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47 Tasting Notes

Evening In Missoula from Montana Tea & Spice Trading LLC
76

My boyfriend is from Montana and honestly that’s why we grabbed this tea while on vacation in Leavenworth, WA. Much to my surprise (but not his) it was amazing! The Cup & Kettle is worth checking out if you’re ever in town.

Organic Darjeeling Estate from Mighty Leaf Tea
73

A delightful, mild darjeeling. It called to me when I started baking bread for the house earlier. This rainy Seattle day needed something warming. I really love the almost honey-like sweetness this tea imparts.

Raspberry Riot Lemon Mate from Teavana
75

Today I needed something with an extra boost. I have a lot of crafting I want to do today as well as moving plans to make. Wish me luck!

Keemun Encore from Adagio Teas
70

I’ve found, recently, that I like the tea steeped just shy of five minutes. Previously, it’s astringency was too overpowering. The smokey notes in this Keemun have a very classic feel. As it cools I taste roasted chestnuts and pecans. Perfect for a walk in the snow.

Iron Buddha Oolong from Teavana
56

I have, in the past brewed this tea in 3 steep for three minutes each which comes out very nicely. I was recently gifted with The Way of Tea by Master Lam Kam Chuen which is really exciting. The book details not only the proper brewing of tea in the Traditional Chinese tea ceremony, but also a history of tea (I’ve read a few already so it will be nice to compare) and the steps of cultivation and processing. The last is something I’ve always wanted to learn and though I’ve read some of the STI’s information on the topic, I still feel I have much to learn.

So this brings me back to oolongs; the tea used in the Chinese Tea Ceremony. I gave away the nice Tung Ting I got in Chicago to my friends in Seattle. This Iron Buddha Oolong is at least a year old, not that it was much when it was fresher. If anyone has a favorite oolong please let me know. I’m going to Park and Shop today to look at their tea sets and see if they have any of the more traditional ones. Yay!

Mate Lemon Blast from Teavana
75

After all the Christmas sweets, I really wanted something tart but strong enough to give me a good buzz. Thank you lemon mate.

Ceylon Sonata from Adagio Teas
75

I’m all out of my Fujian Baroque so I turned to this number instead. I do like it, but it just has none of the cocoa and an added smokiness that isn’t always to my liking. It makes a nice morning tea and it’ll have to do before this next round of shopping.

Sweet Cranberry Black from Teavana
75

For some reason, cranberry really appealed today. Maybe because I plan on baking homemade bread and wrapping gifts?

Coconut Masala Chai from Yogic Chai
79

I made this today with a bit of dark brown sugar and a splash of cream. Just what I needed considering the weather.

Mate Lemon Blast from Teavana
75

When I woke up this morning and realized I was out of melitta filters I figured it was a sign for this to be a tea day. Digging through my stash I looked for something I hadn’t drank in a while. I really like this tea, though I prefer it iced with a splash of cranberry juice. The snow outside is making me want hot beverages though. ;)

Keemun Encore from Adagio Teas
70

Tasty, smokey, and rich. This tea has a body that certainly doesn’t disappoint.

Almond from Adagio Teas
64

Brewed this up this morning and added a drop of bitter almond oil to bring out the almond flavor (I’d found it to be weak previously). It helped and next time I might add some almond slivers as well. Still not a favorite though.

Fujian Baroque from Adagio Teas
100

I switched back to tea this morning in the hopes that it will help me tackle the enormous sewing pile in my room. I picked the Fujian Baroque because it has long been a favorite of mine. Today I noted a smokiness accompanying the cocoa flavor I’m used to. Maybe I’ve set it too close to my Lapsang?

Fujian Baroque from Adagio Teas
100

I’ve been drinking so much coffee lately I figured it was time to switch back to tea for a bit. This one is an old favorite and has the body (and chocolatey goodness!) to stand up to all the coffee. Drank it along side home made banana oatmeal brulee. Yum!

Sweet Cranberry Black from Teavana
75

Back home after all my traveling so I have all of my teas available again. I really love this tea for rainy mornings. The cranberry scent reminds me of fall, the holidays, and homemade cranberry sauce.

Earl Grey Creme from Teavana
75
Raspberry Riot Lemon Mate from Teavana
75

The raspberry and lemon notes become subtle and balance well with the mate after brewing. I was a little concerned that they would be overpowering; the loose tea smelled like raspberry-lemonade flavored candy. Previously I have found some of Teavana’s flavored teas to be overpowering, but this one is a keeper.

Original Masala Chai from Yogic Chai
75

Yummy. I needed this cup of tea. Quite a wild night last night.

Coconut White Masala Chai from Yogic Chai
75

Now that I’ve found a way to brew this that suits my palate, I can’t get enough. I love that when brewed loose, the coconut pieces float to the top of my mug and I can munch on them while I sip.

Tung Ting Oolong from Ten Ren
75

I wish I could thank the lady in the shop who sold me this tea…

Coconut Masala Chai from Yogic Chai
79

Although the directions call for a boiling-steep method, this tends to make a very astringent concentrate best diluted with milk and sugar. When done in a bag and steeped for 5 minutes at 200F it was weak and disappointing. However, when left loose in a mug of water at around 208F and allowed to sit until cooled, you get a warm spicy cup, a nice balance. Be wary of tea leaves in your teeth!

Caramel from Adagio Teas
75

Made this for a friend and I just now. Quite nice, but it always tastes weak to me…

Keemun Encore from Adagio Teas
70

Lovely. Rich and aromatic. It’s raining in Seattle today and nothing could suit me better than a huge cup of tea before today’s adventures.

Original Masala Chai from Yogic Chai
75

Profile

Bio

I am a professional barista and tea geek. I have been in the industry for five years with one year as a trainer of both coffee and tea knowledge. I love vinyl records, video games, my teddy bear, and playing guitar.

Location

Seattle

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