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568 Tasting Notes

Pure Spring Green Tea  (Bilo Chun) by In Nature from In Nature
85

A review of Pure Spring Green Tea (Bilo Chun) by In Nature

I decided to have another round of this pure high-grade loose green tea. I placed on small handful of loose leaves into the pot and poured fresh water and left to boil for a few minutes. I boiling it direct and letting it steam up nicely to inhale the aroma.

It is very marine/algae in scent; to the nose it is green algae, marine experience at play. I quickly turn off the fire since it has come to full boil. Now letting it cool, the liquor is a lightest green but when the leaves are removed it is yellow in color. The smell is very green and makes me think of broccoli or spinach.

The leaves are buttery and smells sweetly. I pour myself a small cup and it is indeed a delight. It is smooth and slightly astringent with a drying effect on the palette. After the second sip I can enjoy the sweet buttery liquor to be found in this green tea.

It is amazing how these finely crisp dry leaves can become full leaves when boiled and they do retain their greens.

This indeed is pure spring green tea; does make one think of a morning dew to be found in the springtime. Bilo Chun is lovely tea. Again, thank you In Nature for finally sending this tea my way.

Organic Earl Grey Black and Green from Stash Tea Company
73

A review of Earl Grey Black & Green Tea by STASH Tea

This is a blend of 100% natural ingredients; equally distributed blend of organic black tea and organic green tea and organic bergamot oil.

I brew this tea bag in a cup of hot water for a few minutes and left the cover on for a bit longer than a few minutes. I want to note the bergamot (citrus flavor) more with this mixture. It smells lovely; not as malty as a black tea and certainly not astringent or grassy.

Taste is light in the body since I cannot tell at first if this is black or green tea. I would say since there appears to be no vegetal in the taste that it is characteristic of black tea and somewhat robust; mildly robust.

I would need more of this tea to enjoy it more; one small tea bag is not enough. Thank you Stash Tea for the sample.

Organic Celtic Breakfast from Choice Organic Teas
77

A review of Organic Celtic Breakfast by Choice Organic Teas

I poured over one tea bag in a cup some boiling water and left to steep for few minutes. The teas aroma is robust and richly dark. Upon tasting I can taste the malt of the Assam; leaving my palette with a drying effect at the back of throat.

It is smooth as it is robust and I am thinking this would make for a nice cup of iced tea. So I placed several tea bags in the pot and filled it with boiling water and left to brew for several minutes longer. I note the color is dark red…more amber than red. And the aroma is strong and invigorating.

I left it to cool for close to 15 minutes and took a taller glass and retrieved several iced cubes and placed them in the glass with a spoon of sugar and poured in the tea; stirring the tea, the sugar blends nicely with its coloring and to garnish I added on sliced (finely sliced) lemon and let that fall into the glass and this is was how the day unfolded with my Celtic Breakfast Iced tea; a favored refreshment of fine organic teas from Assam and Ceylon.

It is very good.

One last thing to note:
The tea bags in this package are made with unbleached natural fibers with a high barrier envelope that protects the freshness and flavor of the tea.

I am thinking guaranteed freshness with every cup of tea.

English Breakfast Tea from Hemani
60

A review of English Breakfast Tea by Hemani

I am reminded that this is a full-bodied black tea. And I am a fan of the Hemani brand from having tried several of their teas. No reason in particular, other than it is accessible and quite cheaper. I can obtain it without having to pay postage charge since I can purchase it directly in their store when I venture to hairdresser’s area. How odd of me.

Anyhow, I put one tea bag in cup and poured the boiling water in the cup and leave to steep for few minutes. This tea brews very hot and the aroma is most pungently sharp. Stands out as Hemani live natural tea.

I take the first sip and it is indeed most dry and a very robust cup of tea. It does need something to even it out so I opted for some honey. Adding one small teaspoon to my cup and stirring it. When I taste this it is better; sweet malt; not licorice but like that of natural raw sugar sweet.

English Breakfast tea is made of highest quality Ceylon tea, which gives them a strong and rich flavoring, and for me adding the honey makes it smoother on the palette and not raw malt.

Mixed with the honey is most delightful, rosy scenting even.

English Tea No. 1 from Ahmad Tea
80

A review of English Tea No. 1 by Ahmad Tea

I want to compare this tea with my other English teas to see if indeed I can note differences in the cup. As yet I have not been able.

I placed one tea bag into my cup and added boiling water and left to steep for a few minutes. I am having it plain since I want to enjoy more of the bergamot flavor that is to be found in the cup.

Aroma is most dry, scenting fruity; citrus to be exact and having a dry palette when first tasted. As this tea is lightly flavored with the bergamot makes it smoother in taste; the malt is lessened somehow, yet having still a dry effect on the palette.

Pure Spring Green Tea  (Bilo Chun) by In Nature from In Nature
85

A review of Pure Spring Green Tea (Bilo Chun) by In Nature

Using fresh cold water, I put to boil, when it comes to a rolling boil I turn off the pan. In opening this package I notice the thin foil that it comes in, like those found in coffee tins at times. It is shiny silver and the smell of the leaves are wonderful, smelling of milk or that dew melon I tend to think of when drinking some finer green teas.

I place one heaping teaspoon of the leaves into my mug and fill this with the boiled water and left to steep for few minutes. I like how at first, the leaves are crunchy and finely curled and once having poured the water into the cup they unfurl to a lovely green color at the bottom of the cup.

Tea’s color is very light green, and with the leaves at the bottom of the cup to enliven the green’s color all the more. Nosing this tea is to think of grassiness, that fresh cut grass smell to it, a nice effect.

I sip this tea slowly since I know it is very astringent and not bitter, but it does leave the palette dryer, some coating effect on the tongue.

With the second steep infusion for two minutes, using the same tea leaves I find that the grassiness is lessened and tea is not as sharply astringent. This time it is more herbal like and something of the silkiness is coming through with this second infusion.

I remember to remove the tea leaves from the cup and drink the second infusion without the leaves since as they stay in the cup it would be bitter.

Overall, 1st steep: tea is very grassy in taste with a lively mouth-drying effect on the tongue. It is refreshing and clean.
2nd steep: tea is softer, lush even with a silkiness to it making one think of milk or the dew found in some melons.

I must say; something about this tea reminds me of the Sencha Shinrikyu Tea by the Tao of Tea sampler pack that I tried last year. They are both nice teas.

Thank you In Nature for sending me this Bilo Chun (Pure Spring Green Tea) to try. It is exceptional.

Organic Celtic Breakfast from Choice Organic Teas
77
Organic Celtic Breakfast from Choice Organic Teas
77

A review of Celtic Breakfast by Choice Organic Teas

I filled a small pan with freshly drawn water and let water come to a full boil. I placed one tea bag into cup, and poured the hot water over tea bag in the cup, allowing to brew for 4 minutes for the flavors to unfold to their fullest. Also to be able to breathe in the aroma as it is presented in the steam rising from the cup. I like this aspect of getting a sense of the tea’s flavor through one’s nostrils. What it conjures prior to having had a sip of the tea.

Tea’s color is a dark red with first steep, I notice later when adding more water to the cup that the color does lighten to amber’s golden dew. Still dark, but not red is all.

This is not a bouquet type tea since it is too robust and smells of malt, there is a rawness to it. It is an equal combination of Assam tea leaf with Ceylon teas from mountain estates which keeps the blend strikingly smooth.

I choose to add one teaspoon of sugar to tea with the second steep as this enhances the malt and robustness that is to be found in this cup of tea.

Overall, this tea is described as “a malty tea of strength,” and it is indeed that.

Authentic  Wu-Yi (Premium Blend) Tea from Wu-Yi Source
60

A review of Authentic Wu-Yi Tea (Premium Blend) by Wu-Yi Source

Ingredients:
Oolong Tea, Natural Apple Flavor

Brewing Instructions:
To savor the full flavor and produce the best results from our tea, bring fresh water to a rolling boil. Pour hot water directly over the tea bag in a standard size mug. Brew 3-5 minutes or to desired taste. One bag makes 8 ounces of hot Wu-Yi tea.
For Iced Tea:
Brew tea, chill, then pour over ice and serve with fresh sliced lemon

Contains approximately 30mg of caffeine per 8-oz (250mL) cup.

I brewed this tea for a few minutes and left to steep. Tea color is a light amber. I have decided to add a small slice of lime to it since tea odor is most faint. The lemon does seem to liven the tea for a citrus aroma and mingling nicely throughout.

I do like this tea; it is mild in body and flavor. Not at all astringent, but I cannot seem to discern the apple flavor to be found in tea, prior to adding the lemon that is.

I had purchased this tea last year and it was close to its expiration date, so perhaps that is why I cannot discern the apple flavoring since it must have evaporated somehow. Tea does not taste stale or flat; it is just plain Oolong tea, the kind one drinks after dinner at a restaurant serving Chinese/Cantonese/Taiwan cuisine. Tea washes down nicely after a full meal.

Orange Pekoe and Pekoe Cut Black Tea from Family Pantry
77

A review of Orange Pekoe and Pekoe Cut Black Tea by Family Pantry

Having bought fresh cold water to a full boil, I place one tea bag in a cup and add the boiling water to it and left to steep for five minutes.

This tea’s color is golden amber and scenting of citrus. I wanted to try the first cup with no sweetener or milk, to enjoy it plain. It has a very mild malty taste to it. It is not heavy on the palette, and no after taste. It has a drying effect once swallowed.

Having purchased this tea at a Family dollar store for daily consumption, I think that it is well worth the cup. An exceptionally mild-malty cup of tea that of Orange Pekoe.

Organic Celtic Breakfast from Choice Organic Teas
77

A review of Celtic Breakfast by Choice Organic Teas

Ingredients: Organic Black Teas from Assam and Ceylon

After having brought freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. I put one tea bag in my mug and poured the water into the cup. Allowing to steep for a full five minutes for the flavors to unfold to their fullest.

Tea’s color is dark reddish amber, and smells very robust and malty at the same time. I have decided to add 1 teaspoon of honey so that I may appreciate the maltiness more and less of the robust.

This tea is already richly flavored so adding the honey just enhances its full-bodied richness.
______________________

2011 Yang Pin Hao Jing Mai Raw Puerh Tea from China Cha Dao
78

A review of 2011 Yang Pin Hao Jing Mai (Raw Pu-erh) Tea by China Cha Dao

I am somewhat disappointed with the Stash Pu-erh and remembered I still had some of the samples from China Cha Dao store pu-erh and today I selected to brew their 2011 Yang Pin Hao Jing Mai.

I placed the leaves after having rinsed them once with warm water in pot to boil for few minutes. I love the teas’ color once brewed; a very dark reddish color and smelling of earth. I like this effect upon my nostrils so much so that I stood there over the stove just inhaling, taking a deep breath of it.

Anyhow, after sometime I did pour myself a cup of tea to enjoy. The rawness of this tea hits me right away; on first sip it is plain, musty with an earthy undertone. The more I sipped and allowed the tea to play around my palette the more I could enjoy the minerals it conjure…supplements like zinc and ion comes to mind and eventually that raw pineapple flavor I have noticed in the past from other pu-erh sampled came to be found in this tea.

I am happy to have a full pot of this and I can cook it again two more times. I must remember to note that samples from Cha Dao are usually ample. Thank you.

2011 Yang Pin Hao Jing Mai Raw Puerh Tea from China Cha Dao
78
2011 Yang Pin Hao Jing Mai Raw Puerh Tea from China Cha Dao
78
Kopili Assam from Stash Tea Company
82

A review of Kopili Assam Black Tea by Stash Tea

I continue to enjoy this tea while mixing it with my Açai Berry tea from The Republic of Tea. I took one Kopili Assam and two of the Açai Berry tea and added boiling water and left to steep for 2-½ minute. I chose to steep for a lesser time than usual because I wanted the flavoring to be more elevated. I want the berries to intermingle more with the Assam; to have it be creamier and less malty. But what I have accomplished is to have the flavoring of the berries trying to keep up with the malt the full-bodied effect.

I mixed the berries for flavoring where one might add milk, cream and sugar I have opted for a natural fruity blend.

Pu-erh Loose Tea from Stash Tea Company
79

A review of Pu-erh (Loose Tea) by Stash Tea

I am trying to find enjoyment with drinking this red liquor. It is steeped properly for a few minutes as recommended and the tealeaves unfold very nicely. And in sipping the tea there is nothing in particular to notice other than the earthy taste and raw even.

I just cannot seem to get excited with this tea as I have done with other pu-erh; again perhaps my state of mind, as right now it is lacking clarity, making for clouded judgment. True, but nothing special about this pu-erh.

English Breakfast Tea from Hemani
60

A review of English Breakfast Tea by Hemani

This tea is wrapped in a foil package and when opened it is very lovely; smelling of strong roast.

I place on tea bag in a cup of boiling water & leave for a few minutes with a covered lid. As I wait for tea to steep I am reminded that this is fine quality Ceylon Tea meaning that it is blended with only the finest leaves giving it a strong and rich flavored tea.

This tea is lovely, it is a robust black tea and goes well with a bit of honey stirring. I think best to say medium body with a brisk character is the overall characteristic of this tea.

Kukicha Twig (Organic Japanese) from Haiku
72

A review of Kukicha (Twig Tea) by Haiku

I like the roast smelling of twigs making me think of being outdoors by the burning of woods. I decided to brew this tea using two tea bags placed in cup and adding boiling water for a few minutes. I was not disappointed. Tea color was very dark amber and the smell of the twigs was very prevalent.

I enjoyed sipping this tea through out the day since having made a whole pot of it. I know that each varietals was to have been roasted separately in order to bring out its rich flavor and this I am noting in the taste. It is of a smoky aroma and I think smokers would like this tea since it does make on think of smoking and of burning of woods.

The caffeine level is more concentrated in the leaves and twig tea is to be very mild, yet having drunk this tea throughout the day, I did find myself feeling restless at times and not quite able to relax as I normally would. Perhaps it is not the tea, just my fragile state of being lately.

Overall, tea has fullness with a very smoky aroma; a fragrance that is very inviting to those liking the smelling of smoke, smokers or specifically those who have given up smoking may enjoy this inhaling this tea for its aroma. I like that this tea makes me think of burning wood, a roasting fire even and something that men has been enjoying for centuries.

Kopili Assam from Stash Tea Company
82

A review of Kopili Assam Tea by Stash Tea Company

I am enjoying having a full box of this tea since I can mix it with my Acai tea to add that hibiscus and berries to the tea.

I took one tea bag of each tea and placed in my mug and added full boiling water to the cup. I left to steep for almost five minutes with cover on. I was anticipating the tea’s liquor to be very lively and I was not disappointed. Tea’s color was a very dark almost purplish color; dark red, and it smelled wonderfully sweet. I think the Assam took the berries with hibiscus very nicely.

The strength of the Assam is very bold, and by adding the Acai berry, it softened it and made it a livelier cup without milk or sugar. Next time I might add two or three Acai Berry tea bags to one bag of Assam.

Overall, it was a cup of malt interlaced with Acai Berry to bring out the sweet liquor in the cup. It is still a long way since Assam pairs better with milk and sugar.

Bien Etre from Sultan
79

A review of Bien Etre Tea by Sultan

I brewed this tea for only two minutes and added a small slice of lemon to tea to make it doubly lemony. I was trying to have a Chamomile like cup of tea with this verveine ingredient.

I find this is a good tea to relax with midday or end of day. It smells wonderfully citron of lime since adding this to tea. It is a cup of well-being.

Bien Etre from Sultan
79
Bien Etre from Sultan
79
Green Tea Rose Flavour from Hemani
48

A review of Green Tea Rose Flavour by Hemani

This tea is very potently strong, having that medicinal of quality and when brewed for three minutes and the tea’s aroma continues to do injury to surrounding air. It is not bad if one does not mind the smelling of a sterile and overly clean palate.

Tea is refreshingly clean and more than mildly astringent of vegetal qualities.

I am hoping that it will grow on me since I intend to drink it despite taste and odor.

100% Natural Green tea from Demoulas Super Markets Inc.
78

A review: 100% Natural Green Tea by Demoulas Market

Using one tea bag and adding fresh boiling water in my cup I left it to steep for 1½ minute as suggested. With the shorter steep the astringency is more noticeable. It is not bitter, but there is heaviness on the tongue; kind of like a stinging effect. It is a clean palette tea since there is no off taste. At times a simple cup of green tea is like that freshness of breath one gets early in the day after using astringent to clean the mouth. I mean to say like using scope or something as similar.

Profile

Bio

I have been with Steepster.com for over a year, and as I have been able to maneuver the tea blog page that I created, I am continuing with maintaining this tea blog along with the reviewing of tea books and all things to do with having tea.

My wish is to maintain this blog as I have seen others do with their own compiling for years and years it seems.

Thank you for this site.

Location

Sterling, MA

Website

http://seule771.wordpress.com

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