576 Tasting Notes

96

Nom nom. Love this tea! The more I drink it, the more I taste different flavors (reminds me of Dr. Pepper in that regard). The cinnamon and cola flavors are definitely the strongest.

I am in need of a pick-me-up as winter is the season I dread the most. Why can’t the holidays be at the END of the season so it doesn’t seem as long?!

ashmanra

I agree. Even though I live in the South where winter is short and usually mild, once Mew Years Day passes I am done with winter and ready for spring!

TeaEqualsBliss

I dread winter and I live in a snowbelt! Oye! HATE WINTER!!!

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86

I really do enjoy this cuppa. I’m starting my day with it as I crave some chai in winter. I’m trying to eat better and drink better, so that means drinking more tea. Now this is a resolution I can keep!

I love the hint of honey with the regular chai spices. I still don’t taste too much vanilla, but that’s OK.

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No rating as this is my own blend.

I absolutely love the combo of cinnamon and plum so of course I had to attempt to make my own. This is a limited edition blend with very limited supplies. However I’m working on a new blend to replace it.

Limited supply available if you want to try it:
http://keenteathyme.teatra.de/store/products/wish-upon-a-star/

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77
drank Moroccan Mint by Stash Tea
576 tasting notes

This is a tea that’s hard to mess up – mint and gunpowder green. It’s also one of my faves. This version is OK. Nothing that says WOW but a decent cuppa nonetheless.

I don’t taste the lemongrass too much – which is OK. It’s also not as minty as I would like. But it’s a nice standby; it’s a fave to take on-the-go in my travel tea caddy.

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98

Pancake Breakfast, how I love thee.

This is seriously working well to clear out that awful Double Spice Chai from Stash I had minutes ago. I added a sweetener to it, which really brings out the maple syrup yumminess.

Please see other notes – this is my favorite tea by 52Teas, and I seriously hope and pray it will be added to the permanent collection. (HINT HINT, Frank! lol)

By the way, if anyone wants to try it, I will be selling three sample sets of Frank’s 52Teas, including some of the selections from the 12 Days of Christmas that I did not consume. The collections will include at least two servings of the following:
-Pancake Breakfast (gotta get more hooked on it so my campaign for permanency is successful)
-Rainbow Sherbet
-Marshmallow Treat (the non-vegan kind)
-Smores Chai
-Peach Blackberry Crumble
-Vanilla Mint Mate
-Cinnamon Roll Honeybush
-Strawberry Lemonade
-Ginger Ale
-Buttered Popcorn
-Milk & Cookies

All include free samples (at least two servings) of my new Let it Snow blend and TWO of my Adagio signature blends, of your choice including:
-Toasted Marshmallow
-Vampire Lemonade
-Merry Cinna-Berry
-Wonderland

I will be selling them for about $14.99 each, with free shipping to the USA. PM me if interested, or stay tuned to my blog & site:
http://keenteathyme.teatra.de/store/products/
http://keenteathyme.blogspot.com

Adeline

Oh man, I might need this sampler in my life. Can you believe I’ve never tried anything from 52teas?

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10

Disclaimer: this is the bagged variety. But based on the BLECH-ness of the bagged kind, I won’t even consider the loose variety.

Total and utter BLECH! There is too much cardamom and clove and not enough of the sweeter spices – allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon – to round out the very harsh edges of this tea. I do love my chais, but this is a cuppa nastiness. I feel horrid about this because for Christmas this year I gave my sister-in-law and mom both some Stash bagged chais and this was one of them.

I don’t even care for the smell of this – which is appropriate considering this tastes almost as bad as it smells.

I have a couple extra bags if someone else wants to try it… But I don’t recommend it, not one bit! I’m reaching for Pancake Breakfast to get rid of that BLECH flavor…

gmathis

I think too many chais lean toward the bitter spices instead of the good sweet stuff.

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86

Grabbed this from Wal-mart the other day…I was seeking my Sugar Plum Spice but can’t find it. Horrors! Thought this was a new tea (it’s not) so I thought I’d try it out…

This doesn’t exactly taste like chai to me. It’s clove-y and spicy, but not overly chai. It’s still really smooth and delicate, thanks to the white tea base. I taste the sweetness of honey and a twinge of vanilla, but neither are overwhelming. It’s a nice medley of clove, allspice, a bit of nutmeg and hints of vanilla and honey.

I don’t know if I’d go out of my way to buy it again, but I’m enjoying this for the most part. It’s not my fave CS (that distinction goes to Sugar Plum Spice) but it’s not bad either.

If anyone cares to try it before buying, please let me know; I love sharing tea, because I can justify buying more! ;) (At least to myself, the hubby is no longer fooled.)

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96

This is one of those teas that the moment I saw Frank advertise it, I knew a pouch had to be MINE. However, I ended up bringing the pouch to work and sharing with friends so there isn’t much left! :(

BUT it’s the Dec. 24 tea in the 12 Days of Christmas for 52 Teas so happiness reigns! YAY! :)

This is one I’d love to see added to the permanent collection. It’s second only to Pancake Breakfast (and many of you know about my love affair with that blend).

This reminds me of a cinnamon sugar blend my mom would make for us to put on oatmeal and toast. (It was the only way I would eat oatmeal…doused in spices and sugar). This blend has just the right amount of cinnamon – no underwhelming and overpowering here.

I steeped it for the length of the cup as I do with honeybush tea. So I can’t infuse but I have one enjoyable cuppa. And I love that it’s caffeine-free; perfect for winding down in the evening.

This is a winner, Frank! :)

Preparation
185 °F / 85 °C 6 min, 30 sec
TeaBrat

I really liked this too!

Uniquity

Yay! I will be giving this a shot later, I just got done taping my sample all up. I finally got one that was open at the bottom, but luckily I knew to watch out for it. Smells VERY cinnamon!

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88
drank Holiday Chai by Stash Tea
576 tasting notes

I purchased the loose version recently, so I’m upping the rating slightly. This version is much heartier and much more spicy. I taste lots of cinnamon and nutmeg with something sweet… maybe it’s the hint of rum. All I know is that this loose version is much more spicy and flavorful than the bagged variety, which I like as well, but not as much.

I normally sweeten chais but thought I’d try this without sweetener… (shocking!) I actually enjoy it without the added sweetness. It’s very warming and spicy. I imagine sitting by the fire, reading a good book or playing a good video game with this one.

I wonder what it would taste like iced?

ashmanra

I wish they sold it loose around here. I just sent a box to my daughter’s boyfriend In Ireland and he loves it!

silvermage2000

Nice review this sounds really good and abit different.

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81

I too thought this was the Extra Bold Masala Chai when I first opened the packet. Upon brewing, I taste lots of that delicious chai flavor with just a small hint of vanilla. I don’t taste any caramel at all, but seeing as fresh caramel causes me pain in an allergic reaction, that’s fine with me. ;)

This is very good, but the name isn’t entirely accurate. Vanilla Chai would be better – but who am I to judge?

I didn’t add any sugar to the chai (shocker, I know) and normally I do. Perhaps that would help round out the sharp edges of this spicy tea. I never add milk to chai because I’m allergic, but I also enjoy spicier teas.

Overall, this was a great one to try, but I’m not sure if I would buy it separately. I’m so very picky (OK, snobby) about my chais so that’s nothing new!

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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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