Kiaharii

Alright, so backlogged from this morning. Had to go to work before I write anything (did I mention I got a job! Receptionist at a vet clinic until I can get into a tech program).

This was really lovely. I was worried about the smell because it comes off as a bit strong and artificial. However, once this is brewed the flavor/smell isn’t as strong and blends really well with the oolong. I like the Taiwanese base tea, the peach goes really well with the woody flavors. Also super easy to brew, I did a second steeping as well and there were no problems with steeping it longer.

So, you know those custom blends on Adagio? Well I want to make some so I’m testing some stuff out today. I want to make a Dune blend (from the Frank Herbet books, I finished the first one a little white ago).

So I’m testing out teas with some rooibos vanilla chai, a bit of lapsang souchong, and maybe spiced mate. Not sure yet, I need that cinnamon flavor though. I think the lapsang might be overpowering everything though, so I might have to take that out. Hmmm.

No notes yet.

Tea: 2 tsp
Water: 8 oz
Additives: none

Dry leaf
Lovely toffee scent, beautiful leaves, seems to be a good quality white peony. Lots of big whole leafs and buds. The blue cornflowers add a pretty touch.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8126244@N06/8035958091/in/photostream

Liquor
Lovely clear straw color, smells of toffee, no smell of white tea
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8126244@N06/8035958774/in/photostream

Really nice toffee taste, sweet, nutty and rich. I regret drinking this for breakfast, I should have saved it for dessert! As I sip the white base comes through, which is nice I was worried the toffee was going to be overpowering based on the scent. Very very good! I’m a big fan of white tea and I can definitely see having this around. Now I just need to get my stash down a bit so I can justify buying it!

No notes yet.

Still fiddling with temperatures/times on this. Oh tea, why are so you so complicated. In any case, this was still tasty. Definitely been in a plain tea (as opposed to flavored) mood so this hit the spot.

Tea: 5 grams
Water: 16oz
Additives: none

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This tea smells soooo good. I just want to stick my face in it.

Tea: 5 grams
Water: 150 ml/5 oz each steep (green gaiwan)
Additive: none

Rinse
1: 25 seconds – light, lightly vegetal, more flowery towards the end of the cup
2: 35 seconds – quite vegetal, grassy even, floral tones as it lingers in the mouth, maybe a bit buttery, lightly bitter
3: 45 seconds – similar to the second steep, as the cup cooled it became more enjoyable
4: 55 seconds – same as third steeping still very strong
5: 65 seconds – floral notes, still strong flavor
6: 75 seconds – tasty
7: 160 seconds (oops) – delicious

While I enjoyed this, I think I like oolongs that lean more towards the darker oolongs. I like the base used for some of the flavored oolongs I have which has darker brown leaves and maybe look like some kind of Oriental Beauty type, more woody.

I wrote that previous bit earlier in the session, I like this more and more as I drank. I think I like the longer steep times, they taste less vegetal. I will have to try this again! I’m not the best at gong fu style brewing, but I’m getting better. If anyone has any steep time recommendations that’d be great.

No notes yet.

I definitely like this better iced, left this for nearly a day (cold brewed). A lot deeper flavor than the last time I cold brewed for about 8 hours. Mmm dessert.

Tea: 2 and a bit tsp
Water: 16 oz
Additives: 1/2 tsp stevia/sugar blend

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How have I not done a review of this? I’ve had it at least 2 or 3 times. This was given to me in a swap by Michelle, so thanks again!

I really like this. I like that I can drink it in the afternoon without worrying about a whole lot of caffeine, just whatever the lapsang brings and based on the leaves there isn’t a whole lot. However, what little there is brings a lovely campfire smell to the tea with hints of cherry and a honey base. Yum. The tea looks light but has a solid feel. Cara picks these blends really well, all of the ones I’ve had of hers just have perfectly mingling flavors. They are hard to describe but it works wonderfully.

Tea: 2 heaping teaspoons
Water: 16 oz
Additives: None

Mmm cinnamon! Received this sample as part of the virtual tea tasting, which is such a cool idea. Very generous samples as well. I also love that there are instructions for a second steeping on the label.

There’s a good bit of cinnamon taste here, which is great (I love it!). The liquor is fairly light, a sandy brown in my cup. I don’t taste a lot of berry but I think it’s there under the cinnamon mingling with the green tea. The cinnamon still comes out on top. I’d maybe rename this one to something with cinnamon in it.

I think I’ll steal this bit from Nik. I like seeing how other people brew stuff because sometime’s I’m unsure of where to begin!

_{Tea: 1 heaping teaspoon
Water: 8 oz
Additives: None}

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Forgot this was a green/black blend, but Harney’s instructions were for 212F anyway.
Picked this up from a little tea/beer place at the beach, they measured all the tea into little plastic bags and this one in particular was leaking smell all over the place. I’d get a whiff every time I walked by the table where it was sitting. It smells very fruity, which I think is mainly the guava. Definitely tropical.

It has a very light feeling which I think is due to the green tea component. I taste the guava followed by a general “tropical fruit” flavor. I think this would be great iced and maybe I’ll play around with brewing temps. I have enough of a sample to play around so we’ll see! I think I’ll rate after I try it a few more times.

Drank this on the beach with my toes in the ocean. That made it a 100 in my book, but I guess I’ll rate it on just the tea. :) The waves were full of fish this morning, it was so cool! http://www.flickr.com/photos/8126244@N06/8009003017/in/photostream

This is a nice blend, the lapsang is softened by the other blacks (though I can do lapsang straight). It’s got a great flavor to it, I’ll have to do a more in-depth review later when I can pay attention to flavors and taste more.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8126244@N06/8009001518/

Okay this is tasty. I will definitely put this on my Harney & Sons shopping list. Picked up a little individually wrapped bag to try. Unfortunately the place where I picked up tea yesterday (Harrika’s Brew Haus) did not have this one in loose.

I added to much water to the cup so it’s a little weaker then I would like, but still good. Those worried about the bergamot shouldn’t be, it’s very light. The currant flavors come out more I think and the vanilla/caramel. This reminds of a Monk’s Blend tea I had, but better. That same combo of vanilla and fruit (pomegranate in the Monk’s blend) is delicious. Yum yum.

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