Steven Smith Teamaker

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Popular Teaware from Steven Smith Teamaker

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Recent Tasting Notes

80

It took me all day to drink this cup and finish my sample, but it was good, and deserves its plan my shopping list! (145)

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80

This is really good. The base is very sweet and fruity and it reminds me of the mouthfeel I got from Tardis. There’s a bit of astringency at the end of each sip, but it’s pleasant. The bergamot is just a touch strong, but it seemed to mellow out as it cooled a bit.

Yes. I think Steven Smith teas are something to keep an eye out for! Hard to say whether I like this more than Tardis, or Mount Gray as they have similiar profiles, yet are still unique. Stock up on all three?

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

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71

Giving this one a whirl again, the Steven Smith mesh teabags are packed with tea and I was a little afraid of overleafing this cup. I decided to leave it in for only 3 minutes instead of the recommended 5. Smells like caramel and tastes bright and citrusy. I bet this would be really good with a squeeze of lemon but I still don’t love it and I’m off to go find some sugar. I think it will be good for a resteep.

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 3 min, 0 sec

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71

This teabag came in my black tea sampler from Steven Smith and it’s the last one I have yet to try. I admit I peeked at the reviews and it seems nobody is terribly impressed with it so far.

I didn’t want to steep this for too long because ceylons can go bitter rather quickly. My brewed tea color is a medium orangish brown.

I’m finding this to be rather smooth with a lot of brightness and citrus notes. It seemed to be there was some pungency and astringency in the finish I didn’t quite appreciate, although it is drinkable. Intense, yes. I prefer my ceylons to be more on the mellow side I guess.

This was a lot better with (soy)milk and sugar to temper the intensity. Not really destined to be a favorite of mine.

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 0 sec

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87

I’m not going to be at the offive today due to being at training, so I stuffed a tea bag of this in my travel mug this morning so I will have something yummy to start my day off. As usual this one is buttery, sweetly vegetal, and lightly floral. Lovely morning!

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87

I started out on the light end of the tea spectrum this morning. I chose this tea mostly because of the convenience of it being in a bag. My co-workers were all late (and one had just given birth. yay!), so I was checking in patients for 3 practices and a bag was just way easier. Yummy, creamy, floral tea! Definitely helped keep me going!

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87

This tea was calling to me this morning! “Drink me, Drink me!” And so I did.

I think my tastebuds were a little muddied by the chai this morning because I was not picking up all the subtleties I was on Tuesday with this tea. Still yummy though!

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87

Lovely tea! This has the creamy vegetal taste that I’ve come to associate with oolongs. I haven’t experienced that in a white tea before. The asparagus quality is sweetened by the floral elements, which deepen the taste and shine in the aftertaste. I could thoroughly get distracted by this tea at work! :-)

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90

This tea is a variation of earl grey, and it’s great. It’s simultaneously less bitter, but stronger than most of the other earl greys I’ve had.

Preparation
3 min, 0 sec

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90

Sipdown… just finishing this one off. I will miss it and may be looking for another good assam, guess I’ll check out the reviews on Steepster ;-)

TeaBrat

thanks for the suggestions!

looseTman

You’re welcome!

looseTman

TeaBrat, What steeping parameters work best for N0. 49?
oz. / temp. / tsp. (g) / min.

TeaBrat

hmm, I usually steep assams with boiling water for around 3 minutes

looseTman

Thanks TeaBrat,
Scant, level, rounded, heaping tsp. 1.25, 1.5, etc. tsp. or how many grams?
6 oz. teacup, 8 oz. cup, or something larger?

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90

mmm. I love this as a morning tea, it’s super malty and contains just the right amount of heft. It’s making a good accompaniment to the carrot raisin muffin I’m having for breakfast. I see I’m almost out of this which is a good reason to start looking for a new assam. I just wish Steven Smith has more reasonable shipping charges – I think you have to spend $75 before their free shipping kicks in and I don’t think I like enough of their offerings to spend that kind of ca$h right now.

In other news I have a visit to the doctor today and I am interested to see what he has to say about this shoulder pain of mine, especially given that I am supposed to be going back to work soon. Let’s hope it isn’t anything too serious/complicated.

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 12 OZ / 354 ML
looseTman

Hopefully, your Dr. will have good news!

TeaBrat

thanks!

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90

Tea of the morning here – I am so grateful it’s Friday!

This is a nice sturdy and flavorful cuppa. I love the maltiness and mellow flavor. Perfect with soymilk and a bit of coconut sugar – it’s cheering me up today :)

Fjellrev

Sounds wonderful.

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90

Tea of the morning here, somehow I needed to just reach for a favorite. This is such a tasty and comforting assam for me. My boss has had a cold all week and I got it now too, life has been frustrating me lately with various and sundry health issues but at least there’s good tea to cheer me up. :)

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 15 sec
Sil

mmmmm oh i miss this one… so many teas to clean up first.

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90

Okay, I decided to try it again this morning at 3 minutes 30 seconds… it is a delightful assam. Malty and very rich, an excellent breakfast tea. There is something floral about it, but the finish is also spicy and strong. I added some soymilk to mine but no sugar. Might even be a bit better at 3 minutes only. Not the best assam I have ever had but definitely up at the top in terms of flavor. Assams are my favorite breakfast tea so I’m glad I got a lot of this! I also recommend checking out the Brahmin if you like a strong tea.

Sorry, Sil. I’m keeping it! :-P

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 30 sec
looseTman

“Not the best assam I have ever had but definitely up at the top in terms of flavor.”
What is your favorite Assam? Have you tasted the Assam from Zen Tea Life? http://steepster.com/teas/zen-tea/30455-assam-mangalam-second-flush-ftgfop1

TeaBrat

No, I haven’t tried that one. I think my favorite assam was one from Simpson and Vail which they ended up discontinuing: http://steepster.com/teas/simpson-and-vail/30783-cream-of-assam-organic-rani-estate

looseTman

7 minutes ago
I haven’t had the S&V one. I thoroughly enjoyed the Zen Tea Assam. What is your current favorite Assam?

Sil

haha FINE! be that way! like my tea ;) the tiger assam from A&D is also damn good…

TeaBrat

@Tman, I don’t think I have a favorite right now, thanks for the possibilities!

looseTman

You’re welcome!

looseTman

One more: http://steepster.com/teas/andrews-and-dunham-damn-fine-tea/28374-tiger-assam I guess it skipped my mind as it’s $80/lb and not organic.

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90

This was my tea of the morning, so confident I would like it that I bought 4 oz…

I let this steep too long by accident (mornings are not my best time). It seems very thick and malty (a real spoonbender) but I just need to time it correctly before getting an accurate review/impression.

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 30 sec
Sil

you ever need to get rid of it because you decide you hate it, just give me a shout lol

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90

Tea of the afternoon. I’ll have to take it easy on the caffeine after this because I had two cups of coffee while I was out at a workshop today…

I’ve had this in my cupboard for a while. It happens to be one of the only bergamot teas that I care for and I think that’s because of the quality of the bergamot in this blend. Smelling it reminds me of an essential aromatherapy oil. The black tea base isn’t bad either but I like this with a bit of sweetener.

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 30 sec
carol who

Gotta love a good bergamot! :D

boychik

I like this one too. Have you tried A&D Mt Gray ?

TeaBrat

@boychik – no, I normally am not a fan of EG’s so I steer away from them as a rule :)

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90

Tea of the afternoon here. My sweetie and I went to the Deyoung Museum and then came home to take a nap. This is a nice waking up after nap tea. I got the news today I need to wear the sling on my arm for another 2 weeks and I thought I was done with it. The damn thing is so uncomfortable I can’t remember the last time I slept through the night. Revive me, Lord Bergamot!

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

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90

I was listening to Jay Z this morning before brewing this up and am wondering if “Lord Bergamot” would be a good name for a rapper – he he he. Anyway this is one of my favorite bergamot based teas.

Preparation
Boiling

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90

I’m back from my local Whole Foods and found that they are carrying a few select Steven Smith teas and this was one of them. This is one of the few bergamot/Earl Grey teas that I actually like. I think the assam makes a difference here. Very enjoyable with soymilk and a touch of stevia. I wish they carried the loose leaf instead of the pyramid teabags but beggars can’t be choosers!

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90

Yet another tea sachet sample from Steven Smith… in the interest of full disclosure I am generally not a fan of Earl Grey/bergamot based blends but I have to try it anyway… right?

For a bergamot blend this is pretty tasty. The black tea base is dark and rich and the bergamot is bright and flavorful. Gasp – an Earl Grey I actually like!? Most of them are obnoxious and soapy in my opinion.

A splash of soymilk just really made this perfect for me. I might need to keep some of this on hand… yummy. It seems so well balanced and artfully composed. On the list it goes. I rather wish I had purchased some more of this.

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 0 sec
Sil

mmmmm good to know. Maybe this is one i’d be ok with.

TeaBrat

I was shocked I liked it!

Terri HarpLady

Sil, I’ll send you a sample. It really is one of the few Earls I can live with, & although I don’t drink it often, I have some because,…well, because Steven Smith made it! :D

Sil

sounds good terri!

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73

Another tea sachet sample to try from Steven Smith…

Eh I wasn’t terribly impressed with this chai for some reason. I’m finding the assam tea base isn’t really standing up to the spices and the ginger root seems much stronger than the other spices in the tea. Better with soymilk and sugar but probably won’t go on my list of things to repurchase.

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 0 sec

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92
Tea of the morning here. We are having network IT and phone issues at work which is impacting my productivity but not internet access or the ability to make tea. :)

This is one of the better 2nd flush darjeelings I have had and I’ll be wanting to pick up more with my next Steven Smith order. It has lovely honey and stone fruit flavors and is equally good hot or as a cold brew. I really wish it was available locally — you lucky Portlanders!

Upped the rating by a few points today…

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 4 min, 0 sec

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92

I may be getting weird in my old age but I am always seeing these chia seed infused juice drinks around and I thought I would try making a chia iced tea.

I cold brewed this overnight and added the chia seeds this morning. After letting them sit for a few hours they got nice and plump. It’s kind of tasty, albeit slimy. It you try this I would recommend shaking the drink every once in a while to prevent the chia seeds from clumping together.

Preparation
Iced 8 min or more
OMGsrsly

The chia seeds are so cool! I’ve been rehydrating them and keeping them in the fridge, then adding them to all sorts of things. Lemonade (really good!), teas, matcha lattes… :)

ashmanra

I bought some, too! I put mine in puerh.

TeaBrat

@OMGsrsly – yep, I add mine to Oatmeal and Smoothies, a lot
@ashmanra – I may have gotten the idea from you!

Doug F

There are a couple really nice new second flushes from Upton that I have my eye on.

TeaBrat

Doug – I haven’t bought very much darjeeling this year, I am still trying to drink last year’s! ;-)

Doug F

I totally understand. I have enough Yunnan Dian Hong to last me a couple of years.

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92

OMG… I’ve never tried cold brewing a darjeeling before but it really worked well with this one and brought forth honey like sweetness as well as a lot of fruitiness. I will need to do this again soon!

Veronica

I can’t wait to try this one. I’m hoping to pick it up this weekend.

TeaBrat

If you do, you have to try the cold brew method. ;)

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