1015 Tasting Notes
I received this tea today as a generous sample from Tealicious Teas! Thanks again! I love when a company provides a nice size sample so that I’m able to play around with different preparations and don’t feel as bad if I really mess up an attempt or two. This tea has a very candy peach scent rather than a natural peach scent, but it is a very juicy, inviting aroma. The first sip of this medium roast oolong didn’t give me much. I mean, there isn’t much of a taste. I added a bit of sugar in an attempt to coax the peach flavor out, but…..not much besides sugary water. Usually a bit of sugar can “hide” in a tea, but in my cup it is very obvious that sugar was added. I don’t know if perhaps I’ve had so many strongly flavored teas today that I’m unable to appreciate a lightly flavored tea but I’m not really feeling this tea. If a second attempt proves to be more successful, I will change the rating but as it is, I’m pretty glad this was a free sample.
I received this tea in the mail today (along with my beloved Queen Catherine!!) and just had to try this first. I was hoping that it would be similar in taste to Chicago Tea Garden’s Golden Bi Luo (especially because this one from Harney is much more reasonably priced). However, this tea isn’t the same – but it is at least just as good. I initially tried this without additions and it was toasty, slightly malty and really does remind you of unsweetened cocoa. This tea is actually more similar to Premium Steap’s Emperor’s Red which is great since that is one of my favorite teas ever. I added a bit of sweetener and milk, but I think this tea is a bit too delicate. The milk really overpowered the tea, but it was still drinkable. I am working on the second infusion now at 7min and although there is a little less body, the flavors are still present without any bitterness. I really am enjoying this tea and I have to say that the small, delicate rolled leaves are so cute.
On a side note, I really thought that Harney and Sons only used black tins like the one in the photo, but my tin is gold! I have to say that was a nice surprise and a little fancy which may have influenced my choice of drinking this before the Queen.
Sounds like we placed similar orders! I, too, received Golden Snail and Queen Catherine today, as well as Chocolate Mint, Rose Scented Black, and Vanilla Black. I agree completely on your assessment of this tea as well. So smooth and sweet!
I’m thinking that you, JacquelineM and myself really do have similar tea interests. I only purchased Queen Catherine and Golden Snail this time around. I’ll be looking forward to your review on the Rose Scented Black as it is one I’ve considered before.
Can I join your little group of China Black love?
I needed something quite bracing this morning and Irish Breakfast fit the bill. I steeped this one up for about 15 minutes and added a healthy amount of sugar and milk to help with the bitter edge. This tea is strong yet smooth and was a welcome accompaniment to my grilled goat milk gouda and fresh raspberry sandwich that I had for breakfast.
I love goat cheese (drunken is my fave)… but cheese and raspberry?
Sounds so yummy!
I like Twinings Irish Breakfast! Your brekkie sounds wonderful – I had a baked brie with fruit jam once and it was so good. Tea would be the perfect pairing with it – we had punch at the time.
I pulled this out of the back of the cupboard where many of the forgotten samples lie. I let this steep for at least 20 minutes and it came out amazing! In the past, I had trouble getting much of the caramel flavor from this tea – the rooibos overpowered everything. However, this time, the only thing I am getting is sweet, rich, slightly thick caramel excellence. A great way to spend an evening!
It has been several days since I’ve able to sit down and enjoy a cup of tea. I’ve been so busy that every cup of tea has been on the go. Boston is tasting amazing today. I am really enjoying this cup with a bit of honey and half and half. Since this tea is better tonight than ever before, I’m upping the rating on this one.
I think this is one H&S city that I haven’t visited. (I really like Florence and Paris) How would you describe the taste?
Paul, I will let mrawlins answer that but I wanted to put in my two cents worth! This is lovely, a very quiet and contemplative cup not at all like Cranberry Autumn (which is good but a completely different mood). I think the amaretto or almond aroma and flavor is what makes it so very soothing to me. Florence is rich and chocolate-y, Paris is bright and full, Boston is an intimate companion.
I do agree with ashmanra on the contemplative qualities of this tea. To me, this tea is very smooth with a nice sweet tart cranberry flavor (more sweet than tart though), the almond is very understated and helps with the smoothness I think. The black tea is smooth and noticeable, but this isn’t a morning wake up tea. This is one tea that I seem to like more each time I drink it – but it also requires the right mood to fully appreciate it.
After this morning I will be officially out of this delicious tea. Although this hasn’t been an everyday tea for me, or even a very often tea, when the mood hits, this tea is absolutely perfect. I’m not getting much of the white chocolate today, but I’m really enjoying the nutty flavor that is coming through.
