23 Tasting Notes

68

After waking up to a heavy frost and a chilly house, Winter Blend is an appropriate choice. Needless to say, heating the kettle was my first action this morning.
This is truly a “comfort tea”. The orange and apple are fruity and evident. The cinnamon is there but does not announce. The least of the flavors, the rose and nuttiness, just make it a nice well rounded blend.
Great without milk or sugar, but add that in and it’s excellent as well.

In my shop I call this Orange Spice, as I frequently have customers asking for a blend with orange. This satisfies and is reminiscent of Constant Comment only kicked up several notches in flavor.

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

Another reason I changed the name is that customers wouldn’t buy Winter Blendt year round.
I have a blend of Mulling Spices from Monterey Bay that I like to add to this blend on occasion, just to give it a more intense flavor. The mulling spices are nice in other tea blends a well. Mostly fruity flavored tea.

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85

This was my first Iron Goddess. If you are going to have a first of anything, this is it.
It set my standard for a baked oolong. You will enjoy seeing the leaves expand to a large full leaf. Beautiful. The flavors are as described and multi-layered.

Preparation
185 °F / 85 °C 3 min, 0 sec
ColumbiaKate

I just enjoyed some on this rainy morning. A dark chocolate drop melting on my tongue after several sips enhanced the experience.

Meeka

Agreed – I also tried this as my first Iron Goddess last week and it was great. You might be on to something with tea/chocolate pairings :)

Ross Duff

Chocolate + TGY = <3

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84

I have a Teahouse with over 70 teas, so naturally I get to taste all of them and I’m always buying more because I want to taste more.
Most of my guests are not necessarily into trying tea for itself, but more for the experience, so I buy mostly tea that is not rare or special but something many people will like. My hope with my tasting notes is to not only express my views about the taste of a certain tea, but to express the likes and dislikes I hear from my customers. In this way I can share what I’ve learned about the teas I sell and serve.

Buckingham Palace Garden Party by Metropolitan Tea is one of those teas that appeal to many. In fact it is one of my best sellers. The Blend of 3 flavors that are familiar, Assam, Jasmine and Earl Grey, puts it right in the comfort zone. Different enough to appeal to the adventurous but not heavy or strong in taste.

I enjoy this tea as well, The Earl Grey gives just a hint, as does the jasmine. It is a great beginner’s Tea. I do recommend it.

Preparation
185 °F / 85 °C 5 min, 0 sec
ColumbiaKate

All the Tea I have is loose tea. We use Tea Sacs for serving.
The BPGP was so popular thru the holidays, that it is currently sold out. I’m waiting on my next order from Metro to arrive. We have the BPGP to serve, but recommend Vienna Opera Ball as a back-up for those who want to purchase the Buckingham Palace.

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Columbia Kate’s Teahouse

Set in an 1880’s period barn in historic Columbia, A State Park, CA, our focus is in providing both an education in the Art of Afternoon Tea while offering a pleasant atmosphere and great food.
Opened Feb 1, 2007
Open 7 days/week 11am to 4pm

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