Adagio Custom Blends, Cara McGee

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Recent Tasting Notes

75

After my now daily mish mash matcha I decided that I was still in a tea mood and this was at the front of my cupboard.
After having this one around I’ve actually decided that it’s quite good. It is not overwhelmingly amazing or anything; but it is stable, easy to brew, not finicky or bitter, cookie or bread like, and quite a treat. I love the blend for what it is: a workhorse version of a dessert tea. Being that it is neither too sweet or too overwhelming flavor wise. I would have liked more spice and more chocolate, but that’s my personal preferences!

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75

mmmmm!!! This is another tea that I am trying with almond/coconut milk. This really brought out the spice notes in this tea. I really enjoyed this tea with the addition. I think that this tea tastes the best at a higher temperature and longer steep time.

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75

I threw caution to the wind tonight when brewing this. Assuming it was green and should be treated lightly I’ve been steeping this at a low temperature. This time I used slightly cooled boiling water, and I have to admit that this smells 1000000x better than it did before. The chai smells are becoming much more apparent than before.
This, I just dunno. I am glad I finally tried it at a hotter temp! It totally cleared up my previous complaint: not enough chai. It really brought out the spicier notes in this blend. I’m still getting the vanilla, but it helps round it out instead of dominating the whole cup. This is greatly improved with the temperature increase, so I am changing my original scoring on this blend.

LiberTEAS

I had to inform my youngest about this blend. She’s a HUGE Hunger Games fan. Peeta is her favorite character, and her first celeb crush. Ugh!

Tamm

lolol I know TONS of people bought it just for that! I’ve never actually read any of them. But with the $5 off coupons it probably wouldn’t be hard for them to grab a bag. :)

Uniquity

@LiberTeas, could be worse. The Backstreet Boys (particularly Brian) were my first “celeb” crush. Peeta’s pretty neat, though! : )
@Tamm, I read the books years ago as they came out (I worked in a bookstore) and am actually re-reading them now to brush up on the facts so I can keep up in conversations. They’re pretty compelling, despite not great writing and a horrific subject matter. If you’re an avid reader they’re worth a shot, since they go quickly and then you can talk about them with authority when/if the subject comes up. : )

Tamm

At least I know lots of people with copies, so I won’t have to buy them myself! To be honest, I don’t even own a full set of Harry Potter novels because I mostly loaned them from the library.

Uniquity

I read most things from the library. I’ve always gots a couple things on hold or coming in. I’ve taken to getting TV shows from the library too, especially cooking shows.

Tamm

O.O I didn’t know anyone could rent tv shows (probably dvds right?) from the library. I have one up here where I live, but I’ve never been to it. Before I had a car it was way to far to walk; so I never got into that. I wish I had some more time to read atm. but I’m waiting for the semester to be over.

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75

This was another part of my haul recently. I got this primarily because it just sounded nice! This tea was surprising because initial reviews I’ve read penned it as being much more in your face than what I got.
For me this tea was a lot more subtle than people suggested. The vanilla was the strongest in this blend for me. The tea reminds me of oatmeal cookies, light ones! Although the tea is pleasant and overall tastes pretty good; I have had better. I think that the other elements (besides the vanilla) should have a higher quantity in this blend in order to really stand out. I think this would be a nice “sharing” tea for my friends who don’t normally drink tea.

gmathis

I’m in the middle of “Catching Fire.” (Hunger Games isn’t a series I’d choose for myself, but a lot of my fifth graders are reading it, so I’m trying to stay culturally relevant.) I’m not sure if that’s the set of ingredients I’d use to personify him … but I can’t think of a better one at the moment :)

Tamm

I do have to admit to never having read these…Something about only teenage novels being popular anymore irks me. They are the ingredients, I’m going to go back and fix the other blends that I added from Adagio recently where I didn’t state them.

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97

In love with this tea. It smells wonderful, before and after brewing, the touch of cinnamon is lovely, and, to quote my mom, it tastes like a muffin! One of the most comforting teas I’ve ever had. Tastes a bit funny with milk, but that could be just the ingredients. I like it with just a touch of honey, personally!

Preparation
170 °F / 76 °C 3 min, 45 sec

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100

Perfect tea is perfect. This is everything I have ever wanted in a tea. It’s flavorful but not overpowering, the flavors mix together perfectly (especially when enhanced with cream and sugar), and it smells like a bakery. So tasty, my goodness. I just love it. If I had to choose one tea to drink for the rest of my life, this would be it, to be honest.

Preparation
5 min, 0 sec

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88

This is the manliest tea of all time. I brewed it way too long this time so I’ll halve the time next time, but with cream and sugar it’s still quite nice. Plain I felt like it was going to make me grow a beard, it was so manly! This tea makes me think of being out all day in the pouring rain, getting soaked to the bone, and then getting back to your log cabin, changing into soft, dry clothes and having a warm, strong cuppa to wake you up and warm you up. Incredibly comforting. Love love love.

Preparation
185 °F / 85 °C 5 min, 0 sec

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51

Wow! The last time I had this was 5 months ago, when I still thought the flowers in this were making it bitter. A lost has changed since then. Someone recommended I try a lower temperature and longer steep time to help with the flavor. Unfortunately even with their recommendations, it’s still too strong. Once I add milk and sugar, it’s good. But I don’t like the fact that I HAVE to add things. Good teas should be able to hold up on their own and just be enhanced by additions.

With milk and sugar, this is creamy and comforting. The hazelnut and caramel are both there. It seems like the milk subdues the bergamot and lets the tea taste more like it should anyway. This tea is almost perfect for me, and the fact that it is so close just makes me sad.

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

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51

Made another cup of this yesterday. I still couldn’t get the bitter taste out, but it was better. I decided to look up the Earl Grey Bravo that is the main part of this tea. Turns out, it’s not the cornflowers! Apparently a lot of people have been having trouble with the same problem, and it’s actually the bergamot. So, note to self, do not buy Earl Greys from Adagio. Luckily, this tea is still really good with milk and sweetener. I still have plenty of this left, though. So if anyone is interested in trying some, let me know!

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51

I think I have issues with cornflower petals. Any time I make a tea with them, it has a bitter, astringent taste. Everyone talks about tea made with them being so creamy. I’ve tried this tea at 2, 3 and 4 minutes and still get that flavor. Am I missing something? Do you have to add sweetener and milk for the creaminess to come out? That doesn’t seem right. And when I do, I don’t get any of the caramel or hazelnut taste. I really want to like this tea. Help!

Azzrian

Hoping someone can comment and assist. I have no answer for you on this one.

Emilie

I’ve tried it in two separate teas, but both were from Adagio. I order something from DAVIDsTEA recently that has them. I’m hoping maybe Adagio’s just isn’t good for some reason.

Azzrian

That may be the case! Good idea trying elsewhere before you decide if you just don’t like that flavor! :)

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90

This tea is pretty good and I’m almost finished with it! (about 1 cuppa left) The only thing I really hate about it is that it is very astringent/bitter when left to its own devices. You have to be very careful about steep times or else it’ll just be ruined.
This has notes of Earl Grey, blueberry, and black tea. I like this most with milk, but is pretty tasty without it too.

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90

I haven’t had this tea in a looooong time. I actually have to admit that I am letting a lot of my Adagio stock just sit in my cupboard…There are quite a few that I’m not really sold on (Finnick and Stiles mainly).
This tea really smells nice and conjures up images of berry baked goods. It is best with milk. The base can tend to get bitter if the water is too hot; so watch out!

Terri HarpLady

I’ve already decided this will be on my next adagio order. We drank ‘farewell ponds’ during the last season of the Dr. The Tardis blend will be next. :)

Tamm

I think that I got mine before the promotion with an extra ounce added, so you’re getting even more bang for your buck on this one!

Ninavampi

I need to get around to ordering this tea!

Terri HarpLady

That just reminds me, I had a blend I wanted to concoct…just gotta come up with a name for it…

Tamm

I love the ship thing too where you can get 2 teas for $8. Dang Adagio and their good ideas, you’ll have all my tea budget! lol

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90

So today I’ve felt pretty crummy. I woke up very early, but fell back asleep for the rest of today. I am trying to perk myself up so I can get some house work done and an adventure with the Tardis sounded perfect!
This tea smell so good! I think it has been the most successful earl grey that I’ve had. Mainly because it’s thrown in with other, very dominate flavors as well. The most prominent being the blackberry (? I think that’s it, but it smells/tastes like blueberry). I always steep this for about 5min. which is much longer than most other Adagio blacks. It is just as perfect with milk as well!

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90

This is tea still wonderful! I haven’t been having it as often; but it is a favorite of mine. My husband also really enjoys it as well. See previous notes for gushing!

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90

mmmm first tea for today; taken with milk. I still think the best description of this is “blue.” I think this is the only way I can drink earl grey and really like it. I really love this tea!

IllBeMother221B

I might need to grab some of this! Sounds great!

Tamm

This one is actually my favorite today out of the “fandom” teas. I feel really bad because I ordered a bunch from Cara, but I still haven’t tried mine yet…facepalm

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90

So good! sigh This is very, very tasty! It is the only tea I really enjoy that has earl grey in it. I feel like it must be a pretty subtle addition. This is even better with milk; which is something I never do!!! I keep forgetting I have this one.

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90

Yet another fan-based tea blend, this time it’s Dr. Who! I just started watching Dr. Who and now I can’t stop! I love the smell of this tea. It is straight up berries. I know there is some earl grey in there, but it is more of a whisper than a real player. This makes me extremely happy as I am not a huge fan of Earl Grey teas. This also has a slight tart note that makes it memorable.
When I first tasted it I looked at my husband and said “it tastes blue!” I think that it tastes very similar to blueberry muffins or blueberry bagels. I’m glad that this is a black tea blend because I think that it goes better as a base instead of a lighter one. I think that this one is going to be a great blend for school days. I will have to try this cold because I think the berry would really stand out.
Great blend and as always, very cute art!

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 0 sec
Uniquity

YES DOCTOR WHO!!!
Although I’m bummed because things keep getting leaked and I’d rather not know til it happens.

Tamm

Yeah I don’t even look at the fandom yet because I still haven’t finished anything really. I normally don’t care about spoilers, but I kind of want to be surprised this time :3

Uniquity

Good thing I didn’t say anything specific then! What season/series are you up to?

Tamm

I actually started with the newest doctor. Netflix lists it as season 5. I have no idea how accurate it is. I watched an episode a really long time ago that my husband and I love, but now we’re unsure of what season/doctor it was.

Uniquity

The first episode I ever saw was with Matt Smith (Christmas episode 2010). THEN I went back and started at the beginning of the “new” ones and rode the wave through Eccleston and Tennant. It’s wonderful – I hope you enjoy! : )

Tamm

:D Thanks! I am really enjoying the show so far and hopefully soon I’ll be caught up enough to be part of the fandom w/o spoilers! lol I saw someone at school the other day with a Dr. Who shirt and I just wanted to hug them.

Uniquity

My beau bought me a Sonic Screwdriver for my birthday last year. Not only does it make awesome noises, but I’ve actually fixed a bunch of stuff with it. : )

Tamm

:O sweet!

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85

I tried this at a higher temp and longer steep time and really didn’t care for it as much. For me, the perfect temp is somewhere between 200-180F at 3-4 min.
The flavors are leather, nuts, smoke, and general manliness. This fits the character perfectly and I actually enjoy this on special occasions.

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85

So this tea somehow sneaked into the back corner of my cupboard. Like the other posters on here have said, this is one manly tea! I always take mine with milk just to round out the flavors a bit. The main flavors are smoky, earthy, hay, and nuttiness. I’m not 100% sure I could pick out on my own that it was hazelnut, but it is in there! A great tea for someone looking to try a blend that is something completely different. Many blends I’ve had over the past few years of tea exploration want to be beautiful, fruity, and sweet; but this one just wants to be a good cuppa. I appreciate that a lot. No frills or embellishments, just really good tea.

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85

I find it hilarious that the two reviews on this tea both say this tea is “manly.” This is probably the best description of what this tastes like. I am having an up and down week, but today was very lovely! I got to shop and find a few new art items. I’ve not drawn/painted in a good long time; so to get back to it is pretty damn exciting. I did at least one piece that I’m fairly sure I’m proud of. I also received my pocket mirror from the “drawgabbydraw” etsy. Her art is super cute! :3
Back to the tea then! It is currently tied with “Driven Innocence” for my top Adagio tea atm. This one is a tea I just crave when I’m feeling under the weather; more like when I need a quick kick in the butt! This tea has a very distinct “umph.” I would recommend this to anyone who wants a strong, manly, but crave-able nut flavored tea.

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85

I have to say that this tea really lasts in comparison to other flavored teas. I am on my 3rd steep of this today and I think I could pull a 4th.
My husband really surprised me with this one. He doesn’t like eating nuts, but he LOVES this blend. It is not what I would have expected at all! Out of the 4 teas I recently received this is his favorite; one that he actually asks me to brew! He doesn’t do that very often, so this is a great tea for him.

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