370 Tasting Notes
Backlog: April 9, 2025
I hadn’t managed to get very many notes from this session due to the crazy work week + everything kinda went blank. Thankfully, I managed to make notes, but most of the tea sessions felt “automated.”
Tasting Notes: I noted, “nothing beyond the texture.” I remember the tea didn’t have a lot of flavors (or anything I could pinpoint). At essentially $4 per session, I felt it lacking.
Backlog/Sipdown: April 10, 2025
Aroma: Took a little while to get anything since the tea was so tightly compressed! A little floral and perfume-y.
Tasting Notes: Thick & soupy mouthfeel. Floral, sweet, brown sugar, dates, & figs.
Additional Notes: This tea lasted a long time, and I didn’t manage to get it fully opened! I checked 14 infusions (on and off brewing within 4 hours) and when I discarded the tea, it was still compressed in the middle.
Flavors: Brown Sugar, Dates, Fig
I wish I had saved the club pamphlet and/or noted which club month I had received this tea…I wanted to make a note that it has been sipped down. I didn’t get to write down my notes, as I was driving into the office on Tuesday, when I was drinking the little bit leftover in my thermos. I will note that these offerings have been outstanding and the sheer amount of tea each month is a good change from other clubs I’ve purchased, that offer so little, for roughly the same value ($30-35 USD). Plus, the biggest win is that I get to try a variety of teas from India, which I’d’ve not explored on my own!
Mrs. Mad Hatter grabbed a box of the Easter Collection from Benner during her visit to Aldi yesterday. I made 6 cups of each sample to find out whether I liked them AND to determine the best of the collection. I’m starting with the best to the worst.
Brewing Method: Single serving cup (6oz). 212 F for 5-minutes.
Tasting Notes: Soap – lemon soap on the nose and taste. I immediately thought about the line from A Christmas Story when Ralphie is comparing tasting notes with Lux and Palmolive soap bars! Lol.
*“Over the years I got to be quite a connoisseur of soap. My personal preference was for Lux, but I found Palmolive had a nice, piquant after-dinner flavor – heady, but with just a touch of mellow smoothness.”
I think I just found an excuse to stop at Aldi!
(Not that I am a soap fan, but I am intrigued…I’ve never seen anything but the most basic generic teas there. Would be nice to stumble on something different.)
I was happy to receive the teas, despite how odd they were! I hope you had found them at your store and were able to give them a try!
Mrs. Mad Hatter grabbed a box of the Easter Collection from Benner during her visit to Aldi yesterday. I made 6 cups of each sample to find out whether I liked them AND to determine the best of the collection. I’m starting with the best to the worst.
Brewing Method: Single serving cup (6oz). 212 F for 5-minutes.
Tasting Notes: As the Aldi Reviewer said, “It’s a bit fake and odd.” That’s putting it lightly. Lol. On the nose, you’d think it’ll be bready, at least. Nope! I was at a loss for words for this one except for verbally saying, “I can’t finish this cup.”
Mrs. Mad Hatter grabbed a box of the Easter Collection from Benner during her visit to Aldi yesterday. I made 6 cups of each sample to find out whether I liked them AND to determine the best of the collection. I’m starting with the best to the worst.
Brewing Method: Single serving cup (6oz). 212 F for 5-minutes.
Tasting Notes: I was hoping to like this one! There was a strong strawberry & vanilla heaviness on the nose. This immediately fell away after brewing and the mug only offered a bland, un-ripened artificial strawberry note.
Mrs. Mad Hatter grabbed a box of the Easter Collection from Benner during her visit to Aldi yesterday. I made 6 cups of each sample to find out whether I liked them AND to determine the best of the collection. I’m starting with the best to the worst.
Brewing Method: Single serving cup (6oz). 212 F for 5-minutes.
Tasting Notes: Really tasting an almond sourness + the hibiscus is making it pop. Raspberry is an afterthought, but I can somewhat taste it in the lingering aftertaste.
Mrs. Mad Hatter grabbed a box of the Easter Collection from Benner during her visit to Aldi yesterday. I made 6 cups of each sample to find out whether I liked them AND to determine the best of the collection. I’m starting with the best to the worst.
Brewing Method: Single serving cup (6oz). 212 F for 5-minutes.
Tasting Notes: There were notes of better and a hint of citrus. Adding sugar/sweetener could potentially increase the flavors.
Mrs. Mad Hatter grabbed a box of the Easter Collection from Benner during her visit to Aldi yesterday. I made 6 cups of each sample to find out whether I liked them AND to determine the best of the collection. I’m starting with the best to the worst.
Brewing Method: Single serving cup (6oz). 212 F for 5-minutes.
Tasting Notes: This was bursting with blueberry notes! It had a lot of the artificial blueberry, but it was backed with supporting flavors from the fennel.
There was only one bag/ serving offered during the December 2024 club (?) which was too bad. There was a hint of ginger-orange-chocolate. I brewed this bag in an 12oz mug, half full of water, 212F, & 5-minute steep time. Perhaps this one needed a heavier hand with the tea to bag ratio.
