Gander

Smells strongly of vanilla. I’m not a fan of vanilla but this one wasn’t artificial so I didn’t mind. It was a soothing cup, just not my favorite. Those who like vanilla may want to try this.

This was a sample from Jade Teapot. A very smooth cup of tea. I’m more used to the CTC Assams I drink with milk, but I liked this straight. It was a little mild to have with my ginger cardamom scone. I wasn’t aware that it can be steeped multiple times, which is a plus. I usually don’t re-steep my tea except for oolongs, but I think I’ll try and see how I like it. Overall this was a pleasant cup of tea.

Okay, so this wasn’t really great with milk. It tastes more of cherry or torani almond syrup that warm roasted almond, which wasn’t bad when straight but meh with milk.

Just okay. I like some more depth on my earl grey, but this just has light citrus. Not bad, just not my favorite.

Another one from my Lupicia tea latte sampler. Solid choice.

Standard CTC black tea good for tea latte, but nothing special.

This was very light on bergamot and lavender. Probably should have had it straight but had it with milk. Was a decent cup of tea, actually, just not a good Earl Grey. I will try the other half straight or, perhaps, with honey. Thank you for the sample, janefan!

Reminds me of Oreo cookies except a bit lighter and with a touch of butter. Made a tea latte with warm milk and a brown sugar cube, and it made a good cup to keep me away from snacks. One of the better flavored blacks for tea latte. Would buy this again.

Courtesy of Erin! The leaves are very pretty. Opening the bag, I loved the smell. It reminded me of the acacia/rose gum I used to love as a kid. Mint stands out when steeped, but the floral notes are definitely there. I added a tiny bit of sugar for faint sweetness and it made a relaxing cup. Not my everyday tea, but I can see myself enjoying this occasionally when I want something light and aromatic.

Another tea from my Lupicia Tea Latte set. Made myself a tea latte to drink with scones, clotted cream and jam. I usually make my unflavored tea lattes with assam, but ceylon feels a bit lighter, and personally I feel it’s more fitting for afternoon cream tea.

I had a bagged version with a little addition of milk along with breakfast. It’s a pretty strong tea that stands up to milk, but not the strongest Irish Breakfast. Decent morning cuppa, but if I’m buying myself a breakfast tea from Harney&Sons, I would opt for the Keemun based English Breakfast.

Another sachet tea bag from Lupicia’s Tea Latte set. I was not eager to try this, because as a general rule I’m not a fan of rooibos. The distinct scent always feels too “sweet” for me. But it was late at night and I wanted a warm tea latte, so I gave it a try.

I don’t know if I will like this straight, because the smell was almost overwhelming when I first took the bag out. You can smell all three: caramel, rum, and rooibos. When you add milk and sugar, the rum and rooibos stand out and caramel, not so much. But I like it that way because it doesn’t taste exactly like other caramel flavored teas. I would buy this again for a nighttime tea latte.

Smells like… well, strawberry and vanilla. Has a bit of matcha on top of the green tea base. This was a part of my tea latte set that came with eight different tea bags, so I tried it with warm milk and a cube of sugar to make a flavored matcha latte and liked it. I’d buy this again.

I made myself a tea latte. I usually don’t like my chocolate flavored tea straight because they usually end up tasting like watered down hot chocolate. I like the fact that I could taste both chocolate and tea, which is not always the case. An affordable choice too, since you need a lot of leaves to make a decent tea latte. But nothing special, just what you’d expect from a chocolate flavored tea.

I used all my remaining tea leaves to make myself a warm tea latte to accompany me through the horrible morning of Michigan snow storm. My first two tries, I thought mostly berries and faintly floral, but today the floral notes are definitely there. That’s what separates it from other strawberry or other berry flavored tea. The flavor stands out very nicely even with the addition of milk, and sugar truly makes a strawberry shortcake like drink that is sweet and aromatic but not overwhelming.

Recommended brewing time is pretty short, 2-3 minutes. Smokier than other Keemun teas I’ve tried, like a lighter version of Lapsang Souchong, and also more astringent compared to smooth Keemun like H&S English Breakfast, with a slight citrus note. Not my favorite tea, but this would be nice with an Asian light meal or snack.

I’m not a fan of Rooibos. I usually don’t like citrus in my tea (exception: bergamot). I am particular about how I like my Cinnamon, and I hate cardamom. Never been a fan of lemongrass either.

Having said all that, this tea wasn’t half bad, which is very strange. I don’t see myself buying this myself, but I won’t completely rule it out either. I had a big meal, somewhat greasy, and wanted something refreshing. None of the black or green tea was appealing, and I didn’t really want berry flavored stuff. I don’t particularly like this tea, but it was a very good herbal choice for this afternoon. Thank you, Janefan! It’s always nice to try something new.

Okay, guys, you were right. Second try, made a strong cup and had it with warm milk and a La Perruche brown sugar cube. Strawberry shortcake it is, and a good one too! It was pretty good straight even though I’m not a fan of sweet berry scent, and very good with milk. I would buy this next time I get a chance. Thank you, SoccerMom!

My first impression upon opening the package was, “bubble gum?” Berry, yes, but very sweet and somewhat artificial. But when steeped for a minute, the artificial sweet scent is mellowed out and drinkable, and you taste a bit of the green tea as well. This indeed feels summery, and I wonder how it would taste iced. I wouldn’t mind this, but it’s not on my shopping list either.

SoccerMom was so kind to send me three heaping teaspoons of this along with her giveaway. Mariage Freres is rather expensive and a bit difficult to get in the US, so I wasn’t sure if I wanted to invest in a whole tin before I got to try any. So here it is, the famous Marco Polo.

It smelled wonderful, so sweet like strawberry candy, but it was the very same reason why I wasn’t sure if I would like this tea. You see, it turns out that I can be quite conservative when it comes to flavored teas, and when the tea screams out dessert, I get intimidated. But that extreme sweet scent was slightly mellowed out as I steeped it, and I have to say I see the appeal, though it may not be my absolute favorite. Mostly fruit to me, with faint floral notes, perhaps. I certainly enjoyed it, though I don’t know it will be my regular cup. I will have to try it with milk, because people seem to rave about it!

I usually drink my Earl Grey with a splash of milk and vanilla syrup or brown sugar cubes to make myself a london fog latte. The strong aroma of EG stands out even after the addition of milk. So I’m not literally an Earl Grey enthusiast, though I always have several different EGs on my cupboard. It was my first time trying H&S EG Supreme, thanks to Janefan, and I have to say this is pretty good! The bergamot scent isn’t as strong once you steep it, but there is enough. Overall, a light EG that I don’t mind drinking straight.

Courtesy of Janefan! I love sachet tea bags- they’re convenient while retaining all the goodness of loose leaf tea. I had this for my morning tea, and it was a very smooth Keemun with a pleasant sweet aftertaste. Not a sugary flavor, but just natural slight sweetness of tea. It would be also good other times of the day as it is not very strong.

Disclaimer: this is my first time trying any sort of genmaicha.

I was watching a hockey game and Michigan was on a power play, so I ended up steeping this a little too long, for three whole minutes. I suggest about half of that time, but for being oversteeped, it wasn’t too bitter. Because Lupicia listed this as one of the tea latte possibilities, I was expecting something somewhat sweet esp. with matcha, but it was more like a comforting food type of drink. Reminds me of asian snacks and sesame oil. Not my favorite, but would be a good mealtime tea. So, I wonder how it stands up to milk and sugar?

Added: Now I see that Lupicia suggests mere thirty seconds. No wonder I’m tasting some bitterness. Since I have a whole 2oz bag, I will try it properly next time. Keeping the rating rather neutral for now…

This smells amazing. I give extra points for being caffeine free, because I was looking for a night time tea that is not rooibos or chamomile. I used to drink plain chilled orzo like water when I was young (though it was slightly different being an Asian variety), but I came to like flavored versions. It reminds me of light to medium coffee, but not in a way that’s offensive to those who don’t like coffee. People have suggested that it goes well with milk too, so even better. It’s a very comforting cup.