343 Tasting Notes
So in a moment of procrastination, I stepped foot in the closest Wegmans to my house (about 30 miles). I haven’t been to Wegmans since college and now I have an appreciation for the vast tea display and I have some disposable income. This is a dangerous combination.
I love that it’s kind of like do your own Davidstea. There are tins on a wall, a little shelf with a scale, scoops and brown resealable bags and you can buy as little or as much as you’d like.
This immediately caught my eye and when I opened up the tin, it looked a lot like Davidstea Stormy Night. It smelled a lot like Davidstea Stormy Night, the ingredients looked a lot like Davidstea Stormy Night. Could it be a replacement for my discontinued tea?!
It’s definitely not the same tea as the chocolate chunks are different, but it does taste almost exactly the same, if not spot on. They sell it for $39.99 per pound, about $2.50 per ounce. Not as cheap as the price I paid for Stormy Night ($14.50 when Davidstea was running that crazy sale last summer for 8.8oz/250 grams) but the fact that it’s not discontinued and doesn’t have to be shipped from Canada (if it ever came back) is certainly a plus. Also, I somehow doubt I’d manage to get it for $14.50 again.
So if you liked Stormy Night and you have a Wegmans nearby or someone that is willing to ship it (raises hand), I highly recommend Wegmans Chocolate Chai.
edit
After coming home, I realized there is another location a mere 8 miles away, doof!
Preparation
This is pretty good. It’s creamy (on the tongue as white teas tend to be) and almost sweet enough on its own, but I still added sweetener. But for some reason for the majority of the cups (on steep #2), I’m getting more caramel than white chocolate; in fact, it reminds me quite a bit of their Caramel Oolong (not exact but close enough for the association in my head).
I can’t find this anymore on their website, so I’m not sure if they no longer make this, but I had originally picked it up in a try me pack. I’m not horribly disappointed it won’t be available to repurchase, but I’ll happily sipdown the 1/2oz I’ve got.
Preparation
The only positive thing about back orders with Teavana, is that they typically throw in the free sample of the moment with each shipment; therefore, I now easily have 6 packets of this with another on the way. I was running low on de-rock-sugared packet number 1, so I de-rock-sugared packet number 2 and now I have a nice fresh sample to get me through to packet number 3.
Anyway, I’ve been having some sinus issues lately, likely because we are out of the polar vortex and now things are growing again (darn plants). This is a nice spicy cinnamon blend that clear things out. Though if you don’t like cinnamon, you probably won’t care for this.
Preparation
I’ve been trying to finish up some tea bags I had floating around. Given the recent positive experience with Yogi, I brewed up two bags of this one.
Wow, this is really spicy but surprisingly good given my usual distaste with all things licorice. I added sweetener only because without it would have been too much. This has really opened up my sinuses (my main goal this evening – you can definitely feel the burn). Not something I would stock but interesting to try.
Sipdown!
Preparation
Great Canadian Traveling Tea Box
The last tea for me from The Great Canadian Traveling Tea Box. This has been an absolute blast and now I get to fill it back up with tea. I think that might just be the best part.
Now back to the tea.
1.5 teaspoons + sweetener
Wow, this is very good! The maple is a true maple taste. It doesn’t really taste artificial (even with my fake sugar). I’m keeping the remaining teaspoons of this. Really glad I had the chance to try this one!
Preparation
Great Canadian Traveling Tea Box
1.5 teaspoons + sweetener
Hmm, this tastes pretty similar to the base of the Nutmeg Cream, a little bitter and astringent even with added sweetener. So based on the fact that Nutmeg Cream and this have Organic Sournee Second Flush in it, I should probably shy away from that as a base with this brand. Anywhoo, I’m not getting much in the way of flavor with this. Maybe a hint of cream but I’m mostly tasting the base and it’s making the back of my mouth dry. Not a fan of this and will pass on the rest of the baggy to the next traveling box receiver.
Preparation
Great Canadian Traveling Tea Box
For having sour in the name, I was really expecting to hate this one but it’s really nice! There’s a hint of cherry when it’s unsweetened. It’s not sour at all, but light and fruity. After my 3 steeps of Rhubarb Vanilla Ale, I needed a bit of a palate cleanser and this was the perfect choice. Not a keep but definitely nice to try!
In case anyone has witnessed the large amounts of tea I’ve been logging due to the traveling tea box, I think I’ll be finished by tonight!
Preparation
Great Canadian Traveling Tea Box
I had to double check the instructions for this one since it called for 1 tablespoon, crazy! I followed the instructions and added some sweetener and it is quite nice! Not astringent, not much “ale” but I did add sweetener. I wouldn’t mind having some more of this but it’s quite expensive given the large amount you need to use per cup so I’m not sure I’d purchase it on my own.
Preparation
Great Canadian Travelling Tea Box
1.5 tsp + sweetener
Given the less than favorable reviews, I was expecting this to be kind of gross, but I quite like it. Not to keep the bag or to run out and purchase a tin of my own, but it’s pleasant. The coconut has a really nice mouthfeel though I could do without the lychee part. I’m tempted to try some of the Tea Forte Coconut teas now. Pretty reasonably priced too!
Preparation
I really like to Tea Forte coconut chai latte and coconut colada. I was not much a fan of the lychee coconut though. The lychee part was just too perfumey for me.
@Lala: I was actually just sifting through your reviews trying to find some of these. Thank you for making my job much easier!
Great Canadian Travelling Tea Box
1.5 tsp in 12oz mug + sweetener
Mmm, now this one I like. It’s ever so slightly less flavorful than the Davidstea Pistachio Cream, but unlike its herbal brother, it has the benefits of green tea! I’m definitely getting the Pistachio and a bit of cream – not quite ice cream but there is a creaminess to the sip that I quite enjoy.
While I have a generous bag of Davidstea Pistachio Cream, it was limited at least for now (I hope Davidstea brings it back) and this is available year round!
I’m keeping the few remaining teaspoons till I put in an order myself.