fermataleaf

So here’s the deal. This was one of the first teas I had, in the form of a Bigelow tea bag and it was nasty crap.

I then had a giant tea trip in which I tried both bagged Twinings and Tazo of this tea. Bitter and astringent. I somehow kept on though, because I never tasted what a halfway decent Earl Grey was supposed to taste like.

That fateful day is nigh.

I sipped this tea and didn’t even realise the fact that it wasn’t disgustingly bitter until I had another cup. I honestly still can’t comprehend how this isn’t tasting bitter to me. It’s probably not even that awesome of an Earl Grey, but in comparison it was awesome to me.

I’m going to sink into my copy of Schubert and a blanket and be content now. Good night you guys.

I had this one yesterday. It was graciously given to me as I was waiting outside of a venue in the freezing cold. Even though I wouldn’t normally go for something like this… well as you can see I was in a desperate situation.

It was alright I suppose. It wasn’t undrinkable, but what seemed to be artificial vanilla was the most noticeable of the flavors and it was cloyingly sweet. The spices were weak. It made me think I was drinking a slightly spiced vanilla drink instead of a chai.

The only good thing about it was how hot it was, but I suppose a cupful of hot water would’ve done the job just as well.

I’m just glad I didn’t have to buy it…

The nostalgia… it’s unbearable.

So it began around age fourteen. I had this obsession for tea in a house full of coffee lovers. I was still unable to purchase things online for myself (and even then, I had no knowledge of what tea retailers were sought after), so I fueled my love and desire with grocery store bought Twinings and Tazo.

This became a favorite in its bagged incarnation alongside Twinings Earl Grey and Prince of Wales.

The last time I tried this tea was a good four or five years ago when stopped keeping up with my tea rituals, until it was at a Teavana in Chicago where my passion for tea was reignited.

Oh. Yes, this is about the tea. Right.

I realized I had two bags of this left in the back of my cupboard and I thought, “I’m feeling adventurous. Why not?”

So I steeped this in my glass teapot. I watched it turn a gloriously deep red color… which surprised me (mostly because I’d never seen it directly through glass before).

The smell was just as malty and deep as I remember it.

And… there it is. That hint of astringency and the ever present malty flavor. I just wish it wasn’t as flat as it is. Why doesn’t it taste as deep as it smells?

I’m thinking that perhaps the loose version is a better incarnation of this tea. Sadly I suppose I don’t like it as much as I used to, now that I’m comparing it to other teas.

Bagged Irish Breakfast, we had happy memories.

So I also got this from the Heavenly Sale, because who’s not going to jump on $5 Gyokuro?

Yep. It tastes very much like spinach. It’s really grassy and vegetal tasting. Actually, it’s almost filling in a way. I didn’t understand how some people could describe a tea as “meaty” until today, but it’s true. The tea has substance.

The aftertaste is kind of sweet and I tasted some slight bitterness while it was hot, but as it cooled the bitterness went away.

It smelled and tasted kind of like any Green Tea Ice Cream I’d ever had except not as sweet as that. I suppose adding honey might bring it close, but I kind of like it the way it is without additives.

This one’s a keeper… at least until something better comes along…

After we went to a very lovely French bakery for tarts (oh my, those tarts), my sister picked this one out on her birthday (because I’m slowly getting her into tea).

I just got around to making it, and I was skeptical, but it was ridiculously good. My sister complained of a slight astringency so I might lower the steep time just a tad.

I agree with LiberTEAS, I’m getting a slight “spiciness” off of this tea, but not in a chai sort of way. It’s more like… well if you’ve ever walked into a Spice and Tea Exchange store, the scent of the shop, it kind of tastes like that. It’s a very savory sort of spice, like eating pumpkin soup.

I still very much taste the pumpkin though and I quite enjoy the savoriness of the spice behind it. I think, though, the most incredible part of the blend is the caramel flavor.

I’ve noticed that the caramel comes out more once its cooled a little and the pumpkin/spices are a bit more subdued. It’s crazy though. I’m transported back into a time when I was very young, eating caramel drizzled ice cream at The Macaroni Grill (why does that look way less meaningful than it is in my head…)

Anyways, upon cooling a bit, it tastes just like caramel. Silky smooth texture and all. I’ve never experienced such a thing in a tea until now, so this impressed me the most.

My only regret: Not buying more.

I was worried that I’d hate this. I haven’t had an Earl Grey since my last Twinings bag at a continental breakfast.

Funny thing, I don’t hate it. Which is great.

As soon as I opened the seal on the bag that the tea came in the scent of bergamot almost knocked me over. It was the strongest bergamot I can remember experiencing.

Surprisingly, the tea wasn’t nearly as strong as a brewed cup. This isn’t to say that it’s weak, because it wasn’t by any means, but it was lighter than any other Earl Grey that I remember. Drinking it, the white tea hardly came out because of the bergamot, but made a subtle base so as to not make one feel as if they are drinking hot, diluted bergamot oil.

It was lovely (clean, as some people describe it), and I believe I’ve found my Earl Grey of choice.

Maybe they (whoever invented the blend) should have made the tea blend with white tea in the first place…

This isn’t bad…

I know chocolate teas are mostly (by nature) a disappointment to me, but I figured I might try it before I couldn’t anymore.

It’s not the most delicious tea I’ve ever tried, but I like having it on hand as a desert tea. It’s not terribly spicy, and the flavor that comes out most in this tea is a sort of tang from the fruit (maybe even from the chilies). There’s a bit of spice that lingers as an aftertaste, and so reminds me of drinking water and pepper flakes at the same time. It’s there but not as strong as it could be.

There is a bit of chocolate, but it’s a rather watery flavor. Naturally, that’s the case because the tea is being steeped in water. I’m sure adding a bit of milk (or even preparing it like a Chai in milk itself) might make the chocolate a bit more believable.

It’s a tasty tea and my family likes it so I suppose it wasn’t a terrible investment. In fact, I’m glad that I snatched up a half pound before Teavana pulled this from their shelves. I’m sure I’ll find other ways to prepare this.

I bought an entire pound of this at the Heavenly Sale. I just couldn’t help myself.
I need this stuff.

I was never a coffee drinker. The reason I fell in love with this tea is because it tastes like I always imagined coffee ought to taste like, and Teavana claims that it has about as much caffeine as a cup of regular coffee.

I wouldn’t know what kind of energy a cup of coffee gives you because I’ve never liked the taste of coffee enough to drink more than a sip, but I can’t face an early morning without it.

The aroma is not unlike coffee, but not spot on. It smells more like cocoa and less burnt.

The first thing that one tastes is a beautiful, roasted (some say “bran”) flavor and then a strong, undeniable, chocolate flavor. The tea is not astringent or fully as burnt tasting as coffee in the least. It’s not a very complex tea, at least to my taste buds, but it is much more satisfying than the flavor of coffee.

This stuff is amazing.

Yeah, no…

I don’t know if it is because I’ve been on a white tea binge for the last couple of days or what, but seriously I’m drinking a Christmas candle. Not in a good way (if it can ever be good).

Cinnamon is amped up on this tea, but it’s so jam packed with strong, conflicting flavors it’s almost confusing. I can hardly pick any of them out. It’s complex, but I say that to mean that this tea doesn’t seem to know if it’s an Oolong, Mate, Chai (in increasing order of likeness) or something in between. Chai comes out on top if I concentrate, but it’s not spicy like a traditional Chai (cinnamon, being the perpetrator, I presume), and thus, resembles the artificial scent of a Glade Plugin. I taste no Oolong or even any Mate, save for maybe the fruit in the Samurai Blend.

Also, as other people have already ranted on, the sample comes pre-packed with their rock sugar. Hey, Teavana, what if I prefer honey? What then? The sugar left a really odd aftertaste too… very chemical tasting, it was like Splenda. If I wanted that aftertaste I would drink a diet soda. I’m not. I’m drinking tea.

I feel defiled.

Also, also:
To add insult to injury, I guess Teavana was trying to get rid of these sample packets because I got two of them… I’ll make a nice potpourri with the other, I suppose.

Chamomile is such a normal thing to me, it hardly occurred to me that I should try to write a tasting note for it.

Also, I will muse here: Since coming to this site I’ve realized Chamomile is not universally loved… go figure :)

Before having Adagio’s Chamomile this was always something I’ve only had in a Bigelow or Twinnings bag. The first time I had Chamomile loose it was an experience. It was almost like watching a movie on a small antenna TV and then seeing it later in an IMAX theater. The flavor was amped up and just more “real” in a way that is difficult to describe.

I’ve found that one tsp. per cup is the way to go on this, at least for my tastes. I’ve added too much (and steeped it too long) and gotten a sharp and unpleasant dirty taste from it.

It also smelled way different than I can remember any bagged Chamomile did. It really did have this sweet and almost apple type scent. When prepared correctly this scent transferred nicely into the taste as well, to an extent.

All in all, I’m not sure if this is the best loose Chamomile out there, but it sure opened my eyes to what Chamomile could taste like.

I finally got around to trying this after getting it in the mail on Christmas Eve.

I’m going to start by saying that the description is, unfortunately, incorrect. This is in fact an herbal white tea, not a pure herbal… and what a lovely herbal white tea it is.

I’ve been sampling white teas mostly as of late and this one is actually like the love child of several of my favorite teas, White Symphony and Silver Needle. It has this lingering and faint complexity brought on presumably by the Peony and a sort of light and sweet, vegetal, grassiness that is a trait of Silver Needle.

Over this base is the mint which is sharp and the most noticeable element of this tea.

Now what made me curious to try this blend in the first place was the Chrysanthemum blossoms. I managed to get two (rather large) Chrysanthemum blossoms in this steep, but I’m not sure what to look for because I’ve never tried pure Chrysanthemum. It might be that buttery flavor in the background, but I’m not sure…

All in all, it’s a very nice tea, and I’m glad I got the chance to try it as it has been out of stock in the Asylum Emporium for a very long time. In my hunt for my preferred white tea it’s up there, right next to pure Silver Needle and White Symphony (and as previously mentioned, it’s almost like a mix of both, with mint and the buttery taste of the Chrysanthemum blossoms). I’m going to use it sparingly and for special occasions, because I don’t know when I’ll be able to purchase it again…

Well done, EA.

Green Tea* Boba. Every time.

I’ve got this odd obsession with biting into those tapioca pearls and then swallowing them when they’re somewhat whole. The texture and flavor is awesome! I love how smooth and soft they are.

I’ve had two different types of boba. One where it was more of a smoothie and one in which it was prepared as a latte. I can’t say which I prefer as both ways of preparation actually affect the consistency of the tapioca pearls. In the former, the pearls are firmer and chewier. In the latter, the pearls are softer and more prone to breaking in half. Both methods of preparation are nice (and daresay, fun), though.

Today I had it blended creme/smoothie style. It was splendid.

*If only to legitimize this as an actual tea (because it’s at least as much a tea as the green tea stuff at Starbucks).

A family member got me this one. It was a pleasant surprise as I’ve never tried a World Market tea before.

The only other Mate I’ve ever tried was Matevana. I’m not sure if I prefer one over the other because they’re both different. This one, despite being marked as “Chocolate” is actually more toasty and less sweet than the other Mate. Because of the fewer ingredients, the taste of the actual Mate seems more prevalent here. If one goes past the (admittedly very nice) toasty Mate flavor, there is a hint of chocolate, but it’s more of a flavor reminiscent of chocolate, rather than tasting like an all out Hershey’s chocolate bar.

I agree with another user, it’s almost like coffee (closer to coffee than the Matevana), but way less bitter.

It’s not a bad thing to have on hand when there isn’t a way to steep loose tea (I love the pyramid shaped bags), but I’m not sure about having this all the time. I’ll have to try other Mates before I decide on this.

I had to try this twice before making a note.

This is by far the most interesting of all the teas in Adagio’s Silver Sampler, in my opinion. It’s Sliver Needle’s polar opposite, with a strong (for a white tea, that is) extremely multifaceted flavor. It still holds the floral and vegetal taste that characterizes white tea, but I’m actually sensing a more emphasized, earthy, floral taste and aroma with a sweet vegetal flavor as an aftertaste rather than the reverse.

This really is a gorgeous white tea and if I had to choose out of the Silver Sampler, I’d like to have this and Jasmine Silver needle stocked in my cupboard regularly, with Silver Needle as a rare treat every now and again. I may give Snowbud another chance, but for now it is the least memorable of the teas.

Final Verdict: This is good. Really good.

This is spicy and awesome~ !

I’ll admit, that the only other type of Chai I’ve ever tasted was Tazo’s bagged Chai tea and Chai Lattes at Starbucks, but this blows both of those out of the water for me.

Firstly the scent of this thing is tremendous. It cleared my sinuses right out. I would sell my left leg for a chai scented Vicks Vapor patch.

I might be using just a little too much tea, but this is crazy spicy and strong (even for a two minute steep). It’s okay though, I like that. A lot.

This is flavorful enough to be had without milk, which is how I usually like to take this particular tea. Milk and perhaps some honey would probably suit this tea, when it’s preferred. I also agree, I can’t really taste the black tea base at all over the spices, but I prefer the taste of the spices anyway.

All in all, my experience in Chai isn’t very diverse or extensive, but I really like this one.

I am actually (so far) a very big fan of Jasmine. It’s slightly reminiscent of Jasmine Green Tea Pearls, but with that beautiful sweet, mild, and delicate Silver Needle aftertaste. It’s a relatively strong Jasmine flavor and the Silver Needle tea is a bit pushed off to the side (to the point of being, as previously stated, an aftertaste).

The scent alone is reason enough to try this tea though. As others have mentioned it’s a very relaxing scent, and it really enhances the experience (yes, experience) that having this tea is.

It’s a very quiet tea and I feel like going to sleep right now, I don’t know what it is, but it’s making me drowsy like no other tea has before. I think I found the perfect thing to help me get to sleep.

No notes yet.

I thought I’d use up the last bit of this that I have left… now I have to go get more.

This is the first oolong I’ve ever ventured to try. I really love the smooth buttery taste of this tea. The coconut tastes very natural as well, and I adore coconut flavor so much. It’s like liquid Almond Joy, but way, way less sickly sweet and fake. I’m kind of obsessed… :)

I never tried it with milk, but come to think of it, it probably* works very well with milk… probably.

I’d love to try other oolongs, but so far this has given me a very good impression of oolongs on the whole.

*Maybe…

I ordered this one as part of Adagio’s Silver Sampler.

I’m getting a vegetal almost artichoke taste on this thing like none other. It’s less olive/vinegar than something like Adagio’s Artichoke Green Tea and more metallic (I’m using Ozarka distilled water… could it be my water?)

Maybe it’s because I’m trying this after Silver Needle, but I disagree with the reviews describing this tea as dainty. Compared to the Silver Needle it’s almost like a punch in the face (yes, that’s how different they are from each other to me). I don’t mean that in a bad way though. I suppose if I’m in the right mood, and I want something less subtle than Silver Needle (a tea in which I must concentrate to taste anything off of) but not a full on black or green this would be my tea of choice.

All in all, not bad, but not sure if I would by this in bulk anytime soon.

Rose takes the forefront in this delicate tea. I’m not typically a huge fan of rose flavored things, but of course none have ever been as natural tasting as this.

The white tea lays a nice and sweet foundation for the other ingredients to play on. Another reviewer mentions mint, and to be honest I couldn’t really detect it on the first few times I brewed this tea, it’s very subtle.

I’m in love though, and I plan to get my hands on some more soon.

This was my first experience with a Lapsang Souchong and I fell head over heels with the warm and deep smokey aroma. I could just sit and inhale this all day long (but then people would stare and my tea would get cold…)

I’ve dubbed this my favorite black tea so far and I personally enjoy this one over Adagio’s Lapsang Souchong.

Reading over the past tasting notes, it seems like you either love or hate this particular tea.

I love the woodsy and warm taste of this tea. Totally a morning or early afternoon drink. It reminds me of the bonfire we had every year at a Masquerade function I always went to. Good times.

It’s not as good as the Spice and Tea Exchange Lapsang Souchong, in my opinion, a three minute steeping time left a weaker and more astringent taste. I plan to perhaps use slightly more tea and a two minute steep time next time I make a pot of this.

I’ve had white tea blends, but never straight white tea so I thought I’d give this a shot.

As one previous reviewer said it almost tastes like nothing at first. As one becomes more acclimated to the taste, there’s just a hint of sweetness (barely noticeable, at least to me) and something vegetal. I’m really a fan of it.

I’d only gotten a sample of it… but I know exactly what tea I’m buying next time I go on one of my sprees~

This is a guilty pleasure of mine, and one I like to keep in my cupboard all year round.

The flavor, while not exactly like a chocolate covered strawberry is very reminiscent of one (in fact, I get more of a raspberry, with just a hint of a cocoa coming in and out of focus). It’s a comforting and indulgent flavor, just the perfect thing for someone to drown their sorrows in when they’re stuck at home alone (or not… maybe that’s just me…).

Either way, it’s a flavor worth trying.