1759 Tasting Notes

84
drank Kenyan Tinderet by DAVIDsTEA
1759 tasting notes

oh yeah, this is good stuff. A regular black tea with extremely subtle complexities. I’m not adept enough at identifying flavours but I can taste the spice note mentioned by Daniil and now that it’s pointed out I can tell that it is indeed cardamom or something similar. The maltiness is very nice as well, very mild yet lasting throughout the entire sip.
The astringency is a tad too much for me but then the girl made my tea extra strong so it could be a function of too many leaves.
Now that I’ve had most of the cup, the spice note is building in the aftertaste the way spicy foods do as you get into the meal. Very nice! I’m impressed.
The floral note is the most subtle of them all. I would not have noticed if it wasn’t in the description.
Ok so DT’s just made up for some of their failings with this one, in my books. The only issue I have that everything is so mild, as I prefer more bold teas.
I wonder, why am I the only one to find this one so very satisfying??

Eisenherz

You’re not the only one, I love Kenyan Tinderet! It’s a shame my local DT has been out of it for quite some time now

Indigobloom

really? I hope they aren’t discontinuing it! I won’t be able to buy any for awhile…
And I’m glad to know someone else out there loves this one to!! :)

ScottTeaMan

I love Kenyan teas but I don’t buy them enough. I have a Tinderet Estate Silver Tips—a white tea— I have yet to sample. How could I have missed Tinderet Estate TGFOP, excluded from my most recent order from Upton Teas?!! I hope it’s not sold out before I place my next order.

Indigobloom

good luck on that Scott, and I look forward to your review! :)

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80
drank Black Currant by Tea Forte
1759 tasting notes

Hrm, I’m not sure about this. The black currant sings through, but I added some agave to help it along. I think it’s kindof like peach teas where even if it’s great, I would still prefer something else in that vein, only a different flavour.
Blueberry is not a flavour I really love, and this reminds me very much of blueberry.
Otherwise, the tea itself is good. A little sour, but not astringent really… I think it comes from the currant.
There is also a very fresh note, and a lively refreshing aftertaste that I actually like. If this tea had strawberry flavouring instead, it would have gotten top marks! so 85on the tea, and 75 on currant flavour (lower because I had to add sweetener)… which brings it to a nice middle ground of 80. I’m glad to have tried it, as always! :)

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85
drank Peaches and Cream by Teaopia
1759 tasting notes

wow, peaches!!! the essence was quite strong here. More so than in yesterdays white tea, by volumes.
The oolong base was nice as well… I feel that this is a MUCH nicer base than they used in the plum tea. It’s more crisp and defined, and really allows the peach to dance around, making it a bit more complex. Oh and the cream part… I can find that to. Very nice! mild, hiding in the back, but perfect for the blend.
Now, despite all of this, I’ve decided that I am not a big fan of peach tea. I can see how someone might fall in love with it… it has all the qualities necessary for that! it’s just is not “the one” for me. Still, I’m thrilled to have tried it! and that I’m beginning to learn my tea tastes a bit better now.

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90
drank Golden Monkey by Tao Tea Leaf
1759 tasting notes

Ah I finally found a true “chocolate” note in tea!!! well, in a pure tea without any adds that is. I was getting a bit sad that it hadn’t happened yet… but there is a definite chocolate essence here. It’s a little sweet and malty all at once—no sugar added. Of course, I tried some with milk and it only enhanced the creamy chocolate note. There is also a very fresh tasting note, that I think comes from the early flush.
The colour is a gorgeous red amber. Shame I was at work, I could have stared at that cup for an hour (take from that what you will…)
And it held up under two steeps! I wasn’t up for a third but I am sure it would have done well there to.
Overall, it is not my perfect tea. It’s missing something but I’m not quite sure what! Maybe the depth isn’t enough??
Oh well, I still love it! definitely a mood tea though

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88

This was good!! crisp, defined flavours in the peach and white tea… grassy and fresh tasting, and not too heavy. Naturally sweet on it’s own, coming out of the peach essence, but not in a tart way at all.
Still, nothing beats DTs strawberry white!!!

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80
drank Passion by Tazo
1759 tasting notes

hot berry cider. Not bad, but also my default when I hit a starbucks with friends and it’s too late for caffeine. It makes me want more tea… other, better tea! but overall, it’s tasty and keeps me warm :)

MaddHatter

I agree, Starbucks should stick with coffee, their teas are lacking, even the “full leaf” teas they offer leave a lot to be desired. Have you tried this one iced? It is slightly more palpable…

Indigobloom

I’ve been tempted to try it, but I’m afraid it will just taste like juice! I’m not the biggest iced tea fan, unless it’s a Long Island! :P
but I think next time I will try it iced. Just to see!

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95

this blew me away!!!! wow. amazing. love it!!
Another one on my “to purchase” list :)
It’s naturally sweet with smoky and floral notes… sortof like a smoky milk oolong without the milk essence, just the sweetness that comes with it. Sugar or honey could never achieve that subtle pure taste! and it’s complex all on it’s own! I love that part :)
mmmmm soooo good! Well, outta time. I’ll write more next time!

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75
drank English Breakfast by Tea Forte
1759 tasting notes

This was… boring! and a bit earthy? made me wonder if there was any bergamot in it…
So, I think I may have found another black tea that I dislike. There is no character, no sass… or identifying features whatsoever, unless you consider plain-ness a feature!
even with milk it was barely drinkable, but I did finish the cup. Oh well. Fingers crossed for the black currant and orange pekoe! the only other teas in the pack that I look forward to tasting.

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78

I don’t know WHAT got into me but something compulsed (did I just make up a word?) me to have this tea. I bargained with myself, I proposed other, better teas… I looked at the ingredients and saw cinnamon and vanilla “flavouring” and even still, nothing could persuade my fool craving away from indulging an unworthy tea!
This was my last bagged tea purchase(and love) before I went all looseleaf so it holds a special place in my cupboard but I’m not sure if that’s one of disdain or fond memories!
And ya know what? it has got to be my sentimentality kicking in but this is pretty darn good for a bagged tea. Smooth and chocolatey… caffeine free… maybe I won’t throw it out after all. The only part that really niggles at me is the “flavour” part in the ingredients. Ya just know that means it’s fake! *sighs

nomadinjeopardy

Haha! You’re allowed a guilty indulgence. There are worse things you could be consuming, I’d say.

Indigobloom

this is true. I just wish I had an explanation! thanks for the nice words, I feel less shamed now! :P

ashmanra

You DO deserve a guilty indulgence. For instance, I have been hiding the fact that I play Plants vs. Zombies more than I care to admit.

Indigobloom

LOL I hear ya. I was addicted ot Cityville for awhile. It was tough to break the habit! but then Gardens of Time came along…

Angrboda

Hey, Gardens of Time is totally addictive. :) It doesn’t help when one has a weakness for hidden objects games to begin with.

Angrboda

Also, I’m totes in favour of made up words. Personally, rather fond of ‘plock’ which originally meant fish, but is a totally useful word for all sorts of occasions. Wonderful to swear with as well.

Indigobloom

I know right!? my weekly crossword quotient is suffering because of GoT… oh boy I am such nerd :P
Plock… I like it! I’m stealing that one!!

Ptkelo

I don’t even count this as a guilty pleasure. Ya there are better quality teas, but there is something about this tea that holds onto people. This is the only bagged tea in my cupboard, and the only tea I will buy from a grocery store for one reason: It’s GOOD! Don’t feel bad about drinking “Tea Dust” or whatever because nothing is like Bengal Spice, and why hunt around for a loose leaf tea that is only similar to bengal spice when you could just go down to the Wal-Mart and buy some Bengal Spice?

Indigobloom

hehe this is true Ptkelo. I’m learning to love Stash as well. The list of my tea loves just never stops growing :)

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89
drank Chocolate Rocket by DAVIDsTEA
1759 tasting notes

ehhhh. So I’m nearing the end of my package (I only had a 25g sample) and I think most of the chickory slid to the bottom. This was not nearly as good as my last brew but I’m gonna leave the rating as is.
It kept me going through the afternoon so that is what matters! what a shame though… does that mean the rest of the bag is going to be worse with every cup???

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Bio

Let’s see… I’m a tea and workout fanatic, I work in HR, and most of my friends consider me to be an egg. White on the outside, Asian on the inside :)
-from philosophy to food, I love it all
Otherwise, what you see is what you get! I can be very straightforward and yet shy.

Also, I’ve started taking tea sommelier classes and it is an absolute blast! Well, so far I’ve only finished the first out of eight courses, but I am really looking forward to the next one.

Anyhow, if your curious as to how I rate things, this is how I work…

0-25
Like eating dirt, or some other unsanitary indelicacy that mentioning in my profile here would likely get me banned.
I don’t think I’ve found cause to banish a tea to the wasteland yet though so who knows what it’d inspire ;P

25-50
You know that expression “Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater”? I imagine drinking that water would be terrible enough to warrant this rating!
I’d never make my enemy drink this, but perhaps I’d throw it at them. Good thing I don’t have any enemies!

50-70
This is “tea”?? I tried finishing the cup… but my body rejected it. There may be others who enjoy this tea, but it’s beyond me!

70-80
I tried liking it, and I can almost get there! I certainly don’t hate it, but something is holding me back. Allergies? Men in white suits? who knows… certainly not me!

80-90
Lovely tea! Not my all time fave but close. I likely wouldn’t repurchase, but may decide to based on many factors: price, accessibility, whether it fills a “tea gap”, medicinal applications, and how often I crave it.
Every once in awhile I find the sweet spot that bumps these up to 90+. Those are the days I need to buy a lotto ticket!

90-95
Sweet Camellia! this is realllly good tea! Don’t talk to me until I’ve finished my cup…

95-100
Tea of the gods. I would do anything to get my hands on more of this liquid gold!

Location

Toronto (Mississauga, but I work in TO)

Website

http://hrslinger.wordpress.com/

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