Indigobloom

Yup, just like everyone else says… there is only the barest hint of berry tucked away in the middle of this rooibos. Hmmm.
Except… it’s super smooth. I don’t mind me some plain rooibos. It’s a little juicy, woodsy, and sweet. If you don’t get hung up on the lack of fruitiness, well you know, it’s pretty durn good. Just what I needed after battling it out today with my headache. Shame this was only a sample. All gone now.
The coyotes kept me up all night, plus I had a few drinks with friends at a bday party(cake pic is posted on my twitter account. @Marilynblooms, feel free to follow me!)
I’ve come across the alcohol/interrupted sleep equation three times recently, that I recall(twice due to those yappy creatures) and yup, that seems to be a trigger. Cosmopolitans followed by a quality snooze? makes for a happy me. Go figure. Heh.
Anyhow, caffeine helped so I was downing that all day. I am so grateful to the tea farmers around the world who work so hard to supply my habit. Really, I am. That thought crossed my mind several times today. Now it’s time to calm down!
OK I am rambling. Off to bed I go.

Eeep. I didn’t get much flavour from this at all. Or rather… it was more like what I expected the egg nog to taste like, only milder.
I was hoping to find a coffee replacement, as I really miss the flavour. Oh well, I still need to try water bottle style, or maybe I just had a bad cup.
(you know how sometimes a cup is “off” but then next time it’s amazing?)
Hrm. Not giving up on you Espresso matcha! I’ll fight for ya :)

Ohhhh man is this ever TASTY!
I bought the Royal grade with distinctive flavouring and it is perfect. I may go with robust next time just to see what the difference is and for a change. and yes there will be a next time, size large.
I really taste the almond/marzipan. It isn’t exactly nutty though, definitely more on the almond paste, dessert side. This time, I tried it with and without a splash of milk, and I like it both ways. With the added dairy, it’s even more treat like so if you want to push it to that place, I recommend it.
Also, I got an odd astringency from the tea. It was a touch sour! Not sure if that was the base or the flavouring, or perhaps a combination of both.
Either way, I am in love. What’s that Beatles song? All you need is love…

A lovely sample from Kittenna! thanks, it’s pretty good!!
It’s not often I find a softer chai like this. With milk and sugar, my cuppa was mild and yet punchy all at once. The cloves and ginger don’t overtake everything either, which I was kinda worried about.
I wonder what the base tea is.
It’d be awesome to have it in my cupboard for those days where it is just what I’m craving. BUT I don’t love it enough to go out and purchase a bunch.

I’m not rating this just yet. I need to experiment!
The raspberry really shines here. It’s tart and very yummy, just like a truffle! However, I wish the chocolate note was stronger as I’m really not getting much at all. It’s more like the inside of a truffle, you know that pink creamy filling? that is it exactly, but without the chocolate coating!
Also, there is a touch of that fake chemical taste I dislike. Not enough to put me off, but I don’t think I’ll order this again unless I can find the sweet spot.
For this cup, I tried making it as a plain matcha and it was just ok. Then I added a splash of milk and oh yes that was much better. Oh and 1/2tsp sugar. Yep, not bad at all. My cup was drained fast I tell ya!
Based on my initial impression, I’d rate this an 82. Will report back when I’ve done the rounds :)

What a fascinating tea! Thank you so much Stacy from Butiki Teas for the sample, I really enjoyed this experience. Wow!
My first steep, this was unlike any pu-erh I’ve ever tasted.
Super spicy, peppery even, with a smoky aroma, a soil/clay aftertaste and a drying sensation as the cup cools.
Somehow, it’s wine like, with that muscatel sensation.
Second steep, less wine, less spice although thicker on the tongue. My least fave of the bunch.
Third steep, more of the same.
Fourth, same again. A tad lighter, perhaps some hay, or maybe honey?
Fifth, getting much sweeter now. Definitely honeysuckle. Less clay and more like an egg tart cookie.
Sixth, more floral but still sweet. Yummm
Overall, the beginning was rough but towards the end I saw some awesome infusions.
I’m thinking this is not the pu-erh for me. Lighter pu’s have always been a tough sell for me so no surprise there.
That said, I’d never turn a cuppa away. It really was a fun afternoon!

Robust flavouring, Organic Royal grade matcha. Size large!!
Wow this is amazing. I loooooove wheatgrass. Yep call me weird. heh.
Whatever. This… this is SO GOOD. Just what I was looking for.
A wheatgrass and matcha drink all in one. Amazing.
I knew I’d like this. So much so that I ordered a large. I never do that without trying a tea first. But I was that sure. and, I was right. Oh yeah.
It’s the perfect amount of wheatgrass. Not biting or sour like a true wheatgrass shot, but the perfect balance of flavours between matcha and grass. If you love those ultra expensive shots from Jugo or wherever, this will save you tons of money. It is so smooth and fragrant and rich. Deep, bright green.
Trouble is, I love smoothies almost as much as I love this matcha, and I can’t have both in one day… so I’m stuck choosing. Agh!
Smoothies help me reach my veggie/fruit intake goal so they usually win. Pickle much? sighs.

Not bad not bad at all!
I’m at a friends house and ended up not wanting the tea I brought so defaulted to bagged cranberry ceylon. I’m surprised, based on the reviews, I expected this to be terrible.
The tartness of the cranberry really comes through, along with that slight bitterness but not in an astringent oversteeped way.
I could really get used to this. Super tasty!

Bleh. This does not go well with honey and milk. Note. To. Self.
It was all I had available, the sugar was all packed away and the bee nectar was right there! Sighs.
Live n Learn. On to the next cuppa :)

Eeeep, when this was really hot, at the very beginning of each sip I got an odd biting sensation. Almost burning. And then it continued into the aftertaste. I can still taste it now. Could it be that I was reduced to using tap water? (yes I know, a corny play on words. I am a dork)
Bleh. I’ve been trying to use up all the blends that I feel won’t be impacted as much by nasty water… and I figured this one would hold up ok. Not bad…
But I miss my white tea! been craving for awhile but the two cups I’ve made since my h20 shortage turned out pretty dismal. A 60 rating if I’m generous.
Anyhow, my real issue for the moment is bigger than that. I can’t write about it publicly, and it is driving me nuts. Anyone who is online right now… puhhhlease IM me, as I need to chat with someone who gets my tea obsession!! gah!

this was pretty tasty. Vanilla and creamy, a touch spicy. No sugar and it was pretty sweet all by itself.
I’d have it again, if I can get past the oh so mild fake taste. Looking at the ingredients, there is something artificial in there, so that could be it?
bah.
Anyhow, I know I have a bunch of emails to answer but I am sooo tired after a super long day. In a good way. Kindof.
There is a new tea shop in town, and they are hiring! I might work there. In fact, I pulled a “try me” shift today, and it was fun. There are tons of details to work out but I’m pretty excited. and nervous, as I don’t know if that is what I really want.
On a positive note, the product is absolutely amazing. I’ll never drink down the rest of my stash if I get the job. Seriously, it’s the Mariage Freres of Canada. Dang good stuff, and I’d get it freeeeeeee
Edit: Thanks a bunch to whoever sent this!! It’s bagged, so ended up in my random bagged basket. Ooops!! :/

Sipdown sadness! I shall miss this one. Esp since I discovered this morning that our fridge filter has finally given out. Meaning that all my tea tastes funny. Gah, I so wanted to go out with a bang on the last of my blueberry jam tea. The sub-par aqua made it sortof flat and really highlighted whatever stevia is in there. Blech. Ah well.
No more tea for me today :/
(I made three other cuppas before determining the issue!)

Heaven. Heaven in a cup, seriously. I need to get more of this, if there is any left.
It’s different today, fresher tasting, but then I think the shorter steep time made a difference. (two min)
This is one of those teas, like that thread mentioned, that is going to haunt me til I get more. I could mainline this stuff.
Edit: forgot about the second steep! first one is A+, and the second one… D+!
It’s… milky and has a soft mushroom taste. I once loved mushrooms but seem to have lost my taste for them. So… I am lowering the rating. Will see what a third steep brings :)
Edit again: third steep is a bit better. I added 1/4tsp sugar and it’s now a sweet cloudy tasting (clear liquid!) tea. The essence of mushrooms is hanging in the background though it is overshadowed by the sweet breadiness I’ve come to love in pu-erhs. Also, I am loving this much more when cooled. Bumping rating back up, slightly.
Fourth Steep: Sweet and clay like. Some bread notes, but mostly clay. Or was this the fifth steep? I lost track!

I can’t believe I had a bit of this left! hiding in the back of my cupboard, found during inventory last week and consumed during the blackout.
Now, there must be something wrong with me because it was just “ok”. Maybe the tea was old?
I’ve been having issues with cocoa note black teas lately but this was the worst example. Usually they taste off but here, well I didn’t get much of anything. I am le sad :(
On the other hand, I am getting back into all sorts of other teas that I thought were lost to my tastebuds so yay for that!

I steeped this a bit longer today and added a bit more than usual so that it could be a sipdown of my sample. Only now… well I wish there was more!
There is a distinct taste of PINK, similar to what I found in a tea from Tealish. What was it called again? Dragonfruit somethingorother.
Anyhow, I love that fluffy bubblegummy taste when it’s in an herbal concoction. Can’t stand it in caffeinated teas, but here? deeeeevine!
On my re-order list to be sure, and that doesn’t happen very often!
Funny, this will make TWO teas I’ve repurchased from this company. Maybe I shold look into trying all their other ones as well :P

Bulk barn fail.
The lemon part was fine, but the “ginger” was most certainly not ginger, if you get my meaning. Or maybe that was the base throwing me off. Something was just not right. Plastic and garbage like in the flavour, not so much in aroma.
Backlog from Saturday here. Sorry I can’t remember more of the sickening details lol

WANT
I have only a sample of this, given to me by the gracious owner of Herbal Infusions. He gave a presentation to our group all about his shop, and tea of the month club (actually that part is under a separate company. We learned all about cacao and how the supplier is fair trade etc, which I think is awesome.
Anyhow, now that I’ve tried it, well his evil genius plan seems to have worked. I must buy some. Right Now!! oh wait, it’s 9:40p and he won’t be open. Right. Darn.
There is one more serving left, so that will have to do for now. Until then, I am going to be spinning in circles, waiting waiting waiting…
because I loooove dark hot chocolate. And this? this tastes just like it! only there is a fraction of the caffeine and all the antioxidants. I won’t ever have to feel guilty for drinking cocoa again!! ever! yeeeehaaaww!
I wonder what this’d be like with milk? or in a smoothie! Yummmm.

Oh wow, it has been a LONG time since I had a cuppa this. For some reason it just stopped appealing to me and then I was hesitant to try again since it was likely old or stale. But… the tin seems to have done a great job keeping things fresh!
I taste the bakey toast I once got way back when, though it is a little more astringent than I remember.
No matter, I am happy with this. Wishing I made an extra big mug now!

Eeeeew, what did I do wrong today? I steeped for three min, and last time I oversteeped but it was surprisingly good.
I doubt that is why, as this tasted stale and dusty, with a funky aftertaste. Almost soapy. Now, I rinsed out my mug beforehand so there should not have been any residue left. Blach!

Thank you Teaves for this yummy sample!!
It’s creamy and oh so good. A true toffee note, that reaches all the way through the sip from beginning to end.
Reminds me of a blend I had from David’s once, the Coffee Pu-erh… only better! there’s no icky coffee, or artificial flavours in there, and it goes well with or without milk. YUM.
My only concern is the oily film on the top of my cup, and the bits of grainy somethingorother floating around, glittering like specs of gold. Those aspect don’t seem to impact the taste so it’s all good by me!
Would I buy this again? I’m not sure. Carob and I, well we don’t have the best relationship. I’d have to see what happens on our second “date” but things look good for the moment.

My morning cuppa, likely the only tea I’ll have a chance to lap up today.
This time, I went for 3 min and I think a shorter 2 or 2.5 min would have been better. I’m getting some anise, like with the white version. Hmmm, I guess the flavoured Kiosque teas need less time in the oven.
So I took an inventory of my cupboard the other day and estimated how much of each one I have… and something really funny happened when I tallied it up in excel. It came out to 1234.5. Ha!! what are the chances. Seriously, I am not kidding. I swear!
Yes that is wayyyy to much so my next project is to go through them and weed out the ones I don’t need or the have had for too long already. Hoping to bring it below 1000, at the very least. Now that will take forever. Esp since I have more incoming. Oh my head…

What a LONG day. but a good one. I’m now the Member Services coordinator (director? still finalizing things) for the Tea Guild! So excited!!!! happy dance
We are having an event on Feb 2, The Toronto Tea Festival, so everyone who is local to the area, please mark it in your calendars!
Oh and I won the door prize at our meeting, a collection of yummy looking jams. Sweeeeet!
Anyhow, this was my breakfast tea. I always forget to steep it a bit longer, but this time I remembered, and it was good! oh yes it was.
Later on, I stepped into Herbal Infusions, and bought a cuppa Jackfrui Tea but used almond milk, and it was very tasty, but I think I need to try it sans anything before submitting a review.
Welps, I have another big one ahead of me tomorrow so should grab some sleep. EEeeeeeeee! How am I gonna sleep when I’m still buzzed from my appointment to the BOD?!
_{I’m on TWO boards now. Oh dear. What have I done?! errrrr…}

Who sent this to me?! was it QueenOfTarts? I suspect so. Thanks for such a generous sample, wow!! This is good tea. Stout and perfectly bold, malty and everything I want in a morning black tea.
I’m not normally one to enjoy a blend but this is super tasty.
Nothing fancy or anything, just really good, solid tea here!

Backlog!
My sample was realllly old, found in a corner of my tea drawer. How has it been sitting there all this time and I never saw it!? Anyhow, thanks to Jenn for the sample! Miss you hun!
I’m not sure how I feel about this. There is a peanut butter sortof taste, and something a tad salty, and kinda sweet. Pleasant, for the most part. Don’t think I’d buy more for myself though as I’m not one for pb in my desserts (except for Reeses cups).