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568 Tasting Notes

Kopili Assam from Stash Tea Company
82

This is tea is made of 100% Natural Ingredients…

Brewing instruction:
For best flavor steep for 3-5 minutes

Tea is dark amber in color

Brewing this tea longer for the full 5 minutes does result in a distinctive full-bodied tea that is darker with malt for flavoring. Tea is more robust that that of the London Cuppa. The London Cuppa is more roasted it seems than this Assam black tea. I want to say it is earthy tasting, I think I mean to say it is strong tea, purer than the London Cuppa.

In all, my days have been spent comparing these teas as they are very similar in nature, however, The Kopili Assam tea does stand out as being more assertive by far. Taste can be too strong but if one is a coffee drinker and wanting to switch to teas, then this would make for a good choice. Possibly.

The London Cuppa from The London Cuppa
81

For a great Cuppa, pour fresh boiling water onto a tea bag in the cup. Allow cuppa to stand for 2-3 minutes, which will reveal true flavor of the cuppa. Alternatively, if you are making a brew using a teapot allow one tea bag per cuppa. Allow pot to stand for 3-4 minutes, gently stir pouring the brew.

I decided to fix myself a cup of the London Cuppa since I have not had it in a while. I still have a few of those round sachets left. Using my new tea mug I placed one tea bag in a cup and poured fresh boiling water onto the bag in the cup. Allowing it to brew for between 2-3 minutes.

I am pleased to say this was a good choice in starting my day. The cup is a nice and hot tea brew. A lovely dark malt color and smelling of mild roasted brew. The taste is robust, deep and very rich, malt is all I can think to say of the flavoring in the cup.

Kopili Assam from Stash Tea Company
82
China Black Tea With Rose Loose Leaf from Golden Dragon
57

This China Rose Black Tea that I have is in loose leaf; a tin full. And I wanted to see how tasting a cup of this tea would meet with having tasted several other teas of similar type but in tea bags instead of loose leaves.

For this tea, it is best to brew and steep for a lesser time. Two minutes and not a full five minutes if only fixing one cup at a time. It brews strong right away. I find this tea is closer to the Kopili Assam in strength. They are both very assertive teas. The Kopili is probably the nicer of the two teas in quality as well.

For wanting a simple cup of black tea, The China Rose tea will do nicely. Adding sugar and crème to it makes it nicer even. And with the Kopili Assam, the flavoring is a fuller roast, nothing at all weak about this tea.

English Tea No. 1 from Ahmad Tea
80

I fixed myself a cup of this tea with honey today and it was very warm and welcoming. The sweetness made the tasting of it more like liquor, licorise without the anise. As well as brought out the malt flavoring in the cup of tea.

I am happy that I tried it, as such; since I do not usually put anything in my teas. In all the honey enhanced the flavoring; made it richer and bolder for a fuller bodied tea, whole-roundly.

Senna Herbal Tea from Hemani
61

I always begin the New Year in wanting to rid my body of excess. I came to find that this tea can help me to eliminate and flush out my system.

This tea brews a very dark umber when boiled fully. I drink this tea nightly prior to retiring. I sip it slowly since it is my last cup for the day. It is smooth and its laxative quality is most effective.

I am happy to have found this tea and I hope to continue to experience good results. Overall, it is a good tea for ridding of waste-by-products found in the body.

Thank you to the Hemani brand.

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

Tea is golden in color, a lovely umber.

Tea’s aroma is grassy with a vegetal scent. Upon taste, it is mildly astringent. I should note that this is the tea I fall back on when not drinking expensive name brand teas. This is something that I try to keep stocked in my cupboard regularly. I don’t always keep count since it is consumed daily. I like this tea for what it is; which is green tea, a good cup of warmth that may not be of quality in accordance to standard pricey teas. And yet, good just the same.

Orange Pekoe Premium Blend from Demoulas Super Markets Inc.
56

Tea is dark amber in color.

Tea’s aroma is a malt flavor and is best enjoyed with sugar and milk. I prefer it malt-like and at times with a drop of honey, which is nice when, throat is sore from having a cold. This is another one of those market brand teas that I try to keep in stock and consume daily in conjunction with my green tea. I find I can begin the day with this premium blend Pekoe and end the day with their green tea for something lighter.

English Tea No. 1 from Ahmad Tea
80

Tea’s brew is dark amber in color and steeped for 5 minutes.

I wanted to continue with sampling teas flavored with bergamot and I am happy to say this is a very nice cup of tea, brewed freshness is soothing to the throat, and very smooth. There is no sharpness or after taste. With each sip, tea maintains over all quality making for a fine cup of tea.

Kopili Assam from Stash Tea Company
82

I awoke this morning wanting to sample this tea. So I took my new cup, not so new, since I used it the day before last and placed 1 teabag in the cup and added boiling water to the cup and left it to steep for five minutes. When time elapsed, I removed the covering from the cup and took hold of the cup; placing my fingers around the cup and savoring the cup’s warmth while trying to breathe in the fragrance.

Tea is a dark amber in color.

Tea’s aroma is that of black tea; it is very malty with a rich full-body. Within first sip of this tea, I noticed sharpness in the taste, finding it a bit too strong for my palette. I did not add anything to it, just left it plain and very hot. I specifically steeped the tea longest since I wanted to experience the flavor fully. It is not bitter in taste but sharp, leaving for a dry mouth feel at the back of the throat. Not chalky either. It is dry like white wine but not in flavoring.

My second cup of this tea came later in the day, early afternoon while fixing dinner. This steep was for 3 minutes and nothing added to it. The color is amber but not as dark as this morning’s cup. I like what I see of the color and freshness and welcome the sips as I took them. That sharpness in the taste is lessened quite a bit. I like the dry tasting effect of this tea and continue to enjoy it until the last sip.

Overall, tea is a sweet-malt flavor, with a dry note effect liken to a glass of dry white wine. It is not chalky in the taste. I also like this tea for its smoothness, making for a fine drinking tea.

Earl Grey Green Tea from Hemani
40

I brewed this tea for 3 minutes making sure it is very hot. The smell is very strong and medicinal in taste. I am not sure why I have been attributing medicinal to this Earl Grey and yet that is what it makes me think of each time I have had a cup of this. I can tell it is not just green tea since I have had their green teas and it does not hit me as such.

I also tried steeping this tea for 5 minutes and the longer steep seems milder with the same after taste. What I have come to notice is that this tea is one to have an acquired appreciation; and learn to like since upon first trying it one can dismiss it as bad tea or not to their liking.

I can say that I have come to learn to appreciate this tea and dismiss its assertive aroma with longer steeping time. It seems to help. This tea is not for everyone.

Earl Grey from Bentley's
72

I am finishing these Bentley teas from last winter’s stash of borrowed tea. I am guilty for not purchasing them but borrowing them instead, well one does not borrow tea, as I have no intention of replacing them. I might someday give my mother-in-law a box of tea but not as nice as the Bentley chest she received from her own child. Enough, now for the review at hand:

Tea is golden in color, similarly to that of a green tea. What I notice at first breathing in the fragrance of the tea is that it is a smooth smelling tea; none of that oceanic or grassiness in the smell.

I first steeped this tea for 2 minutes and did not wish to add anything to it. It is lovely as is; in taste it is creamy, and very mild. The bergamot oil does make me think I smell orange and I am happy to have finally discerned this since I have been fortunate to come to know that bergamot is a citrus fruit, like an orange.

I like this Earl Grey by Bentley’s.


Buy from: The Boston Tea Company
http://www.bostontea.com/index.cfm/manufacturer/Bentleys-Finest-Tea/10952-___-Royal-Hand-Crafted-Tea-Chest-with-120-Assorted-Tea-Bags-and-BONUS-Removable-Serving-Tray-Lid.html

Tea chest:
http://www.amazon.com/Bentleys-Finest-Grain-Variety-Flavors/dp/B000EMK4VE/ref=sr_1_6?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1330982875&sr=1-6

Hobee's Cinnamon Orange Tea from Hobee's  Restaurants
100

I obtained this tea from a store in Salem, MA and not a likely place for the purchasing of teas. Especially when one is out perusing antique stores. Anyhow, I came across this tin and thought it very lovely and upon touching it and bringing it closer I could not help but smell the cinnamon and orange flavoring pouring out of the tin. I decided that this was left out for me to find. So I took it to the register and the cashier person made a point of removing the lid from the tin to view inside and she took a whiff as well.

This tea has been in my cupboard for a short time this year and today is the day for rendering my new mug with cups of this tea. As I have been enjoying it throughout my morning, mid-day and early this evening.

This tea yields a hearty amber-colored brew.
Tea has a complex aroma with the mixture of cinnamon, orange and clove as being more pronounced to the nose. It is a citrus bouquet of sort, although I am not sure if citrus is a good word choice.

1st steep of this tea for the recommended 5 minutes and strait away is the smell of cinnamon and orange flavor with the cloves intermingling in the cup. I have yet to discern the chamomile flowers.

2nd steep, I tried for 3 minutes and this infusion I find that I like it better than first steep since the cinnamon flavoring is not so over whelming. I like cinnamon as smidgen, a pinch; anyhow it is still the cinnamon at play with the orange flavoring. The coloring stays amber throughout the cup.

3rd steep is done for 2 minutes and the taste is much milder. Orange flavoring is more prevalent than the cinnamon; I can smell the cinnamon still as the cup steams away. I am happy to be noticing more of the orange flavoring and the clove.

I realize with the 1st steep the cinnamon was clouding and overpowering me, I could not discern the clove from the cinnamon but with this final steep I can sense the difference, the clove is a milder spice.
Tea’s lasting effect is that of clove, cinnamon and orange flavoring; a very sweet liquor needing nothing else. For those who do find that they prefer to have less spice (cinnamon and clove) adding milk would remedy the overall taste of this tea to their liking.

I do not take milk with my teas but I imagine the milk would help to pleasantly dilute the liquor like taste of this tea. Since I have a full tin of this tea, I am looking forward to examining it further.
_____________________
http://www.hobees.com
Hobee’s Famous Cinnamon Orange Tea
Favorite morning wake-up, naturally sweet

Bentlley's Green Tea from Bentley's
53

Always I return, or I should say, come home to a cup of green tea; after having experimented with another fruitier tea, as I did with previous post.
Tea is golden in color.
Tea’s aroma is that of green tea, a slight grassy / green vegetal scent and upon tasting, it is not astringent but clean and smooth on the palette.

I like this green tea by Bentley since it is clean, in that it holds to the flavor found in the cup and has no off tastes.

I know that I am drinking a cup of fine green tea, it is smooth, and as I breathe in more of the aroma I can note the oceanic smell at the bottom of cup as it rises to meet my nostrils. I don’t think drinking green tea absence of sugar, milk, or honey can be appreciated by those not liking tea. It truly is an acquired taste. You either like green tea or you don’t.

Raspberry Green Tea from Bentley's
70

I wanted something similar to begin my morning after having read a review for the Mystic Dragon Tea (Tea Reviews.com); as this tea is combined with wild strawberry and rhubarb and Sencha Japanese tea to create a very fine fragrant and luxurious tea. I looked around my cupboard for something immediately similar and decided to use the last of the Bentley stash that I had obtained from my mother-in-law over this past holiday season. As well, since the last time I reviewed tea on Steepster.com, the tea reviewed was a Christmas blend somewhat similar to some of the fruit note. I mean it conjures something floral and vibrant.

Tea’s aroma when brewed is the flavored raspberry fruity note, with that dark amber in the tea’s coloring. It conjures a floral note of fruit-like flavors and very pleasing to the nose and surrounding air as it is brewing.

This is a lovely tea to sample if one has been drinking only green teas for the longest of times, as I tend to do.

The Mystic Dragon Tea can be obtained for $4.89 lb at www.spiceandtea.com. I plan to order some of this tea also.

Pink Christmas Organic from American Tea Room
100

Try as hard as I may to not touch this tea since it was nearly finished. I decided to have my last cup of this most amazing tea.

I brew almost all teas for no less than three minutes and closest to five minutes and it is excellent. The aroma is of a floral bouquet and this scent fills the air. Since it is so very hot, I find I must sip tea very slowly…burning the tongue and what comes through in the flavors right away is the orange peel, cranberries and pomegranate. The cinnamon does not appear until tea is nearly cooling. And so begins my second infusion and third infusion as with the first infused one is met with orange peel with the cranberries merging as one almost.

As I have been sipping this for most of the day; I did not add the usual green tea bag to re-liven the flavors but opted to put one of my London Cuppa round teabags and I can attest that they blended quite nicely to a malty like floral drink. A sharper wine cooler, only served hot and brimming.

Thank you American Tea Room for sending this sampler my way. Pink Christmas is truly a delight. Now I am sad since I am thinking pink slip. Oh well. Kudos to good tea.

Green Tea (All Natural) from Stop and Shop
60

I don’t normally buy groceries from Stop and Shop but as we had a gift card to be used, decided to buy what we could afford. Anyhow, that is how I came to purchased this Green tea.

Steeping instruction:
Bring fresh cold water to a rolling boil. Let water cool 1 minute after boiling. Pour water over one tea bag and steep 1-2 minutes. Remove tea bag. If desired add sweetener.

I must note that the teabag are thicker than some other store brand kind and are individually wrapped.

Tea has a delicate aroma, and is astringently vegetal but not bitter.
Tea color is golden brown
Temperature: 190 Fahrenheit; steeped for 3 minutes.

Since wanting a stronger cup of tea this morning I opted for two tea bags rather than my daily one bag at a time with three or four infusions. First infusion is more vegetal and this hits you at the start of sipping. Once I get past this then the rest is enjoyment or simply to drink a cup of green tea.

There is nothing particularly exciting about this Green tea, which is why I chose this tea today. I wanted a plain cup of tea that happens to be a Stop and Shop store brand.

This is good tea and nicely hot just the way I like to have my tea. If only I had biscuits or those soft short bread cookies to go with this than all would be well.

Cornfields Shu Tuocha from Verdant Tea
38

I have taken (a while) to trying another cup of this tea. I do this at times to rid my mind of the experience; pleasant or not.

I continue to not like this tea and it is disappointing to me since I have liked pu-erh to date.
Then it occurred to me; this tea is not just of nacho flavors, but those liking Onion soup would enjoy this tea or any broth like soup with radish, onion and lots of leaks. The organic farming that was implemented to liven this pu-erh does afford it to be consume like that of broth or soups with lots of leaky vegetables or simply as Onion soup.

Unfortunately, I do not like Onion soup; I do like Corn Chowder and I only know of one or two places that makes exceptional chowders. It has been a while since having had some.

See what happens when tea is mixed with something other than leaves…one begins to discuss eating and cooking. At least for this review which could be aptly name the many uses of the Diyi cornfields Shu… Onion Soup or Corn Chowder; or just a cup of tea, kind of on the runny side.

Blueberry/Blackberry Herbal tea (teabags are placed in one of Teaman's canister) from Teaman Teas
89

I continue to enjoy this Herbal tea which is:
Red in color
Characteristics: flowery aroma with a sweet, floral liquor.

I like that no matter how long the water was boiling when I pour the hot water unto the cup with one tea bag, it infuses right away, leaving the air filled with floral (a bouquet like) notes of citrus and sweetness scents found in berries. I am reminded of a blueberry muffins when first baked and removed from the oven. That warm, yummy feeling and to be fortunate enough to have slow time to enjoy a cup of tea with a muffin perhaps.

This is what tea is all about; taking that much needed time to recoup, re-examine or to just sit and stare…awe even with all but nothing in particular. All of this from this liquor like wine cooler.

This tea is liked by me quite a lot. Teaman, keep blending and thank you.

Genmai-cha from Yamamotoyama
62

This is a lovely tea and I am fortunate to have purchased several varieties (all of which are Genmai-cha) but different from each other. (roasted as opposed to steamed is an example)

Color: light brown
Tasting notes: Green tea with roasted brown rice
Characteristic: nutty, grainy, and roasted

This tea is a nutty brown rice flavor which combines well with the green tea. It is a distinctive mix of flavors and aroma, which makes the tea a soothing choice for after meals and throughout the day.

I find I prefer this tea served hot with the suggested steeping of 2-3 minutes. The almost sweet, roasted flavor of the rice contributes nicely to making one feel full, as if having consumed a meal. Or if hungry to go and have dinner while continuing to enjoy the tea.

Tea was purchased at Miso Market; visit them at (www.misomarketasian.com) or visit Yamamotoyama directly at http://www.yamamotoyama.com.

Pink Christmas Organic from American Tea Room
100

This is an herbal tea sampler that I received from The American Tea room; a specially holiday blend of tea contriving of cranberries, pomegranate arils, cinnamon sticks, star anise, linden blossoms, orange peel and peony petals.

I brewed this tea as instructed; 200 degrees Fahrenheit and left to steep for five minutes. The aromas from when I opened the bag are a true delight to the nose and palette.

Teas’ color: when steeped for the assigned minutes are a vibrant pink; favoring the color of a pomegranate. I take pleasure in smelling the orange peels and how that matches and stands up to the cinnamon sticks, anise and linden blossoms.

This tea is naturally sweet and does not need anything else mixing with it. It is sweet as it is tart with hints of spice through and through.

I was able to get three infusions per one teaspoon in the cup. I like this herbal tea; it is sweetly contrived to infuse the crushed petals.

China Black Tea With Rose Loose Leaf from Golden Dragon
57

This tea was given to me from a former college professor. I was very surprised to receive a full tin of tea. The tin is very lovely, I plan to keep it once finished, but not for a long while since I cannot drink the tea as fast.

Having placed 1 tsp of tea leaves for every 8oz (1 cup) of water
Bringing the water to full boil and left to steep for the first steep for 3 minutes.

I note the color of the liquor in the cup is a reddish brown
The leaves prior to boiling were black and finely curled, are now full leaves and still retaining their color black. I was able to get three steeps out the leaves and they still remain black.

In tasting this tea, it is not bitter but more sugary and round. I want to say almost malt like even with a slight floral undertone.

Overall: this is a very smooth tasting tea; reminds me of The London Cuppa tea I continue to enjoy in between tea samplings; thus making this tea like a Darjeeling perhaps.

It is nice knowing that there is plenty more of this tea for me to enjoy and experience; many thanks to my former college professor.

Blueberry/Blackberry Herbal tea (teabags are placed in one of Teaman's canister) from Teaman Teas
89

I have been purchasing the Teaman’s teas for as long as I have been on this tea jaunt experience. His pricing is very good for a person like me with little to no income.

For inexpensive teas on the high end and gourmet variety you can visit his websites at:
www.teaman.etsy.com
www.teaman.artfire.com
www.bonanza.com/booths/teaman

Enough on his virtual locales.

I decided to brew one teabag for 3 minutes steeping time. I could smell the blueberries and blackberries right away once I opened the packaging. I noted that the tea bags seems thinner and perhaps this explained why I could smell the herbs at once. And this intensified when brewed as the lid was removed from the cup.

Truly delighted day to be consuming this tea. Since it had been a long while, time past since I had Teaman’s tea.

I must say that I do not or have not eaten berries (blue or black) but familiar with the smell of them. The note conjured is floral, with a slight bitter sweetness that can only be found in berries. I want to go so far as to say that this cup of tea; this herbal tea’s liquor does make me think of drinking a wine cooler; berry blist perhaps.

Overall tasting notes observed:
Herbal tea color: Red
Characteristics: Flowery aroma with a sweet, floral liquor brew.

This tea would do quite well as Iced tea. Similarly to the Frozen Berry Rooibos teas I have enjoyed of recent past from Tea Luxe in Cambridge.

I have been privileged to sample many of the Teaman’s Herbal teas and this surpasses them all. Truly a yummy tea in that not a thing is needed to add to it; it stands on its own as excelsior.

Cornfields Shu Tuocha from Verdant Tea
38

I am sorry to say that I have not enjoyed this Touchas (small Pu-erh) tea rolls. Because when growing Diyi Cornfields, farmers plant rows of corn between the tea to protect it, as this imparts flavors of corn and butter that new to pu-erh tea drinkers are supposed to enjoy.

I find I prefer no butter with my pu-erh. Nor the smelling of corn; tasting nachos, or tortilla chips both of which I do not like.

I am sorry, this could be an enjoyable tea if one could hold their nostrils or clip it so as not to smell the butter or corn smelling to be found in the cup. I do like corn chowder but this is not it. I tend to dislike all things smelling like butter; a touch is nice but not runny or swimming in it.

I am at a loss for the spearmint to be found in the cup as well (but not) which would make it even worse. I mean I could not discern any spearmint, just corn and butter…yellow imagery but not in color since it is a dark amber.

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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