Hesper June

It’s not my very favorite from Butiki, but it is certainly delish.

I have a hard time believing it’s tea that I am drinking, it tastes so much like a cantaloupe cream flavored candy or something.
I have been drinking pretty much solid black teas all week.
Its been one of those kinda weeks…but I had some time this afternoon and wanted something fun and delightful and light…and this tea fit the bill perfectly!

Yesterday, I cleaned and re-arranged my tea cupboard.
I came across and bit of Florence by Harney and Sons.
I remembered it wasn’t my favorite, but then I started thinking “What if…I mixed a bit of it with Almond Cookie by Simpson and Vail”
So, this morning that is what I am doing.
It smells lovely, like some sort of almond delight with a chocolate drizzle on it.
I used about a 2/3 Almond Cookie and a 1/3 Florence.
Taste wise, it is about perfect (for what I had in mind, anyhow)
Almond-y baked goods taste with a rich chocolate drizzle.
Tasty!

Having a pot of this with the hubby on this cold morning.
We both are enjoying it and also being to chat over our tea mugs.
Its been awhile since we had a slightly relaxed morning.
Ahh, tea and loved ones…is there really anything better?

Well, once again Matcha surprises me.
This is not only my first flavored matcha, but it is my first tea from Red Leaf.
I could smell this tea as I was opening the package from the company.
What I first noticed is that the smell was really not coming off Caramel to me, more butterscotch-y.
But, the tiny little pouch did indeed say Caramel on it.
I immediately opened the tea and prepared it as the instructions directed.
I was slightly underwhelmed.
Not overly grassy or malty (which had been my experience with Matcha’s so far)
The caramel smell really did not really transfer over into taste.
It was all rather mild.
So, I made it into a latte.
Was not at all impressed with that.
Made it into a iced latte.
It was just okay.
I finally read some past reviews on this tea, and someone mentioned adding a splash of milk to traditionally made matcha.
I have found that is the best way to enjoy this tea.
Of course, most of the matcha is gone at this point.
The splash of milk adds a bit of creaminess that bring out the flavoring more.
I find it somewhat comforting, it also seems to settle an upset stomach.
That being said, I am not going to rate this tea.
Because I still don’t know what to think…
It was a small amount of Matcha for what seemed to be a bit pricey to me.
(I just keep thinking of how many ounces of loose tea I could have gotten elsewhere for the price I paid for this Matcha)
And, I am surprised, I do not know why Matcha keeps shocking me, but its seems like I never know what to expect or how to prepare it so I like it.
I think I will order some Matcha again from this company, maybe in a different flavor and maybe after the holidays get all paid off.
It all has been a interesting experience to say the least.

My tea of choice for the morning so far.
I have had four cups of this so far today, and each cup is still a delightful burst of smoke and honey.
I do believe that this is my favorite LS I have tried so far.
Grace Tea Co. is my second fav.
I just want to let all my dear Steepster friends on the East Coast know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
I will continue to pray for you all till nasty Sandy is done having her fit and moved far away from you all.
Take care!

This is my breakfast tea of the morning.
Good tea. A little smoke and leather in the background, up front is a smooth black tea.
I like this tea and I am liking Grace Tea’s quality teas more and more.
(see previous note for more on this tea)
Now, that I had my tea and pumpkin spice bread, I can batten down the hatches for the winter storm that they have been warning about all morning.
Maybe I should make a large teapot of this and put it in a thermos in case the power goes out.
I would hate to be without tea…

I awoke this morning feeling creative and wanting to eat one of those fruit filled danishes.You know the ones…with the little sliced almonds on top with a powdered sugar drizzle?
Instead of baking something I decided to create a fruit danish tea instead.
I grabbed Fruits d’Alsace by Harney and Sons and Almond Sugar Cookie by Simpson and Vail.
I went 2/3 Fruits and a 1/3 Almond Sugar Cookie.
Mmmmmmm! Certainly smells like a bakery in the early morn (I should know…I used to work in one;)
I nearly burnt my lip and tongue on this tea, its smelled so tasty that I was having problems waiting till it cooled.
Taste is not quite as “danish-y” as the smell, but still is quite good.
Fruity with almond sweetness on top.
Yummy!

I am warming up nicely to Lapsang Souchong.
I especially like this one by Grace Tea.
Their teas always smell so fresh and are some of the better quality tea I have ever had.
The smoke odor in both the leaf and in the tea is not light or puny, it is still very much a LS.
It is not harsh or rough though.
It very much tastes and smells like a tea that a fine gentleman (or lady) would like.
The hubster likes it but it still is not rough enough for him.
I think at some point I will take some burned pine needles from a campfire and some black tea and just brew it up, ash and dirt and all for him.
That just might be rough enough for him.
But, for me, this LS is lovely.
Since I am recent to LS’s, I enjoy the fact that I can still recognize a nice quality black tea as well as the smokiness in this tea.
Well done, Grace Tea Company.
Now, I am going to enjoy a few moments on this rainy morning, sipping this lovely tea while eating a piece of Spiced Pear Coffeecake.

Hello, Dear Steepster Folks.
I have missed you.
I found myself with a small bit of time and wanted to touch base with friends and drink tea, so here I am.
This is only the second Milk Oolong that I have ever tried.
This tea smells rather delicate and a little baked good-ish.
It is a lovely pale yellow in color.
I can taste the orchid notes and something that almost reminds me of sweet rice pudding.
I am not really sure what a Milk Oolong is supposed to taste like, but I do really like this tea.
Thank you, Pekko Teas, for sending me a generous sample.

Zzzzzzzz
Whoops, gotta wake up now.
What tea will help me do that?
This one.
As I said in my previous review of this “when the awoken world is alluding me”
Well, that is today.
And everyday as of late.
I stayed up later last night to make these so we would have something to grab to eat in the mornings:
http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/glazed-doughnut-muffins/
They seriously taste like Krispy Kreme doughnuts.
So, hopefully between this tea and a small sugar boost, I will be ready for my shift in the harvest truck.

This is not an official review for this tea.
More of an excuse to pop in to say hello and let you all know I am indeed alive.
We recently lost a friend suddenly.
He was 50 years old and died of a massive heart attack.
It has left us aghast, but he needs his crop harvested and other various jobs that he did, we have to take up the slack.
Anyway, I realized how busy we had really become (and sleep deprived) yesterday when, I had been drinking a large mug of this tea and it was 3/4 gone before I realized that apparently I had become distracted in the making process and added at least triple the amount needed for the one cup of tea I made for myself.
Probably my reaction would have been quite laughable if someone were there to see it.
It was rather bitter and strong at that percentage.
I cant believe I drank most of it before even noticing!
But, it did wake me up and I was able to rush about and finish what I needed too.
It was then that I decided that I should not be doing any tea reviews till I get some more sleep and my taste buds return:)
Take care, My Dear Steepsters!
I shall return soon, I hope.
(I broke down awhile ago and bought some Red Leaf Flavored Matcha, so I will be reviewing that soon I hope…stay tuned to see what flavor I bought;)

I have been thinking about this tea since moments after I awoke this morning.
I am just now having the chance to enjoy it.
Its buttery vegetation odor, its fuzzy little ‘feelers’ making me smile, and autumn sunshine on my back.
Ah, some things really are worth waiting for.
See previous notes for more on this tea.

I got this tea through my organic food supplier.
( Has anybody heard of Azure Standard? )
It was 4 dollars and some odd cents for 4 oz, so I thought I would give it a go.
The dry leaf smells rather unremarkable.
But, the tea itself has a nice brisk black tea odor.
The taste is very polite.
It is a nice quality black tea, its not to bitter or robust and just awakens you with Jeeves-like quality
“Ahem, excuse me Madam but it is time to arise”

I like this tea.
Dry leaf smells like a good quality black tea.
The tea itself has a very pleasant smell, almost like leathery smoke.
But, its in the background, not in your face.
This is my first Russian Caravan tea, so I am not sure if I am a expert on saying what it should taste like, but I like this tea.
This is my kind of breakfast tea.
Taste is a bright black tea, then a hint of smoke, then a little honey-like sweetness lingers on the tongue.
This tea is worth getting up for in the morning.

A great eye opening tea.
Bright and robust morning tea.
Careful about over brewing, it can get a bit too robust if forgotten.
I have not had too much experience with Assam’s but this one seems to be of very nice quality.
I agree with the description, that if you were a milk/cream and sweetener person, that this tea would hold up to it well.
I rated this tea in the upper 80’s simply for the fact that I do not always require a tea like this for my mornings.
But, I am very glad I have this on hand for those mornings where the awoken world is alluding me.

Drinking this again this morning.
We have an air quality alert at red today because of all the smoke from the numerous fires here.
My throat is burning and my nose is stuffy.
This tea sounded good to me this morning.
Hoping it will clear out my nose and throat and be soothing.
Drinking it while eating a pumpkin spice muffin.
Feeling better already.

I do like this tea.
It is a pretty straight forward Genmaicha.
Smells of rice cakes and popcorn.
In fact there is actual popcorn in the tea.
But, that is where I have some small issues, it is almost like they are trying a bit too hard to achieve the flavor.
The rice pieces and popcorn almost outnumber the green tea leaves.
Which brings me to the leaves itself, not sure if it is just my tin, but when I first opened the tin, some of the leaves were crushed almost to a powder (like someone thought they were making Matcha iri Genmaicha but then realized halfway through their mistake)
As I use more in the tin, the leaves are whole, so I think it must have been a fluke thing.
Overall, it is a good price and it does have that yummy nutty toasted taste that we all love about Genmaicha.
I love drinking this tea in the mid-afternoon when I have the urge to have a snack, it fills that craving nicely.

This was a sample that they sent with my tea order.
When you smell the dry leaf it reminds me of muffins or cranberry bread.
It has a baked goods odor to it that is very warm and comforting.
Taste is orange, than cranberry than a nice black tea.
Very lovely tea for drinking in autumn or winter.
Has a definite cozy appeal.
I would purchase this tea.

When the going gets tough, the tough drink tea.
What a awful week.
The mediation on Monday went awfully, then I went to the funeral of a friend, and got cornered and verbally attacked 3 different times by 3 different people over something I had nothing to do with, came home, wept bitterly and then had a 36 hour long migraine.
Today, I am feeling better.
Decide to treat myself with this tea, I make a ceremony with the preparation.
Hoping it will bring the tranquility and strength I need.
Only to have 2 wasps promptly sting me as I just get situated on the porch with this tea and my book.
I spill the whole glass and nearly break my cup.
I come in the house, sad and depressed over this whole dad blame week, but as I am grabbing ice for my stings I think “NO! Screw this!” grab a handful of ice and throw it in the blender, add milk and a large scoop of this matcha and a bit of agave syrup and ferociously blend.
Pour into a glass with a straw and AHHHHhhhhhhh!
Its like a large Malted Milk Shake. SO tasty and decadent.
So screw tradition, Hesper June is doing it her way!
Which I think is paying off, because a friend just called and said we are going to get our nails and hair done tomorrow, her treat.
So, here to the rest of the week being wonderful, even if I have to throw it in a blender and add ice!

When you are start out your Monday with a Mediation in the morning and then a funeral in the afternoon, you want your tea to make you alert but also to be comforting.
I choose this tea, I made it strong and then did something I hardly ever do with my tea, I added some milk and agave syrup.
It is clearing the mind fog and the spices are settling my nervous stomach.
See previous notes.

Trying this again (See previous notes)
I added almost another whole tea-spoon of leaf per cup.
The smokiness is coming out and bergamot is much more present.
I am really liking this tea now.
Very good for a morning brew.
(upped the rating a smidgen since I can now taste the notes that they promised in the description:)

After feeling rather jilted from the French Vanilla Tea, I decided I deserved some dessert.
So, I opened this bag of tea and my tummy immediately growled.
Oh, dear, is this one of those teas that make me want to raid the cupboard or bake sweets (my hips do not need that!)
It certainly smells very cookie like, in fact I reached in and snitched a almond and munched happily away while the tea brewed.
Sniffing the tea while it is brewing is like smelling cookies baking in the oven…divine!
My mouth was watering and I was hopping back in forth in front of the timer.
I kept checking the ingredient list while I was waiting, the tea just smells like sugar coated cookies!
I wanted to make sure there really weren’t crumbled up cookies in there;)
Taste is a little calmer than the smell, you can taste the black tea and the almonds with a bake-y note at the end.
A very tasty and cozy tea.
Also, it is satisfying, I have no need to go find munchies or start baking.
I am plenty happy just sitting here and sipping.

Not getting much for vanilla from this.
In fact, I am getting more of a Rooibos odor.
Maybe it is just my nose today?
Taste is not bad. Not great. Just a fairly mild mannered black tea.
I am thinking of letting this cool off some and see if the shy vanilla feels brave enough to emerge.

Wow.
First of all, if you don’t like cinnamon then do not get this tea.
There. Thats the short of it for you Cinnamon Haters out there.
But, for the rest of you, this tea is like those Cinnamon Hot Candies.
Now, as a after dinner tea, to sip while reading a book on a blustery winters eve, I think this tea is perfect.
I actually think if you had a apple flavored tisane about, I think mixing a little of that with this tea would make a yummy Apple Pie dessert tea.
I might have to look into that.