176 Tasting Notes
I’ve not been looking forward to tasting this one. The smell of the dry leaves was overpoweringly smoky… and the flavor, while far more mellow, is just too strong for me. I brewed just a single cup, which I rarely do, and have had to force myself to finish it. I don’t think I’ll use the rest of the tin, which is a bit of a shame.
Preparation
It’s coming off a bit bitter iced, but it’s entirely possible that I wasn’t minding the time/temperature as well as I thought I was… I had one eye on the balcony the entire time, as I was in the process of moving my books and laptop out here while making sure the cats kept “All Four Paws Inside the Railing at All Times.” Distraction sometimes makes for mediocre tea.
This is the third Earl Grey in my collection. I’ve yet to repeat any other variety this often. Apparently, I’m quite fond of Earl Grey. Who knew?
The smell is very sweet… almost like orange candy, as opposed to the harsher, flowery versions. The taste seems a bit smoother, too. I’ve never really known the proper term for this, but I’ve always had a problem with flavors that don’t blend. Noodles that tastes like chile THEN peanut, or in this case, Earl Grey that tastes like bergamont THEN tea. There needs to be a smooth transition, and this seems to have one.
Series 3 from Damn Fine Teas arrived on my doorstep less than an hour ago. Between the jasmine and the bergamont, the package smelled very reminiscent of Lush bath bombs. In a good way… a box of Lush bath bombs without the headachey perfumey bombs that break me out, I suppose. (I’m looking at you, Sex Bomb.)
Anyway. Jasmine Green smells amazing. All this time I’ve been blaming jasmine for the iced tea I don’t care for at a local cafe, but now I’m thinking there has to be another culprit, because this was fantastic. The green tea isn’t as… green as some of the other blends I’ve tried and disliked, and the jasmine has a really nice, delicate flavor.
I must try this iced.
Preparation
I’ve yet to actually try this with breakfast, because it’s a bit strong for my early-morning sensitive tummy. Even the smell gives me a bit of a stomachache… Though, it does taste much smoother than it smells. Once I’ve woken up a bit, and had something to eat, it’s a lovely bold pick-me-up. I’ve tried it with milk, cream, soy milk, and almond milk (separately, of course) but I guess milky tea is just not for me. Unless I’m doing something wrong…
Preparation
I think I give up on artificially flavored tea…
Preparation
Oh, don’t give up on flavored teas, there are a lot of great ones. Check out 52teas or Golden Moon – both have great flavored teas that don’t taste artificial.
There are some great flavored teas out there. Just be patient and you will find them.
I think I might just be sensitive to something in these teas. I get a strong, bitter, almost chemical taste in my Adagio flavored teas (except the Cinnamon) whereas my husband, who thinks all tea “tastes like hot water,” doesn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. But thanks, I’ll be sure to give something else a try.
Tried brewing more tea for a shorter amount of time to counteract the bitterness, but it now has very little flavor. Which, again, is exactly the problem I had with the Adagio Vanilla. So far, Cinnamon seems to be the only Adagio flavored tea that likes me. (Though, last night’s cup grew on me after I got past the bitter taste. There’s still a chance!)
I am sure that you’d be able to find someone on here who would be willing to trade you for a tea that is more to your liking, because there are quite a few fans of this tea here.
Thanks. I planned on trying to swap some of my teas once I finally decide which ones are going.