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A review of Green Tea & Blackcurrant Tea by London Fruit & Herb Company

Date: 09/26/ 2012
Company: London Fruit & Herb Company
Tea Name: Green Tea & Blackcurrant
Tea Type/Varietal: Green
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: Cup / Tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: dark bluish purple
Leaf Characteristics:

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 165 Fahrenheit
Time: 3 minutes

Note: This tea has a lovely floral aroma; from the tea bag, to pouring in the hot water into the cup and leaving it to steep as this permeates the air, filling ones’ nostrils pleasantly with fruity aroma.

Upon sips of this tea, one is met with the hibiscus and blackcurrant intermingling with the green tea. Tea has not astringency; instead it is smooth, fine drinking tea; a muscatel true to form.

2nd Steeping:
Water temperature: 160 Fahrenheit
Time: 5+

Note: I am having this tea cooler in my little jug using the same tea bag and perhaps adding another when flavor runs out.

A review of Orange Pekoe & Pekoe Black Tea by Price Chopper

Date: 09/25/ 2012
Company: Price Chopper
Tea Name: Orange Pekoe and Pekoe Black Tea (Decaffeinated)
Tea Type/Varietal: Black
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: Golden amber
Leaf Characteristics:

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 195 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

Note: I use one tea bag and put this in my freshly washed cup and add some boiling water into the cup and leave it to steep for five minutes. Tea’s color is a light amber and smell faintly of a roasted cup of tea. I am confused since this decaffeinated tea and I don’t notice anything different about it. It is not as dark as the other Pekoe tea that I have had and flavoring wise almost similar.

It is a milder tea, not as strong as regular non-decaf pekoe. This tea would go nicely with a sliver of lemon with a few squeeze of the lemon juice.

A review of Premium Blend of Orange Pekoe & Pekoe Cut Black Tea by Market Baskett

Date: 09/25/2012
Company: Market Basket
Tea Name: Premium Blend of Orange Pekoe & Pekoe Cut Black Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: Black
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: Cup / Tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: Dark Golden amber
Leaf Characteristics:

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 195 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

Note: I steep this cup of tea for 5 minutes, after having poured very hot water into my cup. This is one of those inexpensive store brand tea that I return to when wanting something sample and not too troublesome to make.

I like that when pouring the water over the tea bag, it colors right away; at times a brightest red and then gets very dark the longer it is steep. Tea’s aroma is not astringent, it has a roasted aroma and when tasted it is like a mild malt with a smooth texture upon swallowing.

This is a good tea brand that I have been purchasing over time since the pricing per cup is just right.

A review of Organic Masala Chai Tea by David Rio Fine Teas

Date: 09/24/2012
Company: David Rio Fine Teas
Tea Name: Organic Masala Chai
Tea Type/Varietal: Black / Green Matcha
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: small pan / 2 tea spoon
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: Golden rosy brown
Leaf Characteristics: Added to this classic blend is the organic matcha, the ceremonial green tea of Japan. Matcha contains more than three times the antioxidants of other green teas, making this cup as heartful as it is satisfying.

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

Note: After another of many morning walks, upon returning I suddenly felt I wanted something like a cup of cocoa. Instead I reach on the shelf for my tin of David Rio’s Masala Chai. I purchased this chai back in the summer during a store visit to Williams-Sonoma http://www.williams-sonoma.com) in Copley Square, Boston, MA. I must say I had forgotten about it until having moved and with re-arranging of things I came across it. So today, I took my small pan with a small can of condensed milk and one half cup of water; I put the water to boil and added the milk to it and after opening the Masala Chai (which is wrapped in a gold thin foil-like coffee bag) and smelling very rich. The granules are fine, like brown sugar but grainier in texture.

It is lovely to see a real chai, not a tea bag one. I put in one teaspoon into the pan’s milk/water mixture and decided to add one more tea spoon, making for one large spoonful of the chai.

I covered it and left to come fully boil. It is lovely to see when one removes the lid from the pan…it is a golden froth and when I pour this into my mug the chai’s aroma is all cinnamon, ginger and cloves that I recognized immediately.

I cannot wait to take a first sip. Burning my tongue, I continue with sipping it as I adjust to the tea’s heat and eventually I am able to swallow and feel the golden froth descend pleasantly as I swallow and sip some more.

I wanted this cup of chai to match what I have seen from tea vendors like Golden-Moon Tea. He once had a lovely photo of his favorite cup of chai. And color wise I did accomplish Marcus’s cup of chai.

Having this cup of chai while enveloped in one’s favorite throw and a journal or a good book out on the patio is one of the ideal ways to enjoy and cherish this chai tea.

I came in from the cold wanting a cup of hot-cocoa, instead I fixed a cup of warmly hot Masala chai, and it was wonderfully inviting and invigorating. I only had one large cup of it.

I am happy to have finally tried this chai. Thank you Williams-Sonoma for carrying such fine teas!

A review of Constant Comment Tea by Bigelow Tea

Date: 09/23/2012
Company: Bigelow Tea
Tea Name: “Constant Comment” Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: Black Tea
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: Cup / Tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: Dark golden brown
Leaf Characteristics: tea bag smells of tea, I cannot note any spices.

1. Steepings 2 good steeps

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 175 Fahrenheit
Time: 2 minutes

Note: When brewing/steeping this tea, nothing stands out about it. It smells mildly of tea I am thinking. Anyhow, I remove the tea bag after two minutes and let it stand a bit longer. When I do take the tea and have a sip of it, at first I am met with malt flavoring that some teas contain, and upon swallowing there is a hint of the orange note hitting my palate.

I guess I was expecting the orange to be more pronounce than is at this time.

2nd Steeping:
Water temperature: 190 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

Note: I thought to increase the water’s temperature and to let the tea bag steep in tea water a bit longer as I hope to bring out more of the flavoring. Tea’s color is the same: darkish brown/red tea. And the aroma is of orange rind and when I taste the tea there is the orange and some spices prevailing in the cup, just hints of spices and nothing more.

A review of Vanilla Chai Tea by Bigelow

Date: 09/22/2012
Company: Bigelow Tea
Tea Name: Vanilla Chai
Tea Type/Varietal: Black
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: Cup/tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: dark red
Leaf Characteristics: tea bag smells of rich spices like cinnamon and nutmeg; it is a very inviting scent.

1. Steepings 2 good steeps, 2nd steep was weak.

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 195 Fahrenheit
Time: 4 minutes

Note: I placed one tea bag into my mug and poured the boiling water into the cup and left it to steep for four minutes. The aroma rising in the air is very spicy and inviting; one does not want to walk away since it is such nice fragrant, inviting warmth.

After four minutes I remove the tea bag to look at the tea’s color and it is very bright reddish like color; it is not like Rooibos teas since in this cup the tea is dark as it is red.

When I begin to sip the tea I am met with the spices as they intermingle. What I recognize at once is the cinnamon and cardamom and something of the nutmeg/cloves which seem to give it that spicy salt-like kick to it.

I am having this tea plainly with water, but the recommended way is to have it with milk or soy.

So for now my cup of tea is a spice-full cup of hot water which invites for more to be done to it for better appreciation.

2nd Steeping:
Water temperature: 190 Fahrenheit
Time: 3 minutes

Note: I was able to get another steep of this tea with a three minutes steep since. The spices continue to be wonderfully enticing making for an invigorating cup of tea.

A review of Orange & Spice (Herb) Tea by Bigelow

Date: 09/21/2012
Company: Bigelow
Tea Name: Orange & Spice Herb Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: Tisane
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: Cup/ tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: reddish orange
Leaf Characteristics:

1. Steepings 2 good steeps

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 190 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

Note: I have been sampling teas from my in-laws cup board not from lacking having my own teas but wanting something more seasonal this time of year. So today it is Bigelow tea once again, but only this time it is Orange and spice and everything nice as stated on the tea bag.

I can taste the orange peel medley with hibiscus, and the roasted chicory makes for the roasted scent that is in the tea cup, making it malty in taste as well.

2nd Steeping:
Water temperature: 190 Fahrenheit
Time: 3 minutes

Note: Tea’s color is lighter and smell just as wonderful and with the spices hitting one’s nostrils it is definitely a good idea to have this tea nicely hot and I did not feel the need to add anything else.

Tea is sweetly and naturally spicy with hints of hibiscus, rose hips and orange peel which is most prevalent. This is a good autumn tea to have and enjoy while ridding oneself of cold drafty feeling.

A review of Lotus Tea (Slim Line) by In Nature

Date: 09/20/2012
Company: In Nature
Tea Name: Lotus Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: Green (herbal)
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: Cup/ leaf
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: light green to very pale yellow with longer steeps.
Leaf Characteristics:

1. Steepings 8-9 good steeps

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 190 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

Note: I have been reading up on herbal teas, specifically making sun-tea. So I decided to play with this Lotus tea by treating it as such. I began with clean water added to a clean tea pot (my in-laws) and let the water come to full boil. During the wait, I wash my mug and put one spoonful of the leaves into my cup and then added some of the boiling water to it. I left it to steep for few minutes.

I enjoy the tea’s floral aroma and it light coloring; as I sip the tea, I am salivating/excited since I know I will be drinking this for the remainder of the day. I have a small plastic jug that I will be using for the rest of the day for this tea. I fill this jug with the leaves and add some basil and oregano and fill it with water and let it stand for an hour’s time.

After time has elapse I simply remove the lid and take in the aroma of the floral mixture of the budded lotus which are surfacing in the cup and the mixture of the herbs (basil and the oregano) is heavenly; smells very green and spicy. When I taste it is a nice medley of plant and herbs.

There was not a need to add anything to the Lotus Slimming Tea; I simply spent the day drinking my version of sun tea, room temperature style. In fact I drink this all day long and late into the evening and I was up most of the night. I need to remember to cut off drinking liquids up to 8 or 9 pm and not after; and by 10:00 pm. No more!

One finds a good / great tea one should experiment and experience the tea’s many folds. And this was my way of getting closer to nature and the approaching autumn.
-———————————————
2nd Steeping: this second steep and those following were the best by far (scaling tea to 10)
Water temperature: 170 Fahrenheit
Time: 60 minutes

Note: Tea was steeped much longer at room temperature with the water being mildly hot and I used the same leaves and added some sprigs of basil and oregano to it and left to stand on the window sill for an hour’s time.

Tea was infused with the two herbs and the aroma was that of a spicy combination of the two herbs added to the lotus leaves. It was heady of me to try this, nothing about the Lotus tea calls for a need to improve upon it. Tea is lovely all on its own. The added herb was my version of a sun-tea and I enjoyed sipping the tea all day long. Truly a delightful experience and one I will gladly try again when I open the other box of tea.

A review of Perfect Peach (Herb) Tea by Bigelow

Date: 09/18/2012
Company: Bigelow
Tea Name: Perfect Peach (Herb) Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: Herbal
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: Cup/Tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: light orange
Leaf Characteristics:

1. Steepings 2

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 180 Fahrenheit
Time: 3 minutes

Note: Tea color is light orange and smells of hibiscus and peaches when the aroma first hits your nostrils. Upon tasting it is the peach flavoring that one is met with and the sweet hibiscus makes it licorice like.

This is a good cup of tea with a potential for lots more.

2nd Steeping:
Water temperature: 190 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

Note: Steeping it longer this time, I can enjoy the teas’ aroma longer as it permeates the air with the smell of fresh peaches. I like this tea best steaming hot and it does say it would make for a nice cup of iced tea.

Overall with the two steeps I was able to get in with one tea bag I enjoyed the tea steeped longest and hotter. This tea is a luscious blend of peaches & fine herbs and does make for a fine cup of tea.

A review of Premium Blend of Orange Pekoe & Pekoe Cut Black Tea by Market Basket

Date: 09/19/2012
Company: Market Basket
Tea Name: Premium Blend of Orange Pekoe & Pekoe Cut Black Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: Black
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: Cup/tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: golden amber
Leaf Characteristics:

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

Note: I placed one tea bag in my cup and while the water is boiling I pour some of it into my cup and leave to steep for five minutes. I like that when pouring the water into the cup the tea color so very quickly; that golden amber color, very brightly brewed. The longer the tea bag is left in the cup the darker is the tea and this is normal. But since I am not adding sugar or honey to my cup of tea, it is not a good idea to leave it in longer that one should.

Tea taste strong like a black tea should taste, it is malt like with slight roast scent. Since it was steep longer than need be with no sweetener added it is mildly astringent, bitter even.

2nd Steeping:
Water temperature: 190 Fahrenheit
Time: 3 minutes

Note: This time using the same bag and simply adding more water to my cup of tea I only leave it to steep for a few minutes and not longer. I did not want tea to be bitter and it is not. The color is much lighter as well but the aroma is not floral or roasted even.

This second steep is mildly aromatic and not astringent at all.

A review of Lotus Tea (Slim Line) by In Nature

Date: 09/17/2012
Company: In Nature
Tea Name: Lotus Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: Green
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: Cup/leaf
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: Golden brown
Leaf Characteristics: The leaves are squarely cut and medium in size, they are very dry and soft not crunchy; not fried/fired it seems. When steeped/immersed in the water they seem to remain the same, as they absorb no water. They are not damp or weighted down with first steeping for five minutes. The leaves do not smell vegetal or smells of leeks, instead the aroma is somewhat rosy/floral sweet bouquet.

1. Steepings on a scale of 1-5 tea is 5+

1st Steeping: 5 minutes
Water temperature: 190 Fahrenheit
Time: 4-5 minutes in the morning

Note: I had to clean my cup since I have been drinking many black teas as the coloring of my cup seem to have been altered; It is my favorite cup and large enough for tea leaves. After scrubbing my cup to its original color and warming it with hot water; I open my newly bag of Lotus Tea and take one (full) spoonful of the leaves and add this in my cup and waited for the cold water to boil and when it is boiling I pour the water over the leaves in the cup and let to stand for about five minutes.

Tea’s aroma is lovely floral bouquet; the lotus blossoms are on top of the leaves, I like how the leaves become fuller and their coloring a bit darker with the added water. I strained the tea into a smaller cup and take note of the brownish color of the tea and its aroma. Tea is smooth and warm, very mild tea and not at all astringent.

Overall, this tea is a sweet calming cup of tea to be enjoyed throughout the day.

2nd Steeping: 5 minutes
Water temperature: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: brewed another cup for about 5 minutes about an hour later into the morning.

Note: My second steeping of teas tend to convey how I will continue to drink the tea throughout the day. I plan on having this tea for the rest of morning and mid-day, as I will be having it mildly warm, not quite ice tea but cool enough.

I like the sweetness that this tea continue to offer and that I need not add a thing to it other than boiled water and to simply let it cool down.

I cannot express enough how happy I am with this tea. It is luxury in a cup.

A review of Golden Peach (Premium Organic) Tea by St. Dalfour

Date: 09/14/2012
Company: St. Dalfour
Tea Name: Golden Peach Tea (Premium Organic)
Tea Type/Varietal: Black
Region: Sri Lanka
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: Cup/tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: golden brown/ amber
Leaf Characteristics:

1. Steepings

1st Steeping: 2 good steeps
Water temperature: 190 Fahrenheit
Time: 3 minutes

Note: I took one tea bag and put it in my cup and add pure boiling water into the cup and leaving it to steep for a few minutes. Once done, I remove the tea bag and take in the tea’s aroma which is that of peach. Upon taste tea is very smooth and malty in taste and tea’s color is a darkish brown, in the light directly it is an amber color with the yellow dew immersing in the cups middle.

I am unsure if it is me or that the tea taste sterile because it is organic tea, I find that things that are organically made tend to be very cleanly like with that medicinal quality to it.

2nd Steeping: I would rate this second steep a 5* good tea.
Water temperature: 190 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

Note: Using the same tea bag I pour more water into my cup and leave it to steep; this time tea is still very strong but the color is lighter, seeing more of the lighter aspect of the amber, yellow/orange/brown coloring is playing in my cup. The tea’s aroma is still that of peach tea. I let it cool a bit more and removed the bag sometime later and pour it in my tea jug with some ice in the jug.

I am trying this tea as iced tea flavored water. It is nice if one just have to have flavored water and none else. The peach is ideally played with the coldness of the ice and this Ceylon tea is aptly blended with the peach when served as iced tea.

I did not like this tea when first I tried it and returning to it months later and adjusting it to my taste (although I am not an ice tea drinker), I found a way to enjoy this peach tea.

A review of Premium Blend of Orange Pekoe & Pekoe Cut Black Tea by Market Basket

Date: 09/11/2012
Company: Market Basket
Tea Name: Premium Blend of Orange Pekoe & Pekoe Cut Black Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: Black
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: Cup/ tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: Bright orange color (amber)
Leaf Characteristics: Tea bag when not wet smells mildly of tea; it is grainy sounding in the bag. When steeped it is a bit stronger in the smell of the folded-leaves (at times fanned) causing tea to color quickly in the cup as opposed to other teas.

1. Steepings 4-5 good steep with same tea bag

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 190 Fahrenheit
Time: 3 minutes

Note: This tea has a nice floral aroma; it is a good cup of tea for the pricing.

2nd Steeping:
Water temperature: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

Note: Teas odor continues to be a lovely aromatic brew and colors right away as one fills the cup. In taste, tea is smooth and clean with a full body since taste remains the same throughout drinking this tea.

A review of Sencha Fuka-midori by Den’s Tea

Date: 09/10/2012
Company: Den’s Tea
Tea Name: Sencha Fuka-midori
Tea Type/Varietal: Green
Region: Shizuoka, Japan
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: Cup/leaf
Plucking Season: First Flush
Liquor Color: light green
Leaf Characteristics: Tea leaves are finely cut and smells soft and green; grassy outdoor like after having cut the grass. And there is hint of roasting smell when one opens the sealed bag of tea with leaves.

Once steep for few minutes the leaves smells of moisture, that greenish vegetable smell of steam cut green beans or broccoli. It is a sweet smell, very pleasant to the palate.

1. Steepings 2 good steeps

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 180 Fahrenheit
Time: 1 minute

Note: This tea’s aroma is wonderfully green veggies like. It has a delicate sweetness upon smelling and tasting it with a very mild astringency. Overall this tea has a flowery light aroma with a light green color.

2nd Steeping:
Water temperature: 160 Fahrenheit
Time: 30 seconds to 1 minute

Note: With the water slightly cooler and shorter steep I find that the tea’s color is still a light green and creamy lightness in tasting of green veggies. This time there is hardly any astringency with this second cup. It is now a very pleasant tasting cup of tea.

I am looking forward to steeping the leaves a bit longer with the hope of getting that heady green veggie smell or that freshly raw melon dew aroma as the leaves settle at the bottom of my tea jug for this day.

Thank you, Den’s Tea for making such fine Green teas.

A review of Orange Green Tea & Blackcurrant by London Fruit & Herb Company

Date: 9/6/2012
Company: London Fruit & Herb Company
Tea Name: Green Tea & Blackcurrant
Tea Type/Varietal: Green
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: Cup/ tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: purple
Leaf Characteristics: The tea bag before steeping smells very strongly of blackcurrant and the hibiscus. It is a sweet smell. After steeping for three minutes tea bag still smells of strongly of blackcurrant; it is a misty type of smell.

1. Steeping (s) 3-4 good steeps

1st Steeping: scale of 1-10, rating is a 5
Water temperature: 170 Fahrenheit
Time: 3 minutes

Note: The tea’s liquor is a lovely purplish color with a sweet aroma. The hibiscus intermingles with the blackcurrants and makes for a lovely fruity bouquet.

I find I enjoy this tea best with longer steeps since it is more pronounce in taste and aromatic brewing.

2nd Steeping: scale of 1-10 rating is an 8+
Water temperature: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 4-5 minutes

Note: Tea’s color is a lovely purple and makes me think of Concord grape and the nose of tea is that of a floral bouquet to be enjoyed while gazing outside into one’s back yard filled with trees and plants.

It is a pleasurable cup of tea to be enjoyed since at times one can feel as if drinking one of those wine coolers or spirits flavored with grapes.

I like this tea for its wine cooling effect/aroma.

A review of Roasted Barley Tea by Meiji

Date: 09/05/2012
Company: Meiji
Tea Name: Roasted Barley Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: Black
Region: Japan
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: Cup/ tea pouch
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: Golden amber
Leaf Characteristics: tea pouch smells very strongly of burnt wood, making one think of smoke prior to even immersing tea pouch in water for steeping. Once tea pouch is infused in the water the twigs do seem to appear more and the scent of smoke is still very potent. It is a roasted brew.

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 10:00 AM

Note: Today, I decided to fix myself a jug of this Roasted Barley Tea that I had purchased at the Miso International Market when last there.

Tea’s aroma is of a roasted flavoring; like when out in the woods with open pit fire or the burning of woods. Tea is malty in taste and is full in body. Tea’s color is dark amber and one tea pouch can be reused for up to eight steeps.

Right now, I have one tea bag in my tumbler and continue to add (boiled) water that has been let to cool and I continue to refill my tumbler. Hopefully this will be my drink of choice for the rest of day.

This tea would be well accompanied with some of those rice snacks treats, unfortunately I have none and I am too far away from an Asian market to obtain some. Oh well, here is to wistfulness a bliss!

2nd Steeping:
Water temperature: 150 Fahrenheit
Time: 11:00 AM

Note: Water is cooler since I will continue to refill my tumbler throughout the day. I like to think of this way in having this tea as flavored water smelling very strongly of roasted pines perhaps. The flavoring of tea when cool is very formidable; similarly when hot. It is strong tea, nothing weakens it seem to stand each infusions with one tea pouch.

A review of Orange Pekoe & Pekoe Cut Black Tea by Clear Value

Date: 09/05/2012
Company: Clear Value
Tea Name: Orange Pekoe & Pekoe Cut Black Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: Black
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: Cup / one tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: bright orange
Leaf Characteristics: tea bags are double with perforating line and no tags and smells very strong of tea leaves and some permeating the tea box. It smells of tea and it is nice.

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 190 Fahrenheit
Time: 9:00 AM

Note: This is another tea that I purchased while grocery shopping. I bought two teas, thinking one was a green tea but not.
As this is an inexpensive tea, it can be had daily and at anytime of the day. I am having this cup of hot tea with very hot boiling water and steep for five minutes. It is hot and strong and color is brightly orange like or that golden glow of amber stone.

It is smooth cup of tea and smells of roasted leaves. It is good tea for the money and this reminds me of the family brand tea I have purchased from the Family Dollar store; tea bags (doubly joined are similar as well as the box coloring) but this brand is of Clear Value.

Overall, it is good tea for the value and it will make for good iced tea as well; thus the reason for purchasing it.

A review of Orange Pekoe and Pekoe Black Tea by Price Chopper

Date: 09/03/2012
Company: Price Chopper
Tea Name: Orange Pekoe and Pekoe Black Tea (Decaffeinated)
Tea Type/Varietal: Black
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: Cup / one tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: Bright orange/amber
Leaf Characteristics: teas are all individually bagged with strings, one can smell of the leaves and roasting as it makes me think of coffee flakes somewhat. It is strongly in odor (dried in the box) prior to brewing. When brewed, the raw smell becomes milder but still of smelling of roastedness.

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 190 Fahrenheit
Time: 10:00 AM

Note: Using one tea bag into my preheated tea cup, I pour fresh boiling water over the tea bag and left to steep for nearly five minutes. I like the tea’s color which is brightly orange and smell of roasted leaves. This smell is consistent with the dry tea bags in the box of tea as well. Some of the tea is found around the tea box and one can smell of the leaves, smelling of roasted acorn like but it is leaf.

I did not mean to purchase this tea (decaffeinated) or more Orange Pekoe tea; I actually thought I was purchasing a store brand green tea since the box is greenish in color and it was next to another brand of Pekoe tea so I took of each kind and when I got home noted the are both pekoe (different brands) so box are different and one is decaffeinated.

I am not sure that I can discern the difference is the decaf and not. Taste is malt like and roasted cup of black tea. I am having it plain and very hot and it seems very nice tea.

Nothing jumps out more other than the roastedness in the box upon opening it, one can definitely say this is tea. I have not experience this with other teas of the same tea type and name from another store.

2nd Steeping: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 11:00 AM

Note: I simply add more boiling water into my cup while using same tea bag throughout the morning. Color is still darkly orange and taste is smooth and roasted in smell; at times seeming like of a milder cup of coffee, very faintly because of the roasted smell that continues to be present in the cup.

It is unusual to me since decaffeinated means that something is removed, yet this tea seems more potent than most other orange pekoe. Weird?

A review of Pu-erh Loose Tea by Stash Tea Company
This is another tea I found buried in my cupboard while cleaning it out. I am happy to have another tasting of this pu-erh.

Date: 08/27/2012
Company: Stash Tea Company
Tea Name: Pu-erh Loose Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: Black /
Region: China
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: Cup / one teaspoon
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: Red
Leaf Characteristics: Tea leaves are dry and very fine and darken/ashen color. After boiling/steeping in water the tea leaves are wet and still very dark; they don’t unfold that much and they are soft and moist and not bitter when tasted.

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 212 Fahrenheit
Time: 4:30 p.m.

Note: I take one teaspoon of the remaining tea leaves and having brought the water to a boil I let the teas steep in a mug for a few minutes. I scoop out some of the tea leaves and strain the tea into another cup all the while admiring the red liquor.

Tea is earthy in taste; like moisten earth and smell of moisture. It is best describe of tea pouch bag from Stash: This tea has a slightly earthy taste.

2nd Steeping:
Water temperature: 212 Fahrenheit
Time: 5:00 p.m.

Notes: Tea is steep longer and with hotter water using the same leaves from previous steep. The tea color remains red with that moisten earthy smell and is not as strong as with the shorter steep. The tea leaves remain their dark color and does not unfold any more than they had already. They seem damp and sticking to other leaves.

I continue to enjoy this pu-erh late into the day and the teas color does lighten each time, down to pale yellow and taste very mildly of earth with remnants of moisture.

When I had this tea several months earlier, I did not appreciate it since it seems to lack depth; I remember thinking it was blah and boring. With my Tea Notes from Bon Teavant, this forces me to rethink and examine the tea more and with that I find that this pu-erh taste as it should have and nothing more or less.

The Tea Notes are a bit difficult for me and I realize some major errors that I have been making as a tea taster and at times mixing up Celsius and Fahrenheit without the realization since there is none to correct me; so I go stumbling blindly until something like the Tea Notes comes along. I need to add that I don’t always read things through, another fallacy on my part.

Do forgive my errors and happy teas!

A review of 100% Natural Green Tea by Market Basket

Date: 08/27/2012
Company: Market Basket
Tea Name: 100% Natural Green Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: Tea bags
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: Cup/ one tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: brownish yellow
Leaf Characteristics:

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:

I always have water on the fire so that when I want a cup of tea; the water is heated and readied. I take one tea bag and after rinsing my cup with warm water, I put the tea bag into cup and pour some of the water from the pan. I leave this to steep for a few minutes.

After sometime, I take my tea and note that it is light brownish color and smell of grass, marine algae even and wet. When sipped it is astringent and drying as well as refreshing for this palate.

I need not make excuses for having this tea. It is a cheap store brand tea that I enjoy, although I don’t like going to this chain of grocers but my husband likes to shop there. I bare and go with him at times but most times I stay away seeming that is what the associates seem to want.

I have tried Stop and Shop tea brands and it is does not compare. It is too light, to faint for a green tea making me think it is not tea leaves in tea bags or they use much less leaves (if any at all). With the Market Basket Brand I can see from opening the tea bag that is finely shredded tea leaves.

It is sad that I cannot shop anywhere and have peace, but it is my problem solely. I must remember it is a tea review. I like this inexpensive green tea and one that is actually even better than the Market Basket brand is Trader Joe’s but I cannot get there. Husband does not shop there. So what am I saying?

I would drink more green teas by Trader Joes’ than others brands!

A review of Bai Mu Dan Tea by Canton Tea Co. in Bristol, UK

This is left over tea from last year’s Steepster Select pack that I had received and I am very surprised to find that I had some left.

Date: 08/26/2012
Company: Canton Tea Co.
Tea Name: Bai Mu Dan
Tea Type/Varietal: White
Region: Fuding, China
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: Cup / one spoonful of tea leaves
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: Yellow, very light orange
Leaf Characteristics: small leaves finely cut

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
I use one tablespoon of tea leaves and once the water starts to boil; about 180 Fahrenheit I turn the water off and pour some of it into my cup. I leave it to steep for two minutes.
After the steep time of two minutes I remove the saucer covering my tea cup and try to take in the tea’s color and aroma. It is a lovely golden yellow color with a very soft smell, sweetly but not quite.

Tea’s scent makes me think of nectar or peach and not at all ripened. Just hints of this and when I take a sip it is to find a delicate and fruity flavor with each sip I take. I think overall tea tastes more like it is fruited or scented with nectarine and it is quite nice.

2nd Steeping
I decided to make more of this tea for the day and use more water with cooler water (160 Fahrenheit) and left to steep longer for a few minutes.
The tea leaves are fuller, damp and wet and smell of leafy greens veggies. The leaves are green.

I remove the tea leaves and put them in the saucer next to my cup. I let the tea sit to cool and take another cup and I pour some of the tea from the pan and into my cup. It is a faint yellow color and the aroma is still fruit like and when sipping tea I find this brew to be very smooth with a light drying effect to the back of the throat when swallowed. Overall, first steep with hotter water weakens the tea somehow, it seems to taste better with the cooler temperature which brings about the tea’s truer character: a cup of nectar or melon dew like tea.
This is a very fine cup of tea; so mild and sweet to make you want more of it.

A review of Green Tea & Black Currant by London Fruit & Herb Company

Date: 08\25\2012
Company: The London Fruit & Herb Company
Tea Name: Green Tea & Blackcurrant
Tea Type/Varietal: tea bags
Region: U.K.
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: Cup / one tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: Concord grape color (bluish purple)
Leaf Characteristics:

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:

Bring water to boil in a small pan to about 180 Fahrenheit in temperature, I take one tea bag and place this in my cup and then pour the water into my cup and leave to steep for five minutes.

This teas aroma is so much that it fills the room with sweet currants. Infusing the air around you and making you want to simply inhale and when I do have a sip of this tea it is as my nostrils were to have been dictating; sweetness and warmth is in the air.

This is good for you tea: The London Fruit & Herb Company prides itself in creating great tasting blends. Their unique process includes 20 fruit flavour infusions so that no part of the tea is absent of flavor. What you taste and is met with first sip is the same throughout the drinking experience.

This tea can be strong (at times reminding me of that purple drink that children loved to drink) it is not that, this is good tea and can be made lighter or stronger. This is not a tea that I would indulge in daily but on rare occasions. Leave in your cupboard in the back and forget about it; and find it one day by accident and fix yourself a cup of hot tea or it is even better served as iced tea.

Not fully using Tea Notes for this review:

A review of Indar Tea by Ets Indar

Date: 08\24\2012
Company: Ets Indar—Compagnie coloniale
Tea Name: Indar Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: tea bags
Region: India
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: Cup / One tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: dark malt color
Leaf Characteristics:

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:

The directions say to use one tea bag per cup of tea made. Using freshly drawn water I fill a small pan and let it boil fully. I take one tea bag and place this in my cup and when water is just starting to boil, I lower the fire and wait for the water to settle and pour some of the water into my cup. I leave it to steep for a few minutes.

This is a special blend of carefully chosen teas from Ceylon Assam Darjeeling and scented with oil of bergamot; a citrus fruit grown in the Mediterranean and sprayed on the leaves after manufacturing.

This tea brews a lovely malt color, it is not brightly as Ceylon teas alone, this is slightly brownish red and teas aroma has hints of roasted malt throughout. It is creamy in texture and the oil of bergamot is not prevalent; it is very mild. Taste is complex; it is malt tea which I like and not flowery as Darjeeling teas tend to be.

Overall, this tea is robust and malty since the tea’s liquor is more reddish than brown. I would think that I am drinking a cup of Assam/Ceylon tea.

I continue to add to my delightful purchases of things to do with tea when I can. I made a purchase finally with Bon Teavant for their Tea Notes (Tea Dairy/Journal) and I began using it and have tried to record some of the teas that I have been sampling. I must say that it takes getting use to. And it does contain information to assist you with your recording. It is pen and notepad for when there is not a computer/type pad available, I supposed.
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This review is done from my notes using the Tea Notes guide:

A review of Slim Lotus Tea (Natural Pure Extract) by In Nature

Date: 08\23\2012
Company: In Nature Tea
Tea Name: Lotus Tea (Slim Tea Line)
Tea Type/Varietal:
Region: China
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: Cup / One spoonful of leaves
Plucking Season: this is a summer tea, so late spring season for plucking.
Liquor Color: Golden orb
Leaf Characteristics: tea leaves are cut squares like and sm/med in size; they are in green in color and remain this color. The lotus buds have a red/pinkish tip.

1. Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water Temp: 185 Fahrenheit
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Notes: Tea is very mild and floral in taste. It steeps a golden color liken an egg yolk with the light shinning directly into it. There is the lotus smell and flavoring throughout the tea, evenly distributed.
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2nd Steeping:
Water Temp: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Notes: I am using a larger pan to make a pot of tea lasting for the remainder of the day. Tea leaves still remains very crisp, no folding of leaves. They are wet but not damp; it seems as if the water rolls off. The leaves still appear to be very crisp, well slightly less than with less boiling/steeping. They are softer and smelling more of leafy/green like veggies. Teas aroma is sweetly floral and tea is sweeter with this longer steep time and hints of lotus flower plant still remains.

With shorter steep time tea is more potently stronger but not necessarily nicer. I find making a bigger pot of tea, or in a larger pan and allowing the leaves to be immersed in water slightly longer to cook gives it more substance which brings about the teas many aspects.

Using Tea Notes seems a bit more work as it is newly way of recording my tea tasting. It does make me more aware of what is in my cup and why. Thank you Bon Teavant for Tea Notes.