Cory O'Brien Send Message

Thankfully this tea resists my tendency to over-steep, because I forgot about it for a few minutes, and almost doubled the recommended steep time. Even with those extra few minutes though, the tea comes out pleasant and drinkable, with a strong grassy/flowery flavor, and just a hint of bitterness that actually adds to the overall enjoyment.

Finished off the sampler tin today, so I’m logging my last tasting. Overall a good tea, but just shy of extraordinary. Followed the instructions exactly (212 degrees for 5 minutes) and got a pleasant, but mild flavor. I preferred the longer steep that brought out more of the smoky flavors. Good color and a nice aroma round out what I’d say is an agreeable black tea.

Steeped for a little longer in a little hotter water today, and the taste and aroma definitely improved. Still not a strong flavor, but the caramel comes through in the aroma and helps to mellow out the flavor. I wish the pear was stronger, but it’s growing on me.

Tried hotter water today, and the taste was still smooth and delicious. However, it’s mostly a strong mate taste with just a hint of fruit despite the huge chunks of dried fruit in the tea, and I’m still not getting much of the spice flavor, though there is a slight taste of minerality.

I was looking for a classic black tea this morning and I couldn’t think of anything I wanted to reach for more than my tin of Thomas Sampson. The earthy, smokey, mineraly flavor is a perfect pick-me-up in the morning, and the dark color and smokey aroma add to the overall appeal. There’s also just enough bitterness to give the flavor some bite without overpowering the other flavors, and it lingers on your tongue and lets you savor the experience. Great stuff!

I had a second steeping of this tea today after the first steeping sat for about :15 minutes, and it had a musty/mossy aroma and taste that just didn’t agree with me. The color was still very light, and there was a grassy after-taste, but overall, I didn’t like this one.

This tea is a winner. Love the rich, dark red color and pleasant jasmine aroma that just won’t quit. It’s also got a smooth, sweet taste that lingers on your tongue without getting bitter for a great combo of color, taste and aroma.

I accidentally let this one steep for a few extra minutes today, but the flavor stayed true and didn’t get overly-intense. If anything, it just brought out the rice/popcorn flavor a little more, and made the aroma even stronger.

Steeped a minute longer today, and got a really strong flavor that was still smooth with just a hint of bite at the end. The aroma is strong, with a mix of toasted rice and a hint of earthy, and a taste to match. Still a great cup!