Brett

After five days, I resteeped the leaves, and the flavor was actually better this time, less earthy, and more malty-caramel and cocoa, though not like an Assam. I tried a third steeping, and there was still some flavor, though not as good as the second steeping.

Without milk or cream, the lemon is overpowering. The “natural” lemon flavoring is probably the herb, lemon myrtle. Adding some half and half and honey, the lemon is tamed somewhat and the tea becomes quite pleasant, even tasty, like a lemon meringue pie.

Tastes like dried spinach – too vegetal for me. I added some cream and honey, which helped, but it still wasn’t very good. One of the few Twinings teas I don’t like. On the bright side, better than Lipton or Tetley.

I had very high expectations for this tea based on the reviews and so I was mildly disappointed when it did not live up to them. Perhaps my own anticipation and expectation of flavor got in the way. As the tea cooled somewhat, the somewhat malty and very dark chocolate flavors came out, reminding me somewhat of the Numi chocolate puerh I had this morning. But the deep chocolate flavor in this tea did not taste like something added to the tea. I like the tea, but do not love it. I think it would be interesting base for adding other flavors (fans of this tea might think I am crazy).

I had this a couple of hours ago. I was plesantly surprised by this tea. Without milk, the orange rind and spice flavor was a bit overpowering, but some milk tamed it and it tasted like a spiced orange chai (if there is such a thing). I would probably not buy this tea, but I would drink it at a restaurant or place of work if that was what was available.

Although I am not a fan of earl grey or bergamot, I found this tea to be very pleasant. The malty Assam base was complemented nicely by the natural bergamot pieces. The bergamot flavoring was perfectly balanced and citrusy, not overpowering, not understated. Of course, it helped that the tea was a bold and strong Assam.

After my experience with Numi’s Emperor Puerh, I was not predisposed to like this tea, but I was pleasantly surprised. I was distracted, and let this oversteep, but it did not ruin the tea. The puerh flavor was present, but the earthiness complemented the cocoa, vanilla, and cinnamon flavors. The dominant flavor was chocolate, but it was not just like having a hot cocoa. The earthiness of the puerh made it a different drink, and it also didn’t taste like watered down hot chocolate that some chocolate teas taste like.

This rooibos chai was okay, but it lacked depth. The rooibos couldn’t stand up to the overpowering spices, especially the cloves. I added some sugar, but this made it cloyingly sweet, though the addition of some cream helped tame the sweetness. I am not a great fan of chais, but I prefer them with black tea to rooibos.

This tea has a pleasant earthy taste that is also somewhat malty. The earthiness reminds me of the puerh I tried, except that this is much more pleasant. Not my favorite, and I probably wouldn’t buy it again, but pleasant enough.

Not bad, but not great. I don’ care for the combination: smoky Keemun together with the sweeter Ceylon. The two flavors compete rather than blend.

This is a good Irish Breakfast tea, but not my favorite. I can taste both the Ceylon Sonata and the Assam Melody, but the Ceylon is dominant. It lacks the punch of Harney and Sons or Twinings, probably because it has less Assam in it. I was unable to get a good second steeping out of the leaf, which makes me wonder if I am doing something wrong.

As soon as I removed the plastic wrapper from the box, the orange scent wafted out of it, even though the bags were individually wrapped. The flavor tastes like mandarin oranges, sweet but with a slight bitter aftertaste, rather than regular oranges. I added a teaspoon of orange blossom honey to sweeten it. The longer I drink it, however, the less I care for it. It is too one-dimensional in its orange flavor. I would rather have the orange flavor paired with a rich black tea that would give it some depth.

About half way through the cup I tired of the flavor, so I added some more hot water and a ceylon teabag and let it steep awhile longer. The orange flavor was muted but at the same time brought out the citrus in the ceylon. I will have to try this again using the two different bags from the beginning.

Wonderful sweet Darjeeling flavor, which comes out even more as it cools down to a warm temperature. No bitterness or astringency that I notice. It is like Twinings, but more intense and rich.

UPDATE: I made a second steeping of this tea, and it was somewhat weaker, but still tasty. I steeped the bag for six minutes.

I made a second steeping of the leaves, and the tea was weaker, though with the same ceylon flavor. I was a little disappointed at the weaker flavor and at not being able to get multiple steepings out of these leaves, but it is still a good cup.

I love this tea. It is like Twinings Ceylon, only better. The sweet citrusy notes come out even stronger and tastier in this tea. It was not bitter and the astringency was not really noticeable (I guess I am used to it now). The best Ceylon I have tasted so far. I added cream and sugar, and the tea stood up very well. Close to perfection in a teacup!

Strong dark chocolate and orange aroma; the flavor is somewhat weak, though it improves with sugar. I liked this very much, though the flavors block out the flavor of the tea, the origin of which I am not sure. Although I really enjoy this flavor, I think I prefer to taste the natural flavor of the tea rather than any added flavors. I tried resteeping this tea, but it didn’t work – the chocolate pieces had already melted with the first steeping, and all that was left was a weak orange flavor.

This tea is very distinctive: it is malty like Assam teas, and has a caramel sweetness to it, but it is also woodsy and earthy. The finish is a sweet fruity flavor, a little bit reminiscent of a Darjeeling, except that the woodsy earthy flavor is present as well. I am not sure how to rate this tea yet, though I do like it.

This tisane, which came as part of “Numi’s Collection,” tastes woodsy to me, and has a sweet but subtle pine-sap flavor and scent (not like pine-sol), rather than like honey. I added some acacia honey to it and it began to taste like honey, but probably because of the added honey. I thought rooibos actually had a more natural honey taste to it than this tisane. It’s not bad for an evening herbal tisane, but I probably wouldn’t buy it.

I definitely do not care for this tea. Tastes like dirt to me. I suppose the term should be “earthy,” but dirt works for me. It tastes somewhat like a watered down version of Numi’s Emperor Puerh I tried the other day, though it doesn’t have the fishy flavor.

The aroma coming from the bag and the cup is great, but the flavor is disappointingly weak. I added cream, sugar and honey, which brought out the flavor some. It is especially disappointing because I like the idea od blackberry and sage together, and the what I can taste tastes natural. I just wish there was more of it. I don’t know if the problem is that they put too litlle tea in the bag, or too little flavoring, or if the tea base is inferior grade tea.

The flavor was weak, even after six minutes of steeping. Adding honey helped bring out the peach flavor, though the ginger was still faint. After that the flavor was acceptable, but I wouldn’t rush out to buy this tea.

I had this last night and didn’t really like this tea. I don’t care for chamomile, but the lemon myrtle flavor tasted sweetly medicinal, like lemon cough drops or the lemon flavor of some cold and flu remedies. I might drink this if I had a sore throat or felt ill, but not otherwise. I couldn’t finish the cup.

My first loose leaf tea. Rich, smooth, and malty. The flavor is similar to Twinings Irish Breakfast, but stronger and more intense. When I first tasted the tea after steeping, I wondered whether I put enough tea in the filter, but the flavor deepens and comes out even more as it cools. I almost think I am drinking coffee. Thanks, K S, for sending me this tea!

Another sample from “Numi’s Collection.” The moment you open the bag, the vanilla aroma comes out strong. I steeped the bag for the full five minutes, and added half and half and sweetener, which brought out the flavor and enhanced the creamy texture. The vanilla tastes natural, as it should, since they used vanilla beans, not artificial flavoring. With the half and half, it tastes like melted haagen-dasz vanilla ice cream. From all the bad reviews and from trying other Numi teas this morning, I was thinking I would dislike this tea, but I am pleasantly surprised.