AmazonV

Steep Information:
Amount: 1.9g / 3 tsp
Water: 500ml 175°F
Tool: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker BTM800XL
Steep Time: 3 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: chemical, vinegar
Steeped Tea Smell: sweet, cucumber, vegetal
Flavor: cucumber, vegetal, toasted
Body: Light
Aftertaste: toasty
Liquor: translucent brown-orange

Perhaps two minutes would have been better? I think this would be even better cold.

Overall it has a crisp fresh cool taste to it.

Rating: 3/4 leaves

Blog: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/11/52teas-loose-leaf-green-and-oolong-tea.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 2.9g / ~3 tsp
Water: 500ml 185°F
Tool: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker BTM800XL
Steep Time: 3 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: floral, vegetal
Steeped Tea Smell: sweet, floral
Flavor: vegetal, floral
Body: Light
Aftertaste: vegetal
Liquor: translucent yellow-green

I think perhaps it needed 4 minutes.

Resteep: 500ml 185°F 4 minutes

Nope 4 was a bit bitter, maybe 3:30

A nice light cup of tea, but more perfume-y than I like.

Rating: 3/4 leaves

Blog: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/10/teas-etc-loose-leaf-white-tea-bai-mu.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 4 tsp
Water: 500ml 185°F
Tool: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker BTM800XL
Steep Time: 2 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: sweet, fruity, hints of spice and flowers
Steeped Tea Smell: sweet, fruity, hints of spice and flowers
Flavor: smooth, almost buttery, sweet, hints of fruit and flowers
Body: Light
Aftertaste: light spiced
Liquor: translucent yellow-green

Delicious! I enjoyed it with some nice pizzelle cookies. I would not dare add anything to this tea as it is light, but very aromatic and a very smooth drink.

Rating: 3/4 leaves

Blog: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/10/teas-etc-loose-leaf-white-tea-pear.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 teabags
Water: boiling 12 oz
Steep Time: a little over 5 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: fake banana, hint of chocolate
Steeped Tea Smell: rooibos, fake banana
Flavor: fake banana, rooibos
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: coco nibs
Liquor: dark red-brown

Yet another chocolate tea I am disappointed by, in addition their banana flavoring is subpar – 52teas was much better.

Post-Steep Additives: German rock sugar – helped a bit with bringing out the coco flavor

Rating: 2/4 leaves

Blog: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/10/republic-of-tea-teabag-rooibos-tisane.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 1 sachet
Water: 175°F 12 oz
Steep Time: a little over 2 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: floal, perfume
Steeped Tea Smell: orange potpourri
Flavor: perfumy green tea
Body: Light
Aftertaste: chemical
Liquor: translucent green-brown

I am not even sure I will finish this mug.

Rating: 1/4 leaves

Blog: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/10/tazo-green-tea-teabag-orange-blossom.html

Steep Information:
Served: Cold

Tasting Notes:
Steeped Tea Smell: inferior powdered ice tea and apple
Flavor: fruit juice blend (pineapple, mango, apple)
Body: Light/Medium/Full
Aftertaste: bitter tea
Liquor: dark brown

It tasted like a powdered reconstituted tea mixed in juice.

Rating: 2/4 leaves

Blog: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/10/tazo-bottled-black-tea-mango.html

Served: Cold

Tasting Notes:
Steeped Tea Smell: spiced honey
Flavor: sweet cinnamon and spice
Body: Light
Aftertaste: awful chemical artificial sugar aftertaste
Liquor: dark brown

ICK, I could not finish it

Rating: 1/4 leaves

Blog: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/10/tazo-bottled-black-tea-iced-chai.html

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: fabulous! juicy strawberries and milk chocolate
Steeped Tea Smell: strawberry, hints of milk chocolate
Flavor: rooibos, a small hint of chocolate
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: chocolate
Liquor: opaque dark red-brown

I am always disheartened when the teas smell so scrumptious and taste so ordinary.

It’s a nice rooibos with hints of sweet fruit and chocolate.

Post-Steep Additives: German rock sugar – brings out the flavors a bit

Rating: 2/4 leaves

Blog: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/09/republic-of-tea-teabag-rooibos-tisane.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 heaping tsp
Water: 500ml 180°F
Tool: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker BTM800XL
Steep Time: 3 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: vegetal yet malty or maybe toasty
Steeped Tea Smell: sweet, chocolate
Flavor: malty, thick mouthfeel
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: sweet
Liquor: opaque light orange brown

A naturally sweet, mild (despite the name strong) black tea. It reminds me of an oolong with the hints of vegetal green-ness that sneak into the end of each sip.

Resteep:
Water: 500ml 180°F
Tool: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker BTM800XL
Steep Time: 4 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Steeped Tea Smell: sweet, chocolate
Flavor: Thin, malty
Body: Light
Aftertaste: astringent
Liquor: opaque light orange brown

I don’t recommend re-steeping.

Rating: 3/4 leaves

Blog: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/09/tao-of-tea-loose-leaf-black-tea.html

Steep 1 Information:
Amount: 2 cubes
Water: ~8 oz
Tool: Adagio IngenuiTEA 16 oz
Steep Time: a little over 2 minutes following a 10 second steep
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: I could not detect an aroma off the bar
Steeped Tea Smell: fall leaves, woods, sweet
Flavor: sweet, slightly gritty
Body: Light
Aftertaste: sweet, leafy
Liquor: translucent orange brown

Steep 2 Information:
Amount: 2 cubes
Water: ~8 oz
Tool: Adagio IngenuiTEA 16 oz
Steep Time: a little over 2 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Steeped Tea Smell: fall leaves, woods, sweet
Flavor: sweet, slightly gritty
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: toasted, leafy
Liquor: opaque dark brown

Steep 3 Information:
Amount: 2 cubes
Water: ~8 oz
Tool: Adagio IngenuiTEA 16 oz
Steep Time: a little over 1 minute
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Steeped Tea Smell: fall leaves, woods, sweet
Flavor: sweet, slightly gritty
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: toasted, leafy, astringent
Liquor: opaque dark brown

Steep 4 Information:
Amount: 2 cubes
Water: ~8 oz
Tool: Adagio IngenuiTEA 16 oz
Steep Time: a little over 1 minute
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Steeped Tea Smell: fall leaves, woods, sweet
Flavor: sweet, slightly gritty
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: toasted, leafy
Liquor: opaque dark brown

Steep 5 Information:
Amount: 2 cubes
Water: ~8 oz
Tool: Adagio IngenuiTEA 16 oz
Steep Time: a little over 2 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Steeped Tea Smell: fall leaves, woods, sweet
Flavor: sweet, slightly gritty
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: toasted, leafy
Liquor: opaque dark brown

Steep 6 Information:
Amount: 2 cubes
Water: ~8 oz
Tool: Adagio IngenuiTEA 16 oz
Steep Time: a little over 2 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Steeped Tea Smell: fall leaves, woods, sweet
Flavor: sweet, slightly gritty
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: toasted, leafy
Liquor: opaque dark brown

Steep 7 Information:
Amount: 2 cubes
Water: ~8 oz
Tool: Adagio IngenuiTEA 16 oz
Steep Time: a little over 2 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Steeped Tea Smell: fall leaves, woods, sweet
Flavor: sweet, slightly gritty
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: toasted, leafy
Liquor: opaque dark brown

Steep 8 Information:
Amount: 2 cubes
Water: ~8 oz
Tool: Adagio IngenuiTEA 16 oz
Steep Time: a little over 2 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Steeped Tea Smell: fall leaves, woods, sweet
Flavor: sweet, slightly gritty
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: toasted, leafy
Liquor: opaque dark brown

Steep 9 Information:
Amount: 2 cubes
Water: ~8 oz
Tool: Adagio IngenuiTEA 16 oz
Steep Time: a little over 3 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Steeped Tea Smell: fall leaves, woods, sweet
Flavor: sweet, slightly gritty
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: toasted, leafy
Liquor: opaque dark brown

Steep 10 Information:
Amount: 2 cubes
Water: ~8 oz
Tool: Adagio IngenuiTEA 16 oz
Steep Time: a little over 3 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Steeped Tea Smell: fall leaves, woods, sweet
Flavor: sweet, slightly gritty
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: toasted, leafy
Liquor: opaque dark brown

Steep 11 Information:
Amount: 2 cubes
Water: ~8 oz
Tool: Adagio IngenuiTEA 16 oz
Steep Time: a little over 5 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Steeped Tea Smell: fall leaves, woods, sweet
Flavor: sweet, slightly gritty
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: toasted, leafy
Liquor: opaque dark brown

Steep 12 Information:
Amount: 2 cubes
Water: ~8 oz
Tool: Adagio IngenuiTEA 16 oz
Steep Time: a little over 5 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Steeped Tea Smell: fall leaves, woods, sweet
Flavor: sweet, slightly gritty
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: toasted, leafy
Liquor: translucent dark brown

I ordered this at world tea east. I was so excited when the puer arrived yesterday.

When I came home today I decided to steep it.

The outer layers of paper came away easily yet were sturdy enough to stay put unless intentionally being removed.

The tape on the inner paper tape caused me to rip away the inner paper.

As for the puer itself, I found it a little messier than expected when I broke it apart, and it was easy to get 2 chunks, I was not easily
able to get 1 so I steeped with two. I was lazy!

The two steeped way more than 8 oz water! I speed steeped about 2 quarts of tea and it was still going strong, I’ve put them (wet leaves) in the fridge to hold overnight (I hope)

It was a slightly gritty mouthfeel, earthy, fall, but with a sweet hint throughout.

I really enjoyed it! I wonder if this is much better than some of the pureh I have had in the past or the earthy flavor is growing on me?

Rating: 3/4 leaves

Blog: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/09/wild-tea-qi-loose-leaf-pu-erh-tea.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 1 pyramid bag
Water: boiling, 12oz
Steep Time: a little over 2 minutes, I ignored their recommended 5 minute steep
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: chocolate and chestnut
Steeped Tea Smell: chestnut, black tea, hints of coco
Flavor: smooth black tea, hints of nuts
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: slightly astringent
Liquor: opaque dark brown

Please note the sample I got at World Tea East has different ingredients than listed on the website.

I am not sure where I was getting the chocolate smell from!

I did enjoy this cup, it was a nice warm fall feeling (which I needed since Texas is hot).

Rating: 3/4 leaves

Blog: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/09/adagio-teabag-black-tea-chestnut.html

Suggested Preparation:
Steep loose tea in 12-16oz of 190°-212°F(boiling or slightly under boiling) water for 4-5 minutes. Pour through a coffee filter into a one gallon pitcher. Top off the pitcher with cool water and serve over ice.

Steep Information:
Amount: 1 package
Water: 2-Qt (1/2 the recommended)
Tool: Mr. Coffee Iced Tea Maker – using a coffee filter
Served: Cold

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: sweet
Steeped Tea Smell: black tea, slightly sweet
Flavor: strong black tea, sweet undertones
Body: Full
Aftertaste: astringent
Liquor: dark cloudy brown

I feel bad for this tea, I need to use half the amount of leaf in the device, but am too lazy to split it in half.

I was surprised by how sweet it smelled, almost like a fruit. i was not expecting that from a cactus flavor. Honestly not sure what I was expecting from a cactus!

Post-Steep Additives: Sugar
Drinkable with sugar, otherwise too astringent

Rating: 2/4 leaves

Blog: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/09/52teas-loose-leaf-black-tea-prickly.html

Tasting Notes:
Steeped Tea Smell: Black tea, hints of sweet fruit
Flavor: slightly sweet black tea, with hints of lychee fruit
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: slight astringency
Liquor: cloudy light brown

I had this cold with my lunch at work. I was shocked that I tasted like real brewed black tea. There were hints of lychee fruit, but it wasn’t overpowering. This is a fabulous bottled tea.

Rating: 3/4 leaves

Blog: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/09/bazza-bottled-black-tea-and-mate-tisane.html

Tasting Notes:
Steeped Tea Smell: black tea and cream
Flavor: cream, with a hint of tea, and extra squishy tapioca chunks
Body: Light
Aftertaste: cream
Liquor: light tan

I purchased this in the grocery store. I drank it at home, instead of waiting to bring it in for lunch. I was expecting something similar to a black boba tea. I got a similar flavor, but the tapioca was a lot softer, and not pearl shaped, as compared to the firmer pearls I get when in Chinatown.

It was as expected, and something I enjoy.

Rating: 3/4 leaves

Blog: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/09/chiao-kuo-can-black-tea-pearl-milk-tea.html

Tasting Notes:
Steeped Tea Smell: a very strong vegetal odor, sharp
Flavor: smooth, vegetal
Body: Full
Aftertaste: very astringent, bitter this needs a chaser

I don’t like greens, and no surprise, I did not like this canned sencha.

I purchased this while grocery shopping, I want to have ready to drink teas at work in my lunch. I had this at lunch, so it was cold as my lunch was kept refrigerated.

Rating: 1/4 leaves

Blog: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/09/ito-en-can-green-tea-sencha-shot.html

I had this at Lady Mendl’s Tea Salon
http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/06/lady-mendls-tea-salon-place-review.html

Steep Information:
Steep Time: 5-7 minutes (per the waiter)
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Steeped Tea Smell: Vegetal, floral, toasty
Flavor: Nutty, toasty
Body: Light
Aftertaste: Toasty
Liquor: Translucent pale green (not: lighting was candle light)

I think it needed to steep longer.

Second cup I added the sugar cube, the tea was overpowered.

Third cup I added a piece of candied ginger, which made no difference.

Fourth cup over the same piece of ginger brought a tang that went well with the toasty vegetal oolong.

I drank two pots of Wood Dragon Oolong through the five courses.

I purchased some to bring home, I think it was a nice light oolong.

http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/06/lady-mendls-tea-salon-oolong-tea-wood.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 1 teabag
Water: 12 ounces hot spigot water
Tool: kati loose tea system (my Review here.)
Steep Time: a little over 2 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: grassy, green
Steeped Tea Smell: smooth , buttery vegetables
Flavor: vegetal, not as smooth as it smells
Body: Light
Aftertaste: grassy
Liquor: translucent honey brown-yellow

http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/06/zhenas-gypsy-tea-teabag-green-tea.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 1 teabag
Water: 12 ounces hot spigot water
Steep Time: a little over 2 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: peppermint
Steeped Tea Smell: peppermint
Flavor: peppermint, vegetal
Body: medium
Aftertaste: peppermint
Liquor: translucent yellow-green

Mild peppermint, green background flavor. Refreshing hot tea but nothing special.

Rating: 2/4 leaves

http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/05/healthy-tea-store-teabag-green-tea.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 1 teabag
Water: 12 ounces boiling water
Steep Time: a little over 2 minute (http://steep.it/)
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: floral, and fruity?
Steeped Tea Smell: floral, vegetal, toasty
Flavor: sweet, smooth, floral
Body: light
Aftertaste: slightly bitter
Liquor: translucent yellow-brown

Rating: 2/4 leaves

http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/05/healthy-tea-store-teabag-oolong-tea.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 1 teabag
Water: 12 ounces hot spigot water
Steep Time: a little over 1 minute (http://steep.it/)
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: Grape, Cherry
Steeped Tea Smell: mostly floral
Flavor: sweet tea
Body: medium
Aftertaste: hints to grape
Liquor: translucent dark brown

Rating: 2/4 leaves

http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/05/healthy-tea-store-teabag-black-tea.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 4 tsp
Water: Boiling
Tool: Bee House Ceramic Round Teapot
Steep Time: a little over 5 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: berry, perfume, rooibos (woody), sweet
Steeped Tea Smell: strawberry, blueberry
Flavor: Strawberry, Blueberry
Body: medium
Aftertaste: woody (rooibos)
Liquor: translucent dark red-brown

Post-Steep Additives: 1 tsp honey, brought the berry out more as a sweet berry

Resteep: 10+ minutes, weaker, but still a good cup of tea

Recieved from JacquelineM in the Hoppitea swap

http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/05/samovar-loose-leaf-herbal-tisane-berry.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 1 packet
Water: 12 ounces hot spigot water
Tool: kati loose tea system
Steep Time: a little over 5 minutes (http://steep.it)
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: alcohol, cherry, hibiscus
Steeped Tea Smell: hibiscus, cherry
Flavor: sweet fruit then tart
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: tart
Liquor: translucent dark purple-pink

It smells alcoholic! I found it a bit tart and would add sugar next time, but it was a fun cup of tea (not often you can drink at work!).

Rating: 2/4 leaves

Pictures: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/04/tea-forte-loose-leaf-herbal-tisane.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 1 teabag
Water: 12 ounces hot spigot water
Steep Time: a little over 1 minute (http://steep.it/)
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: floral, peach, something artificial
Steeped Tea Smell: peach, floral
Flavor: peachy, slight toasty tea background note
Body: medium
Aftertaste: sweet
Liquor: translucent dark brown

I was afraid from the smell it would taste artificial, but it tastes smooth and fruity. It is a pretty good tea, subtle flavors but they are there. A good go to teabag.

Rating: 2/4 leaves

Pictures: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/04/healthy-tea-store-teabag-black-tea.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 tsp
Water: 12 oz
Tool: kati loose tea system
Steep Time: a little over 2 minutes (http://steep.it/)
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: not much (old sample)
Steeped Tea Smell: cinnamon, spice
Flavor: black tea, cinnamon, pepper, woody
Body: Full
Aftertaste: sweet spice
Liquor: translucent dark brown

This was a gift from TeaEqualsBliss.

This is a different kind of chai, I like the rooibos and black mix. I need to try with honey.

Rating: 3/4 leaves

Pictures: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/04/compass-tea-company-loose-leaf-black.html