Indigobloom

Thanks Sil for this sample! and my apologies everyone, I know I’m filling up your dashboards. Just one more after this I swear :)
Bog town! Green swampy water, yup this is a very Halloweeny blend.
Is this green rooibos? I’m not sure, but it certainly reminds me of it. There is that particular sour note, but then that could be from the pineapple. The overall fruit flavour seems to be dominated by pineapple, with barely an edge of mango peeking out.
Overall, my cup was pleasant enough to drink down, but I won’t be buying any for myself. It just doesn’t strike me as anything overly special.
I had fun with it, so perhaps it’d be good to have around for kids during the dress up season!

Ehhhh, this was just ok. I prefer my black teas to have some oomph and I think this oomph had some padding on the landing.
Everything was very light from the malty factor, to the astringency, it was all there… just super mellow. I’ll play around with the water/leaf/time ratios and see if that punches things up a bit.

Oh Stacy you have made me into a giggling tea nymph! I cannot get enough of this stuff. It is just perfect.
Normally I can’t stand hibiscus, but in this case it’s really added that special something. The mango is sweet, but with that extra punch of tart, it really tastes like mango salad.
And the cilantro. I love it almost more than tea. It is so darn tasty, I could eat it on it’s own with just a little bit of olive oil and lemon.
It’s really hard not to rate this because I would put it way up there, but since this is a custom blend made just for me I’ll have to resist.
The only downfall is that I filled up the tin I saved for it, but still have lots more to fill tins with… which means it will go stale before I can drink even half.
Oh and I need to make it with purified water, since tap water really ruins the delicate white base notes. Bah!

Big thanks to Raritea for this sample. I like it!
It is very fruity, a little tart, and just the right amount of sweet.
With a little milk, it really does remind me of a smoothie. A juicy fruit, banana runt flavoured smoothie that is!
What I didn’t find was the yogurt note that some people are finding. Hence the added dairy.
If I didn’t have a reasonable alternative in my cupboard already, I would definitely consider snapping up a packet.

Eggnog oh eggnog! you make me happy… (backlog)
Yup, this does remind me quite a bit of eggnog. Creamy and sweet, with just a hint of egg tart. It goes surprisingly well with a green base. That was certainly unexpected!
Now, I’m not the biggest fan of greens in general, so I would have preffered to see a black or oolong base. However, I think that the flavour and base were paired exceptionally well, and so I can’t possibly begrudge the fact that this is a green.
Next time, I think I’ll have it with 1/2tsp of sugar (first infusion). It’s awesome without, but I added some sugar to the second one and oh my goodness that was incredible, albeit a bit weaker. I can only imagine how super tasty it’d be on the first!

Wow. I love this! love love love it. Thanks Sil for picking out an awesome blended tea to enjoy over Christmas! I think my Aunt will love it to. Yep, you totally called this one :D

When I opened the bag, a blast of spicy plum wafted my way. Oh man, it’s intense! Which made me worry a bit, as I had an herbal version of the same once that was so strong I could only use it as an additive in other teas.
No matter, with a black base, it’s much mellower and smooth. Slightly spicy but it’s blended quite well with the base, so much that I can’t even determine where the spice and teas separate in terms of taste. If this was a blind tasting and someone said that the plum part was a natural flavour within the leaf, I’d believe it. And when a tea is blended that well together, with such subtlety… that is ideal, for me. I love that!
It’s complex and rich, not “in your face” and goes splendidly without any additions.
I’m on the second infusion now and it’s a bit different. Cinnamon is less dominant while the tart puckery plum emerges. I added 1/3 tsp of sugar and it really brought that aspect out.
The two infusions are very different. I’m liking the second less than the first which had that ohhh yes every sip is heaven effect, while this one is merely very good. Hey I’ll take it!
Yum.

This is the second time I’ve tried this. The first time, I found it to be just ok. Intense on the banana and lacking in cheesecake. and… a really odd nausea that was totally unexpected.
Now, this time around I am enjoying the cuppa much more. Mind you I’m using premium water given to me by a friend who has this wicked filtration system that he imported from somewhere overseas (Germany? I think). He uses it for his saltwater fish tank, because the Toronto water is heavily chlorinated and fluoridated. I’m in the suburbs so it’s not so bad. Even still, water makes a huge difference! Wow.
The Genmaicha and banana notes mix exceptionally well here, with a distinct banana/cheesecake aftertaste. I suspect that if I added sugar, the cheese part would pop out more as well.
Unfortunately, I’m still getting that nauseous effect. I’ll give it one more try in a week or two, otherwise this lovely blend will have to find a new home. Too bad, I was growing to really like this :/

I’m at a friends place so this won’t be a long note. This darn keyboard is wonky and keeps eating my words. It’s been interesting typing to say the least.
Now this tea… I like it. Do I love it? I don’t know!! I need to play around with the parameters. It’s really tasty.
The floral part is pretty mild and almost marshmallow like. It also reminds me of chamomile, in that soft light way. Dancing on my tongue like little clouds that disappear into thin air and beckon for me to have another sip. Second steep was had without milk and it was creamy despite that! wow.
This is a rather different experience to what I expected. It tastes more like a darjeeling(yes it is black but I consider it a class on its own, being rather unique in profile) or flowery oolong. Lovely! and odd all at once

I could really take it or leave it. Reminds me of a gyokuro. Vegetal. a little grassy. Very round and plain. Pretty smooth overall, for what it is!

Raspberry perfume… (she said as she hummed Prince’s Raspberry Beret. After having my cuppa, I now cannot get it outta my head!!!)
Big thanks to Sil for hooking me up with my Kally order. You are one cool tea friend :)

Seriously, I feel as if I’m drinking berry perfume. The raspberry part is coming through loud and clear mind you. and the aftertaste… wow that is lovely. I think that’s my favourite part.
Dad had the first cuppa, then I just drank the second steep so shall withhold a rating til I can sample it properly.
In the end, I think the perfume aspect will overwhelm me to the point of not enjoying it. Sad thing is, it’s more of a scent issue than it is a taste one.
I tried plugging my nose while taking a sip and it was pure berry goodness. A little tart, a little sweet. Oh yes, I quite like that. Then as soon as I take in a breath through my nose… BAM! Le sighs.
Adding a splash of milk seemed to help.
I wonder what this would be like in a pudding. Vanilla raspberry pudding?

Raspberry beret… The kind you find in a second hand store…

Thanks to Raritea for this sample, you are so sweet to give me the last of yours!
On the tea, I really quite like this. Funny though, as much as I am swooning over my cuppa, I’m not really upset over having only a tiny bit left. That leaves me confused as to how I should rate it.
The caramel part is most present for me. Burnt sugar. Yum! It really builds on the base black, which I now recognize after having had Cotton Candy tea.
Pumpkin doesn’t shine through so much, it’s more of a sensation or impression of pumpkin for me. I see what Raritea means when she mentioned pumpkin rind.
Last, there is the cheescake. There is something creamy going on but cake? Ehhhh, not really. More like pie I think, without any crust and a few spoonfuls of creamcheese. So Cheesepie. Yes, I think that fits much better!
I love the flavour, and that it doesn’t require any sugar, or maybe just a tiny bit. or milk. It’s just fine on it’s own. And resteeps well! However I’m not thrilled about the base. Between this one and the cotton candy, I’ve determined that the burnt flavour I keep getting is not 100% for me. Sure in this case it works well so I don’t really mind… and you know, it IS nice for a change, just not something I’d want all the time.
So overall, if this were offered to me I would certainly not turn it down! and if it was all that I had it would more than satisfy me :D

Zombie writing here. Just wanted to get this down before autopilot sends me to bed.
Man this was tasty!! I love cranberry flavoured things so yah I predictably love this tea as well :D
At first I wasn’t getting much flavour but after a few sips, the cumulative build up created a lasting note that was very much bittersweet cranberry. Delicious!
Then I tried adding a little sugar (a little too much for my liking, accidentally) and oh man the cranberry burst open. Boo yah. I think I’ll buy some for the house, eventually. When (not if!) I ever sip down a bunch of my stash. bahahaaaa
Raritea, we need to go back there soon!

Another LONG, in the best way possible, day. Well that’s not true. I had a job interview that kindof went nowhere but after that, my day was indeed spectacular. Hanging out with Sil for a little bit, and then Raritea… oh man could it get any better?! Well it could have been I suppose if all my tea peeps were there. One day. I’ll do a tea tour of North America visiting all the shops and Steepsterites. Hey a tea lover can dream right?

Anyhow, this tea is pretty darn good! I get alot of berry and a hint of chocolate. A little creaminess, in that chocolate kinda way but without the chocolate flavour. mmmmm good.
I do wish there was a whole lot more chocolate of course.
OK I am falling asleep now. Pencils down folks.

Espresso matcha, sour mango, banana, apple, and wheatgrass powder equals YUM. Oh right and a quarter cup of milk. Dairy that is, I ran outta almond. And a handful of frozen blueberries for good measure. Now this combo certainly is not for everyone but for some reason it really blew my green socks off (ref to sexy tea!). I think it was the contrast in flavours that I loved. Tart fruity base against the mocha like coffee… ummmm yes please!
I wonder if it will do well in all smoothies or just mango ones. The flavour really shines through, not like in other types where I add double and can have trouble identifying any notes at all.or perhaps it needed to settle after I transferred my supply to a tin… shrugs.
Who knows? Now I’m seriously looking forward to experimenting.

Sipdown partayyy! wahoo! I’m excited because it means I get one of my tins back. Only half of my cupboard is tinned because so much of it is in sample size. Which one shall I fill it with!? Ohhhh the possibilities.
This one has been really hit and miss. Today it’s a HIT. Oh man is it ever tasty. I think I found the sweet spot a little too late heh.
In fact, it’s been months since I last had any of this… because I’d had a string of ho hum cuppas and at that point I usually ditch it for awhile. Anyhow! I used 1.5-2tsp (whatever was left!) A 2 min infusion seems to bring out the best qualities. The sweet orange rind and tangerine flavour really comes out, with a slight ginger note as well. Can’t say I’m tasting any currant though. Oh and there is the coconut in the very middle of the swallow! wow.
Ya know, I think I might purchase this again one day. Not anytime soon mind you, but it’s certainly on my list!
The only issue I have here is that all the nasty little bits went into my steeper and it’s not as flavourful as it once was. I don’t care, it was a fantastic way to go out. What a bittersweet goodbye…

I steeped this for about 2 maybe 2.5 min. The ginger is pretty present yet mild, along with an extremely bitter finish. I don’t think I can even finish the cup.
There are 5 sachets left. If anyone wants them, let me know. Otherwise, in the garbage they go :/
Who sent these to me… thanks for the interesting experiment :)

Who sent this to me!? big thanks to whoever it was! Azzrian? I suspect…
CHAroma?
Anyhow, the tea itself is nice. I think it has a sencha base so made me a tad queasy. Also it is supposed to be iced, but I made it hot and let it cool instead. 2 min infusion, but it should have been 90 seconds because that sachet was bursting by the time I pulled it out!!
Overall it was pleasant but I am not in love. Could go for a second steep but it isn’t calling me.
The peppermint was sweet and a little spicy. Refreshing!

I know I’m not one for iced teas but I didn’t expect to dislike this one so much when it cooled down.
Seriously. I adore it when hot, but cooled? ick. It’s dusty and salty. A little sour.
Still getting blueberry, at least.
I wonder if it’d be different cold brewed?

Methinks my packet needs to cure a little more. I’m not quite getting everything I should. Brandy? yep. Definitely. Apricot? mayyybe. Cake? nope, not even a smidge. Floral? yessir! Caramelized brown sugar? ehhh, not really.
Wait… floral? that isn’t in the description. Where did that come from?!?
Anyhow, I added some sugar and that made it a little more brandy like, while the rosey floral subsided.
Hopefully when it sits for awhile I can suss out some cakey notes

AGH! my previous note was eaten. Hmph.
Ok so I am on the third steep of this and the sparkling mineral notes are coming through! yay!
Last time, it disappeared after the first cuppa. That’s my fave part so it makes me happy :D

Today was a depressing day, hence why I brought out the heavy duty tea reinforcements. I keep thinking about the CT tragedy and all those little innocent souls. Contrast that with the Christmas season and nothing seems right.
Only one good thing (that I can think of) can come out of this, and that is that maybe, just maybe the situation will act as a catalyst for Obama and other leaders around the world to address the underlying issues beyond a brief statement and actually implement programs that could not only prevent these incidents, but also help those in need.
Only 1 – 2% of those with mental health issues present violent behaviour but it’s that tiny fraction that gets showcased in the media so of course that is all alot of people know about it. My cousin has Schizophrenia and he is a gentle, honest man who retreats into himself when experiencing an episode. Of course, he is treated like a leper once people find out. Nobody deserves that.
Sorry for the rant. I seriously needed to vent.

Just a quick note before I crash.
This required FAR too much sugar to make it chocolatey. The mint seriously dominated. Milk helped a little.
I much prefer the regular, non minty version. Oh well I need to experiment!
That said, it was pretty tasty. Only my comparison to the amazing regular cacao tea makes this one pale.
I really enjoyed the mint and chocolate combo, I just feel that the reg version has more depth.

I had a cuppa this in the company of the fabulous Raritea! She is awesome, we had a great time.
Ah, what a day!!
We attended a tea tasting at Tao Tea Leaf and it was amazing. Tao is so generous in offering samples of his many wonderful teas, I was a little overwhelmed. Most of them I had tried before so this was more of an opp to familiarize myself with the brews and yet I still get tea jitters looking at them all heh.
Anyhow, on to the tea. It was ok. Very tart, due to the hibby I presume. Under that, there was a hint of earthiness and fruitiness which I am having trouble identifying. What does Melissa Balm taste like? and Blackberry leaf? shrugs
Then when the cup cooled I finally got some of the licorice. Very sweet licorice!
Overall, I don’t mind this blend and I’d like to try it again at home using my own preferred parameters… but I wouldn’t buy more than a sample (which they don’t offer, sadly)

The tea:
A dark roasty Oolong with a hint of peach. Or was that apricot?
Reminds me of Burnside Oolong.
It was just ok when hot… but then when it cooled? hello! yummo.
The peach really started to shine and the mellow mellowed out a bit. I really enjoyed that cuppa, even if it was to go and spilled/dragged halfway across the city.

Tea Scandal: (because I know you will understand!)
So a few weeks back at Nuit Blanche(all night arts festival across the town), I went out with some friends. Some of them decided to try setting me up with one of their friends. I just found this out today from someone else who decided to spill the secret so I’m really not supposed to know. Shhhhh!
Anyhow, apparently… he thought I was “very nice, but I talked a little too much about tea”.
Gah!!!! first of all, I didn’t know it was a setup. Second, HE ASKED. and then prodded me with questions!
Third, I sat through his incessant picture taking and high-five championship. Now, I thought it was fun but I could have easily said he took too many pics hmph.
End rant. Yes I am done. _{grumbles. no such thing as talking to much about tea…}

Whoaaaaaaa. Is this matcha? or some other godly substance?
Seriously, it’s GOOD. Like buttered spinach! Mmmmmm.
And the depth! Oh yeah, this has some serious heft. Just a little goes a long way. In fact, I think I may have added a hair too much here.
Except… I was hoping it’d be more creamy, like creamed spinach. Hey I am not complaining. Different than what I expected is all.
I need to try it again when I know how the story goes and can review my cuppa without any bias. Oh man am I ever looking forward to that :)