black-tea-starry.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 tsp
Water: 2 zarafina cups filtered
Tool: Zarafina black-loose-medium
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: apple, spice, black tea, sweetness
Steeped Tea Smell: caramel, apple, spice, maybe cherry
Flavor: black tea
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: bitter
Liquor: translucent dark reddish-brown

I did something wrong, the tea smells fabulous, but is weak and a bit bitter. I think I need more leaf, and less time?

On the other hand both the tea and leaf smell so fabulous I am happy to just sit here and sniff….

Post-Steep Additives: none

Resteep: zarafina 1 c, same 2 tsp, black-loose-medium
stronger body, astringent, less bitter, black tea, hints of apple and spice

Next time 2 tsp / cup and some sugar

images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/dammann-freres-loose-leaf-black-tea.html

Update on The Republic of Tea Company Teabag Herbal Tea ‘Natural Hibiscus’

Iced tea made in a large pitcher with 16 teabags, 8 cups hot water (filtered, boiling), and some ice.

A bit tart, so i added a splash of lemon juice and sugar free raspberry torani syrup

Delicious; sweet, hibiscus, tart, citrus, then raspberry sweet

Next time it could bear for some more water though, or less bags, and perhaps honey while it’s hot.

Steep Information:
Amount: 4 tsp
Additives: none
Water: 22 oz filtered, boiling, then let set until approximately 170-180°
Tool: Cast Iron Teapot with Mesh basket strainer in cup
Steep Time: a little over 3 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: DELICIOUS, fruity with some vegetal scent
Steeped Tea Smell: fruity, cherry, green vegetal tea
Flavor: sweet, vegetal, slight hint of floral and fruit
Body: Light
Aftertaste: bitter
Liquor: translucent yellow-green

This tea brings immediately to mind spring cherry green tea.

I believe in my excitement to try this tea I used too much leaf and / or perhaps water that was too hot.

I unfortunately decided to break into this tea (it smelled so fabulous I could not resist!) after 6 o’clock pm. I do hope it won’t keep me up all night.

Sadly right now I must award it only 2/4 leaves. I do believe once I tweak the steep it will be a 3/4 however I do think that it is on par as a tea with spring cherry. I am not saying this tea is not good, but I certainly won’t bring it from France to the US if there is a comparable tea here.

Post-Steep Additives: none

Resteep: 3 minutes – still a nice vegetal fruity tea, dumped in honey and drank it all up

I got my order in from the group order from Dammann Freres with Doulton today!

The packaged smelled delicious, simply delicious. I had to have one right away.

I also got some surprises in there I can’t wait to try!

Rating: 2/4 leaves

Images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/dammann-freres-loose-leaf-green-tea.html

Steep Information:
Amount: I put 10, because that’s what came when I took a tsp
Water: filtered, boiling, 16 oz
Tool: in my ceramic Tea Forte solstice teapot
Steep Time: a little over 1 minute
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: floral, very vegetal like walking in a muddy flower field
Steeped Tea Smell: floral, vegetal
Flavor: odd, different, smooth, vegetal, it’s not bitter but there is this almost bitter like taste I can’t describe, it makes my mouth
Body: Light
Aftertaste: that funky fuzzy tingly feeling
Liquor: translucent light green

I was sent for free Purple Chrysamthemum Wild Flower Tea thanks to an offer posted on Steepster

JK Tea Shop Website

I paid $1.70 shipping

The tea arrived Tuesday April 13 in waterproof shipping bag. Inside the bag was a well bubble wrapped package of tea.

Inside the bubble wrap was a silver foiled resealable pouch.

Inside the pouch, gorgeous whole flower heads!

1 minute was too short, I couldn’t taste much. So I left them in for a bit while working on another tasting note, next thing you know it was at 8 minutes! I think that may have been a bit long, but it still taste very similar to the tins and plastic bottles of Chrysamthemum tea I have gotten in Asian grocery stores.

I am sorry that my descriptive skills and vocabulary are not up to the task – if you’ve had Chrysamthemum tea before, this is it. I had it this time unsweetened, but I think that I enjoy it more sweetened.

Post-Steep Additives: none

Resteep: not sure how long, but just the same as the first!

images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/jk-tea-shop-loose-leaf-herbal-tea.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 1 tsp
Additives: none
Water: 1 zarafina cup, filtered water
Tool: Zarafina Black-loose-medium
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: Sweet fruit
Steeped Tea Smell: Sweet black tea, nutty
Flavor: astringent, bitter black tea, a little cake-y
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: bitter
Liquor: Translucent orange brown

Steepster Traveling Teabox Tea

Made this while rushing around in the morning getting ready to go to work.

I didn’t smell spice or ginger, more fruity.

I started the second steep before tasting the first.

I ended up chugging it as it was so bitter and astringent.

It could have used less time (mild) and perhaps cream and sugar to be palatable.

Post-Steep Additives: none

Resteep: Zarafina Black-loose-strong

images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/adagio-loose-leaf-black-tea-gingerbread.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 1 tsp
Additives: none
Water: 1 zarafina cup filtered water
Tool: Zarafina black-loose-medium
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: toffee, chocolate, tea
Steeped Tea Smell: not much, put my nose in it i get sweet black tea
Flavor: weak, black tea
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: sweet, toffee
Liquor: translucent orange-brown

Perhaps I should have done strong instead of medium?

Post-Steep Additives: none, should have added some sweetener but this was sip taste, CHUG and run to work

Resteep: Zarafina black-loose-strong
weak, bitter, astringent black tea, chugged it luckily

Hopefully it’s better next time

images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/52teas-loose-leaf-black-tea-heath-bar.html

Steep Information:
Amount: entire sample, approximately 4 tsp
Additives: none
Water: 22 oz filtered, boiling
Tool: Cast Iron Teapot with Mesh basket strainer
Steep Time: a little over 5 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: sweet fruit
MilitiaJim: hint of bitter
Steeped Tea Smell: fruity
Flavor: hibiscus, citrus
Body: Full
Aftertaste: tart, citrus
Liquor: translucent deep red / maroon

The name includes the word mango, I do not taste mango. We are having a bad time with mango tea apparently.

Tastes like hibiscus citrus tea.

Post-Steep Additives: none

images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/harney-and-sons-loose-leaf-herbal-tea.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 3 tsp
Additives: none
Water: 22 ounces filtered boiling
Tool: Cast Iron Teapot with Mesh basket strainer
Steep Time: a little over 7 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell:
AmazonV: Fruity nutty coconut
MilitiaJim: There is coconut, and other things. I don’t know what though.
Steeped Tea Smell: Coconut rooibos
Flavor: Sweet coconut rooibos
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: slightly nutty
Liquor: translucent reddish-orange

MilitiaJim-If this was sold as a coconut tea it would be pretty good, three stars maybe. Sold as a mango flavor, the complete lack of mango earns it zero stars and a snarl of irritation.

AmazonV-What he said, It was a good coconut tea, but the disappointment at the lack of mango (the reason I bought the tea, he loves mango) runs high.

Luckily I am sharing this tea with some other people and did not get the larger size. They can be forewarned this is a yummy coconut tea and be happy with it instead of being surprised and unhappy.

Post-Steep Additives: German rock sugar, I always love sweeter things for dessert.

Images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/teas-etc-loose-leaf-rooibos-tea-mango.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 1 teabag
Additives: none
Water: hot water spigot, 1 mug full
Steep Time: a little over 3 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: I forgot to check
Steeped Tea Smell: floral, fruity, vegetal
Flavor: bitter, vegetal
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: bitter
Liquor: translucent green-yellow

Perhaps should have let the water cool longer? Maybe steeped less time?

I got it as part of a sampler so I can’t tweak it for better results but I am confident it could have been a 2/4

Post-Steep Additives: none

images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/mighty-leaf-teabag-green-tea-green-tea.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 teabags
Additives: none
Water: filtered boiling 10 ounce mug
Steep Time: a little over 5 minutes, but then I kept the bags in
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: sweet, floral, berry
Steeped Tea Smell: sweet, berry
Flavor: hibiscus! sweet, tart
MilitiaJim: natural sweet tarts candy
Body: Full
Aftertaste: sweet and tart
Liquor: deep dark red

We stopped in Wegman’s grocery store on our quest for just born jellybeans (couldn’t find them, ended up buying a case online). While there we went to the tea isle and these were on sale! 6.99 a piece. MilitiaJim (reasonably) limited me to only one. Since I had already tried one of them, and had a sample of one other I went for this one.

And apparently I missed my mouth and am wearing some, on my white shirt, I do not think these spots are going to come out.

Post-Steep Additives: none

Today we have made; 1 travel mug w/2 bags, 2 mugs w/2 bags each, 1 large pitcher w/16 bags+8 cups hot water+some ice

I think this is excellent, Although I enjoy the added flavor (pineapple lychee) more, this might be an excellent additive/mixer tea.

images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/republic-of-tea-company-teabag-herbal.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 1 tsp (recommended 1.5 tsp per 8 ounces)
Additives: none
Water: 8 oz / 1 zarafina cup
Tool: Zarafina black-loose-medium
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: sweet, fruity, floral, vanilla, delicious
Steeped Tea Smell: earl grey
Flavor: earl grey
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: none
Liquor: translucent medium brown

I should have added a bit more leaf, but I was too excited and didn’t read the directions before I began.

It came out as a very decent earl grey, nothing too different from the normal (creamy or otherwise) I could detect. It was a bit on the mild side and I wonder if using strong instead of medium would have served the tea better?

It was only a sample, and I split my samples with my mom, so no fiddling with this one for me. There are plenty more earl greys that are more unique and I would prefer for me to worry about revising the preparation of this one.

Post-Steep Additives: none

Resteep: Zarafina black-loose-medium
Weak but serviceable cup of tea

images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/thenecessiteas-loose-leaf-black-tea.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 3 tsp
Additives: none
Water: 22 oz filtered boiling
Tool: Cast Iron Teapot with Mesh basket strainer
Steep Time: a little over 3 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: Very sweet and vaguely nutty
Steeped Tea Smell: black tea, nutty
Flavor: bitter, astringent, black tea, some sweet nutty at the end of each sip
Body: Medium/Full can’t decide
Aftertaste: bitter
Liquor: barely translucent dark brown

This was a huge and generous gift from Lori via the take it away thread.

I love hazelnut, so sniffing this tea makes me happy.

WOW that is some strong tea, next time I am brewing it much shorter!

It has yummy morning wake up black tea potential (shorter steep, some milk and sugar)

Post-Steep Additives: sugar, a bit better, could have used some milk

I am fully confident I will like this tea at least as a 50% once I fiddle with it

Images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/adagio-teas-loose-leaf-black-tea.html

Reminder, 0-25=BLEH 25-50=ok, will drink but not ordering 50-75=would order if already buying from somewhere and can add to order, or if it’s there in the store nearby 75-100=LOVE

Steep Information:
Amount: 3 tsp
Additives: none
Water: 2 zarafina cups filtered water
Tool: Zarafina white-loose-medium
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: like honeydew milk boba tea
Steeped Tea Smell: vegetal, like honeydew milk boba tea, flowery
Flavor: slightly bitter, astringent but melon
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: bitter
Liquor: translucent light orange

I should try a mild steep and / or less leaf next time.

The tea came in a black plastic sealed bag inside the tin. When I dumped it into the tin I noticed a pollen like fluffy residue in the bag. I wonder if this is a white tea attribute?

Post-Steep Additives: none, but was thinking about some sugar

Resteep: just as strong as the first steep

images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/teas-etc-loose-leaf-white-tea-honeydew.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 1 tsp
Additives: none
Water: 1 zarafina cup
Tool: Zarafina Black-Loose-Medium
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: Sweet, Fruit
Steeped Tea Smell: Fruity, apricot
Flavor: Slight astringency, Apricot black tea
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: bitter
Liquor: Translucent light brown

Steepster Traveling Teabox Tea

Reminds me of Eastern Shore Tea Company Teabag Black Tea ‘Spiced Apricot’

It is a good tea, but not something I want again, I had a very large stash of apricot tea and am quite over it.

Post-Steep Additives: none

Resteep: Just as strong

Images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/disney-wonderland-tea-loose-leaf-black.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 1 teabag
Additives: none
Water: 6 ounces, filtered, boiling
Steep Time: a little over 7 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: pineapple, sweet, hint of lychee, didn’t’ notice the hibiscus
Steeped Tea Smell: pineapple, hibiscus, perhaps a hint of lychee
Flavor: sweet, pineapple, hibiscus
Body: Full
Aftertaste: lychee, but the canned kind not fresh
Liquor: deep dark red

Today was a day to come home to a happy surprise, some hibiscus tea from Meghann M. The package smelled fabulous as soon as I opened it.

I had to have some, and I had to have it NOW!

This was a good choice.

Post-Steep Additives: none, it was sweet enough!

images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/republic-of-tea-teabag-herbal-tea.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 1 tsp
Additives: none
Water: 1 zarafina cup
Tool: Zarafina green-loose-mild
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: vegetation from a garden with fresh cherries, not the fake ones
Steeped Tea Smell: lightly grassy lightly cherry
Flavor: weak weak vegetal and cherry
Body: Light
Aftertaste: none
Liquor: nearly clear watery green

I was so sad, I had been so excited.

You see a long time ago I fell in love with the “Memoirs of a Geisha” spring cherry green from ROT. Then of course they stopped having it. I was not the tea addict I was now, and so I just sullenly sought out other cherry greens (teavana etc).

Then I decided to ask ROT, and they promptly let me know Spring Cherry was the same tea!

SoccerMom had found some after my fruitless searches (I didn’t want enough tea to make a full order with free shipping).

When it arrived I was ecstatic. The next morning I woke up and made some (this is a backlog, sorry I have been busy). I am not a morning person and I woke up extra early just for this.

A song ran through my mind:
My blood runs cold, my memory has just been sold
My angel is a centerfold
Angel is a centerfold

Oh misery oh sadness, was it ever delicious, was I deluding myself?

Well it wasn’t bitter so perhaps I should resteep stronger.

Post-Steep Additives: none

Resteep: Zarafina 1 c green-loose-medium

SUCCESS

Next time I need to start with medium on this tea.

Light vegetal taste and a low presence of cherry, real cherries not fake cherries. I would like them stronger, but every green cherry tea I have tried that was stronger the cherries were sickly sweet fake.

images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/republic-of-tea-loose-leaf-green-tea.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 4 tsp if I had followed directions it would have been 3
Additives: none
Water:22 ounces filtered boiling, but then sat for a little as we sniffed quizzically
Tool: Cast Iron Teapot with Mesh basket strainer
Steep Time: a little over 7 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: It smells, just like a pbj sandwich
Steeped Tea Smell: Strawberry rooibos
Flavor: Rooibos, hint of strawberry, Militiajim found the hint of PB but it’s hiding from me still
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: Sweet
Liquor: Dark reddish-brown translucent

Perhaps I need to steep it longer?

Last night I drank a coconut custard pie, and tonight I drank a PBJ. I think I have a drinking problem (j/k) ;-)

Post-Steep Additives: none

images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/52teas-loose-leaf-rooibos-tea-pbj.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 1 teabag
Additives: none
Water: hot spigot water, 1 mug full
Steep Time: a little over 4 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: bergamot
Steeped Tea Smell: black tea, hint of citrus
Flavor: bitter, astringent, black tea, hint of bergamot
Body: Full
Aftertaste: astringent, a bit bitter
Liquor: almost opaque deep dark reddish brown

Not a remarkable tea, but a nice afternoon caffeine wake up call while at work. I should have done a bit less time, and perhaps a packet of sugar.

Post-Steep Additives: none

images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/mighty-leaf-teabag-black-tea-organic_06.html