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I tried this on the way in to work this morning.
My preferences on tea are being challenged everyday, so after trying Lover’s Leap(a bold brew), and then reading the description for this one, how could I resist??
Well, this is definitely bold!!!! sheesh, it slapped me in the face with boldness!
It went beyond malty, to that raisin-like place. The thing is, the entire sip was like that, until the finish when it kindof tapered off into a mild boldness.
There was very little astringency though, but it was definitely not a complex tea.
So, yet another paradigm shift in my tea pickings!
Overall, it was pleasant, and loads better than bagged. I can see coffee lovers enjoying this. I do love my coffee <3

Sooooo, not bad for a bulk barn tea!!
I’m sufficiently awake, there was no scratchiness, and the rice is nice and toasted.
I oversteeped, so I’m forgiving the bitterness this time.
This is lovely, I will definitely have to buy more!!! but not until I try the tea dynasty version :)
I may up this later…

What a rush! wow!
I was in a hurry, unsure of what to order, and hadn’t even tried my customary test sip to see if it needed sugar/milk, which I decided to go with just in case… they make the tea scalding hot, no way was I doing that! So when I got into the office and sat down to enjoy my cuppa, I really had no idea what might be assailing my tongue.
My first sip, I thought: eeeeps! I oversteeped. That’s what I get for morning chitchat.
Second sip: It’s not bad, despite the oversteeping!!
Third sip: I added sugar, but it tastes like there’s none at all. Still, I like it this way!
Fourth sip: ohhh, I really like it this way. I think I’m in love!!
Yes, I did it!!! I found a black tea that I LOVE! well, a plain black, “unflavoured” version anyhow. Extra points for being the first (not counting Marco Polo, but then that one was chosen for me, not that I am begrudging it at all, I’m just taking extra pride in finding this one myself!)
The company website has no description so I don’t really know what’s in it. I think Ceylon?
Anyhow, I can’t remember much in terms of specifics from this morning, but it was malty, and super bold with very little astringency. I could swear there was just a hint of roasted-ness but that was probably the oversteeping. Oh, and my favourite part, the complete novelty part, is the raisin finish!! I’ve noticed raisin notes before, but never this strong, and usually not with milk in them, or as a finish. Yum!
They have another tea that I tried ages ago, which was also amazing. That’s two for two! I wish they had more variety, this is the closest looseleaf shop to my work, and so much better than Teaopia! alas, I will have to settle for their mere ten teas.

Backlog!
This was my after sushi tea. I was not all that impressed. Maybe it’s just me (probably), but I find that dried plum and oolong have very similar flavours. I could definitely taste the plum here, but it sortof finished off where the nutty oolong part left off.
I like my tea’s complex, and this just seemed to be one extra long sip of the same flavour.
The cherries were nowhere to be found either. They smelled so scrumptious in the bucket! and I loooooooove dried cherries so the lack of cherry in here was most disappointing. It was one of the reasons I chose this tea. Ah well, ya win some ya lose some.
I’m giving this an extra low rating because I’ve had other Oolong’s that were SO much better, and I doubt I would take up this tea even if it were free. I normally reserve this rating for tea’s that make me want to toss it, which I almost did do… what can I say, I’m in a harsh mood today, and I’m frustrated at having found nothing redeeming about this one, especially in contrast to the liquid delight I had this morning.
Oh, except that it was sweet enough without any sugar added.
Don’t let my rating scare you off though. If you like plums, this one might be for you.

This is one of those samples I bought from the bulk barn eons ago. I’ve been go go all day, and this was bagged, so it was quick, and I definitely needed something to keep me awake!
Well, this certainly did the trick.
And the taste? Well, it was better than I had feared!! ever since my Matechino fiasco I’ve been wary of Mates that have strong flavours attached, besides fruit.
The spices were mild, but pleasant. I could definitely taste cinnamon, and I think cardamom, but I’m not sure about the rest. The mate didn’t bite too much either, the way I often find it does. Of course, I could taste the bag a little but for that price, it was still much better than I expected. Also, it tasted great without any sugar added. Bonus!!
Oh, and they didn’t grind up the mate like they do with so many teas, which in my mind, means that it was less processed :)
It may be useful to have this one around to grab’n go. I haven’t got a bagged mate around besides this one. It’s something to think about anyhow.

this was all I could get my hands on. not bad but I was so hoping for my Chocolate Rocket. Oh well, maybe later :)

I’m in a funk today. Maybe because I’ve roped myself into watching this jdrama that is oh so very sad, but addictive to. If you want to cry through a box of tissues, check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA5_IdSfdZw
I should be cleaning house now… but I’m just not up for it. Le sigh
I used extra tea leaves, and timed it, using my tea master. Perfect! though with the extra leaves I had to use a whole teaspoon of sugar. Eeek, I rarely do that!
The berry really complements the black, and the milk to. So much better than my earlier cup of read my lips, despite the minty sensation! This was just the mental boost I needed. Thankyou Cloud Nine xxo
Maybe I’ll wash the floor now…

So I got a sample of this ages ago…. and forgot all about it! I only found it when rooting through my “almost done” pile.
Anyhow, before I present my opinion, I must say… that I am not the biggest fan of peppermint in my tea unless I have tummy issues. Between that, and my dislike for peppercorn, well I think I am the only one on this website to NOT have a love affair with this tea :(
I think it’s ok, not terrible, but really not fantastic either. The milk helps, but I’m barely getting any chocolate flavour, as the other ingredients completely overwhelm it, and that was the part of this tea I had looked forward to most. Bleh!
I feel as if this one is trying to be Chocolate Chili Chai, but coming in wayyyy behind. It tastes weak to. I’ve found that Chinese blacks rarely ever mix well with other ingredients so I somewhat expected that.
Oh and the red lips never dissolved in my tea master! what’s the point of having them in the tea if they never add anything to it?
I’m glad I have only a sample. This is definitely not on the rebuy list.

Not bad for a black tea. It’s slightly complex, but not quite as much as I had hoped. The flavour is good, but rather light, unless I oversteep it and then it gets bitter. Hmm, I can’t quite seem to win with this one! Still, it’s better than my standard bagged Red Rose which makes it worthwhile in my books…
As for the flavour, when it’s hot, I taste just regular, solid tea, with a malty note if I add some extra leaves. However, when the tea cools, there is a slight bitterness because of it. I can’t have one without the other. Hmph.
There is a definite raisin note when cool, which I also do not get when hot.
The astringency really comes out on the finish however, when it’s hot, but less when it is cool. This is a tea of contradictions!! complex, in the strangest places, and never all in one sip.
Oh, and I do get a spiciness now, after having half a teacup cool and bare, in the aftertaste.
I wonder… is the David’s version of this tea is as confusing???

Now that I’ve tried a few of these, I can tell that this is a high quality Milk Oolong! I purchased this one months ago before I knew what it was all about, and wasn’t able to appreciate the quality. When I went digging through my stash I found this at the bottom and had to give it another go!! I only have one serving left so I will definitely be buying some more :)
This is very creamy and sweet without any added sugar at all. It really does taste like I added some sweetener.
Overall, a close second to the the ATM version that QuiltGuppy sent me. That one has more depth, so I find it more satisfying, and the flavour is more peachy and distinct. Also, I don’t really taste much of the tea here, it’s all milk and sweetness. I don’t mind that though. There is some scratchiness, but then, it doesn’t help that on the first infusion, I
accidentally oversteeped, again… *sighs
So I’m going to try a resteep but I suspect it may not last beyond two or three of them. Oh well, live n learn. Let’s see what the next cup brings me :)
EDIT: the second cup is much rounder and a bit less creamy. I’d love to try this in gaiwan one day. I’m getting some of the tea now and it has a really nice finish… a bit sour and milky.