Tazo

Update on my wonderful vanilla rooibos…ahhh how I love thee! I must admit I used to get the vanilla rooibos lattes from Starbucks at $3 something a pop and then I had an epiphany, why not try to make my own latte?! 1 cream and 1 sugar later and this is an exact replicate of the Starbucks version and so now I am even more in love with this treasure!

This is a rooibos that I will actually drink alone (usually I’ll blend rooibos with another tea). Very smooth tasting to me; I actually need to go get a tin for my desk!

I used to be a big fan of this tea. I first had it at the Seattle Needle 10 years ago, bottled. The bottled tea blends the tea with apple juice and orange juice and it was addicting. I don’t know if they changed the blend when I first started drinking it, but it tastes off for some reason. I prefer the bottled tea, the blend taste different!

TTB Tea #15:

The problem I have w/ blends containing more than one type of tea isn’t the flavor… it’s the steeping parameters! I decided to steep this more like I would a green oolong since I figure the black tea probably only makes up 1/3 of the tea.

1 bag (2.23g)/6oz

After 3 min the liquor is VERY red. The aroma is heavy like a black tea, yet green… I can’t explain it.

The flavor is heavy like a black tea, yet smooth and sweet. I definitely wouldn’t steep this like a black tea. It’s ok, but I think a person that likes black teas would enjoy it a lot more.

(backlogging this from last week)…

My sister sent me this, and I finally got around to trying it. As a general rule, I do not get along with herbal teas and this one was tastier than most but still, I’m not a fan. I don’t like anise in teas and it was VERY strong in this blend. I can see a lot of people really enjoying this, because it does have a decent flavour, but even with the strong anise it’s still too “twiggy” (herbal) for me.

Bought this at a snack cart out of sheer desperation for a hot drink today. Wasn’t bad, but it’s been so long since I’ve had bagged tea… it just doesn’t compare.

A breakfast tea of boldness, depth and character, invigorating any time of the day. This eye-opening black tea blend has a full, rich flavor, with hints of dark caramel, malt and black cherries. Perfect with milk. This is a great breakfast or mid morning tea.

Excellent green tea with good balance of mint and citrus. Refreshing iced and with sugar, but also great warm with/without sugar. I steep at least 4 mins.

Refreshing, crisp black tea. I prefer lightly iced and with sugar. Could taste the fruit.

Great, strong flavor. Definitely taste the vanilla with a hint of peach and cinnamon. Enjoyed this hot. Haven’t bought for home steeping, but adding to list.

This is a VERY mild tea and didn’t have much flavor. It might be good as an iced tea or to clear one’s palate.

This has a strong flavor and tastes more stale than fresh.

Cinnamony! I’ve never tried chai tea before. I don’t know if I steeped it too long, or if you’re supposed to add something to it, but I found it a bit bitter. Still, it’s good enough that I’m not averse to drinking it again — perhaps a different version.

You know, I think I am beginning to enjoy mint. In tea, at least—I don’t seem to like it anywhere else.

This brewed oddly dark, I think, but it’s nice and refreshing—I’ll admit, I compromised my taste buds a bit by having a saltastic bowl of instant noodle soup right before this, so this probably won’t be the most in-depth tasting note, but this tea is light and refreshing. I taste the mint (or rather, feel it, I think—that sort of coolness that is more of a sensation than a taste), with green tea, and a sharp secondary taste of something else. The lemongrass, maybe, since I haven’t much experience with how it should taste (…like lemons?).

Great for travel for me. I like the green and mint. Don’t oversteep though.

2 bags (from the TTB), 6oz almost boiling milk, 6oz water, 1TB creme brulee creamer.

HOLY FLIPPIN ANISE! I’ve never had teabags that have smelled so much like anise. Nasty. When steeped the tea and spices aren’t holding up to the milk for some reason this time either… weird.

Full Leaf! Ordered a tall double shot 2 pump caramel 2 pump mocha upsidedown latte w/ 2 chai bags topped w/ whip and caramel and mocha drizzles. But I’m sure I didn’t say that in the correct ordering format lol.

2 Chai bags in my tall non fat double shot 2 pump caramel brulee 2 pump mocha upside down latte topped w/ whip, caramel and mocha drizzles, and brulee topping.

Quite honestly I’m amazed I like this chai because I absolutely can not stand anise. I love that they serve an organic chai. I only have this at starbucks and often get a tall double shot 2 bag chai Americano when I want a spicey coffee drink w/o the milky texture. I let my chai tea (or chai americano) steep and cool for 5 mins before drinking but do not remove the tea bags. I also frequently order a tall double shot 2 bag iced blended americano. This may confuse baristas, so just tell them to add 2 shots of espresso to the tea when steeping before adding ice and blending. For those that enjoy flavored chai tea or chai americano (iced and blended or hot) for a tall (at SBUX- 12oz) I suggest 2 pumps (each) vanilla, mocha, white mocha, and/or caramel. I personally like 2 of all of the above. If you want a little more creamy texture w/o adding milk, top w/ whip.