cody

Despite the fact that I once referred to drinking this tea as “like licking an English garden” it’s actually one of my favorites, and I’ve been drinking it daily. I was a bit wary of the floral flavor at first, as the gardeny scent of roses will always be reminiscent of gift shop candles and soap in my mind. I was surprised that the taste was strong (nothing more disappointing than a strongly-scented, barely-flavored tea) and very pleasant. Soft, slightly sweet… there’s just something relaxingly decadent about drinking roses.

No notes yet.

I really wish I knew (or could be bothered to experiment and discover) what it is that brings out the taste in Assam that reminds me of a honey taffy my mom and I made when I was a kid. It only comes out a little over half the time. With the nice, malty Assams, anyway.

I admit I was largely intrigued by the packaging and website for Sanctuary T’s new Mentor Tea line. (We’ve argued this point in the forums before… I like packaging and design, and it will always affect my purchases.)

I was happy to see Assam and Ceylon on the label, as they are my favorite black teas. I’d asked about the blend on Twitter, because I didn’t want to get myself into a Smoky Tea Situation, and was pretty sure I’d like this one. And I did. It makes a nice breakfast tea… maybe closer to Irish than English, which is lovely.

I am really starting to dig this, despite usually being non-green-tea-drinker. I’ve had two cups this morning, while playing WoW before class. Yummy.

So, I’ve been away from Steepster for a bit. That thing about taking 30 days to make or break a habit? For me it’s about 36 hours. If I stop going to a site for awhile, I forget it exists almost immediately.

Anyway. Enjoying some Irish Breakfast in the mid-afternoon. It’s a wonderful day for sitting on the balcony, drinking tea.

I’ve had quite a long coffee and wine-filled break from Steepster, but I’ve finished off my sample of this in two pots this morning. Welcome back, tea.

I love this tea. The lavender is just so comforting on a cold, snowy morning.

Oh, Adagio… changing all your musical names has really confused my delicate sensibilities when it comes to logging teas. (Also, Steepsters… I’ve been changing the names here. Hope you don’t mind.)

This is a pretty good Darjeeling. I still haven’t quite put my finger on that… Darjeeling-y taste, in order to describe it properly. But, it’s yummy just the same.

Subtle and soft cup this morning. I think I may be about to switch to something a little stronger, but I do like this tea.

First tried this long ago, and am now realizing I never completed the tasting note.

This smells amazing. The cherry flavor is nice without being too fake, and while I don’t really care for fruity teas hot, I did enjoy this one. A little sugar rounds it out nicely, but isn’t necessary. I think I end all of my fruity tea reviews this way, but I would love to try this one iced, once the warm weather comes back around.

Had two mugs this morning, then took it to work in my Thermos. Bumping up the rating a little bit, because I think I was able to appreciate it a little more than I did the first time. I’m definitely going to have to try more green tea, but I don’t know if my cupboard can take it.

Finishing this off this morning. Unfortunately, I kind of ruined this cup… so, it is not a fond farewell. Blech.

I forgot how good this was. Where did we land on what it was scented with? Magnolia blossoms? I think so.

Every now and again, a taste of food or drink will make me swoon. Not quite a ‘When Harry Met Sally’ sort of reaction, but a more dignified, albeit involuntary, physical reaction to the sheer deliciousness. This morning first sip was that sort of reaction. Yummyyum.

I don’t love coconut, but I don’t hate it… and I think that translates pretty well to this tea.

The flavor is soft and pleasant, not overpowering. It’s sweet and tropical. If you like coconut, you’ll probably like this tea. If you don’t, this isn’t going to win you over.

Yet another installment of “Cody v. The Morning.” Despite having been capable of making my own breakfast since I was a pre-teen, I could hardly manage eggs and toast this morning without dropping a carton of eggs on the floor and burning… pretty much everything. Fortunately, The Cap’n was there to soften the blow.

I love this tea. As much as I dig the limited-edition style of A&D’s tea… it’s kind of bittersweet to realize I have a finite amount of this in my future.

Only one more cup left in my sample. :(
I can’t believe it has lasted this long, though. I really love this tea, but I want to check out a few other Assams before I commit to buying a larger size.
Reading Neil Gaiman’s Stardust with a kitty on my lap, and drinking this tea before work. Wonderful.

So, this was the Dragonwell that I actually meant to grab from the cupboard. It’s amazing how quickly samples amass, and how little attention I pay sometimes.

This one is much better. I’m not a big green tea connoisseur, but it has its moments. The vegetal taste (which was also present in the Adagio, but in a less pleasant way) reminds me of something I can’t put my finger on. Not grass or hay. Almost… asparagus? Or some other green vegetable. That one is going to bug me until I figure it out.

Withholding an actual rating for now, because I can’t be sure I brewed it properly. At best, it’s weak. At worst, it’s… unpleasant.

Made a huge mug of this with soymilk and vanilla sugar this morning. There is a very noticeable spice left in my mouth after every sip, which I absolutely adore. The spicier, the better.

This is now the… sixth? Earl Grey in my cupboard. It’s a sickness.

This is a good, solid Earl Grey. The bergamot isn’t too strong, and doesn’t have that sort of perfumey or soapy taste to it, which some of the… lesser blends can have. I think it’s balanced well with the tea… it’s bold, but not overpowering. Yum-o.

This reminds me of an orange spice tea I used to drink as a kid, only better quality. I’ve kind of lost my taste for orange teas, to be honest… and I wish this had a bit more spice to it, but it is a good blend all the same.

The first real snow of the year is blanketing everything outside, and I’m sitting here drinking this tea and reading The Princess Bride by Christmas tree light. This tea definitely lends to the holiday atmosphere. :)

So, I’m still getting a pretty good buzz from this tea, and it was much needed this morning after (accidentally) getting up at 4am. Took it to class in my Thermos.

I feel like my tealog is becoming a list of “Ways In Which I Fail At Mornings” but, this morning I somehow managed to get up an hour early (4am!) and not notice it until I’d already showered, made chai, and been online for a good 45 minutes.

I think I may have brewed this a little weak in my slightly off-kilter state, so I’m withholding my rating until I do it nice and proper. I made it with equal parts water and soymilk, with a touch of vanilla sugar this morning, but it didn’t have the… zazzle? that I was looking for.