314 Tasting Notes

85

Yay! I got this today and instantly tore into it!

I have to say it’s super smooth and the flavor seems very soft and slate-y. But I’m not getting much of anything else, sadly. No cinnamon, no sweetness, no vanilla, no angel food cake…

Just smooth, soft, slightly rooty puerh-ness.

But wait!…..if I breathe deeply and exhale with each sip—I can taste something like buckwheat…something like malt-o-meal..something like those whole wheat tea biscuits in those cylindrical packages (“Digestive Biscuits”?). Then, finally some rich buttery notes, upon cooldown.

Wow. Some teas assert themselves right away. This one doesn’t. Patience is key!

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 5 min, 30 sec
LiberTEAS

I didn’t steep mine for as long. I steeped it in my gaiwan for just 45 seconds for the first steep (after the rinse) and added 15 seconds to each subsequent infusion. I also steeped it at a slightly lower temperature (195 F)

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89

Minty, savory green tea. I’ve steeped this pretty potently so the “brothy” notes are shining through. Not bitter at all and very refreshing. After a very late, fun night, I’m finding this very soothing to the tummy this morning!

This would definitely be delicious with sugar or honey!

Preparation
Boiling 8 min or more

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94

Tastes very woodsy-sweet—like sandalwood and maple syrup. Has a bit of “chewiness” and a hint of breadiness. The smokiness is more apparent on cooldown.

I’m really enjoying this cup—I think this is (was) a very good tea. It is very yummy. Makes a great breakfast tea—very substantial and invigorating. I love the mapley, caramelly, woodsy sweetness.

In short, Keemuns are great! :)
(and R.I.P. SpecialTeas!!!)

Preparation
Boiling 7 min, 45 sec
Jillian

I missed SpecialTeas too *glowers at Teavana * – I still have some of their teas that I’ve squirreled away, but you can bet that I’ll be rationing them.

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81
drank Bamboo Shoots by TeaFrog
314 tasting notes

An interesting flavor—I like it!

Citrusy, sweet, spicy, tangy and toasty all at once. Reminds me of Thai food—with all its melange of flavors.

Roasted cardamom and pineapple upon cooldown.

Really yummy…and strangely comforting and refreshing at the same time.

Preparation
190 °F / 87 °C 4 min, 0 sec

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81

Tastes like lightly roasted white flowers with bits of peach. Soft jasmine-like aroma.

There’s a slight nuttiness and tartness in the aftertaste—like chestnuts and cherries. Interesting!

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 5 min, 0 sec

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80
drank Honeybee by The Simple Leaf
314 tasting notes

Honey-like sweetness, mild and smooth. Faint notes of honeysuckle and toast.

A pleasure to drink!

I miss you The Simple Leaf!

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

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94
drank Tung Ting by Teas Etc
314 tasting notes

Lovely!

I’m struck by the pure taste of gardenias and jasmine in this—yet it’s not “flavored”. It just tastes so…pretty!!

Creamy white flowers. Slightly toasty, steamy “green-ness”. HInts of peach and banana.

Like the tropics in a glass.

What a beautiful tea! :)

Preparation
190 °F / 87 °C 5 min, 15 sec

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74
drank Bohea by Teas Etc
314 tasting notes

First sip…tastes like edamame! A bit briney and a bit sweet.

Next sips.. settles into smooth, slightly smoky, woodsy cocoa with hints of soy sauce.

Super mild—very easy to drink. Not tannic at all.

Another very subtle, easygoing tea. It’s nice, may be best for an afternoon or early evening tea. But for mornings, it looks like I need something with more “kick”.

Preparation
190 °F / 87 °C 8 min or more

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74
drank Chocolate Pu'erh by Teas Etc
314 tasting notes

Smells like rich dark chocolate.

Taste is very mild and smooth with a faint chocolatey essence and just a hint of that distinctive puerh earthiness.

This is good but just super super subtle. I would have a preferred a more aggressive flavor. Next time I’ll use more leaf (I used about a teaspoon for 12.85 oz).

This would be a nice “starter” pu-erh for the uninitiated! :)

Preparation
190 °F / 87 °C 8 min or more

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62
drank Vinegar Black by The Tea Farm
314 tasting notes

First off, I think this smells delicious. All at once sweet, sour and biscuity.

I gave this a quick “rinse” before the actual steeping (as the directions recommended) but I think it may have rinsed away most of the actual flavor potency?

Now there’s just a hint of something like yummy vinegary biscuits—which I know may sound weird but I love vinegar! I love balsamic vinegar over strawberries. I love fish and chips doused with malt vinegar. And I love Sea Salt & Vinegar Kettle Chips!

Wouldn’t that be neat if there was a Salt & Vinegar Chip-flavored tea?

Anyways, this a mild black tea with a subtle “sweet and sour” flavor. Slightly malty. A bit drying on the lips.

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 15 sec
TeaBrat

I don’t think I need this one.. lol

Ninavampi

I also looove vinegar, but I don’t know about a salt and vinegar potato chip tea…

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Bio

Virgo Sun, Pisces Moon, Aries Rising

My ratings are purely subjective and each note varies according to my perception and mood at the moment. So, with that said, my rating scale can be deciphered as follows:
90-100: I am in love! A must have at all times! :D
80-89: This is good. It is full-tin worthy! :))
79-70: This is okay. Glad I tried it. Might get more. :)
69-60: Meh. I’m indifferent. Neither here nor there, this is Tea Purgatory. :/
59-under: Mediocre and Sad. Really not good enough to try again. A disappointment. :(

My Misc. Personal Favorites List (because I love making lists!):
Books = The Mind Parasites by Colin Wilson, The Neverending Story by Michael Ende, Beauty by Sherri S. Tepper, The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher, Personal Darkness by Tanith Lee.
Movies = E.T., The Princess Bride, Babette’s Feast, Enchanted April, The Age of Innocence, Death Becomes Her, GATTACA, Fight Club, The Matrix, The Others, Pride and Prejudice (2005 version), Nacho Libre :).
TV Shows = The Twilight Zone (a classic!), Star Trek TNG, Buffy the Vampire Slayer (I miss this!), Mad Men, Sherlock, Being Human.
Music? = I find myself perennially stuck in an 80’s-90’s New Wave & Alternative time warp. ;)
Quote of the Day: “There really isn’t anything; only the story appearing now—and not even that.”

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