17 Tasting Notes
So many lightly-flavored teas are floral, and so many “spiced” teas are heavy. Spice of Life hits right in that tiny niche that is neither. It’s a very very light flavor, and while it’s not spicy in the “cinnamon/cloves/pepper” sense, it’s definitely a savory, nutty blend. It’s excellent by itself, though it mixes well with rooibos or honeybush for a somewhat heavier, earthier taste. It’s a good change of pace from white teas that are either fruity or straight up, and is subtle enough to keep the white tea flavor noticeable rather than knocking it out with a chai suckerpunch.
I lovingly refer to this as “fake Dragonwell”, which pisses David off to no end. :-P It’s far greener than a normal Dragonwell; I find that they are usually nutty and subtly bitter. This is very green and refreshing…I even drink it iced! (Normally iced green tea just tastes like grass to me…yuck.) It’s almost a “cool” flavor, even drunk hot. It still has some distinctive brothiness like other Dragonwell styles; very thick mouthfeel. But it leaves a much cleaner sensation.
I’m curious to learn more about how you use Steepster’s raiting system. Your tasting note describes all positive things, yet the rating is quite low. Could you describe more about this tea that you didn’t like? What do you look for in a green tea that would get it a rating in the 70’s, 80’s or 90’s? Which teas are these?
This is a better version of a tea that I don’t normally like…green tea isn’t my style, so to speak. So on the grand scheme of things, all teas included, this is a 68. If I were rating only green teas, this would probably be an 80 or 85.
Basically this rating number means “Something I drink voluntarily and happily, but don’t own or have more than once or twice a week.”
This tea is totally insane. At first sip it tastes like a good, standard, par-for-the-course green oolong. Then you swallow, and BAM! Candy sweetness in the back of your mouth and across the tongue. It’s not even specifically floral-tasting, just…clean and sweet. VERY sweet.
Love this tea.
Not liking this as much as Teavana’s original Thai Tea blend. This is much spicier and less nutty. It is still an excellent tea, but personally I don’t like it as much with the milk and suger and ice that makes a “thai tea”. I add Honeybush Hazelnut to it to round out the nutty flavors when I want it cold. Hot, it is a very calm chai. It’s spiced, not spicy.
I don’t really like Earl Grey. Bergamot just isn’t the flavor for me, though I don’t mind the smell. I don’t hate Earl Grey either, but it’s really a “take it or leave it”. I will drink it if I am served it, but I don’t seek it out.
That said…I drank this tea every morning for all of last winter. The vanilla really softens the harshness of the citrus while leaving the distincitive smell and deeper flavors. It’s excellent with a dash of milk and sugar; the black tea body is just strong enough to make a “full”-tasting mug without kicking you in the teeth with malty or “dark” flavors.
Bottom line, this is Earl Grey without the teeth. Take that as you will.
I totally agree with you about EG. Bergamot does come across as quite harsh most of the time, and like you, it’s not something I seek out if there are other things available. I tend to like it better if it has other flavours blended into it as well, rather than just the ‘plain’ EG blend.
Well, my original paper notes went something like “Hand-picked Spring KY: !!!!!!!!! Buttery flowers! Holy cow! :) :) :)” I say this as someone who is very cautious about floral teas. Heavy flower flavors are not my style. But multiple tastings with multiple infusions have certainly borne out my initial impressions!
One of the shocking things about the leaves, once they uncurl, is how very GREEN they are. They’re rich, spring, on-the-tree green…none of that dark or pale shadowy green in this tea. And they stay that way, 20 or 30 infusions in.
It is so very light. At first you feel cheated because it’s just hot water…and then a fairy comes along and breathes ever so lightly into your mouth, and hits the “top” of the palate. You feel it more in your head than in your throat…it’s buttery without being thick, floral without being cloying, and above all, sweetly clean. The flavor continues admirably through loads of re-steepings; over time it becomes slightly honey-like, and hits the throat just the tiniest bit.
Definitely an A+ tea.
EDIT, 8/11: Just showed some friends this tea, and was shocked by the strong tastes of lilac that came up. Previous tastings had come up with much stronger orchid and cream flavors, but the lilac was overwhelming this time around (in a good way!). It reminded me of that first warm spring day when you walk under a giant lilac bush and the smell envelopes you softly. The “white flower” taste of the first steeping or two gave way to that strong, sunny, “yellow and purple flower” sensation. (Seriously. It tastes purple. It’s bizarre.)
This is the tea that made me like tea. The “original recipe” (green oolong and raspberries) was the perfect subtle balance. It didn’t specifically taste like raspberry, but there was definitely a little something extra to the leaves themselves.
If you’ve tried the “new version”, I’m sorry. Teavana has added strawberries to it, and has shredded the fruits instead of leaving them as whole dried pieces. It looks like Special K, and just about tastes like it too. Luckily enough people have complained, and in October or so it will be going back to the original!
My ratings are for the “old” version. It’s light, and less floral tasting than a Tieguanyin, but with the flavor of dark green like a forest after rain. The smell is very clean, with just a little sweetness at the end.
Just talking about it is working up my appetite. After I finish this mate I’ll have to go fire up my Yixing for this tea. :)
