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64 Tasting Notes
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Where to begin? I had just gave into the naughty tea demons perched on my shoulder and purchased two of the 52 tea honeybush blends. It was daring, since I had yet to sample a honey bush tea, and red bush doesn’t get on with me for some reason.
Fast forward to the next week, the new teas hadn’t yet arrived & now there is a White Chocolate Grasshopper tea to be had. OMG!!! The tea demons were clamouring, the penny pinching angels were ’tsk’ing vigourously. How could I justify? How could I know? What do I do?
Well, guess what. I did it.
And when to came, it smelled of gentle spearmint bending on a white chocolate breeze. The tea (w/ milk) was amazing. Gentle, sweet. Minty. Chocolatey. Lovely. It lived up to the special magic that I feel with a cup of Tetley’s (the proper english tea) on a bad day…it was a ‘hug in a cup.’ But this wasn’t a bad day at all, this was cause for celebration. For this heralds the arrival of the “tea of happiness” :D
All is happy here in the world of tea. ….but I don’t even want to think what will happen when I run out. :O
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It does what it says on the tin (and originally bought this in tins that are still hanging around the house)….its a minty punch to the face.
Very pleasant and strong. Its a robust tea that even stands up to double brewing with the same teabag. So if you are limited on tea space and fancy some mint, a little of this goes a long way.
Uhm, what can you really say about the steadfast standard brew that greets you every morning before you don your armour for the battle that is the coming day.
The drink that we stop at the wee service station in the bitter cold because R. needs a ‘hug in a cup’.
That charming mug that lets you sit down, have a moment, a breath before regrouping.
I am from a land of sunshine and coffee. We worship at the altar of Starbucks and have more flavors of coffee in our grocery stores then Britians have even dreamt existed (and don’t get me started on the amazing creamer flavors — like we could replace all food and drink with creamers in their flavor).
Despite all that I moved abroad, met a Yorkshire man who taught me how to make a proper cup. I am a changed tea-fairy, and all but the coffee flavored candies have seen my back turned to them. I am sorry coffee, where you are a sweet bitchslap to the face every morning, tea is that ‘hug in a cup’ …and we all know which I’d choose. ;)
Ok, back on the honeybush horse.
I admit the way I cam about this one was pure and utter cheek. I was pining after I found the review of the Cherry Cola Back Tea. I mean, OMG really. Studies have already concluded that my intravascular fluid (previously referred to as blood) is composed of a special 50% tea/50% cherry coke combination. Its also be deteremined that maintaining this balance is crucial for continued life as I know it.
So, the NEED for this tea is obvious. I admit I failed to float the root beer experience, so I was a little bit scared. But here I am on holiday, kettle in one hand, tea-ball in the other. It is time.
OMGosh. How do you make tea smell so cherry, so coke-y and tingle my nose like it wants to bubble right there in the pack? Its magic, I tell you!!
But the magic didn’t end with the hot dash of water. Its hot cherry coke! (and maybe someone might have added milk like the ‘black and tan gelding’ fiend I am). Its like cherry melty float. heart
Magic. Love. Wow.
(tho I still wonder what the black tea would do for this ;)).
CS, why do you tease?
Many moons ago, it was the ‘afterdinner teas’ that seduced me into the wide world of tea. They addicted me. Hook, line and sinker. But they I was an innocent American, arriving years after the big tea party of Boston, not knowing that the hot drink my soul yearned for was tea.
I loved this one, along with vanilla hazelnut (but of course chocolate raspberry was my love among them). But I moved off to university and these three were put in the endangered species list.
Then this past few years they were back. Teased and taunted and promised to never leave me again. So, I bought a bunch, rekindled my love and guess whats…..discontinued again. Really!?!?!?!
This one is very sweet (the way I like everything) and caramelly. Maybe not peanut brittle disolved into a cup, but on the toffee side I’d say its nearly so. Anyway, do say this is worth a go, and if you are picking up one for yourself….well grab one for me (you know I am good for it) ;)
Someone said the smell-assault of this one made it like drinking potpouri.
That’s a bad thing?
I don’t really think it is. And I always know with CS teas, I can have this in my mega huge cup and not worry about a ‘failure to perform’ (yea, I am looking at you Stash Pumpkin Spice) or even better somedays (when the nurses don’t steal my cup as dead & dusted) when I can have 2 cups with the same bag.
In regards to this one, I admit its hardcore cinnamon stylin’ with an apple twist. Fab for a cold night, better with a fire in the fireplace. Think apple cider with a tea who isn’t afraid to let everyone know what you are having.
I am not sure how I feel about this one quite yet.
But I realize that the tea-Gods have a challenge here since I am an American transplant who hunts out the rootbeer supply whenever I find myself in a new area. Its like looking for water in the sassparilla desert. I know, I have a problem.
In this infinite search, coupled with my tea-addiction, this was right up my alley. Tho I admit I am not quite sure how I feel about honeybush (if the word roobis is on it, it hates me). So far, honeybush has been ok with me and me with it.
But back to this tea. I didn’t take milk as an option, rather a requirement (surely you need creaminess for the float feel). And its creamy and yummy and delicious. I am so almost there yet can’t really get the rootbeer vibe. Rather I get the ‘black and tan gelding’ flavor (which according to the recipe book that came with the ‘Lets go to the Races’ someone got dad for xmas when I was 10 is a combo of coke + milk…that yes I do like and drink :P)
But let’s just pause it there. Its good. But I think I need another tasting. BBIAB
EDIT: Ok. About three cups of Rootbeer float cups later, and I have to admit its still a ‘fail’ for me on the taste of float-iness. Now don’t get me wrong, because its not a total fail. Like I mentioned before, as a hardcore milk/coke drinker, well this reminds me of a hot version of this. Its creamy, like a melted coke float. (which is what the cold combo reminds me of as well). There are moments where I ‘almost’ can smell a bit of sasparilla/rootbeer-esque-ness, but it doesn’t hold on second sniff and I have managed to tease it out on taste.
Still this tea is yum. I assure you its not bound for the top shelf of forgotten tea, but it means I still am on the ever continuing hunt for rootbeer happiness. :)
Not sure about this one.
Got it in a swap, so I don’t know how fresh the bag is. But I second the dusty/musty smell to it. It wasn’t bad when drunk, it just was kind of lackluster. I did add milk/sugar in the hopes to give it a bit more body, but it was weak at best.
Hmm….warrents another sip but who knows?
This was a chance meeting, tiger & I. This little tea bag was hiding in a swap package …and OMHG!
Delish. Strong passionate chai of amazingness. Defintely makes my Top 5 chai’s of all time. I so need some more!
I have to try this one again.
Despite it being my choice for the tea party we had last week, I can’t say I really got much from this.
Ugh. Strike 2 for Bigelow.
Another gone wrong perhaps? Or does roobis really hate me?
I have to say I discovered this tea when I was in a bad place.
My first job was spiritually, emotionally, and physically draining me. I felt my soul lament that all the years of study, could not be for this. Lunch time would come and I would dash out the door, it didn’t matter where I went. I spent a lot of time in the library those days. And occasionally dared to dart into town (even tho it meant running to get back). That is where I found this tea.
It became my lifeblood. It sustained me with its happy scent and invigorating powers at 3pm when I had another 3hrs+ of consulting before the day would end, let me free only to start again the next day.
Good news – I left that job.
Better news- I found an amazing tea.
The cinnamon is powerful but softened by the apple. Almost flowery in taste, sunshine on the tongue. Hollands and Barrett’s is where I tend to find it wandering, should you have your eye out :)
I moved abroad almost a decade ago, so when I am back in the US I have the guilty pleasure of wandering through any nearby grocery stores and stocking up on my favoite (usu. Celestial Seasonings) and any intriguing flavors. And as I have a thing for foodie chocolate/vanilla/etc. type teas, I thought this would be a winner (even despite the roobis that I ’ve yet to have a good experience with)
OMG this one was crap! I just can’t put into words what a let down this one is.
With milk, without. Tea bag in for a bit, the whole time. Nada. This is not one I want
to ever drink on purpose again. bleh
I am a big fan of the cherry/cinnamon version of the moment of calm, so obviously this one was one not to be missed.
Sure its a grocery store appearing tea, but still I was pleased with its riverdance on my palate. The mango mellows and smooths the cinnamon’s tap dance aross my taste buds. The orange is subtle but its citrus flick is notable.
I love this one at work between lashings of ‘normal tea’ and it has that soothing ‘anti-brain popping feature’. Tis a keeper, well until work stops being stressful. ;)
I will admit that I cannot help but raise a skeptical eyebrow at anything from adagio after someone bought me the strawberry black + blueberry black loose leaf tea. Doesn’t take a lot of imagination to figure out I didn’t like them. I gave it all away, and the only perk of the tea was I liked the tins.
Imagine my mixed feelings when a sample came to me for their spiced apple chai.
I love chai. I love apples. I love tea.
Would I love this?
The answer is, yup.
I mean I wasn’t sure ‘does one add milk (as I do in all my chai) to a fruit chai.
I think the answer was safely ’no’ when I made the brew it wasn’t in need.
Rather it was fresh, fruity and dare I say almost like having exotic amazing apple cider (I can’t think of a better analogy because I don’t think this one paintsthe enticing picture this one deserves, but alas….)
Know adagio hasn’t won me over utterly with this, no matter how fab.
Tea scars don’t heal completely…but perhaps I will give them another sip. ;)
I apologize for the sheer cheek, but as my veins are likely at least 50% full of cherry coke…I am wondering if there is any way to procure this long extinct tea. I could swap/purchase/loan a kidney if that would tantilize anyone.
Thank you fo consideration of the matter,
a.
This is one of my special friends.
Sure, I admit she does live in the shadow of Raspberry chocolate bliss, but if you look past that this is one of my happy teas. Fab with a bit of sugar and milk its like a gentle vanilla nutty tea-sperience. Not super strong, more subtle….but then in 1997 they were marketed as after dinner teas, so its kinda fitting. :)
The name gives you a hint at the amazingness, so prepare yourself. They were having a sale, so I caved. I had admired from afar here on my little island. But then Chocolate Mint & this wonderous one decided the time was now.
OMG! This is good tea. Chocolatey, cakey + chai — all at once? Its like a flavor orgy. (And did I mention its a tea name that raises eyebrows and has coworkers clinking teacups in desperation to have a try. :)
If you want an adventure, I highly reccomend that you indulge on this one.
Ok. I am a chocolate mint addict. I am a tea addict. And stash’s version of the predictable combo I am about to write about left me wishing for a bit something more.
And here ebay searching got the better of me. Would I dare to by a tea from an unknown company on the ’bay?
I was reluctant. And actually watching the offering dwindle to 2 boxes.
Then on a bored weekend, I did it. Sinned and bought ebay-tea.
And you know what?
It rocks!! A lot! (somuchthat i am writingthisdespitemy spacebarissuesonthiscomputer)
Grand with milk and a hint of sugar, it is in fact a subtle soft version of an after-eight mint. AbFab! And I have a whole cannister to have happy tea days with. In fact. I’d have some right now …well if I wasnt actually out of milk sniffle. :)
Uhm, not sure why so many of the reviews are mixing the tea into pudding.
shrug
Works for me, but I admit I took the more traditional direction in my chai tastings. And I found it to be quite good and smooth. I blame this chai on helping wedge open the door into posh chai-wonderland to which I have visited and won’t be returning FROM any time soon.
Sure there are chais that followed and blew this one out of my cupboard ( those were the peppery and bitchslapping aggressive ones that I reviewed previously), but this was the first one to take my hand and say ‘hey, you don’t need to buy the twinnings chai from the grocery store anymore. Because frankly I am much better.’ And it is. Smooth as silk and gentle on the palate, this one is flavorful and friendly. So let it take you by the hand and show you the light. It won’t be your last, but you’ll think of it on quiet nights like a summer fling and smile. :)
Just to give you an idea of the nutty teastastic nature of this one.
Its 3 for £9 at Whittards of Chelsea and I was in the neighborhood (honest,
I didn’t know it was there) and despite the plethora of choice I bought 2 of
Amaretto Explosion :D
