Big-Active

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Recent Tasting Notes

33

Very low aroma. Mainly straw notes of the base white tea plus a bit of peach and some vague flowery notes.
And the taste is so watery. Not enough base tea character, not enough peach and orange flowers.
Bland and completely uninteresting.

Flavors: Flowers, Peach, Straw, Watery

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 3 min, 0 sec 4 g 12 OZ / 350 ML

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80

Another gift from a friend who knows I like black teas. This has moved its way into my regular rotation, mostly because I like the flavor and because I can re-steep the leaves (western style) three times before they lose their flavor too much.

The initial flavors I have noticed are woody and creamy. The creaminess reminds me of a good-quality Keemun tea. There is also some astringency to it, but that could be because I prefer steeping for a bit longer than normal. I don’t notice any of the menthol flavors that sometimes can be found in a Ceylon tea. Overall, this is a great tea for day-to-day enjoyment!

Flavors: Astringent, Creamy, Wood

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 5 min, 0 sec 6 g 16 OZ / 473 ML

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70
drank Cytryna & mango by Big-Active
369 tasting notes

Medium-strength aroma, with lemon peels in the foreground and subtler mango more in the back.
Round, moderately rich, malty base tea with only traces of fruit.
Good tea, not dominated by add-ons or aromas.

Flavors: Lemon Zest, Malt, Mango, Round

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 0 sec 2 g 7 OZ / 200 ML

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60

Murky gold, smells sweetish and very fruity, with plenty of mango and fig opuntia notes.
The base green tea dominates in taste, the fruits are subdued, in the background.
Not bad.

Flavors: Fruity, Mango

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 5 min, 0 sec 2 g 5 OZ / 150 ML

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80

a really good Pu-ehr tea! with a mild bergamot taste.

one small problem: the Pu-ehr taste is too weak

Flavors: Flowers

yyz

I didn’t see this review. I like this companies teas. They offer a good value!

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89

does anyone know if it’s possible to ‘hit a wall’ with essay writing? i mean, i know you can do it with jogging and jumping jacks…. but i have all of my very sensible data sitting in front of me, but that’s it. it’s like a paper weight. with eyes. blinking at me. sigh. c’mon!

this tea makes me smile though…. the rude data that was never taught that staring is impolite can watch me as i sip. yyz, my awesome friend, chased all over toronto to get this elusive tea for me! (ahem, and possibly discovered a few things she’d been looking for? lol)

i love this tea. light and fruity, but in a summer way versus the screaming ‘i actually want to be a caffeine free herbal!!’ the way some can be.

possibly my essay will make more sense after i run my whipped cream experiment…. i plan on playing with matcha and strawberries. i may take pictures and post them on FB. if it’s an abysmal failure i make no promises that i won’t gripe! =0)

thank you yyz!

Preparation
2 tsp 10 OZ / 295 ML
yyz

Your welcome James! Yes it’s entirely possible to hit a wall while writing an essay. Been there done that. I either was trying to condense a books worth of research into essay form, or most likely over thinking and planning the whole thing. My advice walk a way from it, make your fancy drink, which sounds fun by the way, then just allow it to tumble out of your head. Don’t worry about phrasing or making it perfect, that’s what writings for. Don’t over think it. Enjoy the tea!

yyz

Yes, I did discover some things I had been looking for (Turkish glasses, some other teas:)) and discovered some new stores!

Skye Comstock

Can you post the pictures on here? It sounds amazing! :)

Mikumofu

I know that exact same “paper weight with eyes” feeling, good luck!

JustJames

i can post links! https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1436302663296028&set=ms.1436302663296028.1436302353296059.bps.a.1421235654802729.1073741833.100007489238123&type=1&theater

only thing is, my profile is pretty locked up…. if you CAN’T see this let me know and we’ll just be friends on FB if you want?

JustJames

i think i’m just at the stage where i’m done….. of course NOT being able to stop is less helpful. i am being evaluated for a scholarship. so i can’t even throw caution to the wind and say f*** it, lol!

Skye Comstock

yeah….i can’t see it. :(

Skye Comstock

you can friend me on fb

JustJames

will do! sorry…. i keep my profile decently private =0/

Skye Comstock

no problem. It’s really safer that way these days. I want to know more about matcha tho. I’m very interested in the whole matcha ceremony, but not sure if i will like it so if i should bother buying all the equipment and stuff-or even the tea itself, but I’m intrigued by these flavored ones that you posted about. I looked at Red Leaf tea’s website after you posted about the black current matcha and i think i ordered something off there(sometimes i forget what i order…lol).

MissB

I hit a wall all the time with my writing. I either do what yyz suggested, or I just write until something useful comes out — and it always does, eventually, just takes a few hundred more words to get there. ;)

JustJames

that does work, absolutely…… i just have a deadline. which isn’t helping. lmao!

OMGsrsly

You can do it, James! :) (Also, matcha whipped cream? Genius. Doing that in the morning!)

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89

thank you so much to my far-more-organized-than-i swap buddy, yyz, for this one.

yyz was unbelievably detailed in her labelling of the tea samples she sent me. she notes on this particular one that it was purchased in a polish grocery store. i have one of those not too far from me… i may have to stop by!

this tea was great! quince is a rare thing to find in north american teas. a cross between pear, cirus with an almost aloe like texture. this tea had lovely big chunks of quince in it. i grew up with quince jelly, so for me it wasn’t odd. the candied pineapple was a perfect opposite to the quince.

honestly, i can’t think of a better alternative base than this nice light green! quite excellent! thank you yyz. nas zdrowie =0)

Preparation
175 °F / 79 °C 4 min, 0 sec
yyz

I’m glad you like it! If they don’t have this one the bastek one isn’t that bad either ( though I like there lemon one best I think it kind of a creamy clover green and a light lemon). The Opuncia one is really good if you like a fruity floral flavour as well. In general I’ ve liked most of Big -Active teas. There Yunnan base is kind of intense in their blacks though, and is almost licorice like and can take some getting used to.

Anna

Oh! Hey! Quince!

JustJames

i am the one in 10 that actually enjoys black licorice, i wouldn’t have a problem dealing with an intense black with such overtones. i really enjoyed this tea, it was great!

i’m kindof ruined for teas from this continent aren’t i? french, german, polish…. sigh. lol. well, it costs less than a vacation!

Anna

You would fit right in among the Swedes, then – they’re all mad about licorice. Here’s a selection of some of the specialty licorice stores in Stockholm: http://www.lakritslaban.se/lakritsbutiker-i-stockholm/

yyz

I love licorice, that’s one of the things I miss about Guelph they have/had? A Dutch grocery store with an aisle of licorice! Hard, soft, salty, sweet you name it. Well if you’re game to try it my favourite is the Earl Grey which is strong and bold and has rose in it. It took me a bit to get into it but now when I can find it I really like it. I’ve also had the peach apricot and the golden Yunnan ( which had safflower and reminded me of watermelon, though I think it’s only available through their e store and the blend your own section which I don’t think ships internationally yet). The good things are the Polish Teas are really affordable. I get the green teas for under $3.00/100g!

JustJames

i love dutch black licorice…. the unsweetened stuff especially. <insert happy drooling face, lol>

wonder if i can find the big active teas locally….? hmmmm.

JustJames

ANNA! don’t help! bad enough you tease me with tea leave licorice out of it!!!!!!!!!

Anna

MUHAHAHA.

OMGsrsly

I love black licorice, but it all has wheat in it. :( It’s the only way I can consume licorice root, actually. I find in tea the aftertaste is too much.

Anna

Oh, but OMGsrsly, there are several companies that make black licorice with rice flour instead – the texture is better, and it’s completely gluten free. Would that work for you?

OMGsrsly

I’ve seen only one brand, and it was like playdough. I couldn’t get past the texture. If I could find some that’s more like the ‘normal’ chewy licorice texture, that would be awesome.

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drank Pu-erh Grapefruit by Big-Active
437 tasting notes

This tea brews to a deep dark orange brown with the opaqueness of coffee. Its scent is of sweet pink grapefruit complete with that bitter sharp twang you get when you peel back the skin, mixed with dusty mineral notes, cooked hearty whole grains like spelt mixed with kasha grain, and yeast.

My sense of taste is still a little bit off after being sick but this tea has strong flavours that combine a mix of sharp initial notes followed by a smooth aftertaste.

The first flavour note is of sour citrus note mixed with a mineral and faintly marine note that is not fishy, but something that reminds me of brisk sea air (ozone, wet vegetation, salt and water) followed by a smooth slightly earthy bitter note that mimics coffee. There are also hints of charred crust. The texture is like that of French Press Coffee. This tea is not particularly sweet, and those who prefer a sweet tea would be advised to add sugar. Otherwise this is an easy introduction into flavoured pu-erhs.

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 4 min, 15 sec

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86

Comparing this to the the other raspberry green I have, I’m not sure which is my favourite now. The other one has a more complex and interesting mix of flavours, but this one has a sweeter base and tastes more of fresh berries and is slighly tarter. Both are really nice. This one would probably be nice iced.

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86

The tea brews dark for a green tea and smells faintly of raspberry mixed with a slight smokiness of gunpowder green tea with a clean vegetal undertone. It is not sweet or particularly fruity, but it leaves the aftertaste and mouthfeel of having eaten fresh picked raspberries. Sugar may bring out flavour of raspberries. The green tea base is present, green and refreshing. The base is not bitter but is slightly astringent. Having looked at the ingredient list, the astringency is probably due to the hibiscus. This tea is for someone looking for a fruity green tea that does not taste perfumy or like juice. I brewed it in a gaiwan with steeps starting at 45 seconds raspbery flavour lasted through 4 infusions, faded at fifth. Hibiscus is not dominant and doesn’t colour the tea pink or red.

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85
drank Green Tea with Quince by Big-Active
437 tasting notes

The scent of this tea has a bright citrusy note of lime mixed with pear. The gunpowder base produces a creamy, sweet, fresh tasting vegetal tea base which is slightly grassy which is overlain with a fruity mix resembling a blend of lime, pear, and pineapple. Quite nice and resteeps very well.

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82

This bagged white tea has a soft lemon scent leaning towards the smell of lemon verbena and cream. It brews dark for a white tea and tastes silky and sweet, with soft flavour of first cut light hay mixed with a soft baked goods lemon flavour with a hint of spice (referencing lemon thyme and thai basil) and wildflowers. Taste reminds me of a lemon custard or pudding, but not as sweet.

Preparation
175 °F / 79 °C 2 min, 0 sec

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84
drank Green Tea with Orange by Big-Active
437 tasting notes

This tea is another nice presentation of a simple flavouring. It smells and tastes of dried orange with peel use in baking sweetened with dried pineapple which brings out a slight juciness to the flavouring, but the flavour remains unmistakenly orange. The base underneath the tea is a gun powder style green tea with no smokiness. It does provide a medium body and thicker mouth feel to the tea and adds a refreshing note to the flavour. The base tea is sweet with a faint reference to spring greens and just a touch of bitterness. The tea resteeps well with the orange becoming more dominant and with the influence of the base tea beginning to dissipate after the third steep.

Preparation
180 °F / 82 °C 0 min, 45 sec

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94

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94

If you love the scent and spice of tea roses and you enjoy white teas see if you can find this tea. The flavouring and scent is spot on. It has become one of my favourite white teas. What makes this unique compared to other rose white teas I have had is that It manages to reproduce that crisp, sweet, spicy fragarance and taste of tea roses without falling into the trap of becoming bitter, or powdery or of being overly sweet like many rose teas I have had.

This tea consists of a good quality Bai Mudan, rose petals and flavouring. The leaves are mostly intact or in larger pieces and with fury white buds, the leaves themselves are a variety of colours ranging from grey to green. The dry leaves smell of tea roses with the slightly dusty citrusy smell of bai mudan behind it.

The brewed tea smells of tea roses. It tastes of the sweet, spicy taste of tea rose, a slight bit of citrus and a sweetness from the base. It has an aftertaste that is spicy and citrusy not powdery, overly sweet, or perfumy. There is also a slight reference to a spicy, floral, yet sweet Gewürztraminer wine. The base is silky. There is a slight freshening feeling in the front of my mouth. The tea resteeps really well. It manages to be both refreshing and warming at the same time. This is not a subtly flavoured white. The flavouring is quite strong nevertheless it is really enjoyable.

Preparation
175 °F / 79 °C 1 min, 0 sec

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85

I had forgotten how much I like this one it is such a really nice mix of creamy green tea, fruit and a fresh tasting floral that blend together to create something that is really quite refreshing perfect for one of our first really nice and warm days!

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85

Really nice when I’m craving something both fuity and floral. Very refreshing. It makes me think of spring!

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85

This green tea contains prickly pear, pineapple and rose. I have never had prickly pear before so I don’t know if this tea captures the flavour but I do know that this tea has a fresh and clean taste with a fruity undertone. I think it would make a nice iced tea in summer if one likes a tea with floral notes. It smells fruitier than it tates, but the fruit in the flavour tastes more like fresh cut fruit than something jammy. I can’t name the fruity flavour but it references pear, slightly ripe strawberry and fig, mixed with a raisony, dried apricot taste. The rose mixed with the green tea leaves it with a fresh aftertaste. The green base is pleasant enough and when brewed at a cooler temperature produces a tea with a creamy mouthfeel. It brews fairly dark for a green tea to almost a saffron colour and has a slight bitterness to it, that nevertheless is refreshing. It resteeps well with consistent flavouring through resteeps.

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81

I decided to add some sugar to this time to see if it would make the fruit flavours pop. Interestingly it did just the opposite. It muted the base making it just taste like a malty black tea and it masked the fruity so that the tea tastes more like a heavier breakfast blend. So I guess I wont do that again. Part of what makes this interesting in the contrasting flavours of the fruit mixed with spicy flavours of the base.

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81

Pleasant for breakfast. Less licorice in the base this time, pleasant earthiness/ bitterness mixed with natural tasting apricot with a touch of peach.

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81

This is an interesting fruit flavoured black tea. It is not juicy or very sweet, but it has an interesting flavour and the fruit flavours are very natural and enjoyable.

The dry tea smells strongly, of ripe fresh apricot with a touch of ripe peach. The brewed base tea smells spicy with a touch of leather, smoke and licorice, overlain with a peachy fruit smell. The tea base is rugged tasting slightly of licorice, and slightly of that taste that burning fragrant hardwood leaves in your mouth. The tea does not taste overly smoky but in the first steep the base is dominant being overlain with the fruit which becomes more prominent in the aftertaste which is a mix of apricot and peach. The base tea is bitter in a dark coffee type of way but otherwise smooth. The tea becomes fruitier as it cools with apricot being dominant over peach. The 2nd steep has more fruit, with the tea base becoming spicier and less bitter.

Overall an interesting tea.

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The dry leaf is very beautiful a rich dark yunnan base scattered with deep pink fading into yellow rose petals and cornflowers and a spicy frangrace from the bergamot. This is a fairly strong frangranced tea that has grown on me. At first I wasn’t sure that I enjoyed the strong slightly smoky almost liquorishy base with the bergamot and rose, but now I quite enjoy the blend. Usually I have preferred Earl Greys with an assam base. The rose and bergamot blend nicely in this blend, but are strong. The rose increases the spiciness that bergamot sometimes has, without making the tea overly floral, and the liquorishy base sweetens the citrusy aspect of the tea, making it fall towards grapefruit. The tea needs a longer steep than I usually use with black teas but produces a rich dark brew, it holds up well to resteeps and I have resteeped this tea three times while maintaining a strong flavour. Even better is the price. I have never spent more than $2.89 /100g box. Of the three Earl greys I have at home it probably has the strongest flavour. Big-Active is a Polish Brand produced by the same company that produces all of those fruit syrups. I got this at a local grocery store specializing in Polish goods that has a nice selection of very affordable boxed loose leaf teas. Big Active does have an online store. However the webpage is only in Polish. I am not sure if they sell internationally for non-wholesale orders.

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 0 sec

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