600 Tasting Notes

66
drank China Green Tips by Tazo
600 tasting notes

A review of China Green Tips by Tazo Tea

Company: Tazo Tea
Tea Name: China Green Tips
Tea Type/Varietal: green
Region: China
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: tea cup/ tea bag
Plucking Season: Spring
Liquor Color:
Leaf Characteristics:

Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 190 Fahrenheit
Time: 3 minutes

I wanted a simple cup of tea and I reached for this tea by Tazo Tea. I take the tea bag and put in my cup adding cold tap water to it and put it in microwave for two minutes. I let steep for a minute more. Tea is brown in color and smell fresh and clean. When sipping this tea it is very mild with a lingering taste of green tea upon swallowing. In all it is light and lingers with its freshness in that you know it is green tea and nothing added.

Preparation
190 °F / 87 °C 3 min, 0 sec

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60
drank Bossa Nova by Zen Tea
600 tasting notes

A review of Bossa Nova Oolong Tea Flavoured by Zen Tea

Company: Zen Tea
Tea Name: Bossa Nova Oolong tea flavoured
Tea Type/Varietal: Oolong
Region: China
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ loose leaf
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: dark reddish brown
Leaf Characteristics: the leaves are small and finely curled with bits of the hazelnut brittle which smelled more like cocoa or naturally unprocessed cocoa kind of bitterness.

Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

The oolongs I have had from Zen Tea have all been wonderfully clean and pure. I understand that this is a popular blend but unfortunately for me it is not. I steeped this tea for five minutes with boiled water; removing the tea leaves which are plumper but still small leaves. The teas’ aroma is very lovely as it is a robust and flavorful aroma almost coffee like. The hazelnut brittles mixed with the vanilla is heady indeed. But when sipping the tea it is mildly bitter; like naturally pure cocoa and with the vanilla bean it makes it even more so.

Since I don’t add anything to my teas usually, but adding milk or cream with sweetener might make this a more enjoyable cup of tea.

2nd Steeping:
Water temperature: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 3 minutes

I am trying for another cup of this tea steeped for a few minutes and the aroma is as before very enjoyable and when sipping of tea the astringency found in the tea’s mixture of vanilla bean and hazelnut brittle still exists.

The tea is layered nicely with the vanilla and hazelnut brittle tantalizing the taste buds and if one prefers their teas with milk/cream and sugar than this tea is ideally for this. Since I prefer plainer tea, I find this oolong to be too much like that of a black tea than an oolong. Aside from the Magnolia Oolong I would prefer and enjoy this oolong best if it were a true oolong and not passing for black tea.

I mean I don’t like this tea, but this tea is well suited for those favoring black teas.

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec

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100

A review of Taiwan Gaba Tea by Fong Mong Tea Corp

Company: Fong Mong Tea Corp
Tea Name: Taiwan Gaba Tea
Tea Type/Varietal:
Region: China
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ loose leaf
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: red
Leaf Characteristics:

Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 190 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

I am finishing this GABA Tea sent to me by Fong Mong Tea Corp. I had this tea again just prior to going to sleep. Well a good few hours prior to retiring. I will continue to insist that taste wise this is an exceptional tea that is very refreshing. I can drink this tea all day long since it seems to be so very light…weightless/airless might be more descriptive.

Thank you, Fong Mong Tea Corp, for sending to me such a wonderful tea. It has been quite an experience and I continue to not understand the tea’s full benefit; I can only say that is an excellent tea.

Preparation
190 °F / 87 °C 5 min, 0 sec

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93

A review of Chocolate Pu-erh (Numi Organic Pu-erh) by Numi Organic

Company: Numi Organic Tea
Tea Name: Chocolate Pu-erh
Tea Type/Varietal: Pu-erh
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: red
Leaf Characteristics:

Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

I had placed an order for the Numi Tea Sampler pack and received several other Numi tea for sampling as well as several nutritional breakfast bars. It was quite a surprised when I did finally open the package. I had no idea, as this box had arrived several weeks earlier it seems.

I selected to drink this Chocolate Pu-erh as an after dinner drink. I remove the tea bag from its envelope like seal and I am happy to see it is a tea bag with a string and not those sachet pyramid tea bags. I place the tea bag in my cup and add in the boiled water to it and leave it to steep for five minutes. I can see it coloring right away; first seeming dark brown and ending with that russet reddish color and tea’s aroma is that earthy dampness and when I take sip of the tea it is smooth and chocolate tasting. I call it that Cocoa nib chocolate flavor.

I was able to fix two cups of this tea and it truly is decadence and yummy. My palette is drying as I take sip and sip of the tea, as I swoosh it around my mouth it has a drying effect to it and when I do swallow it is smooth and velvety.

Overall this is a robust tea that begins with that damp earthy smell and resulting with hints of Cocoa as top note while intermingling with the Vanilla Bean and Nutmeg and as the teas color is bright red/russet this could be due to the orange peel.

I like this organic chocolate pu-erh by Numi. Thank you for offering the challenge and all of these samples. I don’t eat nutritional bars so I gave them to the hubby for his lunch snacking treats.

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 5 min, 0 sec

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76

A review of Aged Earl Grey (Assam aged with real bergamot) by Numi Organic Tea

Company: Numi Organic Tea
Tea Name: Aged Earl Grey
Tea Type/Varietal: Black
Region: India
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: bright orange/amber
Leaf Characteristics:

Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

I fixed a cup of this Assam black tea this morning to continue with my Numi samples. I steeped this tea for five minutes resulting with a bright orange/amber coloring. This is another tea having that dryness feel to it on the tongue, not quite lip smacking like tart apples but closely. It is a malt tea with fine character and not heavy and the bergamot is most mild. I must say it is not prevalent in the flavoring of this tea.

2nd Steeping:
Water temperature: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

The second steep of this tea, the color is not as bright and there seems to be a bit more of the bergamot flavoring in the cup. Tea is smooth and malty as fine Assam teas tend to be. I must say that I prefer those Earl Grey Tea by Bigelow Tea as I seem to have enjoyed much more so than this one.

I think that organic teas and the processing of organic tea makes them so very mild that one cannot always discern the taste hence deriving at pleasure while drinking a cup of anything organic. Yet left alone, like the Bigelow’s Earl Grey, the flavor is fully, adding quite a kick to one palette and enjoyment.

It is all opinion and seemingly mines alone. This Assam is similarly to that of Kopili Assam Black Tea that I had from Stash Teas of India and that Pure Assam Tea by Madura.

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 5 min, 0 sec

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79

A review of Awake (Black Tea) by Tazo Tea

Company: Tazo
Tea Name: Awake
Tea Type/Varietal: Black
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ teabag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: bright orange red
Leaf Characteristics:

Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

I have been enjoying this one Tazo tea bag for most of the day. I took the tea bag and put it in my cup and pour the boiling water into my cup and left it to steep for a good five minutes. I than took my cup to view the tea’s color which is a lovely reddish orange cup of tea. At first there does not seem to be an aroma; nothing prevalent to permeate the air or my nostrils. Upon sipping the tea, however, I am met with a full bodied cup of tea which is smooth and creamy with a slight malt taste.

Overall, this tea has no after taste and is not bitter at all. It stands on its own with no sugar or cream added and as one drinks the tea it taste as good as first to the last drop. Tea is just as described on package “A lovely tea of boldness, depth and character, invigorating any time of day.

This another one of the tea bags obtained while volunteering at The Massachusetts Conference for Women.

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 5 min, 0 sec

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100

A review of Taiwan Gaba Tea by Fong Mong Tea

Company: Fong Mong Tea
Tea Name: Taiwan Gaba Tea
Tea Type/Varietal:
Region: China
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup / loose leaf
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: reddish brown
Leaf Characteristics: the leaves look like fine twigs that have been crystallized. And when steeped they are fuller and brownish red in color and don’t seem to have an aroma.

Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

I have not had this tea in a long while and last evening decided to fix me a cup since it was suggested that I try this prior to retiring for the evening. I took one teaspoon of the leaves and put this in my cup and adding cold water I put in microwave for two minutes and leave it to steep for a few minutes more.

The tea’s aroma is mild roast with a slight smoky scent; it is all very faint and that to me is the delight that is to be found with this tea since all is very mild…like a hint of but nothing in particular. However the tea’s color is a lovely reddish brown color; like the color of prune juice with no pulp and when sipping tea it is wonderful taste of malt and is very yummy, well in my humble opinion.

I really don’t know how else to say how luscious this tea is. I can drink it all day long. I did sleep nicely for few hours once I finally was able to fall asleep; and this morning I awoke to continue to have more of this tea and I am finishing it this evening with the hopes for a better night sleep.

In all this tea is exquisite and is a favorite of mine. Thank you Fong Mong Tea for sending me a full package of this tea to enjoy. I will miss not having it around. It is exceptionally good tea.

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 5 min, 0 sec
gmathis

This does sound luscious, the way you describe it! Is this recommended for sleep/relaxation?

ms.aineecbeland

I am told by the Fong Mong Tea company to drink the tea just before sleep time. I have yet to see results with better sleep; but this tea is relaxing and is a very good drink. I have no words really, or I don’t know how to properly describe what I am drinking. I like it just the same. Thank you.

Azzrian

Nice review! Sounds good. I had a Fong Mong Tea today as well. Good stuff!

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60

A review of Baihao Yinzhen (White Hair Silver Needle) Chinese White Tea by Zen Tea

Company: Zen Tea
Tea Name: Baihao Yinzhen (White Hair Silver Needle) Chinese White Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: White
Region: China
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/ loose leaf
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: light amber with 1st steep/ darker amber/ orange base with later steeps
Leaf Characteristics: very thinly silver colored tips when steeps looks like thinly sliced cut green beans.

Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 170 Fahrenheit
Time: 2 minutes

I decided to try this tea today for no particular reason other than I am trying to go through this tea package that I received from Zen Tea a while back. This is a most prize tea (only top buds) are used to produce this tea.

I take a teaspoon of the tea leaves and put them in tea mug and pour in the hot water with a steep time of two minutes. Tea color lightens straight away to light yellow color; tea’s aroma is mildly floral with a slight astringent. I sip it slowly to just take in the tea and taking in the aroma as well which is nice.

This tea makes me think of an oolong tea and not so much white tea, as it is unlike the Bai Mu Dan Peony Tea I had earlier this year. This is more floral and sweetly.

2nd Steeping:
Water temperature: 180 Fahrenheit
Time: 2 minutes

The second steep the tea is dark amber in color with an orange base to it and this is very much like an oolong tea to me; it is smoothly with a slight drying after taste. I would say overall this tea impression is to leave smoothness with no after taste yet there is slight dryness when swallowed.

Preparation
180 °F / 82 °C 2 min, 0 sec

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81
drank Calm by Tazo
600 tasting notes

A review of Calm Herbal Infusion by Tazo Tea

Company: Tazo Tea
Tea Name: Calm
Tea Type/Varietal: Herbal
Region:
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup/tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: soft amber
Leaf Characteristics:

Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 190 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

I volunteered for The Massachusetts Women Conference and obtained these tea samples from them. I had a cup of this herbal infusion while waiting in the volunteer room and decided to take some home. I have so many teas to review; there was no need for my taking them. Yet I did. A thief I am. Anyhow, I fixed for myself a lovely cup of this Calm tea this morning and not mid day mind you.

I seem always calm, and yet the world around me is chaotic since it is not my home; my life is not my own it feels like. The other reason for being attracted to this tea is because I had purchased a bottle of Tazo Herbal Infusion but it was infused with spearmint and peppermint. So seeing this herbal infusion strikes a cord of familiarity and the tea is quite nice.

I take one tea bag and put in my cup and pour in the hot water leaving it to steep for a good five minutes and the aroma fills the air immediately with hints of chamomile, hibiscus and rose petals. It is a lovely light amber (yellow base) and when I sip and sip this tea it is the Chamomile that is most prevalent and with more sipping there is the hints for other herbs like lemongrass but not too strong and hints of rose in the fragrant as well.

This is probably the most soothing tea that I have had and I can just keep drinking it all day long; similarly I did while waiting in the volunteer room at the conference after having found this tea. I had been there earlier in the morning and had not notice that there was tea; well I did not think to look for tea. But in the afternoon while in the same room I look closely at the table and saw the tea sampler box and ventured over to finding (Tazo teas, Tetley Teas and Lipton tea bags) I chose this herbal infusion of Calm tea and fixed myself a cup of this tea and taking some of the tea bags with me.

I am happy to say I have had another wonderful cup of tea by Tazo Tea. Thank you to the conference staff for having such good teas available.

Preparation
190 °F / 87 °C 5 min, 0 sec

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82

A review of Miesna Christmas Tea by Metropolitan Tea Company, Ltd.

Company: The Metropolitan Tea Company, Ltd.
Tea Name: Miesna Christmas Tea
Tea Type/Varietal: black
Region: India
Steeping Vessel/Amt. Leaf: cup / tea bag
Plucking Season:
Liquor Color: reddish brown/ the color of apple cider
Leaf Characteristics:

Steepings

1st Steeping:
Water temperature: 200 Fahrenheit
Time: 5 minutes

Yes, another fixing of this Miesna Christmas Tea. I find this day calls for warm cider and since I don’t have warm cider, I am having a cup of this tea instead. I open the little crate box by sliding the wooden lid off and remove one tea bag from the foiled package. I must say it is heady in that it smells of cider…there is tartness in the air and it is lovely.

I put the bag in my cup and pour in the boiled water and leave it to steep for five minutes. After which I take the tea to view tea’s color and it is does resemble that of apple cider with that caramel color or cinnamon.

I sip and sip the tea slowly since it is very hot and spicy seeming to be laced with cinnamon, cloves and apple. The tea is both sweetly and tart with slight drying effect which is quenched with more sips of this tea.

I like the tea’s color and aroma and taste is most pleasing in that it’s both sweet and tart and the tea warm you all over. This is a lovely tea and not just for Christmas.

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 5 min, 0 sec

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I like to drink tea less so than when I was aptly reviewing teas. I find that I like less and less of things as I age. I am a somber spirit who prays daily to not be at all. Thank you Steepster for all that you do to enrich tea drinkers.

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