Tina S. Send Message

Drank the last of this one from my collection today. I really enjoyed it when I first got it but the more I drank, the less and less I liked it. I hate when that happens with a tea! This time it just kept tasting more and more artificial with each cup. :(

Bumping the rating up on this one! I brewed it this morning and totally forgot the pot after I removed the leaves. When I finally got to it the tea was room temperature, but what a treat! At this temperature the orange was much more prominent, and there was a slight hint of cream as well. Now I can’t wait to try this one iced to see just how orange it becomes!

I cold brewed this one overnight for iced with some sugar added. The final result was a creamier version of the tea than when brewed hot, and one where there were definitely strong notes of the actual rooibos flavour. I prefer it hot, but if people like rooibos flavour then cold brew is definitely something to try.

Definitely passing on this one. I’ve now tried brewing it three times and none of them have brewed in a way that I got a cup I enjoyed. This one is up for trade if anyone is interested. It’s not a bad tea, just a bad tea for me.

Nope, I had hopes for this one but they didn’t come through. On the recommendation of a friend I brewed it shorter and I found that I liked it even less. Glad I didn’t get much of any of this collection. David’s, please let the summer collection be amazing. Please?

Drinking the last I have of this one tonight. And . . . it’s lacking something. I think I’m comparing it to Read My Lips and am wishing I was drinking that instead. This one isn’t bad, it just isn’t as good. I think it is on the online-only reserve list that came out recently, too, so I’m pretty sure this is where I will part ways with this one. Fare thee well, Mint Chocolate Rooibos.

Brewed a pot of this one up tonight, craving it. And yet . . something was lacking. I’m wondering if I let it get stale on me. I think I’ll use what I have left in the tub and get fresh next weekend when I’m in London. Buying more tea . . . such a hardship.

I never thought the day would happen when I wouldn’t want to sugar a latte but with this one I really don’t. It’s just so perfect as is. I’m going to be sad when the warm weather comes and I don’t crave this anymore.

Since today I had the time and patience, I finally decided to play with the gaiwan I got a few weeks ago. I’ve never tried one before so rather than attempt with a green or oolong I went with a black, knowing it’d be harder to mess it up.

This tea was a great way to introduce myself into using the gaiwan. I used one of the sealed packages that Teavivre so generously sent me many of, and then added my boiling spring water and let it steep!

First steep was 2.5 minutes. The tea was very strong and dark, and as it cooled changed between multiple flavours. First sips were definitely almost too strong for me and I barely resisted adding sugar. I’m glad I did though because soon a really nice malt flavour came in, one that I really enjoyed. The last few sips were almost sweet, which really made me curious what my second steeps would bring me.

Second steep was again boiling, this time for 3 minutes. The tea was much lighter this time, and I really really enjoyed this steep. The malt and sweet blended for me to be delightful and I can see why so many of you love this tea!

Third steep was again boiling for another 3 minutes. This was like a slightly lighter version of steep two. I again loved it. I didn’t try a fourth steep though because I was pretty sure the leaves weren’t going to love me through another shot.

Overall a lovely strong sweet tea that I look forward to trying again, next time in western style!

I’m not sure if I like this one or not. I can see why some see it fake tasting but at the same time, I’m not sure if it isn’t just how I’ve brewed it. Going to have to try it again before I rate or give it a proper tasting note.