212 Tasting Notes
We got this one to compare with the jasmine pearls which I love. It makes me giggle now. I used to have a serious hate on floral teas and for the most part still do. They need to be subtle for me to appreciate.
This is again super strong in the jasmine fu. It doesn’t seem soapy or perfume-y, just LOTS of jasmine. It’s heavy and sweet but has a funny sharpness as an after taste. I wouldn’t describe the sharpness as bitterness. I think the jasmine tea for me will remain the jasmine pearls. This one is a bit too strong in the jasmine force, young padawan.
Preparation
This sample was sent to me for review. Thank you Angle and Teavivre.
The white teas I’ve tried so far see to consist of a dry vegetal note that reminds me of hay, cucumber and pepper. This doesn’t really have the cucumber flavor and very little of pepper. It may be the jasmine as it’s pretty powerful in here. Underneath the jasmine there is a sweeter apple note.
I think the jasmine fu is too strong with this one for it to earn a spot in my cupboard. However, I’m glad I got the chance to try it.
Preparation
That is why there are so many different teas I guess. I thought this was awesome and a year ago I thought I hated jeasmine.
I didn’t like jasmine either ;)
Very true. I think I may have just had some bad experiences with jasmine. This while strong didn’t feel soapy. I totally appreciate that.
This is one I specifically requested from Azzrian. I’m glad I got to try it.
It’s silky smooth in texture and taste. While I find it light in body, I feel like I’m getting a good vanilla flavor. The base seems to be a bit malty but a little thin? I feel like some thing is missing. This could be totally mental because I know it’s decaf, but I feel like the “tea bite” is missing. There is some component that I expect to experience which isn’t here. Other than that, I think it’s pretty well done. The vanilla doesn’t feel artificial or overdone.
I’m not sure decaf is some thing I need to keep around. I do enjoy rooibos a fair amount and it’s not caffeinated.
Preparation
Missy – for the record – that may also be a little older. Not that there is anything “wrong” with it but I could see it being something that has lost some of its quality over time. IF you really like it I might give it a second chance with a new batch. It does have a lovely vanilla flavor but I too thought something was a tad lacking.
It really smelled yummy! I’ll have to see if I can get a sample from h&s.
Yeah it does smell amazing!
This is another sample from Azzrian. Thanks again my friend.
This is robust, bold and strong. It has a nice malty finish. This is very enjoyable for a convenient brew. I didn’t find it bitter or particularly astringent which just makes this better. It’s really good iced too. :D
Preparation
Indeed for me this tea is a sure bet when you just want a good old fashioned cup of tea and this box in particular came right over from England from a friend of mine. Even though I have found where I can buy it here now its just cool to have tea literally FROM England! :) At least it is to me.
lol yes that is rather cool. :D
I love Yorkshire Gold. So hearty and down-to-earth. “Carry on” kind of tea!
I can see that about this tea. I think it could be a very comfortable cup of tea. Just like a good pair of jeans.
This is another sample from Azzrian, thank you!
I’ve tried this before but I felt it was a bit thin on flavor. This time I doubled the amount of leaf and added a minute to the steep time. I think that worked for the thin feeling.
The package says this contains ceylon and green tea, but they are so far in the background I can not identify them. I feel like I’m getting a tea after taste though. The spices play a stronger role here, however. I’m getting cardamom, cinnamon and clove as the most prominent. Ginger, nutmeg and pepper seem to follow them. The name implies vanilla but I’ve not found it here really. This leans more towards sweet and that may be the vanilla. I have to say I’m pretty impressed since Tupperware had a hand in this one. That’s just not a company I associate with tea. Thanks again Azzrian.
Preparation
Today I’m going to try some samples Azzrian sent me. Thanks! She was very considerate in her choices. Now I get to try another pu-erh. :D
Caramel and toffee are right up front. They are balanced by a salty flavor. The contrast is balanced really well and is quite pleasant. Underneath, I taste leather and horses. This tastes like my grandpa’s tack barn used to smell. Since that was one of my favorite places to be as a child, this brings back many happy memories. I learned to catch critters and snakes in there. I learned how to ride and befriend a horse there. I just had some quality time with my grandpa. I think pu-erh and I shall be friends. Thanks again Azzrian.
Preparation
This had the same dark chocolate, malty notes I expect. It did surprise me with the addition of a grainy flavor. I thought it was softer than the others. It ends well with a fruity flavor but very little smoke. In fact, I thought this one was the least smokey of them all.
While I believe all of these teas to be of equal quality, grade 2 is the one I shall keep. I like the robust qualities it shows. Thanks to Angel and Teavivre for the chance to try this one out. :D
Preparation
This is smooth and rich with malt and chocolate notes. I find it falls a little shorter on the fruit notes than the grade 1. I also thought it had less smoke. ohmygurd where is the smoke!? The smoke I was looking for is pretty tame with this one. A great tea but I really want more in the smoke department, so grade 2 is still top dawg!
Preparation
Today we have another tea faceoff. The contestants shall all be Keemun. Lovely stuff so far.
This is much like the grade 2 we tried previously but smoother and more refined. I think there is a fruity sweetness to it that the grade 2 doesn’t really have. The smoke that follows the rich, malt seems to be about the same in each. I do think that Grade 2 has my attention for now. It just feels a little more robust. This is for a more classy lady than I. ;)
Preparation
I’m drinking this one with my lunch. Rich buttery notes lead into a nutty flavor. I really like how smooth this is. Goes perfectly with my granola bar. I know not that complex of a lunch but I wasn’t really hungry and it was time to get some thing into the bod.
