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556 Tasting Notes

Black Forest Bliss from Custom-Adagio Teas

No rating as this is my own. I think I’ll create this one for my shop as well, because that Adagio black tea flavor is so annoying. I love the medley of cream, chocolate and cherry – although now I crave black forest cake! Or any cake! Diets suck.

Movie Night from DAVIDsTEA

I had really hoped to like this tea but there is something off about it. I normally love popcorn, and maple, plus apples…just maybe not all at once. There were too many competing flavors for this to be enjoyable. I tried a sample from a previous order, but did so AFTER I purchased two bags. As a result, I have one unopened bag for sale:
http://keenteathyme.teatra.de/store/products/

And the rest of the other bag is off to my tea sister Sare – if she wants it. :)

Gail’s Cold Remedy (organic) from DAVIDsTEA
69

Backlog:
This is a delicate tea, but still potent. I definitely recommend HOT (iced was quite nasty), and when you need a lift. I’m still battling a cold and this helps, as well as eased some of my migraine last night.

It’s good when you can barely taste anything…but is that really a good thing? IDK – and I don’t know about this one. It’s decent, but I’m not sure if I would buy it again. I definitely prefer Above the Weather.

Cocoa Canela from DAVIDsTEA
95

I got this as a free sample when my replacement order arrived yesterday. (I had several items missing from a previous order, but DT sent the missing items and I scored three more samples.) I’m not normally one to enjoy super chocolate-y teas nor mate, but this blend has changed my mind. The flavor is bold, but not artificial, and yet not overpowering either. I taste a subtle cinnamon flavor too – maybe that helps balance the chocolate flavor. This is delightful and fun, although dusty. I had to wipe the teaspoon free of the tea dust, but that’s a small inconvenience for bliss! :)

Samurai Chai Mate & White Ayurvedic Chai Blend from Teavana
100

Holy crap, Teavana is discontinuing this blend! I ordered one last mix for my stock pile, and I guess I’ll have to explore making chai blends again. This was my favorite for so long…

“I’m offended on so many different levels.” To quote the hilarious Jim Gaffigan

Seriously, though, I drink this the most. WTF Teavana!? You are losing a customer. Oh, they don’t really care.

Please see previous notes as this is a FAVE!

Kiwi's Big Adventure from DAVIDsTEA
89

This is a weird one. Good, but weird. I wouldn’t think kiwi would be a bold flavor, but it kind of is in this cuppa. I made this hot, but I think it would be better iced. I taste a tropical adventure, and it’s fun and perky, but it’s missing something… did I expect too much from a kiwi tea? Perhaps.

Liquid Candy Corn from Custom-Adagio Teas

No rating as this is one of my own custom blends at Adagio. By next year it will be a Keen Tea Thyme blend, completely of my own creation. But until then, you gotta get it through Adagio or in one of my custom sampler packs:
http://keenteathyme.teatra.de

But as for the review – I love the combo of vanilla, caramel and almond and other than that annoying Adagio black tea taste, I think this is decent (entirely self-serving, apologies).

I usually drink my tea plain – no sweetener – but I like adding honey to this to enhance the flavor. Works well; reminds me of the “good” candy corn – Brach’s, made with honey.

Menthos Anyone? from Voila! In Frederick
93

I’m surprised I’m the first to log this, but it’s possible it’s in here under another name. I don’t think this is exclusive to Voila! and I get the impression that they don’t craft their own teas…maybe they do! I can’t get a response from them no matter what I do…

Anyway, this is a great harmony of gunpowder green (a favorite of mine) and crisp peppermint. It truly is a refreshing treat!

Enchanted Forest from Voila! In Frederick
93

I don’t ever want to run out of this tea. I love how flavorful but light it is. Bliss. See other notes, this is a cupboard staple.

Soldier Tea/Thank You for Your Service Tea from Custom-Adagio Teas

No rating as this is my own. It’s been a DAY – glad to have a tea moment to escape. This hits the spot without making me too shaky (as in too much caffeine, I’m drinking a Diet Cherry Dr Pepper too) and too tired.

Mint Medley from The Persimmon Tree Tea Company
100

Had this iced last night for my sore throat (cold helps me for some reason). Not much to say about it – it was delicious, a minty, refreshing tisane. Hit the spot and didn’t keep me awake, although my coughing did.

I’m hosting a Pity Party for myself. ;)

Black Forest Bliss from Custom-Adagio Teas

No rating as this is my own custom blend. I really do enjoy the bold flavors in this cuppa, although I can’t really taste anything thanks to this rotten cold/flu thing. (My voice sounds very throaty. Not so great at work, but my singing voice has improved.)

A Blackberry Mint Julep from Custom-Adagio Teas

No rating as this is one of mine. I love the blend of mint and blackberry – it’s one of my favorite iced, and today it’s helping me combat this evil cold/flu that I picked up somewhere. Yum! (for the tea, not the cold)

Guanabana from Adagio Teas
79

I’ve wanted to try this one for a while, so when I ordered my filter bags this time around, I snagged a sample.

This is different, but decent. I thought with the name there would be a blend of banana and guava, but I don’t see either listed on the ingredients. What gives? I do taste strawberry and a tropical punch flavor (I wouldn’t call it pineapple, although that is listed as an ingredient). There’s a little bit of banana flavor, but it tastes more artificial than legit. Since I’m not a big fan of “real” banana, but love the artificial flavor, this isn’t a big deal for me. However it could be a deal-breaker for others.

I’m not sure if I would make a special “trip” to Adagio to buy this, but I would purchase it if ordering other things.

P.S. The name cracks me up. It reminds me of the “I’m a Banana” internet video that Daniel Tosh helped make famous on Tosh.0. He did a sketch called “Knife or Banana: Which would you choose?”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46SLZXH5mY4

The original (random) video is here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH5ay10RTGY

(“I’m a banana, I’m a banana, I’m a banana, LOOK AT ME MOVE!”)

In Love in London from Mad Pots of Tea by Madam Potts
94

I had this made for a friend’s wedding, but they ended being total buttheads so I kept it for myself (and to share with my sis-in-law). I’m normally not an Earl Grey fan but I’m a fan of Madam Potts so I trust her. This is a great tea with a powerful, flavorful punch. If all Earl Greys tasted like this I’d be happy!

If anyone wants to sample, I have the bagged variety I can send to you. Just PM or email me keenteathyme@gmail.com.

Enchanted Forest from Voila! In Frederick
93

I am just unable to escape migraines this week. I’ve accepted it, begrudgingly. So now I am enjoying lighter green teas that aren’t too harsh on my stomach. This is a perfect fit for me today. The light blend of green tea and mate is playful and delicious. I really enjoy the smell and taste – like grape, passion fruit, cherry, honeyed almond and blissful innocence. It’s one of those rare teas that smells and tastes virtually the same!

A quick note: I accidentally steeped this for longer than I usually would steep a green tea, but it’s a tough tea – no harm done. Still tasted smooth and delish!

Heritage Honey Oolong from The Mountain Tea co
94

Thanks to Azzarian for this gem! Another tea added to my shopping list.

This is fruity and floral – a unique flavor profile for an oolong. I taste honeyed peach and bright citrus, with a delicate floral hint. The brewed cuppa smells divine as well.

I don’t have a lot of experience with oolongs personally so I apologize for the brevity of this review. Maybe I should say this tea leaves me speechless! :)

S'mores from Della Terra Teas
96

This fall fave was in the package the awesome Azzrian sent to me last week. Thank you! I’ve been wanting to try Della Terra Teas and she really hooked me up! ;)

I love the mini marshmallows in this, btw. This reminds me of my own blend, Toasted Marshmallow (an Adagio signature blend), but there are so many other flavors. The first sip filled my tastebuds with chocolate and a hint of graham cracker. The aftertaste? Vanilla and marshmallow-y. Very cool.

It’s not overpowering, which I appreciate. I don’t care for uber-chocolate teas (please don’t throw tomatoes at me!), although I do enjoy uber-flavorful teas. This has the right amount of each flavor – marshmallow, chocolate and graham cracker.

Added to my shopping list! This is a must for my Della Terra Teas order! Any other recommendations?

Mango and Friends from Voila! In Frederick

Enjoying this iced… OK, you caught me, it was brewed hot and then I got sucked into a project at work and now it’s cold. But it’s still absolutely delicious! :)

Catchin' Clouds from Voila! In Frederick
68

I brewed this iced yesterday while home sick with a migraine. Because it’s so tart and fruity, I think drinking this one iced or cold/cool is better. I’m no fan of hibiscus and this tisane has some. I did sample this in the store (they often have two or three hot teas and two or three cold teas for sampling – take that Teavana! – and this is always there). It’s refreshing, but I think it might be best blended with something else. It’s a work in progress for me. I’ll keep you posted. :)

Swampwater from DAVIDsTEA
100

I made Swampwater iced cubes…and added them to a glass of plain water, one of Swampwater, and one of my lemonwater (a packet of True Lemon and Splenda) and the results were phenomenal! Each tasted good, although the Double Swampwater blend was best. I ate some of the iced cubes by themselves too. So good – I highly recommend!

Mango Diablo from DAVIDsTEA
93

This one is really fun. It’s spicy and sweet, and not too much of either. Using green tea as the base helps with the flavor profile – I can taste both distinctly. I’m using this as my wake-up cuppa. I barely slept last night thanks to migraines (one went away and then another took its place), so I need all the pick-me-up I can get today!

Strawberry Lemonade/Blueberry Bliss from Teavana
83

Backlogging:

Made this the “real” way to make iced tea (with ice instead of cold brew). I made this before Swampwater and I gotta say, when comparing it with that one, I had to drop the rating a bit. It seemed too tart for me; I ended up adding some Splenda, which I hate to do, but it was either sacrifice my tea principles or dump it…and I couldn’t bear to dump the little pistol-shaped ice cubes. Turns out the only tea I can drink multiple cups of from Teavana and not lose total respect for the company is the chai blend.

Swampwater from DAVIDsTEA
100

Backlogging:

Tried this iced yesterday; the “real” way to make iced tea, no cold brewing. ;) I ended up drinking about a gallon of it! I really do love this tea, from flavor to liquor. Best of all, you don’t need to add sweetener, which I had to do when I brewed up the Strawberry Lemonade/Blueberry Bliss combo earlier yesterday.

Currently I am making Swampwater iced cubes – they are freezing in my fridge while I’m at work. My plan is to make a super concentrated cuppa Swampwater. Will report in tomorrow… :)

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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