1118 Tasting Notes

76

From the HHTTB2

Helloooooo, clove! There are lots spices here, but the clove is much stronger than the rest. It does remind me of gingerbread, and I can see how this would be nice to have during the fall and winter months. I can see myself picking up a sample size at some point around the holidays.

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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50
drank Aztec Sweet Chili by Yogi Tea
1118 tasting notes

From the HHTTB2

I actually had this tea last night. They have apparently changed the name from Mexican to Aztec Sweet Chili. My tea bag had the Mexican Sweet Chili label.

This herbal is odd. So very odd. The smell is strongly of licorice and fennel. The initial sip is watery followed by a lot of sweetness from the licorice with the spices – cinnamon, clove, and cardamom – kind of blending in. Right behind the sweetness is a savory punch from the fennel and anise, and then there is the heat from the ginger, pepper, and cayenne. This is all in one sip. The heat builds in the back of the throat with each sip which I liked, and the licorice coated my throat pretty well which made me think this might be good to keep on hand for sick days. It’s a crazy mix of flavors though, and nothing really blends. And I couldn’t get past thinking this is a strange tea.

Not a tea I would purchase, but it was fun to try. I will admit I was laughing while I drank it because it is so not in my wheelhouse.

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 0 sec
sherapop

What is HHTTB2? Sorry if that’s a stupid question. ;-)

Veronica

It’s the Here’s Hoping Traveling Tea Box #2. I’m just to lazy to write that each time. :)

sherapop

Thanks… it’s a bit cryptic… Lol

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96

Tea of the morning. I enjoy the malt and cocoa notes in this tea. They’re not super heavy, but they definitely contribute to the rich feel of the tea overall. There is also a bit of spiciness at the back of the sip. It reminds me of all spice I think. It’s not something I’ve tasted before in this tea, but it’s really nice. There’s just a touch of smokiness which is pairing nicely with the all spice note today. Very nice.

Thank you Angel and Teavivre for letting me sample this lovely tea.

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 3 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML
looseTman

Yum! I agree. When is the next TeaVivre sale?!

Veronica

Not soon enough!

Lariel of Lórien

This is note is making me impatient for my next sampler from Teavivre.

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78
drank Jungle Monkey Chai by Tea Xotics
1118 tasting notes

From the HHTTB2

A coconut, banana, chocolate chai that won’t keep me awake all night? I’m there.

This is a nice herbal. I like the robust coconut flavor and the sweetness of the banana. I don’t taste the chocolate at all. I kinda wish it were there even a little. I do like that the rooibos does not have a strong medicinal taste or an overly strong woody note. All in all this is a good herbal. I think my kids would enjoy it even more than I did.

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML
VariaTEA

Were the spices strong?

Veronica

No, they were pretty mild. Coconut was the dominant flavor followed by banana. The spice was kinda hanging out in the background.

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91

I spent the better part of my evening running my kids from place to place and then setting up for a bridal shower I’m helping with this weekend. I brought this tea along for moral support, and it did its job beautifully. Tonight it was a bit less sweet and a bit more spicy. Loved it. I didn’t add milk to my cup this time, and I think it let the spices come to the front a little more. So very good.

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 10 OZ / 295 ML

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80

From the HHTTB2

Adagio hit the mark with this one. The taste is all apple. It’s bright and fruity with a sweet/tart taste that reminds me of a crisp green apple. Yum. The base tea is surprisingly thick and silky. It’s perfect with the apple flavor and makes this tea into a real treat.

Also, I’ve now discovered I like apple teas. I guess this shouldn’t surprise me since I like pear teas, but apple is not a flavor I would’ve gone out of my way to buy when looking at flavored teas. Now I know!

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML
Ysaurella

it’s hard to find a really good apple tea (I mean apple as only flavour). I have Hédiard’s one but I don’t like it as much.Which pear tea would you recommend ?

Veronica

I like SBT: Pear and Design-A-Tea’s Ice Wine a lot. Even though Ice Wine isn’t supposed to be a pear tea it has a nice pear flavor. Oddly though, I don’t like it iced. It’s much better hot.

I find it interesting that some fruits like peach and melon translate to tea so well while a good apple tea is much harder to find. I wonder why that is.

Ysaurella

in the south west of France we make a dessert with peach or pear + sugar + wine. We leave the fruits for 15 minutes in this bath and eat them. We call this Pêches au vin and Poires au vin. Very simple and very good. So it’s not finally so surprising an iced wine tea can taste pear :)
Apple is complicated in tea. Thanks for the suggestions for pear teas

Christina / BooksandTea

The Tea Haus also has a tea called Turkish Apple that is just plain dried apple, apple peel, and lemon flavour. I haven’t tried it, but I admit I am quite curious.

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84
drank Darjeeling by Whittard of Chelsea
1118 tasting notes

From the HHTTB2

I’m a Darjeeling fan. I know it’s one of those teas that people love, or hate, or love to hate, so I wasn’t surprised by the less than stellar rating this one has received. It’s definitely a blend and probably not the highest quality, but it is decent Darjeeling.

This tea has plenty of muscatel notes. The flavor is strong from the first sip. There is also some spiciness and a good floral note that reminds me of honeysuckle. It’s really interesting and pleasing. There is a nice amount of astringency. Not so much that it’s harsh, just present. As the tea cools the grape-y flavor lessens somewhat, but it is still the dominant flavor. I enjoyed two steeps, and the flavor was consistent in both cups.

I can see this being a nice afternoon tea. I’m glad I was able to try it.

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 3 min, 30 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML
TheTeaFairy

I too am a fan of Darjeeling and its bright and crisp astringency!

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83

From the HHTTB2

This is good. It’s fairly light with a decent amount of sweetness to it. The smell is a bit dry and earthy. Some of that is in the taste, too, and it’s really nice. Love that there’s no chemical taste from the decaffeinating process. I really appreciate that.

I’m going to have to swing by Ceriello’s this weekend and check out the Butiki teas they have in stock!

Butiki Teas

Veronica-We don’t work with Ceriello’s anymore. I really need to take that off of our website. Sorry. We do sell out a shop in Bordentown but the prices of the tea are nearly double.

Veronica

Thank you for telling me! I’m too far from Bordentown, and I should just break down and by online. My dislike of Paypal is keeping me from good tea!

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93

From the HHTTB2

Oh mercy, yes! This is exactly what I wanted this morning. Rich and slightly smokey with hints of leather, wood, and brown sugar… this is so good. I tend to prefer my straight black teas from India or Nepal, but I think I’m going to have to spend some time trying Keemun teas because I have thoroughly enjoyed the two I’ve had this week.

This one is going on my shopping list.

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 0 sec
tea-sipper

This is going on my shopping list too. :D

looseTman

I’m a big fan of TeaVivre’s Premium Keemun Hao Ya. How does the Little Red Cup Keemun compare to it? I see you recently tasted both of them a day apart.

Veronica

loose Tman, I sent you a pm.

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92

From the HHTTB2

After the strangeness that was my last cup of tea I wanted something I knew wouldn’t disappoint. There was just enough of this tea left to make a cup. I was excited since I’ve wanted to try this tea for a while.

I really like the coconut in this tisane. It is sweet with a fresh taste. No strange sunblock smell. There is also a bit of something tangy that lingers at the back of the throat. I’m thinking this is a nod to the cheesecake. It is an absolutely enjoyable cup.

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 6 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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Profile

Bio

Tea obsessed since 2010.

My Rating System:

100-95 = Teas I actively seek out and keep in my pantry. If you are a guest in my home chances are I will offer you one or all of these teas. Also, if/when these teas are discontinued I openly mourn their loss.

94-85 = Teas I truly like, often have in my pantry, and sometimes restock. These are my variety-is-the-spice-of-life teas.

84-75 = They’re good teas and I enjoy drinking them on occasion.

74-65 = These teas are ok, but not really my thing.

64-55 = meh.

54-45 = I will if I have no other option.

44 and below = Coffee, please.

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