Numi Organic Tea

I’ve tried all the bagged loose leaf Numi pu-erhs and was pretty disappointed, then I came across this chocolate bar brick. I have to say, for the affordable price this is a very decent pu-erh. Pretty mellow, easy drinking taste so it’s a good default pu-erh to have in your cupboard. And I love the chocolate bar presentation, very fun. Worth the price.

Not too grassy, not too sweet. Aroma matches the flavor well.

This wasn’t the newest tea bag ever, but it was still pretty good. The first steep that I had in for four minutes was very strong and sour, almost to the point where I should have added sugar but I really don’t need any more sugar than I already eat! But the second steep was so weak it barely had any flavor at all. Interesting.

Delicious when you want something fruity and tart.

I was in the mood for a black tea – also something vanilla. I remembered there was a tea like this in the Numi’s Collection (a box of 18 different flavored teas) so I tried it. Very very good! The black tea isn’t too strong and the vanilla compliments it well. I also kept pouring the water over this one tea bag because I just had the one! I was worried I would like the teas in this “sampler” so much that I would need to hunt down the flavors in their own boxes. This is one of them.

Nicely balanced blend of masala. Robust anise/cinnamon aroma with a nice cardamon taste. Hue was an orange red.
A little aside:
I decided to drink this for lunch, not having eaten anything since 6 a.m., after the second sip I got the jitters.

Pleasant! Didn’t let it steep long because of the hibiscus and rosehips, but there is a full bodied quality I feel in my mouth when I sip this that I don’t normally taste from flavored, fruity teas. And that makes me pleased. Maybe not what I expected, but still enjoyable.

A bit too sweet for my tastes, and if I had added sugar, it would be like liquid candy. I can taste a bit of the raspberry when I put my mind to it, but it strikes me as a bit tart, and more like a substitute, generic berry than anything specific. What darjeeling there is seems overwhelmed by the hibiscus and rosehips (which frankly, I think we should ban altogether from tea), but it works better for this tea than I have tasted in other berry blends. No bitter aftertaste, but leaves my mouth feeling dry the way I do when I drink pink lemonade..?! It is biting cold outside, so I’m just happy to have a warm mug and tummy.

I agree with all the other posters. This tea definitely has a subtle blend of spices (I feel that the cardamom is most prevalent) that is smooth on the palette. I prefer my chai much stronger, and if milk and sugar are added to this (I drank it without) i fear that the subtlety of the flavors will disappear. Nice blend, good for those who don’t usually drink chai.

I think the toasted rice is spot on, but it over powers the sencha. I reach for this when ever I need a snack.

Has a smooth tobacco tone which reminds me of Celestial Seasonings’ Morning Thunder

Has a fresh, floral crispness that I like very much.

Bitter and lacks body.

This is my wake up cup, every morning. In my opinion this is one of the best EG’s in a bag, it neither coats my mouth with an oily film, nor does it dry my palette.

The tried-and-true go-to tea for me. I love the body on this Earl Grey, the other ones that I have come across have either been too drying on the palette or too full. It’s a wonderful medium bodied black tea with just a slight hint of bergamont. As a consequence, I usually drink it sans sugar and cream. Perfectly balanced, and I’m never disappointed with the brew. It’s a good pick me up and always satisfies… sort of like the same way a PB&J will tide you over when you’re sick of grilled cheese.

The mint is the saving grace – I can leave the rest of the blend. Actually, I probably wouldn’t ever buy this again…actually it was an extra goodie in a swap…it’s not awful but it’s not what I would call good either.

Very tart and slightly bitter, a punch in the mouth! Sugar mutes the punch a bit.

Once out of the package these look like Chestnuts. Once infused and open these are the biggest bloomed/flowers I have seen. They are glorious. There is little to no scent and very light in taste. It’s refreshing/thirst quenching but not much flavor. Still a nice cup – I had one hot and one cold. I did 2 infusions but didn’t attempt a 3rd because the first two were so light! Pros and Cons but still a neat experience.

Very light and base. Usually with overly mint-tasting things I feel a kind of acidity in my stomach, but not this time! It’s also very smooth on the palette, albeit not the best Mint tea.

In summary: Ho-hum “Pick Me Up” tea.

Edit: This is not a full review, I have already done that many times for this tea.

Not feeling well, this is the perfect pick-me-up tea and it keeps me going. Has all the health elements of tea and does not require milk or sugar which can make symptoms of cough worse.

Put the tea bag in my travel mug and fill with hot water. Sip and enjoy. The best part about the tea is you can re-steep the tea bag, at least three times. Really helps keep me going.

Back to the heat wave on the East Coast – a quick cup of this will help me wake up and get ready for today…

Infused hot, three minutes, splash of half and half, no sugar, two ice cubes. Unfortunately, it is just TOO hot to actually drink hot tea, so I am enjoying lukewarm tea. The half and half adds the smooth and creaminess to the tea that it is otherwise missing, lightens the spices and thickens the pu-erh-esq and chocolate flavors.

This started my day because it was easiest to grab. I must say that now that my commute has multiplied (it was 15 minutes and now is close to 55 minutes) I really find this tea refreshing in that I can let it infuse the ENTIRE time and it still taste just as delicious.

The fragrant spiced-cookie (please see other posts for more information) is so creamy, rich and delicious that it just may be necessary to get me through this commute and to work.

As always, hot, no additives, infused more than 60 minutes, drinking the whole time out of my giant travel mug.

So I’m in Florida on vaca and I have to say that I’m pretty sure security went through my checked bag like twice because of all the tea in there, haha. Honestly though, I brought a full box of these (start the day off right you know?) and I my hotel is right next to a mall. And in that mall? A Tavalon store!! So you might not here from me a lot, but I will have much to post when I get back :)

See you all soon Steepsterites!