17 Tasting Notes
I was lucky to have come across this at HomeGoods. Had never heard of Nina’s, but upon looking to see what a stellar brand it was, went back to get whatever flavors were offered—-so glad I did. Having this tea today, iced, with lunch. I steeped yesterday, 3-4 minutes. I knew when I picked this up that I should want to try it as an iced tea, and boy is it good. I only added a touch of sweetener to the quart I made, but likely doesn’t need any. While steeping, it had a strong honey scent, along with the strawberry, and not too heavy on the vanilla. This will be a summer favorite. I will try it hot, but will likely save especially for iced tea. Very true strawberry flavor.
Flavors: Fruity, Honey, Strawberry, Vanilla
Preparation
I really enjoyed this tea! It would not be something I would pick up, it was part of a sampler with my kati cup (love it!). I always am using only half a bag of the single steeps, because that seems to be the best strength for me. This had a really lovely fragrance, floral and sweet. I am not familiar with Darjeeling, but I kept smelling it and wanting more sips. Not bitter at all. I still would reach for a more exciting tea, but will enjoy what I have of this.
Flavors: Floral, Sweet
Preparation
Eh. I am only trying this as it came in a sampler of the pyramid s. You can definitely smell the rosemary, and it is the main flavor to me. Not too strong or overwhelming, but any tangerine is just weak, dry. I have added s but of honey as usual. I can get through the cup, but don’t ever need to have that again
Flavors: Herbaceous, Herbs, Lemongrass
Preparation
Hmmm. I thought I liked this over the BB Detox, but it’s the other way around. For sure. Perhaps I haven’t had a mate’ before. The smell made me immediately think I walked into a wood shop—-when I went to buy cedar planks for my garden. Or just like the candles that I love with cedar fragrance. Am I drinking wood?? The taste was smooth at least—-cedar and lemongrass….it was a very genuine wood smell/taste. Just not my thing. It will be difficult to finish my tin—I will have others try it when they come over….maybe find a taker. My only disappointment from Kusmi. This is for mate lovers only
Flavors: Cedar, Green, Lemongrass
Preparation
Love the smell of this tea!!! This is from a single steeps sampler Warming Joy I picked up at Home Goods—needless to say I went back for more, even though the others are drinkable but not favorites. I only need to use half of a “single steep”—the whole sachet is too strong for me (then I get double for my $, right?) The smell of this chocolate raspberry is fantastic—like a high quality truffle. I pass it around work to smell and everyone goes “ooooh, ahhhh, that smells great!”. I use my tea forte kati cup, and the “hot” setting on the water dispenser, and seems to make the perfect tea, not even needing my usual honey. I am really good at determining fake smells, but this reeks of true chocolate, and juicy raspberry to me. Had it not been in the sampler, it is not a flavor profile I would normally be drawn to.
Flavors: Chocolate, Fruity, Raspberry, Vanilla
Preparation
Second one from Nina’s that I like. I picked this up from Home Goods, and think it lucky to have run across these. I never go for vanilla flavored teas before—-I usually prefer fruity or earthy. This was a good tea however. It does have a slightly acrid/chemical smell, but not so bad—maybe just strong crème brulee. The brewed tea smelled nicely, and much more tame. I tasted first before adding my usual bit of honey. It is a lovely black tea, no bitter, and good crème brulee notes for me. May not be a favorite, but won’t mind finishing my tin.
Flavors: Caramel, Cookie, Creamy, Vanilla
Preparation
Ok, this was a weird one. First time I tried it at home, and thought “omg, this is gross, gross”. I have the single steeps from a sampler, so I just took a couple to work to perhaps try again. At work, I have a tea forte kati cup (that I really love!!) I only need to use half of these “single steeps” for my liking—-ironically, they are made for single use, but I find a whole one way too strong in all I have tried. Also, at work, I use the “hot” water button from the water dispenser, so I have no idea the temp—hot enough to burn your tongue if not careful. This seems to be the perfect temp for these teas because they taste so much better at work in my kati cup—-so experimenting is good. I don’t even add sweetener like I do at home. It does have a strong alcohol and smell overall albeit a pretty good smell., but comes out to a cup of tea I don’t mind to make again, just maybe wouldn’t get again.
Flavors: Alcohol, Brown Sugar, Raisins, Rum, Vanilla
Preparation
I had this in the sachet—-I only added a little honey. It is nice. Not really strong grapefruit comes through. I try to compare this to their Detox, which should have more lemon notes and I thought I liked better. I like this tea, but would not be first choice for enjoyment. I don’t seem to like lemongrassy things as I think I would. Too dry and grassy (duh) , I like my fruit juicy and acidic apparently….
Flavors: Grapefruit, Green, Lemongrass
Preparation
I picked up this tea at Home Goods—and many other Whittard that have been all good so far. This is a very light, girly tea! the leaves aren’t rolled or pressed, just loose large light pieces that float around the pretty flowered tin. I paid attention to the lower temp, and it made a great cup-no bitterness. A beautiful floral and fruit combo—I imagine would be great iced also. I only used a touch of honey. Was such a treat as I watched Olympic ice skating!
Flavors: Floral, Flowers, Fruity, Rose