AmazonV

Steep Information:
Amount: 1 single steeps 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: nutty, apricot
Steeped Tea Smell: amaretto, fruity, rooibos
Flavor: rooibos, fruity
Body: full
Aftertaste: sweet
Liquor: translucent orange-brown

I love amaretto, so this tea is right up my alley! A sweet afternoon treat.

Rating: 3/4 leaves

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

Steep Information:
Amount: Single Steeps packet
Water: 12oz hot spigot water
Tool: kati loose tea system (my Review here.)
Steep Time: a little over 5 minutes (http://steep.it/5%20minutes)
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: cherry, berry, hibiscus?
Steeped Tea Smell: berry, tart, floral
Flavor: hibiscus
Body: Full
Aftertaste: tart
Liquor: barely translucent dark purple-red

Too much hibiscus, and I like hibiscus.

Pictures: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/03/tea-forte-loose-leaf-single-steeps.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 1 tsp
Water: boiling
Tool: Bee House teapot
Steep Time: a little over 2 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: vegetal, nutty
Steeped Tea Smell: buttery, sweet
Flavor: vegetal, nutty
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: astringent
Liquor: translucent honey yellow

Re-Steep Information:
Water: boiling
Tool: Bee House teapot
Steep Time: a little over 2 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Steeped Tea Smell: sweet, roasty, nutty
Flavor: roasty, nutty
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: nutty, astringent
Liquor: translucent honey yellow

Came as a gift with an order from Chicago tea garden.

I could have steeped this more, but after 4 cups of tea it was time for bed.

I really love this oolong, not as much as the new zealand oolong but it’s this nice nutty roasty, but not too dark, tea.

If you enjoy a little roast to your tea I highly recommend you try this!

Pictures: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/03/chicago-tea-garden-loose-leaf-oolong.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 1 packet
Water: 16oz hot spigot water
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: walnut
Steeped Tea Smell: walnut, sweet
Flavor: walnut
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: sweet
Liquor: cloudy opaque white

A tea loving co-worker shared this with me. I enjoyed it, like drinking mixed nuts.

images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/03/kkoh-shaem-food-compant-powder-herbal.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 tsp
Water: 16 oz boiling
Tool: Adagio IngenuiTEA 16 oz
Steep Time: a little over 5 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: Mint, chocolate
Steeped Tea Smell: Mint, wood, chocolate
Flavor: it tastes the same as it smells
Body: Full
Aftertaste: woody
Liquor: Muddy opaque dark brown

Too woody, Not enough chocolate, Still delicious

I got this in a swap with Jillian, Thank you.

images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/03/52teas-loose-leaf-honeybush-tisane.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 1 teabag
Water: 16 ounces hot spigot water
Steep Time: a little over 1 minute
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: blueberry, vegetal
Steeped Tea Smell: green tea
Flavor: berry, vegetal
Body: Light
Aftertaste: astringent
Liquor: translucent honey yellow

Gift from TeaEqualsBliss, Thank you!

Mellow, light taste, too subtle for me.

Images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/03/bentleys-teabag-white-tea-blueberry.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 1 teabag
Water: 16 oz hot spigot water
Steep Time: a little over 2 minutes (lost track of time at work, not exactly sure)
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: aci berry, vegetal
Steeped Tea Smell: vegetal, hint of berry
Flavor: sweet vegetal, berry finish
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: didn’t note one
Liquor: translucent light olive green

Gift from fellow tea drinker at work.

It was a good, solid berry green, but not something amazing. I think with better steep time and a touch of honey it would be a great daily green.

Images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/03/revolution-tea-teabag-green-tea-acai.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 tsp
Water: 2 cups
Tool: my grandmother’s Bee House Ceramic Round Teapot (like this one)
Steep Time: a little over 5 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: MINT
Steeped Tea Smell: mellow mint, a little floral, really mellow and lovely
Flavor: Sweet, minty, refreshing
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: fresh minty sweet
Liquor: translucent yellow-green

Refreshing yet mellow night time tea, the smell is a lot more minty than the taste (I don’t like very strong exclusively mint teas).

Pictures: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/02/meaning-of-tea-loose-leaf-herbal-tisane.html

spiced teddy grahams

delicious, sweet, addictive

Pictures: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/02/teavana-samurai-chai-mate-tea-cookies.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 tsp (entire sample)
Water: 2 c boiling water
Tool: my grandmother’s Bee House Ceramic Round Teapot
Steep Time: a little over 3 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: vanilla
Steeped Tea Smell: vanilla
Flavor: lightly vanilla, full black tea
Body: Full
Aftertaste: astringent, a little bitter
Liquor: opaque dark brown

A basic flavored black tea, I got the vanilla but not really the cream flavor.

Pictures: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/02/chi-of-tea-company-loose-leaf-black-tea.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 tsp
Water: boiling, 2 cups
Tool: my grandmother’s Bee House Ceramic Round Teapot
Steep Time: a little over 3 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: citrus, cranberry
Steeped Tea Smell: orange, cranberry, black tea
Flavor: cranberry, black tea
Body: Full
Aftertaste: sweet orange, astringent
Liquor: opaque dark brown

Purchased at the tea lady booth at the NW tea festival.

It’s a nice solid fruity black tea, I am enjoying it.

Pictures: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/02/harney-and-sons-loose-leaf-black-tea.html

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

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: mint, floral
Steeped Tea Smell: mint, floral
Flavor: minty, lightly vegetal
Body: Light
Aftertaste: tingly
Liquor: translucent nearly clear, slightly yellow

It was a nice mellow mint tea, but nothing remarkable. If you are looking for a delicate floral tea without overpowering mint you’ll enjoy this.

pictures: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/02/persimmon-tree-tea-company-loose-leaf_08.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 3 tsp
Water: boiling 12oz
Tool: kati loose tea system
Steep Time: a little over 5 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: cinnamon
Steeped Tea Smell: apple, cinnamon
Flavor: sweet apple, cinnamon, hints of rooibos
Body: Full
Aftertaste: hibiscus (tart)
Liquor: opaque purple-red

Steepster Secret Santa gift from Infusin_Susan.

Good but not anything unique enough to get a whole tin of.

Pictures: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/02/teagschwendner-loose-leaf-herbal-tisane.html

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

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: apples, cinnamon
Steeped Tea Smell: apple, black, cinnamon
Flavor: apple black tea
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: cinnamon, astringent
Liquor: Translucent dark brown

Steepster Secret Sanata gift from Infusin_Susan!

Pictures: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/02/teagschwendner-loose-leaf-black-tea.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 tsp
Water: 16 oz 195°F
Tool: Adagio IngenuiTEA 16 oz
Steep Time: a little over 2 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: a little roasty, hints vegetal
Steeped Tea Smell: buttery vegetal
Flavor: roasty, lightly vegetal
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: roasty
Liquor: translucent light yellow-brown

2 Resteep:
Water: 16 oz 195°F
Tool: Adagio IngenuiTEA 16 oz
Steep Time: a little over 3 minutes

a bit astringent

3 Resteep:
Water: 16 oz 195°F
Tool: Adagio IngenuiTEA 16 oz
Steep Time: a little over 3 minutes

yummy

4 Resteep:
Water: 16 oz 195°F
Tool: Adagio IngenuiTEA 16 oz
Steep Time: a little over 4 minutes

MilitiaJim says weak, I agree

5 Resteep:
Water: 16 oz 195°F
Tool: Adagio IngenuiTEA 16 oz
Steep Time: a little over 5 minutes

weak, no more after this

Favorite Zealongs: Aromatic, Pure, and then Dark.

I don’t love dark enough to swoon over it, but I do swoon over pure and aromatic.

http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/02/chicago-tea-garden-loose-leaf-oolong.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 4.3g
Water: 500ml 195°F
Tool: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker BTM800XL
Steep Time: 3 minutes
Served: Hot/Cold

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: jasmine, floral, sweet, a little vegetal
Steeped Tea Smell: vegetal, jasmine, sweet
Flavor: vegetal
Body: Light
Aftertaste: perfume
Liquor: translucent light brown

It’s a very light tea, i think additions would overpower it.

2 Resteep:500ml 195°F 4 minutes
I like this better, stronger, closer to an oxidized oolong. Less perfume aftertaste and more sweet.

3 Resteep:500ml 195°F 4 minutes
Weaker, should have gone 5 minutes.

4 Resteep:500ml 195°F 10 minutes
Weaker, last cup

Now, since I love bold flavor I shared this with my co-worker who enjoys mild teas, she LOVED it (4/4).

http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/02/persimmon-tree-tea-company-loose-leaf.html

http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/02/zarafina.html

It was a very nice first “EZ” tea maker
I could set it as
loose / teabag
strong/medium/mild
white/green/black/herbal

so little fussing needed just set the settings and when it’s done it pours the tea into the teapot

downside – tea gets cold fast, you can’t see exact parameters

http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/04/kati-review.html

It’s great for work, a nice fine mesh catches most little particles

you can rest the strainer on the lid when you are done steeping

I like mine, it works well for oolongs and pu-erh (easy and quick resteeps) – it also works well on rooibos / honeybush because of it’s fine filter

I LOVE mine

http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/05/breville-one-touch-tea-maker-btm800xl.html

http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/05/update-breville-one-touch-tea-maker.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 1 teabag
Water: boiling
Steep Time: a little over 5 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: hibiscus
Steeped Tea Smell: vanilla, berry
Flavor: hibiscus, rooibos, berry
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: vanilla, woody
Liquor: dark translucent pink

A nice berry rooibos, nothing amazing.

Pictures: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/01/republic-of-tea-teabag-rooibos-tisane.html

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

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: strong bergamot
Steeped Tea Smell: strong bergamot
Flavor: black tea, smooth
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: slight astringency, bergamot
Liquor: translucent dark brown

OK, not anything amazingly unique. On the stronger side of bergamot flavoring for an earl grey, in my opinion.

Nice solid morning tea.

Pictures: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/01/arbor-teas-loose-leaf-black-tea-earl.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 tsp
Water: 12 oz boiled and then cooled for a minute
Tool: kati loose tea system
Steep Time: a little over 1 minute (http://steep.it/)
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: nori, rice
Steeped Tea Smell: nori
Flavor: sushi, well nori and rice
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: a little bitter
Liquor: translucent honey yellow-green

I am not a big green tea drinker in general, but I found that I do love genmaichas. It may be because they remind me of the rice and nori in sushi. It is a nice soothing cup, not as good as the Teaflection Loose Leaf Green Tea ‘Japanese Genmaicha Tea’ but a close contender. This tea has more of the green tea flavor than rice flavor is why I favor the other one personally, if you wish for a higher green tea to rice mixture you’ll prefer this one.

Pictures: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/01/arbor-teas-loose-leaf-green-tea-organic.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 2+ tsp – entire sample
Water: boiling, 12oz
Tool: kati loose tea system (my Review here.)
Steep Time: a little over 4 minutes (http://steep.it)
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: sweet, vanilla, cinnamon
Steeped Tea Smell: black tea, hint of vanilla
Flavor: astringent, bitter, black tea
Body: Full
Aftertaste: astringent, hints of cinnamon
Liquor: opaque dark brown

Steepster Reviews

A TeaEqualsBliss gift

bleh, too strong, wish i had not followed directions on the steeping time.

Pictures: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2011/01/element-teas-loose-leaf-black-tea.html