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568 Tasting Notes

Lime in the Coconut from California Tea House
87

2nd infusion: still going strong! Me thinks there are actual pieces of lime and/or coconut in the tea, which explains the strong personality and flavor. I’m upping my rating slightly because of the strength of the second infusion.

Apricot Chai from California Tea House
100

This has turned into a daily habit, love this one! See other tasting notes.

Lime in the Coconut from California Tea House
87

Started my day off with this. Drank it right down – this has the right amount of lime and coconut flavor so it doesn’t remind me of cleaning products. :) The green tea base was mellowed by lime & coconut flavors as well. Wonder about this one iced??

Organic Cascade Mint from Stash Tea Company
83

Thank you Jude for sending this tea – along with a few others. :) I loved the minty sensation this tea left behind. Sweet spearmint with spicy peppermint created the ultimate stress reliever for me this evening. Pairs well with my latest video game, Fable 3! Next Stash order, I’m going to get a box of this – I could use another stress relief tea at work!

Apricot Chai from California Tea House
100

I feel like a chai guru lately since I’ve been on the hunt for a less expensive chai blend that still tastes as good (or better) than the Teavana one: http://keenteathyme.blogspot.com/

So I confidently brewed this tea thinking it wouldn’t come close to my “precious” blend.

Boy, was I wrong!

This tea is apricot goodness! Smells delicious – the second I opened the package, I smelled a rush of juicy apricot and summer joys.

Brews up lovely, with the same juicy apricot smell. Tastes just as nice too. There is a bit spice there as well – clove & cinnamon. It’s faint in the taste, but present – like spices in apricot cobbler.

California Tea House half-jokingly (?!) says this tea is an aphrodisiac. Hmm… let me ponder…

Honestly, though, this is a unique flavor that is Ideal Apricot. If you like apricot, this tea needs to be in your cupboard and mug asap. :)

This leaves me with only one question, really. Do you pronounce it Apricot (like apple) or A-pricot, emphasis on the “a”?

Apricot Chai from California Tea House
100
Blueberry Syrup from California Tea House
100

Got a sample of this in the mail a couple days ago and thought I’d try it after a (stressful) work meeting. This is blueberry awesomeness! My only issue is that it is herbal with no caffeine, so drinking it earlier in the day isn’t good for me. (I need caffeine with a capital C or else…)

The blueberry flavor is strong and fruity, sweet rather than tart. Some other blueberry teas have a tartness to them – which I like – but others may not. Perhaps that’s why this is called “blueberry syrup,” because it is sweet.

The color is awesome too – a deep reddish purple. Perhaps that comes from the real dried blueberries. To make sure they were safe for human consumption (hehe) I ate a blueberry from the tisane. So yummy! I knew the tea would rock from that taste alone. But hey, if you don’t like the tea, you’ve got a blueberry trail mix instead.

I gulped this down and reached for more. Love it! :)

Echinacea Complete Care from Celestial Seasonings
98

When I start to get the feelings of a cold – like I did this morning – I reach for this. I love the flavor, which is minty and herbal. I love that I can use just hot water without a definite temperature, and let it brew until I’m done. (When I’m sick I’m very impatient, even with things I love, like brewing tea.)
If I’m in the mood, I’ll add a little bit of honey or sugar-free peppermint syrup. But the flavor is fine enough on its own. This is one tea I always have on hand – at home, and at work.

Samurai Chai Mate & White Ayurvedic Chai Blend from Teavana
100
Walnut Fudge Brownie from 52teas
90

This is a weird one for me. I taste the walnut. I taste the chocolate. I just don’t think “brownie” for some reason. I think, “delicious,” don’t get me wrong. But it reminds me of walnut fudge ice cream… oh who cares.

It’s walnut, chocolate and freakin’ delicious. Nuff said.

(Thanks go out to JoeCool (Nichole) for sending me some. Chica, you rock!)

Vanilla Creme Earl Grey from California Tea House
65

I am not usually a fan of earl grey, so I approached this one with trepidation. I steeped no longer than four minutes and yanked out the bag. I am no fan of bergamot, although we are working on our relationship. ;)

This is decent as a vanilla tea. First sip I taste lots of vanilla (yay) and then a little of the bergamot. It’s faint, just a subtle twist. I don’t care for the smell as much; to me the bergamot makes it smell like cleaning supplies. To me this is a vanilla tea with an earl grey twist, not the other way around.

2nd sip, still more vanilla, just a twist.

I like this, but I don’t think I’d purchase again. However, I may be tempted to try a “real” earl grey… got any suggestions?

Summer Breeze from SpecialTeas
98

Thanks to the lovely JoeCool (Nichole) for this sample! :) This is a terrific blend and I too am sorry to lose SpecialTeas (but they did merge with Teavana so maybe it will be reincarnated in some form).

Anyway, the tea is wonderful – great color (I oversteeped so it’s a deep mahogany color). The dry leaves burst with the scent of blackberries and summer. Once brewed that same summer fragrance lingers; I know why this is called Summer Breeze.

The taste is blackberries of course with a tinge of floral notes at the end. I ended up letting this sit on my desk and returned to find it cooled down. I actually liked that flavor better – like homemade blackberry iced tea.

This would be terrific iced, but alas, I am saving mine for hot only. I will conduct an investigation to see if there is a similar version at the (dreaded) Teavana…

The Jane Austen Mafia from Adagio Teas
98

Thanks to the awesome JoeCool (Nichole) for sending me some of this tribute to Jane Austen. I am in LOVE with this blend! I’m a nut for anything Jane Austen (well, maybe not the movie adaptations of some of her works), plus I go crazy for blackberry so this blend will always have a place in my heart – and in my cupboard!

I brewed this up longer than I should have the first time around, so I ended up with more blackberry than vanilla. (What a shame.) 2nd infusion/cup I carefully brewed for about four minutes and now the flavor is the perfect balance…although I still taste slightly more blackberry. Whatevs. It’s delish regardless. A must for blackberry fans. An essential for Jane Austen tea drinkers. This one rocks!

Apricot Chai from California Tea House
100
Sweet Lily from Teavana
Breathe Deep from Yogi Tea
72

2nd cup. I figured out what this kinda reminds me of – the glue on envelopes. When I was a kid I helped my dad out with his company’s mailings and often the glue would taste good – a little like licorice candy. I’d lick a couple and then give in to my mom’s pressuring of using a wet sponge instead of my tongue.

Anyhoo, that’s what this tea reminds me of, and it brings back a happy childhood memory – although I realize now I was working for my dad for free – he had free labor! ;)

Breathe Deep from Yogi Tea
72

This is in teabag form, of course, so I wonder if I should have a different rating system? What do you think?
http://keenteathyme.blogspot.com/2011/02/bagged-tea-versus-loose-tea.html

Back to the tea. First sip there is a lot going on. Almost too much. It’s spicy – whoa, there’s the licorice. I love the sweet aftertaste of licorice, but you know it’s there. So if you don’t like licorice, you may want to pass on this tea – and possibly all Yogi teas. It’s a fave ingredient of theirs.

I can see why this would be a popular tea for someone who is sick – especially if you can’t taste anything.

A few sips in and I’m thinking this tea is kinda nasty. Yet I keep drinking it. It makes my throat feel good – all the flavors of helping one feel better when one is sick.

It’s soothing. And kinda making me sleepy. I think I’ll re-evaluate and re-rate later, after I try another cup…

About 15 mins later: I noticed the brew is kinda foggy and I’m concerned about consuming a foggy tea. Nonetheless I keep drinking it… and now it’s starting to taste kinda good…

Wellness from Joy's Teaspoon
96

This is an interesting tisane. I drank it hot – love the hot pink color! There are so many layers of this tea: first it starts out tangy and citrusy, then becomes floral and fruity, but ends like a sweet, candied apple.

I’ll have to try this iced, but hot it is delicious. I didn’t steep it for as long as recommended, only about five minutes. However I have a dislike of hibiscus; I don’t like tea that it too tart or too tangy.

At five minutes, this brews up perfectly pink and deliciously smooth.

Perfect World from Joy's Teaspoon

I’m not going to rate this tisane just yet, as I’m still on the fence. I love how minty, refreshing, fresh and calming this brews up. I drank one cup on this relaxing Sunday and the tisane tasted nice. Decent. But afterwards I felt thirsty – this has never happened before.

So I’ll brew up some cups during the week and see where it stands…

Swiss Vervaine Melange from Teavana
77

I’m settling down for my daily video game addiction to be satisfied (I’m playing Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood for those interested). This will keep me mellow when the *#$# enemies try to get the best of me! :)

Sweet Potato Pie from Adagio Teas
Toasted Marshmallow from Custom-Adagio Teas

Ending my work day with this gem so I can do one more power kick through my work and then toddle off to non-work-related activities. :)

Honey Rooibos Tea Cookies from Adagio Teas
97

Got these in the box from my SweeTEA, the lovely Meghann. (Thanks!) I was a bit concerned that I would not like them due to my love-hate relationship with rooibos, but I can never turn down a cookie. (Just ask my coworkers.) These were surprisingly delicious! I plan on ordering more, and am excited to try the other varieties.

These are buttery with the rooibos tea flavor there – obviously – but instead of me running away in horror from the wood/sawdust taste, I LIKE it! It’s spicy and woodsy, which makes no real sense, I know, but combined with the sugar and buttery tastes, this rounds out to be a darn good cookie!

Adagio says you get about 15 per bag but I think I got at least 20-25. I have been spacing out my enjoyment; tried these with my usual Chai Blend from Teavana and the experience was absolutely decadent!

Lovingly Lavender from Joy's Teaspoon
96

I have had a love affair with lavender thanks to my grandma’s garden. My Oma has had lovely lavender growing in her garden for years. So I am completely biased about any and all things lavender.

Lavender tea is one of those weird things that you’re not sure if it will actually taste good. Like the illusive Bacon Diet Coke. Lavender is an herb, something you use in soap, bath salts and other bath products.

But this tea is wonderful! It brews up purplish – which tickles me – and is soothing and comforting. I taste lavender and sweet black tea. As with most of Joy’s Teaspoon teas, you can infuse at least two, if not more, times.

Third infusion – still going strong. Strong lavender, strong cup of calmness, strong love for lavender.

Profile

Bio

Hello fellow tea fans!
I’ve been a tea enthusiast for years but just recently started brewing my own. I’ve created some blends, and enjoy researching about new teas. I combined my love of tea and writing to create a tea-devoted blog, Keen Tea Thyme. I have been writing for most of my life and am a former journalist with a degree in Communications and Social Psychology, and a minor in Writing. Journalism is in my blood, so that means I’m inquisitive by nature, will double-check sources and/or get a second opinion as needed, but also fair and balanced in my reviews. If my reviews seem more positive, energetic and have high ratings, it’s because I love tea. :)

If you are a tea company, I’d love to review some your tea! Free samples are always welcome so I can fully enjoy the freshest selections. I’m also open to tea swaps as I always have too many teas on hand to drink & would love to share with other tea enthusiasts! :)

My Simple Rating Scale (as of Feb. 2011)
>50: I’m NOT a fan. I could barely finish the cup, if I even did. I wouldn’t even recommend this to my worst enemy. Not worth my time nor yours.

51-65: Good aroma, good flavor. Just nothing pops to give the tea that special kick. Recommended to try; our tasting palates differ.

66-79: Yes, finally, tea – unique flavor profiles, great aroma & flavor. Recommended to try; our tasting palates differ.

80-99: These are cupboard essentials – delicious, aromatic and perfect everyday teas. Re-steepable (beyond at least one steeping). Highly recommended, fun for all ages.

100: These are my favorites, the ones I would take with me if stranded on a desert island. Beyond Highly Recommended.

Just Launched: Keen Tea Thyme @ Etsy
http://www.etsy.com/shop/KeenTeaThyme

Check out my shop at Tea Trade:
http://keenteathyme.teatra.de/

Be “keen” on tea at Keen Tea Thyme, my blog:
http://keenteathyme.blogspot.com/
Reviews, blogs, tea leaf readings, puzzles, contests and more.

And check out some of my blends from Adagio:
Toasted Marshmallow
http://www.adagio.com/signature_blend/blend.html?blend=15394&sid=0349b21a92100a51134eea7fc2b52f2d&scrollTop=0

Vampire Lemonade
http://www.adagio.com/signature_blend/blend.html?blend=15766&SID=01971e73a2cbaa7c0b09962b355fdeb8

If you have a signature blend you’d like me to try, we can swap teas! PM me for details! :)

Happy Brewing! :)

Location

Frederick, MD

Website

http://keenteathyme.blogspot....

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