961 Tasting Notes
TeaTiff TTB #17
I’ve really been enjoying tasting many of the teas Martin added to the box from companies I’ve never experienced or even heard of on my own! However, I would have skipped this one if I’d looked it up on Steepster ahead of time. Stevia is one of those tea additives I hate with a passion and there is a LOT of it in this blend. A hint of freshness from the mint, a bit of depth from the base, but all overwhelmed by the sickly sweet, tongue-curling taste of stevia. Not sure I can even finish this cup. Such a disappointment!
Flavors: Mint, Stevia, Sweet
Preparation
TeaTiff TTB #16
Bird & Blend does chai well and this one’s no exception! I added milk to my cup and it’s exactly the sweet, spicy, caffeine-free treat I was hoping for. The rooibos base is totally submerged under layers of sweet toffee, cinnamon, cardamom, and just a hint of warming ginger. It’s not quite as amazing as their gingerbread chai (an all-time favorite) but still delicious!
Flavors: Cardamom, Cinnamon, Ginger, Sweet, Toffee
Preparation
TeaTiff TTB #15
I had hastily assumed this was a straight black tea like most of the others Martin added to the box, but was stopped short by seeing a whole clove in my infuser. Was this actually a chai? Turns out, it’s neither. Apparently it’s meant to be a gingerbread-flavored tea, but to me it came across as just a very lightly spiced black tea. I mostly tasted the base (nice and malty with notes of stone fruit) and then just a hint of cinnamon and clove in the aftertaste. Unexpected, but enjoyable!
Flavors: Cinnamon, Clove, Malt, Spices, Stonefruit
Preparation
TeaTiff TTB #13
Why do tea companies insist on using hibiscus whenever they’re making a strawberry-flavored tea blend??? I know it gives the blend the right color, but that tart floral flavor is not at all what I want from a strawberry-inspired tea. This one did have some nice fruity notes, but the hibiscus totally took over in the aftertaste and ruined the experience for me. Disappointing.
Flavors: Fruity, Hibiscus, Tart
Preparation
TeaTiff TTB #12
This reminds me of a Darjeeling, which I know is supposed to be the “fine wine” of black tea, but which I personally don’t love. The flavor is light and floral with a lingering woody note. I find it slightly drying on the tongue. This one’s definitely not for me, but hopefully someone else will enjoy it!
Flavors: Drying, Floral, Wood
Preparation
TeaTiff TTB #11
What a lovely surprise! I wouldn’t normally reach for an herbal bagged tea, but I decided to give this one a shot based on Martin’s recommendation and I’m so glad I did! The flavor of this one really blew me away. The name is spot-on…it tastes and smells like freshly squeezed orange juice! Super natural and refreshing and I’m guessing it would make an amazing iced tea!
Flavors: Orange, Orange Zest, Sweet
Preparation
TeaTiff TTB #10
If I hadn’t known this was an oolong, I would have thought it was a green tea. It brews up bright green and has a very fresh, floral flavor. Although it’s nice and smooth, it doesn’t really have that buttery mouthfeel I associate with oolongs. Still quite enjoyed it, though!
Flavors: Floral, Smooth
Preparation
TeaTiff TTB #9
I was intrigued by the combination of caramel, vanilla, and pomegranate in this blend. However, the pomegranate really didn’t come through for me. I was a bit disappointed by that, but the tea itself is still quite good! The caramel and vanilla flavoring is sweet and natural rather than cloying or artificial and the base tea is hearty but not overbearing. This is definitely one I’d drink again!
Flavors: Caramel, Sweet, Vanilla
Preparation
TeaTiff TTB #8
This one surprised me! It had a strong scent of brown sugar and I thought it might be a flavored tea, but it turned out to be just a straight black. The flavor was quite light and sweet. Honey smooth, but lacking in body…almost more like an oolong than a black tea. It was interesting to try, but probably not something I’d go for again.
Flavors: Brown Sugar, Honey, Smooth, Sweet
How sad that I have to agree with you completely. Sorry that it was such a miss! I chose it purely because I liked the leaf quality and name, no idea that stevia will be in. I was expecting just mint and tea… that sounded “Pesian” enough.
No need to apologize! If I’d checked Steepster first, I would have known this one wasn’t for me. Hopefully it will end up in the hands of someone else who doesn’t mind stevia. :)