AmazonV

Steep Information:
Amount: 6 tsp
Water: filtered, boiling ~22oz
Tool: Cast Iron Teapot with Mesh basket strainer in cup
Steep Time: a little over 6 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: fennel, lemon, spices
Steeped Tea Smell: lemon, fennel, hints of ginger, smoother
Flavor: ginger tang, lemon, sweet
Body: Full
Aftertaste: strong fennel flavor that coats the toungue
Liquor: translucent dark red-brown

I did not like the aftertaste, if it wasn’t so strong and bitter I think I would have liked the tea more.

June 2010 tea judging panel

“The result of our tea judging panel was a close one! After some thoughtful reviews and discussions, Art of Tea is proud to announce that we will be moving forward with the most well-received blend, tea #2 (the one consisting of tulsi, fennel, neem, lemon myrtle, apple, green rooibos, ginger). It will be called Vata, and the release date is set to be sometime in October as part of our new Ayurveda line introduction.”

images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/12/art-of-tea-loose-leaf-herbal-tisane-q2.html

Steep Information:
Prepared in store. Served in a teapot without leaves and a small cup.

Tasting Notes:
Steeped Tea Smell: Honey and black tea
Flavor: Black tea, sweet
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: none
Liquor: hard to see in the dark lounge

MilitiaJim ordered this tea with the Wasabi Caesar Salad w/ Wild Smoked Salmon (Organic hearts of romaine, wild smoked salmon, shaved parmesan, garlic, croutons, & Caesar dressing w/ a wasabi kick)

Post-Steep Additives: MilitiaJim experimented with both the provided brown sugar and cream.

Ordered at the Zen Valley location for dinner with Squash Dumplings w/ Dipping Sauce (Handmade vegetarian squash dumplings w/ spicy sesame-soy sauce).

We were seated in the upper area in the back at a table for two. The back area was dimly lit. The place was a very relaxed atmosphere with an attentive staff. We purchased a tin of Russian blend and tea oil to take home (sadly the tea oil was confiscated by the TSA because we forgot to mail it home or check a bag). The place was not very busy, there were two other couples there when we first arrived for dinner Saturday night.

I enjoyed the other Samovar lounge location more and would prefer to return to Yerba Buena Gardens rather than this one. We did not get to try the Mission-Castro location.

Pictures: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/12/samovar-loose-leaf-black-tea-breakfast.html

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

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: Cardamom, clove, POW!
Steeped Tea Smell: cinnamon, peppercorn
Flavor: bake-y, cinnamon, cardamom
Body: Full
Aftertaste: ginger
Liquor: barely translucent dark brown

You can see all the spices, whole cardamom pods, whole cloves, it looks lovely.

I wish I had soy milk at work to make a latte with this.

When I received this with some other packages for review it came with a handwritten note. I love that i got a hand written note! It makes me smile when people include notes in packages. The note gave a little information on the Arbor Teas commitment to the environment – including information about their 100% backyard compostable packaging. The note was printed with vegetable-based ink on FSC-certified paper containing 100% post-consumer waste and processed chlorine-free.

This tea is organic and Fair Trade Certified. That would be worthless if the tea was not good, but this tea is delicious so it’s an added bonus for everyone. It is a lovely tea and only missed out on a 100% rating because it’s not something I MUST keep stocked at all times.

Post-Steep Additives: +2 honey sticks

Cha/chai is/means tea to most of the world, so I’ll say spiced teas are my favorite, I have one at Starbucks every day

Pictures: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/12/arbor-teas-loose-leaf-black-tea-masala.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 5.8g
Water: 750ml 180°F
Tool: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker BTM800XL
Steep Time: 4 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: chocolate
Steeped Tea Smell: chocolate
Flavor: bakey, lightly vegetal, smooth, a little malty
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: sweet
Liquor: translucent light orange brown

Resteep: 5 min, 750ml 180°F
The same, but fuller

Did not have time for a third steep.

Delicious oolong, not as loved as I love my Zealong, but a nice runner up.

Pictures: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/12/thepuritea-loose-leaf-oolong-tea-red.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 tsp
Water: 500ml 212°F
Tool: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker BTM800XL
Steep Time: 3 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: lavender, bergamot
Steeped Tea Smell: lavender, bergamot, floral
Flavor: floral, bergamot, black tea
Body: Full
Aftertaste: bergamot
Liquor: translucent light brown, amber

Too much lavender for me, but i like how the chrysanthemum plays into the earl grey.

Images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/12/mad-pots-of-tea-loose-leaf-black-tea.html

Steep Information:
Brought out in a nice cast iron teapot and coaster
Amount: 1 teabag
Tool: Cast Iron Teapot with Mesh basket strainer
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Steeped Tea Smell: Orange with cinnamon, clove
Flavor: Orange with cinnamon, clove
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: none
Liquor: translucent orange

A very festive (orange and clove) holiday drink.

The water and teapot were not hot enough to start sadly.

I ordered this when my mother and I went out to dinner at P.F. Chang’s.

If I had to guess, after googling, I think that P.F. Chang’s uses Revolution Tea

Resteep: Weak, water, undrinkable

Images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/12/pf-chang-teabag-herbal-tisane-citrus.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 tsp
Water: 500ml filtered water 212°F
Tool: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker BTM800XL
Steep Time: 2 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: banana runts, hint of walnut
Steeped Tea Smell: walnut, banana runts, black tea, butter
Flavor: bitter black tea
Body: Full
Aftertaste: astringent
Liquor: translucent dark brown

(1/4)

Try 2

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 tsp
Water: 500ml filtered water 280°F
Tool: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker BTM800XL
Steep Time: 3 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: banana runts, hint of walnut
Steeped Tea Smell: walnut, banana runts, black tea, butter
Flavor: astringent black tea, walnut
Body: Full
Aftertaste: astringent, bitter
Liquor: translucent dark brown

(1/4)

Try 3

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 tsp
Water: 500ml filtered water 205°F
Tool: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker BTM800XL
Steep Time: 3 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: banana runts, hint of walnut
Steeped Tea Smell: walnut, banana runts, black tea, butter
Flavor: astringent black tea, walnut, banana, bake-y
Body: Full
Aftertaste: astringent, bitter
Liquor: translucent dark brown

(2/4)

Try 4

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 tsp
Water: 750ml filtered water 205°F
Tool: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker BTM800XL
Steep Time: 3 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: banana runts, hint of walnut
Steeped Tea Smell: walnut, banana runts, black tea, butter
Flavor: astringent black tea, walnut, banana, bake-y
Body: Full
Aftertaste: astringent, banana
Liquor: translucent dark brown

So try 4 was the best, I got walnuts and banana and black tea, and it was a nice cup, however no butter!

Thanks Rachel for the prep tips.

images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/12/52teas-loose-leaf-black-tea-hot.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 tsp
Water: hot spigot water
Tool: kati loose tea system (my Review here.)
Steep Time: a little over 5 minutes (http://steep.it)
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: grassy, smoke
Steeped Tea Smell: roasty, molasses
Flavor: gritty, thick, roasty, smoky, woody
Body: Full
Aftertaste: astringent and bitter
Liquor: opaque dark brown, like coffee

A gift from TeaEqualsBliss.

I enjoyed this, I have found I only like roasted mate and not green mate.

I think a bit of cream and sugar would go well in this.

pictures: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/12/mate-factor-company-loose-leaf-mate.html

enjoying a nice cup of tea after a homemade breakfast this morning 1-2 tsp tea for 2 minutes, boiling water, a spoonful of honey in a large coffee mug

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 tsp
Water: hot spigot water
Tool: kati loose tea system (my Review here.)
Steep Time: ~ 2 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: malty, the leaves have a disappointing CTC look.
Steeped Tea Smell: roasty, smoky
Flavor: astringent, malty, smoky, nutty
Body: Full
Aftertaste: bitter
Liquor: translucent dark orange brown

TeaEqualsBliss Gift!

Unremarkable, and slightly unpleasant.

Pictures: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/12/mcnultys-tea-and-coffee-company-loose_22.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 tsp
Water: 12 ounces hot spigot water
Tool: kati loose tea system (my Review here.)
Steep Time: a little over 5 minutes (http://steep.it)
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: orange, grassy, a little mint (cross contamination?)
Steeped Tea Smell: grassy, hints of orange
Flavor: grassy
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: grassy
Liquor: translucent olive green

I like it better than most mate I have had, didn’t get much orange, but i got a green tea flavor as opposed to the overpowering flavor i usually get from mate.

This was a gift from TeaEqualsBliss, Thank you!

Pictures: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/12/esp-emporium-loose-leaf-mate-tisane.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 1 teabag
Water: ~150°F hot spigot water 12 oz
Steep Time: a little over 1 minute (http://steep.it)
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: strawberry, vanilla, hints of vegetation
Steeped Tea Smell: vegetal, matcha, slight hints of berry
Flavor: mild vegetal, slightly floral, smooth
Body: Light
Aftertaste: vegetal
Liquor: translucent light green

Not a bad tea at all, but too floral for me. I also am not a huge green tea fan.

I am not getting the berry or vanilla in the taste, only the smell.

This was a free item included in my order.

pictures: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/12/lupicia-teabag-green-tea-strawberry.html

having a kati cup, boiling water, 2 min + 1 stick of honey
lovely! i think this is the best of 3 steeps i’ve done so far
orangy, cinamon smell and a smooth black tea taste with a follow up of cinnamon citrus on the tounge

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 tsp
Water: boiling 12 oz
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: orange, clove, the cinnamon I had to look for
Steeped Tea Smell: black tea
Flavor: black tea with a nice background of cinnamon and clove
Body: Full
Aftertaste: citrus, astringent, toasty (hard to describe but like the baked part of the tea stays with you)
Liquor: nearly opaque dark red-brown

Post-Steep Additives: + 1 honey stick = a little more of the spices come out.

At first was expecting more spice, from the name, but I was pleasantly surprised by this being a nice strong black tea with hints of spice. They play second fiddle to a lovely cup of tea. The smell does make you

think of the holidays, and overall i drank about 3 cups of this today at work – they kept disappearing before I could write my review.

I believe I could have used one heaping spoonful instead of two in the 12 ounce mug.

I love that i got a hand written note! It makes me smile when people include notes in packages. The note gave a little information on the Arbor Teas commitment to the environment – including information about their 100% backyard compostable packaging. The note was printed with vegetable-based ink on FSC-certified paper containing 100% post-consumer waste and processed chlorine-free.

This tea is organic and Fair Trade Certified. That would be worthless if the tea was not good, but this tea is delicious so it’s an added bonus for everyone. It is a lovely tea and only missed out on a 100% rating because it’s not something I MUST keep stocked at all times.

Pictures http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/12/arbor-teas-loose-leaf-black-tea-holiday.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 tsp
Water: hot spigot water
Tool: kati loose tea system (my Review here.)
Steep Time: a little over 2 minutes+ (http://steep.it/) since i forgot about it for a little
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: mint
Steeped Tea Smell: mellow mint with hints of black tea
Flavor: mint, followed by black tea
Body: Full
Aftertaste: astringent, bitter
Liquor: opaque dark orange brown

A gift from TeaEqualsBliss, thank you.

I should have watched it closer and only did 2 min, and added sugar and cream – next time.

Images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/12/compass-teas-loose-leaf-black-tea_13.html

Steep Information:
Amount: ~2 tsp
Water: hot spigot water
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: sweet, honey
Steeped Tea Smell: sweet
Flavor: sweet, fuzzy – it gives a fuzzy mouth feel
Body: Light
Aftertaste: astringent
Liquor: translucent light brown

A gift from TeaEqualsBliss, thank you.

I found this tea to be too mellow, light and subtle for me. It is surprisingly sweet.

Pictures: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/12/basic-tea-loose-leaf-black-tea-organic.html

Steep Information:
Prepared in store. Served in the Duck Eggshell Porcelain Guywan Set with an iron pot of water. I was pretty impressed with myself, for the first time using a guywan I only made a mess the first pour! I went through about 3+ pots of hot water and the tea was still going strong but our food was done, the parking meter was up, and it was time to go to our next scheduled event.

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: vegeal, nutty
Steeped Tea Smell: Very little to no scent
Flavor: light, silky, vegetal nutty
Body: Light to medium as it went on
Aftertaste: not noticeable, but I was also eating
Liquor: translucent yellow green

I had this for breakfast at the Yerba Buena Gardens location. I ordered it as there was no Golden Phoenix Oolong Tea available. The waitress suggested this as an alternative and i enjoyed it. I had the Ginger Quinoa Waffle (Soft like a pillow, heavenly. Served with fresh fruit & real maple syrup) along with this tea.

Images: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/12/samovar-loose-leaf-oolong-tea-bai-hao.html

Steep Information:
Prepared in store. Served in a tiny yixing clay pot, with an iron pot of water and a small iron cup. The leaves kept getting clumped and blocking the spout. I had to swirl it around to get the tea out. I managed to make quite a mess of it.

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: Fall leaves
Steeped Tea Smell: Muddy fall leaves
Flavor: Fall leaves, Gritty
Body: Full
Aftertaste: astringent
Liquor: hard to see in the dark lounge

I do not like pu-erh, but everyone recommended this one for a non-pu-erh lover. I agree that pu-erh is best with food, I found it “meh” as opposed to gross. The muddy bit was less pronounced when i drank it while eating.

Ordered at the Zen Valley location for dinner with Squash Dumplings w/ Dipping Sauce (Handmade vegetarian squash dumplings w/ spicy sesame-soy sauce).

Pictures: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/12/samovar-loose-leaf-pu-erh-tea-maidens.html

Steep Information:
Prepared at Wicked Grounds.

Tasting Notes:
Steeped Tea Smell: Honey, hints of black
Flavor:
AmazonV: Sweet, light black tea, slightly floral
MilitiaJim: vegetal for a black
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: Sweet, wood
Liquor: Translucent dark orange

http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/12/red-blossom-tea-company-loose-leaf.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 4 teaspoons
Water: 1000ml water @ 212°F
Tool: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker BTM800XL
Steep Time: 2:30 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell:
AmazonV: fruity, apple? berry?
MilitiaJim: The dry tea smells like strawberries, which is a bummer. (He does not like them.)
Steeped Tea Smell:
AmazonV: fruity, mulled cider?
MilitiaJim: The brewed tea smells more like apricots
Flavor:
AmazonV: almond, fruity, black tea finish
MilitiaJim: It has light fruit and almond flavor.
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: astringent
Liquor: dark amber

It doesn’t taste the same as when we sampled it in the store, I wonder how they brewed it up? The tea is still very delicious and enjoyable. It makes me think of some kind of holiday cookie.

Post-Steep Additives: German rock sugar – more fruit flavor.

Pictures: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/12/harney-and-sons-loose-leaf-black-tea.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 4 tsp
Water: hot spigot water
Tool: kati loose tea system (my Review here.)
Steep Time: a little over 5 minutes (http://steep.it)
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: citrus, floral
Steeped Tea Smell: MINT, orange, lemon
Flavor: floral, mint
Body: Medium/Full
Aftertaste: orange, mint
Liquor: translucent orange-green

Took much MINT, bleh. That flavor overwhelmed the rest of the cup. I am not a huge mint fan unless it’s iced – and has alcohol.

This was a gift from TeaEqualsBliss, thank you.

Pictures: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/12/compass-teas-loose-leaf-herbal-tisane.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 tsp
Water: hot spigot water
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: floral, vanilla
Steeped Tea Smell: vanilla, black tea
Flavor: astringent black tea with hints of vanilla, clove
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: astringent, nutty
Liquor: translucent dark orange brown

A gift from TeaEqualsBliss, thank you!

Post-Steep Additives: + 1 honey stick = a little spicier

I like it, and would select to have it again if it was an option

Pictures: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/12/compass-teas-loose-leaf-black-tea.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 tsp
Water: hot spigot water
Tool: kati loose tea system (my Review here.)
Steep Time: a little over 2 minutes (using http://Steep.It)
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: sweet
Steeped Tea Smell: sweet, mild black tea, reminds me of a Darjeeling
Flavor: smooth black tea
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: hints of sweet and nuts, and a bit of astringency and bitterness
Liquor: translucent dark red-brown

This was a gift from teaequalsbliss, thanks!

Overall it was not a remarkable tea, it was enjoyable but not something I will seek out.

Pictures: http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/12/mcnultys-tea-and-coffee-company-loose.html

Steep Information:
Amount: 3 tsp
Water: hot spigot water
Tool: kati loose tea system (my Review here.)
Steep Time: a little over 1 minute (http://steep.it)
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: fruity, floral
Steeped Tea Smell: cherry, fruity, floral, spring!
Flavor: cherry, fruity, floral
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: floral
Liquor: translucent orange-red

Enjoyable, makes this dreary winter day a little more like spring. I bet this would be good iced as well.

This was a gift from TeaEqualsBliss!

http://amazonv.blogspot.com/2010/12/compass-teas-loose-leaf-green-herbal.html