314 Tasting Notes
This tea looks very light with an appealing toasty aroma. I think I’m detecting “toastiness” a lot in my teas, nowadays. Maybe I’m just reacting to the warmness of the water? But in any case, this tea does, initially, seem very “toasty” to me. I think toasty is tasty, so that’s good. On first sip, I taste buttery gardenias….yummy! On subsequent sips, I’m reminded of GM’s Coconut Pouchong sans coconut. This must be the “oolong” aspect. It’s almost like roasted green tea mixed with steamed banana leaves and white flowers. The aftertaste is very orchid-like.
This is good but if I were to rate the GM oolongs (on personal preference), it would definitely be Coconut Pouchong first, Sugar Caramel Oolong second and this third.
Preparation
I’m finding myself drinking this a lot for someone who doesn’t like rooibos! It must be the yummy sweet coconut flavor. It’s comforting and warm and it kind of makes me feel calm and sleepy. Very good for nighttime.
Upping the score again!
Just jotting down some quick notes:
Tastes like unsweetened soymilk!
Barest hint of molasses-like sweetness.
Green tea is a bit bitter and astringent. “Standard” green tea characteristic, I think.
Very toasty flavor. The scent is like roasted soybeans.
Strangely satisfying and refreshing, this morning.
Good choice!
Preparation
I added a little bit of milk to this and the almond flavor is greatly enhanced! Without milk, the taste is like a mild amaretto. But with milk, the almond turns wonderfully creamy! This is less sweet then Almond Cookie and non-bakery. It reminds me of those egg-white, Italian almond-puff like things. Like a bittersweet almond. The black tea base is mild and softly astringent.
This is actually pretty delicious. I’m glad I bought it at such a great deal! I may “splurge” on even more! I think this is a very good “everyday” flavored black tea.
Preparation
Drinking the last bits of this today. This was a good, personal, memory-evoking blend for me, while it lasted—but it wasn’t perfect. If I can reblend this flavor now, I would not use this mild Ceylon base, but a nice, strong Assam or Keemun. The high rating was purely due to subjective reflections on my own carefree youth!
Farewell Clotted Cream!
Preparation
Taken with a bit of milk, this is a yummy, strong blend. There is a fair amount of mouth-puckering astringency that’s softened by the milk. But it’s not unpleasant and gives a nice “bite”. The brewed aroma is mouthwatering roasty and malted—almost cocoa-like (but I don’t taste cocoa).
A pretty good, satisfying breakfast blend!
Preparation
Hmm..this does not seem as yummy at work today. The flavor seems curiously flat and sleepy. Wake up flavors!! I know it’s the water—it’s not hot enough. The hot water spigot at our water cooler tops out at 190. Definitely not hot enough. This needs to be steeped in boiling water (a “roaring boil”) to realize its full potential. I need my own hot water kettle for my desk!
How sad—I was looking forward to toasty Almond Cookie comfort today!
Lowering my score a bit for this tasting. :(
Preparation
I find it interesting that you lower the rating when you know it’s just a matter of the water not being hot enough… now if we could have separate ratings for each tasting note I could totally understand it.
Yeah, I thought it would be appropriate because it’s my experience for this tasting. I know it’ll be bunmped back up tonight when I could use boiled water!
So then why change it when only your most current rating is visable? Tonite this rating will be gone if you change it.
Oh it would be nice if the ratings were kept static for each tasting note! Since tasting can vary when we experiment with temps and times. Thanks for clarifying!
This is absolutely delicious !!!! It’s toasty, doughy, almond cookie deliciousness!!! I’m so happy this is in my life now. :P
No, seriously. I am. This is like almond croissants in a cup. Or almond biscotti. Or cinnamon toast with giant dollop of almond butter. All that delicious stuff is in my tea right now.
I can swear now—that any tea seller who sells anything remotely almond cookie-like is reselling this. I think this is the original. It’s sooo inexpensive—only $5.95 for 4 oz! This has to be the original!! And it’s so yummy, it can’t not be.
Almond-lovers, you must have SpecialTeas’ “Almond Cookie” in your tea repetoire. Your life is incomplete without it.
(wanders off in an almond cookie induced haze of happiness)
Preparation
Adding to my shopping list now and with much anticipation. Enjoy your almond cookie hazy happiness!!!!!
This has been on my list for some time now. Once my paychecks start coming in, I’m getting it for sure!!