412 Tasting Notes
Got my clearance order from SpecialTeas today – quite happy with it so far. This Winter Blend is distinctive – slightly spicy, slightly fruity, well balanced. I like that I can pick out the flavors of orange, coriander, and pistachio, not just cinnamon. It is similar to Harney and Sons Holiday flavored tea, but I think this is less fruity. An absolute steal at $2.63 for 4oz.
The pistachio came out especially strong on a second steep (~5 minutes).
1tsp/6oz, taken with cream.
Preparation
Treating myself to a stovetop chai this evening. It’s been hard to find time to log teas lately, but I am still drinking them! I love all the spices in this one (the picture is quite accurate, there are huge chunks of cinnamon and maple sugar).
Preparation
Remember that job I got, like, two months ago? Well, it finally started. Hence, lack of posting. Also hence: tea for de-stressing!
This is really lovely to look at while it steeps – there are big chamomile buds and a chrysanthemum floating on top, lemongrass on the bottom with some pink curls I think are rosehips (not purple enough to be hibiscus, though that’s apparently in here somewhere) and I definitely see a sprig of tarragon floating near the bottom there too.
The flavor is pretty mild. I wouldn’t have liked this two years ago, but I find it pleasantly soothing now. I’m still not a huge fan of chamomile, but it blends well here with the tangy citrus-esque flavors.
Preparation
Mmm… another lovely one from the SororiTEA Sisters. If I hadn’t already tried Florence this would be my favorite chocolate tea. Strongly chocolatey, like dark chocolate, but still tea. A little bitter for me straight-up, but rich and sweet with milk.
Preparation
Smells very spicy (that would be the peppercorn, cumin, and coriander) and a little nutty/sweet. The taste oddly both watery and full. I can identify black tea on the front, kind of bitter really, but then the aftertaste is sweet and spicy and lovely. I prefer my tea unsweetened, but this could do with a bit of sugar or honey.
A dash of milk improves it enormously: fuller body, less harshness, more caramel flavors.
I steeped 1tsp in 8oz boiling water for 2:15 (recommendation is 2-3 minutes); a longer steep or more leaf would be better. A second steep at 4 minutes was about as good as the first. And, impressively, two subsequent steeps (6 and 8 minutes) were also good.
Points for uniqueness and resteepability.
Preparation
This sounds lovely—but it looks like SpecialTeas’ 924 Winter Blend. I wonder if they’re the same thing?
This was probably the most exciting sample out of my SororiTEA Sisters prize package – I hadn’t gotten to try any of LiberTEAS’ creations before! And it’s lovely. Smells like a cinnamon roll, but the light pastry kind, not the heavy buttery side. I wouldn’t have guessed that rose, cinnamon, and vanilla would go so well together but they really do.
This is light, sweet, and delicious without anything added.
Preparation
Juicy! I’d say the cherry in this is as strong as the rose. It reminds me of Enjoying Tea’s Rooibos Provence (both have rooibos, rose, and red fruit flavors), but that one is more floral where this is more fruity. I’m not a huge cherry fan, but if I were this is one I’d likely keep in stock – the cherry flavor is rich, sincere (G identified it without being told), and not overpowering. Very tasty!
Will update with resteep info.Another from the SororiTEA Sisters’ prize package!
2g, 8oz