The Tea Haus

I have tried this one a couple of times…and each time I try it I don’t know what to think. When I first saw this on the site I thought ‘Bourbon!! Vanilla!! YUM!! I can’t wait to try this!!’ After trying it my expectations didn’t meet what it actually tastes like. The first time I tried this tea I got a big old smack in the face from the vanilla saying “HELLO I AM VANILLA!!” and I thought to self “I know, I taste you, Vanilla.” But now, after a couple of tastings, I find that the vanilla has mellowed out and is not as strong, although is still quite prominent (maybe got used to strong vanilla flavour). My colleagues think it smells like cake. Vanilla is a favourite flavour of mine, but this was ‘HI!!! HELLOOOOO!!! VANILLAAAA’ Sadly, no bourbon :(
Second steeping was only rooibos, no vanilla – which was ok with me, I don’t mind the taste of rooibos.
Not bad, but not what I expected.

Sipdown! 788. You know, this is more pleasant on its own that mixed in with other ingredients (although that said, it does work well in some blends). It’s lemony and a bit grassy (not vegetal). I’m curious how it might work cold and sweetened, as a pseudo-lemonade. Perhaps something to try in the future. (I’m now craving cold Coco-Lemon Thai. Must locate and drink tomorrow.)

Thanks for letting me sample this one, Indigobloom!

ETA: I cold-brewed the used leaves for probably about 36 hours, and the result was fairly flavourful. I do prefer lemon juice to things like lemon peel, lemon verbena, lemon grass, etc., so it was only ok for me. I didn’t bother sweetening it, but perhaps would have liked it better had I done so. Quite refreshing, however.

Gaaah!!! Internet service!!!
So this teas is a lot like ‘Forever Nuts.’ Reminds me of oatmeal cookies. YUM!! I tend to eat more of this brew (head hanging in shame) than I brew – both ways are delicious. Eating David’s brew is softer – this one seems to have more beet root. I likey both.

No notes yet.

It is a cold miserable day, and a day like this calls for a comforting tea. Sadly, this tea doesn’t quite make it. Taste is a little on the weak side, and to bring out the pumpkin pie flavour I needed to added milk and sugar, which I prefer not to do. It’s ok. It won’t be hard to finish, but I probably won’t buy it again.

I had this one as a hot brew a while ago, and I didn’t like it very much-too sour (hibiscus, I guess). But then warm weather finally came, so I decided to try a cold brew. Much Better!! Especially with a little bit of honey added.

No notes yet.

No notes yet.

I don’t love this tea, but I don’t hate it. It’s just ok. Nothing stands out about this tea. It’s mild and slightly vegetal. I won’t be hurting to finish my stash, but I probably wouldn’t order it again.

Had this one this morning, so doing this by memory.
I was surprised by it, but not in a good way. I feel like I really didn’t get as much of the flavours as I had hoped to have. It wasn’t great…

But also, I may have been distracted as I was officially starting my new job today. It’s fantastic! So that might have been a bit of why I don’t remember much about this tea.

No notes yet.

Sipdown!

I didn’t have the last bit on its own like I figured I would. I decided to mix it again.
This time I mixed it with s’mores. Again, it’s not too bad. I don’t mind it.

Hazelnut cream is a really good mixing tea I found. I was nervous to try it on its own. I know it would have been good, but I really just thought I’d stick with the mixing.

Personally, I don’t think I’d get this one again, but I could see why others would love it.

Thanks to Indigobloom for a sample of this one!

I’m not sure that I’m tasting ginger or peach all that prominently (ok, at all!), but I’m getting a lovely caramelly flavour, presumably from the white tea, that reminds me of dragonwell. So in spite of the lack of fruitiness and ginger, this tea isn’t so bad, because the base must be pretty decent :) I think I have to withhold a rating, though, because it’s likely age that is causing the lack of fruitiness (I’m actually more surprised that this wasn’t contaminated, given my shoddy storage!) Based on Indigobloom’s review, I would probably actually really like this one (just for the base, it’s getting above 75!)

So, I shall finish this one up, and perhaps try it again, as a fresher batch, at a later date :)

1 tablespoon used for 375 ml

Metallic. Mildly floral mixed with smoky note. This tea reminds me of sencha. Good level of astringency. Slight nuttiness.

Thanks to Indigobloom for sharing this with me.

I forgot I still had this in my cupboard. and that I do enjoy lemongrass! on it’s own that is. In blends? can’t stand it. Solo? deeeelish! creamy lemon gooodness. It’s even complex, which I adore about teas.

No notes yet.

Sipdown! On my last bit of this one, I felt I should probably just go ahead and drink it on its own as I haven’t done that yet. I always drink it when the hazelnut like I mentioned in my last tasting note.

So, I’m having this one on its own. I’m finding that I definitely put more sugar in than what I meant to. It was kinda an accident. But, meh.

Anyway, I prefer this one mixed with the hazelnut. Something about the combo is delicious. On it’s own it feels like it’s missing something. But I will say this, it definitely tastes like a mellow hot chocolate, with milk and sugar added.

Another sipdown from my Indigobloom pile!

Ok, this one grew on me. Sure, I think I still prefer more vegetal greens, but I’m enjoying the light smokiness of this one right now, and can actually see myself craving it in the future when I want a bit of a roastier green. Yum. Rating upped a bit :)

ETA: Second infusion for 2 minutes is pretty astringent, but otherwise tasty.

I tried this tea during my quest for that strong, bold, yet rounded black tea taste that I crave. A staff member at The Tea Haus recommended their Golden Pu-Erh for its musty edge.

I tried two cups of this tea on two separate occasions, each brewed differently. The Tea Haus’ brewing guidelines suggest a water temperature range of approx. 85C-93C, and a steeping time of 10 seconds to 2 minutes. For the second cup I increased water temperature and steeping time to brew a stronger tea – this tea is VERY sensitive to variations in the brewing process.

Weak or strong, however, I was not a fan. It’s been a week or so since the last cup, so I would be going on memory if I tried to describe the taste exactly, but I think this is the problem: it tastes like it’s been sitting in a cave, fermenting, for five years. I know that’s the point, but it doesn’t work for me: I tasted (and smelled) mould, mildew, damp, dirt, and chill when I drank this tea. It was kind of like rummaging around in a really old basement or antique store, minus the discovery of exciting or valuable treasures. I didn’t finish either cup.

My go-to caffeine-free tea for just before bed. Brewed exactly according to The Tea Haus’ instructions, and served with milk and just a bit of honey, this tea is light and milky, with a sweet, almost chocolate edge. I drink an oversized cup of this almost every evening! I also like the nutrients I get from it, and feel it helps with digestion.

The Tea Haus’ East Friesen is another tea that I tried in my quest for a good, everyday black tea – that comforting first cup you have each morning, for example. This tea came in a close second. It is not as complex or bold in flavour as the Keemun, and even when allowed to steep for up to 5 minutes tastes a bit too weak for my tea tastebuds. It’s a good alternative to the Keemun, though, and I like that it’s sometimes traditionally served with a bit of rum!

Since switching to loose leaf tea a few years ago, I have been searching for a better black tea (one that will satisfy my taste for bagged Tetley, which I grew up with, but still remind me why I switched). The Tea Haus’ Keemun is it! It has a warm, rounded flavour, is bold, yet is not overly acidic and still has a delicate, complex taste. I prepare it with milk and honey but I think it would drink well as a straight black tea.

Growing up in Germany and having grandparents in East Friesland, I learned to savor this tea. Every trip back to good ol Germany, I stock up on buenting tea and Kluntjes. But you can now order it at Buenting online as well. I have not tried it and the website is in German only.

Five months later, I finally tried this one again. I don’t like it. It’s just not for me. I don’t find the apple taste to be there really, and I think I just don’t care for red rooibos teas that much anymore. I like the green ones much much better.