1759 Tasting Notes
I have a funny relationship with vanilla in teas. Sometimes it is amazing, but for the most part I find monk-esque blends to be kinda boring. I love the concept, and tend to fall in love with the descriptions, and reviews… but when I try it myself, I just don’t get the hype. Sure, its a pleasant enough cuppa. But nothing memorable. Every time, I go in hoping I’ll find an exception to this trend.
Without any additions, the scent of this one was too much for me. I couldn’t stomach more than a few sips. So I added milk, to tone that down, and some chai sugar. Those two things allowed me to finish the cup.
Thank you for the sample AQ2Tea! It isn’t your fault that vanilla teas just aren’t for me. I was curious about this blend, and now I know :)
i always associated monk as being grenadine/cherry versus the vanilla..i know they usually have both but it’s the grenadine in monk’s blend i dislike versus the vanilla. Vanilla teas are NOMMY! :)
I love grenadine and cherry but somehow in Monks blend, I never taste it. The ’nilla seems to overpower somehow. You can have any samples of either that come my way Sil!
This is quite nice. I like it!
A growing spice though, had to add milk again so that I could actually taste the chocolate notes. Ala dairy, I am now tasting a background note of cocoa, with a rather accurate mouthfeel of pudding, even moreso as the cup cools. Chipotle heat is the dominating feature of course, but giving way to chocolate pudding, surprisingly. Or maybe I’m getting used to the spice.
Also, my first sip was very smoky, in an airy way I’ve not seen before with tea, but that was before the heat from consecutive sips built up as an aftertaste. It kinda reminded me of the smoke rising from a pipe in cartoons. Or what I imagine the smoke from a vape would taste like. I’ve never tried it so can’t say the description is accurate but it is the image that comes to mind.
The overall complexity of the blend is lovely. This is my second cuppa, the first one straight. It did not take well to my Contigo at all. So glad I gave it a second chance.
Now, I have to say that the milk really brought things to life for me. Also about half a tsp of sugar, probably a little less. Before those additions I found my cuppa generically spicy. Now, seeing as this is a version of chai, atleast in my eyes, that seems reasonable to me.
I’m nearing the end of my tin. There is about a third left. Maybe less. So not enough for me to justify buying another, but close enough that I’m concerned!! ack. I love this tea. And I don’t wanna be without it or something similar in my cupboard. The tea festival, where I bought this, is coming up in two weeks. sighs. looks like I won’t be replacing it there…
Yes I hate licorice in blends, esp the health/feel better types. But straight up? yeah that gets me. No idea why. I’d love to find a green tea version one day.
And yes, since this is a chai cousin in my eyes, I do add milk Sil :D
I really needed this cup of comfort. Day two of my headache. It’s nice and warm and smooth and full of cigar like cocoa notes. Going back for round two shortly.
Also. I’m just really sad this morning. Someone I dated many many years ago died yesterday. Born with a silver spoon in his mouth didn’t matter.
Addiction took over his life until it was over. I’m not sure if it was an OD or suicide, or a combination of the two. At heart, he was a really nice person who would do anything to help a friend… and yet make terribly non-PC jokes that were hilarious and broadly offensive all at once.
I viewed him from afar (mostly) on Facebook, not knowing how to help, after seeing him post about stints in and out of rehab, his declining quality of life after being cut off from family, and moving to a city known to be infested with drug problems, among other things. His critiques of Hamilton were surprisingly engaging. and heartbreaking. We spoke occasionally over messenger where I tried my best to offer non-judgmental support in the only way I knew how that wouldn’t impact my own well-being, just being someone to talk with.. a brief connection to the life of luxury he once had. Unfortunate proof, if I ever saw it, that money does not solve everything.
This headache of mine feels awfully appropriate right now.
Some hurts tea can’t even fix. Praying for peace for you and your friend’s family.
Thanks gmathis. I appreciate that <3
So sorry, Indigobloom. It’s so hard, in a multitude of ways, to lose a former partner and a peer. Be kind to yourself. <3
Hope you feel better soon. I lost a friend Tuesday that I worked with years ago. The funny thing about us working together is that we were born on the same month, day and year. We often teased one another about being twins somewhere down the line.
Thank you for the kind words Evol <3
mrmopar I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend and work twin. Sharing those special bonds with people really does make it tough to lose them
TY Indigobloom.
@mrmopar <3
I had this straight up. Not bad for a bagged type. I bought the entire box for $1!!!
Honestly, that kinda scares me… But it looks to be a sister brand to Basilur the fact that it is a known brand might mean it is legit. and yanno, not full of cancer. ha.
Cuz it actually really does taste like Irish Cream. At that price I was expecting maybe a bit of generic “dessert” tea notes. But there is something very reminiscent of Irish cream. I mean, it actually tastes like there is dairy in it. Ingredients only list “flavouring” and Ceylon tea.
I can definitely taste the Ceylon base. My coworker tried as well and agreed it is very much Irish Cream. I wouldn’t say its a great tea, it is a bit dusty. For that price tho? I’m ok with using my too cold office water on it!! :P
Need a bigger mug as well, it steeps up a bit thick in my small one at work.
Oh and it packs some nice caffeine. Which is required!
Vegetal. Yup! Crisp, yeah I see it. Peas? Hmmm. More like green beans, I think. Or maybe edamame? I dunno. Not quite peas. Either way, I quite like it. There was a time this was my fave tea. (err. well, next to Assam which is kinda my forever tea home)
Unfortunately… This is starting to lose flavour. I have a few cups left. I don’t crave straight while teas often, so it takes awhile to get through samples. Maybe I’ll try cold brewing like Ms. Strange mentioned.
Then again, I find that non black teas… They are good to have in my office as our water filter system has a hot water feature, so I can get 90c water anytime (and wait a minute or so for it to cool if I need). So many decisions to make :P
My desk is far enough away from the kitchen area that filling the kettle and waiting for it to boil is a pain, esp since it has no whistle to let me know its done haha. Mine at home beeps.
So all of that said, does anyone know of a black tea that takes milk well, and can be steeped around 90c? I’ve tried it with my regular blacks and they’re “ok” but not as great as I know they usually are, which makes me want to just save it for later. Making it at home and trekking it in is a pain as well since it means I have to lug it on my 15+ min walk from the go train to work. Doesn’t sound like much but that is in addition to my gym gear and lunch. It adds up! Plus I generally don’t have caffeine until after I get off the go train.Cuz naps yo. So it doesn’t make much sense to carry. Anyhow. Sorry for the ramble. Input is welcome!
black teas and…milk? EEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWW :)
I’m with you – water at work isn’t really HOT enough for black teas, but I seem to drink them anyway. I find that if I heat the mug first (to keep from loosing even more temp) and then use a little more leaf and steep a little longer I get OK results – not perfect but good enough for work. I don’t normally take my “special” blacks to work but pretty much all China blacks are ok this way. As for the milk thing – don’t listen to Sil – lots of blacks will take milk, but I find the blends are especially suited to it. I’m not sure what you have (or even prefer) but things like A&D Double Knit Blend…..good with milk. I hope that helps….
CTCs generally do well at lower temps and generally also take milk well. Aside from my hoarded stash of Crimson Horizon, Single Origin Teas has an Australian CTC that is pretty good and most of the CTC Assams from Vahdam have been okay in suboptimal conditions. :) I can send some of the Australian your way if you want. I might have some Vahdam lurking around as well. And Paleozoic Peat is better at low temps than at boiling. Also Dawn of Time. Not trying to pimp my own stuff, just thinking of what I have on hand that I can send you some of if you want. :)
@dex don’t tell her not to listen to me! haha but yes, agreed on blends. I just haven’t put milk in my tea since i was uh like 6? so it always seems odd…maybe because my parents used to put a LOOOOT of milk in it, so i equate it with hiding the tea? heh.
@Sil I grew up on it! malty black tea with milk is my comfort morning tea. I crave it enough that no other tea will do sometimes. Has to be malty tho, or else no go. And only Assams or chai. Sometimes Ceylon.
@Dexter I find that some breakfast blends bore me. It seems really hit or miss. Of course some do work really well. Without the extra depth of a malty Assam in the blend, things just don’t add up somehow, but other than that I’m not sure how to choose heh. A&D is good stuff of course. How does Double Knit fare at 90c?
Also yes!! I do the same, heating up my mug first with the water. Thx for the ideas :)
@Nicole wow that is a lot of options. I’ve not tried any of themn. Is there anything I can pick up for you at the tea festival? I have a bunch coming from YS soon (I hope) as well. Swap time! if you’re interested
I really only put milk in Assam teas/blends. They sometimes need it to CALM DOWN!
@Sil – @Indigobloom – I am so sorry – my mistake. of course you should listen to Sil. Sil is amazing and we should all respect her opinion.
@ashmanra, hah. Too true! though I do enjoy a cup of in your face tea now and then
@Dexter Of course she is right. I don’t mind. More milk for me to put in my tea :P
@Indigobloom – swap sounds awesome! And you are talking about the Vancouver tea festival? I’ll see what vendor will be there and I’ll check out your cupboard and PM you. :)
Er… Toronto Tea Festival that is… :)
@dex..thats better cough don’t make me send your box to you….
@Nicole awesome. Looking forward to it :)
@Sil – hehe suddenly glad I haven’t got a box with my name on it at your place :P
IB……or doooo you? haha. I can’t actually remember anymore. I think i’ve got a box for nicole, terri and dexer…and then odds and ends for a few other folks
Sil- probably not. My interest in tea waned for awhile
