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302 Tasting Notes

Rooibos Lemon Chiffon from SpecialTeas
82
Roasted Almonds from TeaGschwendner
65

I tasted this one again last night. I brewed it almost double strength this time. It tasted like warm apple juice with a hint of almond. So sad. It is drinkable, so I will probably finish the bag but I definitely will not order it again.

Neapolitan Honeybush from 52teas
87

I really like this as an afternoon treat. Yesterday I sweetened it too much (which helped me to believe it’s ice cream label). Today I was careful to barely sweeten it. I still like it. Its good, not fantastic. But good.

Black Currant Bai Mu Dan from 52teas
93
Neapolitan Honeybush from 52teas
87

I can’t believe I like this one, but I do. It is bizarre. It tastes like Neapolitan ice cream.

When I opened the bag and smelled it, I was really worried. It smelled weird, maybe even a little cough syrupy. But once brewed, more of the strawberry flavors came out. It definitely tastes like that mix of all three flavors of ice cream in the bottom of the bowl.

I sweetened it with a touch of agave nectar.

Rooibos Sweet Heart from SpecialTeas
84

Old standby. I needed something that just plain tastes good after drinking the Summer Romance.

Summer Romance from TeaGschwendner
55

This is growing on me. I am mostly tasting raspberry today… and lemon and unripe berries?

Roasted Oolong from Upton Tea Imports
76

I love this oolong. It’s the kind of oolong that reminds me of sitting in a Chinese restaurant drinking cup after cup of tea. I was worried what it was roasted and thought it would be smoky verging on bbq but it is not all. There might be a little smokiness in the background but it is not a big component. There is a bit of peach and jasmine flavors. There is no grassiness in the taste. The smell is a little smoky and a little vegetal. Really a nice oolong.

I’m gonna save the rest of this sample for stir-fry dinner later in the week (and I’ll pull out the chopsticks too).

I got this as a sample when I ordered some supplies from Upton. I think I will order more of this one.

Raspberry Vanilla Rooibos from Design a Tea
67

This is my 2nd Design a Tea free sample. It’s alright. I tasted it without any sweetener and it had real soapiness to it that I think comes from the vanilla. After adding some agave nectar, the soapiness is reduced and the raspberry comes forward. The raspberry flavor is like a candy raspberry. The rooibos is barely noticable. Once I sweetened it, I liked it quite a bit. But, I did like 52teas Raspberry Cream Cheese Danish better.

Maple Pecan Rooibos from Design a Tea
67

I got two free samples in the mail today from Design a Tea. This is sample 1. It is a rooibos with maple and pecan flavoring. The rooibos has that woody flavor to it, but it is not overpowering. The flavoring is strong. If you like a ‘pow’ kind of flavoring then you might like this. The pecan seems to be the more predominant flavor. The maple is kind of a background sweetness. The maple is more of an Aunt Jemima “maple” rather than a Vermont maple. I am also picking up on a coffee-like flavor and some burned sugar flavor. I like the burned sugar aspect, but I don’t like the coffee flavor so much. I think that is coming from the pecan. The smell is distinctly coffee. All in all, I’d say give this one a try.

Note – you probably don’t need any sweetener at all in this (coming from someone who sweetens everything).

Summer Romance from TeaGschwendner
55

This tea is, um, interesting. I’ve not quite decided if I like it or not yet. It is not too terribly floral (although it definitely has a floral aspect) and it’s not overly fruity. There is something leafy tasting. Withholding judgment for now.

I don’t understand why tea makers always have to add florally things to fruit teas. Why can’t it just taste like mixed dried fruit? Would that be boring?

Pai Mu Tan Vanilla from Upton Tea Imports
60

A white tea with a hint of vanilla in the background. The vanilla is very very subtle. The smell is a little grassy. The aftertaste is a bit sour. I thought I would like this one more. Glad it is only a sample size.

I was worried since there are rose petals in the tea, but those don’t seem to add any flavor and just look pretty in the mix.

Roasted Almonds from TeaGschwendner
65

I really really want to love this one. But so far it’s a little meh.

The smell of the bag is so nutty that I immediately put the kettle on when I smelled it.

Once brewed it tastes predominately of apple. The smell is nutty and slightly floral. The color is a beautiful pink from the beetroot.

It is a little weak. I used 2tsp to 11oz. Steeped 10 min. Will try again with more tea next time.

Mountain Malt from The Simple Leaf
92

Made the tea this morning with less dry leaves (1.5 tsp to 11 oz). It is still bold, malty, and strong. But, I detect a small amount of bitterness in the background of the aftertaste that wasn’t apparent when I brewed it with 2 tsp. It is still very tasty and will definitely wake you up.

Five O'Clock Tea from SpecialTeas
66

I stole the last bit of Mike’s sample of this tea this afternoon. It still tastes sour in the finish and quite frankly after drinking Simple Leaf’s Dawn and Mountain Malt, it’s just very plain.

Blueberry Cocktail from SpecialTeas
80
Rooibos Sweet Heart from SpecialTeas
84

I love this tea. I can’t believe I am still the only person who has reviewed it. With all my great reviews on it, everyone should have ordered a sample by now! :)

This tea is really great around mid-morning or mid-afternoon when I want another cup of coffee (but can’t have one since I have hard rule of only 2 cups). It’s dark and rich and sweet with a hint of almond. And seriously, the little candy hearts are the cutest thing ever and make me smile when I open the tea tin.

Black Currant Bai Mu Dan from 52teas
93
Rooibos Lemon Chiffon from SpecialTeas
82

It’s really windy here and a snowstorm is blowing in so I needed something warm and homey this afternoon. This tea is as soothing and tasty as a lemon poppy seed muffin.

China Hairy Crab Oolong from SpecialTeas
79

Still working on this sample from SpecialTeas. This tea is so light. It’s definitely floral and still tastes almost like a jasmine tea to me. Peachy flavors in the aftertaste.

Blueberry Cocktail from SpecialTeas
80
Black Currant Bai Mu Dan from 52teas
93

Ha. Just opened brand new bag of this. It’s really lovely and delicate.

Mountain Malt from The Simple Leaf
92
Rooibos Sweet Heart from SpecialTeas
84

Still delicious. I may have added a little too much agave nectar this time.

Profile

Bio

Rating Scale:
90-100 – Love it. Must order this one again.
75-90 – Pretty good. Maybe I’ll order it again.
60-75 – It’s ok. Drinkable. It’s not my thing, but someone else might love it. Won’t order again.
50-60 – Meh. I wish I hadn’t ordered it, but i’ll finish this cup.
30-60 – Barely drinkable. – Throwing away/giving away the rest of this one.
0-30 – Went down the drain. Too sad to even pass along to friends.

Location

Salt Lake City, UT

Website

http://vegetablenirvana.wordp...

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