Handmade Tea

Edit Company

Recent Tasting Notes

66
drank Perry Tart by Handmade Tea
353 tasting notes

I was really excited to try this because I’ve been looking for a good pear tea for a while. Unfortunately, this isn’t it. Don’t get me wrong – it’s a lovely black tea. But I can’t taste any fruit at all in this. There are both dried pears and cranberries, but the taste doesn’t come through with steeping. Which is a shame.

As a black tea, however, it’s quite nice. Smooth, slightly sweet, and no hint of bitterness.

Preparation
2 min, 30 sec

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

48

Tea #26 from the Here’s Hoping TTB
I made this last night and fell asleep before I could drink it. I wish I would have read the description before I made it, because it sure gave me a surprise when I reached for it this morning. I wasn’t expecting to start my day with such a lapsangesque tea. One thing that I have been sure of for quite some time is that I will likely never enjoy keemun or lapsang souchong, I just don’t enjoy even the slightest hint of smoke in my tea.

With this blend I think the smoke actually covers up most of the flavor, I’m not tasting any blueberry and barely a hint of lemon. This tea is going straight back in the box, hopefully someone else can appreciate it a bit more than I can.

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 0 sec

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

85

Additional notes: I’ll be enjoying some holiday themed teas the next few days.. this one, David’s Santa’s Secret, Verdant’s Earl of Anxi… probably more. I’ll have to think of a tea to have for Kwanzaa… any ideas? I hope everyone has an enjoyable Christmas and Kwanzaa! Wishing the best for all of you lovely tea people!

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

85

Two tasting notes for WINTER teas today!

Thanks so much again, Dexter3657! This is my perfect apple tea! Everything is on the lighter side here. Even though the black tea was steeped just after boiling for a few minutes, it is very subtle. The apple and cinnamon are definitely present, but also subtle. But it works very well anyway, in its lightness and subtlety. The apple is perfect – very sweet! I’m intrigued by this tea shop… I’m sorry I don’t have much more to say on this one.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

85

Having this tea again for breakfast. Apple cinnamon tea wasn’t the greatest pairing with breakfast, but then my breakfast was kind of weird. I felt like grazing, so breakfast was crackers, havarti cheese, cranberry stilton cheese, and scone with homemade blubarb jam, with a side of korean radish salad.

Still impressed how this tea is pretty good, the apple flavor is really well done! I heard from my husband that his family is having difficulty selecting christmas gifts for me. I suggested again my amazon list, as well as a list of Tea of the Month clubs, with Handmade tea now on that list. Fingers Crossed!

tea-sipper

Blubarb jam! Sounds amazziing.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

85

This morning for breakfast I wanted something more special. I found a bag of fresh cranberries, so I made fresh cranberry scones. I thought a nice spicy black blend would pair awesomely, but I’ve been saving my chais. My father and my best friend + her boyfriend are visiting around christmas time, with my dad and my friend’s boyfriend chai fans, I’m saving my chais. Oddly, I don’t have that many chais in my stash.

Then, I remembered I had this tea that I snagged from BrewTeally Sweet! This is my seconds Handmade Tea blend, first being that tomato sage blend (wut). Winterfylleth Brew has a really good apple flavor that is natural, crisp and juicy. The cinnamon is backburner, but comes out end of sip. The black base is quite nice and doesn’t get bitter or dry. Very tasty!

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 30 sec

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

50
drank Blueberry Limón by Handmade Tea
615 tasting notes

Tea #49 from HHTTB2

Visually, there’s a lot going on in the dry blend. Big, plump blueberries and chunks of lemon rind . And quite a bit of both. I don’t really smell the smoke in the blend, but that could be a product of it’s travels in a giant cardboard box. Who knows. What I do smell is lemon/citrus.

Once I brewed this up? Oh. There’s the smoke.

It’s not like lapsang smoke, where’s it’s like getting thwumped with a burning log. (Or the whole fire dempending on the Lapsang, I suppose). But it’s definitely got some Keemun-esque smoke going on here. It pretty much overpowers all the other elements in the cup.

With sugar added in, I get something that reminds me of a lemon rubbed charred chicken breast. Better, but still not terribly good. I taste a slight blueberriness in the back of the sip. So now I have charred lemon chicken with blueberry compote. Not exactly what I was hoping for.

And back into the giant cardboard box it goes.

Preparation
190 °F / 87 °C 3 min, 0 sec

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

75

Apples! that’s what I taste. Apple! I should have known. I read the ingredients of this tea before I asked moraiwe for it in a swap, but I had completely forgotten them by the time I brewed it this morning.

I smelled it and kept thinking it smells so familiar, what is that smell? It’s an extremely natural apple flavor. I hardly detect the cinnamon. I really should be able to recognize the smell of apple. . don’t know what was up with me then :)

Thanks for sharing this yummy tea with me moraiwe (^.^)

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 2 min, 30 sec

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

57

Tea #12 from HHTTB2

I like seeing chunky pieces in flavored black teas. It’s like. Oh hey! This is what this is supposed to taste like. It somehow also reassures me that it’ll taste less like chemicals. And while that’s not always true, it’s still nice.

There are big chunky pieces of coconut and kiwi in this blend. As well as tinier shredded bits of coconut. And quite a bit of both, honestly.

In spite of all of that, the black base here is simply overwhelming. The black tea is strong and mildly astringent. The coconut lends itself to a thicker mouthfeel, but not much else. As it cools, there is a subtle, natural kiwi flavor that pokes through. Sweetener also helps it along, just as creamer seems to coax out the coconut.

I think, judging how the fruit flavors started popping in the tepid cup, maybe this would be better iced, and perhaps give a better balance of flavors.

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 0 sec

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

drank Blueberry Limón by Handmade Tea
448 tasting notes

Tea #3 for Traveling Tea Box C

I brewed this one up quickly this morning to drink while studying. I definitely agree with others that there seems to be some smokiness in the base. I also couldn’t get much blueberry in this one

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 0 sec

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

15

Tea #3 From the HHTTB

bleh, nope, I can’t do it. I just don’t think I’ll be able to finish this cup. At first, I though maybe I could, but it’s not happening.

I read ahead of time that it had a smoky base, but I thought for sure the fennel and spices would mellow it out. Well, I don’t know if they mellow it, but they do something for sure. It’s sweet and smoky at the same time, but not a good pairing imo. The only place smoke and sweets can get along is while making s’mores :p
note to self: stay away from all smoky Chinese black teas!

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 4 min, 0 sec
BrewTEAlly Sweet

I don’t balme you. I COULD NOT DRINK THIS MYSELF BUT FIGURE MAYBE SOMEONE WOULD BE!

Caleb Brown

So sorry to hear that, Shelley! I guess Seed Harvest isn’t for everyone :) Hopefully you’ll get the opportunity to try more teas from Handmade Tea! I betcha we make a few blends you’d love :)

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

67
drank Winterfylleth Brew by Handmade Tea
871 tasting notes

So I made a cup of this cold brew yesterday. And it wasn’t too bad. Kind of like apple cider but a bit flat. So I cold brewed again today, only for about 6 hours, with some white sugar and WOW. Definitely apple cider. Not fake apple cider from a bought carton or from a mix, but real, traditional apple cider. Complete with the bite you get from fermented apples. I am a little disappointed I waited so long to cold brew this one as now I am all done with this tea.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

67
drank Winterfylleth Brew by Handmade Tea
871 tasting notes

Well the secret to this tea is a super long brew time. But the mystery still remains, how long was that super long time?

I started a cup of this to brew. Then I got busy doing some cold brews, cleaning up the kitchen, flipping through the channels to find Olympic mens hockey (Canada vs. Finland), checking steepster. Then while I was staring at the computer I reached out to grab my cup of tea but I couldn’t find it. Because it was still brewing. How long did I leave it, 10, maybe 15 minutes? Not sure. At least 10. I forgot to push start on the timer so there was no annoying repetitive beep, beep, beep to pull me out of my dead computer stare.

I tried it and it actually wasn’t too bad. The black tea base is quite strong, but the apple is quite strong as well which is good. The cinnamon is also predominate. It is thick and creamy. As the cup cools, it is starting to become more bitter, but I think a loooooonnnnnnnggggg steep suits this tea.

Preparation
1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

67
drank Winterfylleth Brew by Handmade Tea
871 tasting notes

I wasn’t sure about this one at first. It smells strongly of cinnamon and apples. Sort of like an apple crisp. Brewed, it tastes like dull cinnamon with some apples. Slightly sweet. There is a weird taste on my tongue with the aftertaste. I want to say astringent but it is more bitter (?). I was expecting a bit more punch with this one. I was hoping for strong, spicey cinnamon, and tart apples. I would have liked there to be more sweetness as well. I am going to play around with the brewing parameters a bit. And add some rock sugar, maybe honey or maple syrup, next time. I think the rock sugar will help to bring out more of the apple. There is less bitterness as the tea cools quite a bit.

A long steeping time may help with the cinnamon as well. We will see…

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 2 min, 0 sec

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

Thanks, Nicole_Martin, for this tea!

I had this iced this week and it was very good! The kiwi was natural and very different from most of the fruit teas I’ve had. The coconut gave it a slightly roasted flavor although it was cold. I’m also enjoying the Handmade Teas bases. They are very warm-tasting. I look forward to trying this one hot.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

Backlog from yesterday!

I love this savory tea! The tomato is slightly sweet and the sage is super strong. It works well with the sweet black base that is just the teensiest bit smoky.

I had it with some fresh mozzarella plus tomatoes and basil from the garden out back. Yum!

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

Backlog from Saturday Afternoon

I’ve been a fan of peppercorn in tea since I had Della Terra’s Lemon Pepper Melange. This is a delightfully warming blend. The base is delicious! It is golden-tasting, malty, bready and substantial. I like the peppercorn- it is strong, but not too overwhelming. It’s just enough to spread the warmth of the base. The orange peel does add some sweetness while it is hot, but turns just the slightest bit bitter as it cools, but that’s ok because I like this one so much, I don’t think I’d let it get cold. Yum! I have a feeling this will be something I’m going to be having on wintery mornings on my way to work.

Fuzzy_Peachkin

oh and thanks, Nicole_Martin, for this tea!

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

74
drank Seed Harvest by Handmade Tea
615 tasting notes

I steeped this at a lower temperature and time to keep the smoke notes down and found I like it a lot more this way. The fennel is the strongest note, and adds a nice anise flavor and is a bit sweet. This is so much better. Wow.

Also, I just sent Fiance this note because he hates puns. I hope he loves it. But I’m pretty sure I’m just going to get ‘the look’ (you know, the exasperated why the hell would you do that look)

Dear Valentine,

At first, I couldn’t say with certaintea you were the one for me; the realitea was you were a bit arrogant and needed to learn some humilitea. But over time, I’ve gotten claritea to the situation. You’re my favorite person and you suit me to a tea. In actualitea, I think you’re teariffic and Wuyi totealy belong together.

The vitalitea you have put into my life with your generositea and kindness is outstanding. You’re a Jasmine Pearl in the rough, and my love for you is bounteaful. You have dealt with my eccentriciteas and peculiariteas like no other. Your emotional strength has made me realize that you’re my Iron God(dess) of Mercy. (Not just that, but you’re pretea cute).

Like most relationships, ours didn’t come without a degree of difficulitea. But we have overcome that together and you have helped me with my frailtea and insecuriteas and made me realize that I am beauteaful and worthy.

I love you to eternitea, Valentine, and I promise my undying loyaltea to you forever.

Come home soon, I oolong to have you in my arms.

I know this got a little long, but I hope you appreciated my sensitivitea and creativitea

Love,

Me.

PS: Is that pu-erh tuo in your pocket, or did you just love my pun thread?

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 3 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 6 OZ / 177 ML
CelebriTEA

Love your Valentine note ♡

__Morgana__

Adorable!

Nicole

That is completely cute!

moraiwe

Thanks guys! So did he, (though he pointed out that ‘worthy’ could have totally been ‘wortea’) so yay! :D

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

74
drank Seed Harvest by Handmade Tea
615 tasting notes

I kept reading about Handmade Tea in all the traveling tea box posts, so in my curiosity, I treated myself to a subscription! So this is my first Handmade Tea! Yay!

This is a really savory blend, with plenty of interest offered by the combination of seeds. I really like that the tea here is the primary interest and everything else just adds depth. The fennel adds a bit of sweetness and the cumin a sort of woodsy flavor. That said, with fennel and anise, I definitely expected a licorice punch! Instead the herbs are in harmony so that no one flavor overpowers the other, making something hearty and deeply satisfying. The combination of teas used for the base also aid in this, adding a slight smokiness and helping the cumin hold up.

The overall cup is warming and definitely suited towards the coming weather. I agree with Debbie that peppercorns would have been a fantastic addition, making a slight spiciness and adding just the last bit of oomph I think this cup needs.

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 0 sec

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

70
drank Iced Lemon Mint by Handmade Tea
124 tasting notes

This makes a very nice iced tea. I’m typically not a huge fan of iced black tea, but the lemon (subtle) and mint (not subtle) give this a very pleasing flavor. I made this with a little bit of rock sugar and steeped in for quite a while (at least 6 minutes) before putting it in the fridge overnight.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

70
drank Iced Lemon Mint by Handmade Tea
124 tasting notes

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

68
drank Seed Harvest by Handmade Tea
353 tasting notes

My first tea of the month from Handmade Tea! So excited. :)

I had tried two of Caleb’s teas in a traveling tea box, which is how I first heard about Handmade Tea and made me treat myself with a subscription. Both blends were very different, flavorful, and interesting. This one was no different.

A very savory tea. I can see this as a nice cold weather tea. Hearty, with some savory spices. I would have liked another spice in there to give the tea a bit more depth. Maybe a smidge of cardamom to add a bit of sweetness? Or some black pepper to give it some kick.

Preparation
4 min, 0 sec

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

Thanks, Nicole_Martin for this tea!

Since I enjoyed peach hoppitea so much, I decided to drink this one and compare since it has appricots and hopps. These two teas are a similar idea, but worlds away in taste. The green tea in this base is very light and flowery. I steeped at 170 instead of 180 so maybe this played a role in it, but the apricot and hopps flavors were very light. After trying a two minute steep, I decided to add the leaves in for a longer time, but this just resulted in a stronger green tea flavor and a unpleasant drymouth. Oddly enough the base in this reminds me a lot of the green base in many Palais de The blends. It is not a taste I enjoy. The Butiki blends is darker, richer, and is more flavorful. I much prefer that non-green tea blend. I will however give this tea one more shot at the recommended steep time. I REALLY am starting to see how a variable temp tea kettle would be handy.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.