73 Tasting Notes

95
drank Passage by August Uncommon Tea
73 tasting notes

This is one of the chocolatiest teas I’ve ever had. As a chocoholic, I’m always looking for ways to get my fix that won’t destroy my health…I think I may have found the perfect thing. Why oh why can’t they keep this blend forever?? I just ordered a bunch since they’ve discounted it, but I may have to order even more.

For my fellow chocoholics or anyone interested: here’s $10 off! http://go.referralcandy.com/share/FKRVB4M

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 4 min, 0 sec 3 g 8 OZ / 236 ML

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95
drank Low Country by August Uncommon Tea
73 tasting notes

This tea smells incredible. I opened the pouch and was met with what I can only describe as ‘fall’. I could pick up smoke, bourbon, and something sweet. If August Uncommon ever decides to make a candle out of this exact scent, I’ll buy it right away.

When I steeped this tea the first time, it came out bitter. I reduced my water temp from 212 ºF to 195ºF and steeped for three minutes instead of five, and that ended up being the sweet spot for me. Speaking of sweet, another reviewer below mentioned the idea of adding maple syrup as a sweetener. What a great idea! I added about a teaspoon (real maple syrup, mind you, not that nasty fake stuff). This tea is so heavenly. I could pick up those sweet, smoky (almost burnt) notes, that call to mind roasting marshmallows over a bonfire on a cool, clear autumn night. I’m still in awe of the fact that August Uncommon has managed to capture that image so perfectly with this tea. Finally, something that’s quintessentially fall – without any pumpkin spice flavor involved ;)

Interested? Here’s $10 off your order! http://go.referralcandy.com/share/FKRVB4M

Flavors: Caramel, Smoke

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 3 min, 0 sec 3 g 8 OZ / 236 ML
White Antlers

I just ordered samples of this and the chocolate tea, thanks to Daylon R Thomas’s posting a coupon. Now I am truly looking forward to my August package. That video on their website really appeals to me. Thanks for your reviews.

JJ

I’m happy that my words are helping build your excitement! This company is truly great and has made a lasting customer out of me :) I’ll be looking out for your reviews!

cookies

I snuck this one in the order I placed during their sale. I’m going to have to try it tomorrow after reading this review.

JJ

That was a great decision, cookies! I can’t wait to see what you think of it. Which others did you order?

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95

This tisane is so interesting…before steeping, it smells very strongly of anise. That’s pretty much all I was able to smell. Although I do like anise, I am rarely in the mood to drink a tea that is too strongly flavored of it. However, after steeping, the aroma had totally developed. The anise was still there, but beautifully balanced with the scent of baked bread. In other words, it smelled delicious – like a yummy coffee shop treat. When I took my first sip, I immediately understood why August Uncommon listed biscotti as one of the main flavors. With sugar added, this is an absolute indulgence.

Interested? Here’s a coupon for $10 off your next order! http://go.referralcandy.com/share/FKRVB4M

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 5 min, 0 sec 3 g 10 OZ / 295 ML

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91
drank The Settlement by August Uncommon Tea
73 tasting notes

My August Uncommon order arrived this afternoon! Since I’m staying in today anyway to get some spring cleaning done, I opened my package and went right to work. Of the four blends I ordered, The Settlement was the one that intrigued me the most – I had never tasted yellow tea before.

I was pleasantly surprised! I love its earthy nuttiness. It’s a very satisfying, savory tea with a slightly sweet finish. I will enjoy finishing this. Now that I’m no longer a yellow tea virgin, I’ll start to seek more out.

Interested? Here’s a coupon for $10 off! http://go.referralcandy.com/share/FKRVB4M

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 5 min, 0 sec 3 g 10 OZ / 295 ML

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85
drank Forever Nuts by DAVIDsTEA
73 tasting notes

It may be the first day of spring, but it was quite cold outside today. The temp had me reaching for something familiar, comfortable, and reliable. This tea, as always reminds me of a walnut cake when I drink it – sometimes, that’s all I need.

Preparation
Boiling 7 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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85
drank Irish Breakfast by Adagio Teas
73 tasting notes

I received this as a sample from Adagio last weekend, and figured it’d be the perfect tea to kickstart my St. Patty’s Day celebrations. This morning, I went to Mariano’s (one of the grocery stores in Chicago) and bought some of their delicious soda bread, along with some Kerry Gold butter (I rarely keep butter in my apartment, so this was a treat) and decided to enjoy them with some Irish Breakfast tea as soon as I got home.

This tea is pleasantly malty, and stands up well to cream and sugar. Nothing about it sets it apart from other Irish breakfast blends, but I wasn’t expecting it to.

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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80
drank Pistachio Ice Cream by DAVIDsTEA
73 tasting notes

When I heard that David’s new spring line of teas was coming out, I carved out some time last weekend to stop by. Before even walking into the store, I knew I’d be leaving with pistachio ice cream (at the very least). I’m a sucker for anything pistachio and I couldn’t not try this tea. I was instantly seduced by the scent, which reminds me of a rich, nutty, creamy cake of some kind.

I steeped 2.5 tsp according to the temp and time instructions, and I held off on adding sugar because a few of the reviews already up for this tea mentioned that it’s pretty sweet on its own. After tasting it, I agree – the tea is pretty sweet on its own. However, I still added a little bit of sugar because my sweet tooth is legendary. Now, on to the flavor: I got a strong nutty taste, but it was more of a general nutty taste than pistachio. There is definitely an underlying creaminess, and I could see this making a yummy latte. Overall, I don’t regret buying it but I probably won’t replace it when I run out. For now, this is a fun tea to have in my temporary rotation.

Flavors: Creamy, Nutty

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 6 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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90
drank Tiger Eye by Adagio Teas
73 tasting notes

Since I discovered Adagio a year ago, I’ve tried several of their teas and have found them inconsistent. Some I find tasteless, no matter how I steep them, and others – such as this one – are wonderful. I first received this as a sample from the Old Orchard store in Skokie when I was purchasing something else. Considering that some of their flavored teas have fallen short for me in the past, I was in no hurry to try this one. I’m glad I finally did! In the past few weeks, I’ve finished my entire sample bag (quick tangent: THANK YOU Adagio for giving customers sample packages that contain enough tea to make several cups – you can’t always form a complete opinion on tea from your first cup or two!) and have returned to the store to purchase a 3oz bag of the stuff.

I like this tea best when I add a little sugar (which enhances the sweet caramel flavor) and no cream. I find that adding even a little bit of cream drowns out the caramel flavors that make this tea so wonderful. I can see myself adding this to my regular rotation!

Flavors: Caramel

Preparation
190 °F / 87 °C 4 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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95

Drinking this tea right now, post-lunch. For the first time, I didn’t add any sweetener to it to see how that would alter the flavor. It actually tastes just as great without sweetener! I’m getting a stronger green tea taste and a stronger fruity taste, but no vanilla at all. When I add sweetener, I can pick up some vanilla flavor but the green tea and fruit flavors are a little weaker, so there are pros to both. Since I’m trying to cut down on the sugar I add to my teas, though, I’ll likely be leaving the sweetener out of this one from now on.

Preparation
2 min, 0 sec

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90
drank Tiger Eye by Adagio Teas
73 tasting notes

This is one of my favorites from Adagio so far. With some sugar added, it’s got a nice caramel flavor. When I let it cool down a little, I can also taste some chocolate. This is a great tea for a mid-day caffeine pick-me-up.

Flavors: Caramel, Chocolate

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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Profile

Bio

If you count the bagged stuff, I’ve been a tea drinker for a long time. I first discovered the joys of loose leaf on a trip to London in 2014, and it’s all been downhill from there. I’m still in the phase where I want to try everything, and I’m still developing my tea personality.

Types of tea / tisanes I gravitate toward: black, green oolong, Japanese green, flavored teas (sweet, floral, fruity, minty, complex, you name it), rooibos, roasted mate, and many herbal and fruit combos.

Teas I need to try, try again, or keep trying: white, pu erh, dark oolong, pure Chinese green, mate

I’ll update soon with my rating system!

Location

Chicago, IL

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