Samova

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Recent Tasting Notes

59
drank Maybe Baby by Samova
237 tasting notes

This was the last sample bag of Samova tea I grabbed recently, and the one that seems to have the longest ingredient list, including lots of different types of fruit and herbs. I was a bit wary to see that hibiscus is in this, for although I like that flavor straight, especially iced with lots of sugar, I also know it can overpower other players in a blend.

They recommend 8 minutes of steeping and after doing that I was surprised by how mellow the drink still was. It’s a nice medium-pink color, with a mild generically fruity aroma. I definitely get the tartness of hibiscus, but there are other well-developed flavors in there as well, including sweetness which is probably from both the apple and the licorice, and berry juiciness from the strawberry. Although it’s fine hot, I think I’d prefer it steeped up strong, sweetened and then iced.

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 8 min or more

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71
drank Istanbul Nights by Samova
237 tasting notes

Another Samova teabag I picked up on a recent trip – this sounded like a nice blend of black and herbal flavors, with mint predominating but ginger, coriander and others also in the mix.

The suggested steeping time is four minutes, but we’re there now and the liquor is looking a bit timid, so we’ll leave it in for another minute.

That’s better. It’s medium greenish-brown now and has a really nice scent to it, mixing mint with a floral/fruity note. On first sip I can taste the hibiscus that also plays a role, so I’ll put in a little sugar to take the edge off the tartness. Mmm, even better now – though I can’t really taste any of the black tea that’s in there, I do feel like it gives the drink a more robust character than it would have with just the herbs. There are some nice flavors in there, the mint pairing nicely with the cardamom. Not a bad one at all.

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 5 min, 0 sec

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67
drank Scuba Garden by Samova
237 tasting notes

I was in transit via Frankfurt, Germany recently and saw that this company’s teas were featured in the airport lounge, so I picked up a few different bags to take with me. The name threw me at first – Samova, not Samovar? Huh? When I got home I looked them up and sure enough, there’s a German tea company named Samova that gives all its varieties cute names – how could I resist Scuba Garden? And then I saw that this particular one included spirulina algae, which I’ve never seen included in a tea or tisane before. The plot thickens!

So, this is a blend of green rooibos, spirulina, cranberry and orange, caffeine free. After four minutes of steeping time I’ve got a clear orange liquor with a hint of brown, and an aroma of orange. The flavor is strongly of orange, but the rooibos gives it a nice natural sweetness. I don’t detect any trace of cranberry or spirulina, but maybe that’s a good thing? It’s a pleasant enough tisane that was definitely worth trying for the name alone.

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 4 min, 0 sec
Cofftea

Do they have a website? I’d love to get my hands on this!

Jaime

Spirulina? What? I’m with Cofftea on this, I have got to try it!

Adham

http://www.samova.net/samova_2004/home_start_en.php

I have not checked out their shipping costs yet…

Cofftea

Yeah finally found it too. DEFINITELY getting the cocktail book and tea liquor. I wish Jason was around- that’d be a GREAT steepster select combo.

Adham

You may wish to check and see if the cocktail book is available in English too, unless you’re okay with going for it in German -

Cofftea

Haha DUH! I’m not used to ordering from places like Germany- I didn’t even think of that.I feel dumb now lol.

Cofftea

From their FAQ… Our flat-rate for postage and packing is EUR 6 Should your order exceed EUR 50, delivery is free. For orders with a goods value of less than EUR 15 there is an additional minimum order charge of EUR 3 in order not to incur a loss. …sounds too good to be true for the USA.

inguna

Frankfurt airport … that does not bring the best memories. I have never heard of any tea with spirulina algae. Hm ….

Paul M Tracy

I used to be a spirulina fanatic in college (I even sold supplements to “supplement” my income) but haven’t used it in years. I’d never think to put it in a blend. I wonder if the heat of the water damages any of the beneficials?

Cofftea

Paul, I’ve heard boiling water kills (at least true) tea benefits… I’ve also heard from a tea company that hot water of any temp kills benefits, but I don’t believe that.

Paul M Tracy

I went back to some of my old reference materials. The main benefits of spirulina are minerals (which should survive the steeping temperature?) and protein which may or may not denature in boiling water. It’s definitely creative and something unique, though.

Cofftea

Hm… as for the minerals, I’d actually think the hotter and longer the better then so more are extracted.

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