The Secret Garden Organic Herb Shop

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Recent Tasting Notes

87

A recent acquisition from the Secret Garden Organic Herb Shop, I only purchased a little bit of this blueberry black tea after a poor experience with another blueberry-flavored black tea, specifically a blueberries and cream, in which only the cream flavor was actually noticeable. This tea was the complete opposite.

A two cup teapot, two teaspoons of leaf, and just boiled water combine in five minutes to make a delicious, strong, yet not bitter or overwhelming pot of tea. The blueberry flavor was not as intense or juicy as one might get from a blueberry green tea (probably because the black tea balanced it a bit more). The blue flowers were a visually appealing addition to an otherwise plain and dark tea. This drink was definitely worth sampling. On my personal enjoyment scale, I rate this tea an 87/100.

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 5 min, 0 sec

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87

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Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C

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89

Last of this as a cold brew!

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89

Testing something strange…mixing in a bit of cinnamon. Will it taste like pie?

Terri HarpLady

Well.. Does it?
:)

Spencer

It smells like peach cobbler, but the flavor…spicy peaches. I suppose it tastes a bit like peach cobbler, minus the crust.

Terri HarpLady

You could try toasting a pecan or a walnut, add it to the next cup, & see if it adds a nut crust kind of taste :)

Spencer

Good idea!

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89

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89

Recently, I was at my favorite local tea and herb source: The Secret Garden Organic Herb Shop. I noticed they had some rooibos that I had never before tried, and I realized that I was running low on this great non-caffeinated beverage. Without hesitation, I chose a couple new rooibos (rooiboses?) to try, including this peach-flavored rooibos. I find it delightful that a rooibos may be steeped indefinitely for a more intense flavor, definitely something that is worth trying with this one.
I used just-boiled water and at least five minutes of steep time to produce a small pot of this brew. The smell was juicy and fresh, and the flavor…if you are a fan of the intense flavor of peach rings, this rooibos is for you. It really was that intense and delicious. I highly recommend this tea and would give it an 89/100 on my personal enjoyment scale.

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 5 min, 0 sec

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89

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Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C

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79

This is the first of my adventures into loose leaf green tea, as well as my first jasmine tea. I thought I wouldn’t like green tea based on some experience I had years back that I can’t even recall, but past me is sorely mistaken. The tea itself is light, which I guess makes a lot of sense, it being a green tea and all. The jasmine taste is very faint when consuming the tea, but the scent of the jasmine is fairly strong, which is awesome because I rather enjoy the smell of jasmine. It keeps for three steeps easy without losing any flavor, but I’ve never gone beyond that. All-in-all, a terrific purchase from a small local store, which I will be enjoying for a while.

Preparation
180 °F / 82 °C 3 min, 45 sec
Spencer

The Secret Garden is just an awesome little shop. I love having it nearby.

narwhalclub

Agreed. I really like the fact that it took me so long to find the first time I tried to go there, like some sort of hidden grove of goodness.

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93

So tasty. I love a good cup of rooibos.

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93

My first introduction to rooibos tea was with Rishi’s macadamia rooibos, and I absolutely fell in love. Rooibos is by far my favorite type of tea in general, so I was really excited to try this. I’ve had two or three cups so far, and I absolutely love it.

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86

Macadamia nuts are one of those foods that most people either love or hate. Nut flavors in tea seem to not usually be very popular with the exception of almonds. However, macadamia nut, for those who like the taste, blends wonderfully with rooibos. I have tried this blend from other companies, and that from the Secret Garden Organic Herb Shop does not disappoint! To me, rooibos seems a bit nutty anyway, and this blend presents a good overall taste of macadamia without it being overwhelming. In fact, the rooibos definitely takes a bit greater precedence in the flavor profile, though the drinker is left with a great macadamia nut aftertaste. Throughout, one gets a satisfactory level of natural sweetness.

Five minutes of two teaspoons of leaf in two cups of just-boiled water did not quite make a satisfactorily flavorful brew for my liking. I let the rooibos sit for another couple of minutes, and the result was delicious. I would give this blend an 86/100 on my personal enjoyment scale.

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 7 min, 0 sec

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86

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Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C

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56

Mehhhhhhh…Such a bleh pu’erh.

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56

Based on the lack of information I have about this pu’erh (I convinced the shopkeeper to try and get more information from the distributor), I really have very little idea where to begin. Gaiwan brewing, starting with a rinse and then 30 second steeps. The wet leaves are dark, with almost a reddish tinge to the leaves. They had the same earthy scent that reminded me of good pu’erh, but with a darkness to it, almost a mustiness.
The first cup looks a bit murky, which worries me, as good pu’erh is supposed to be bright. However, it does have a nice redness to the liquor, which is a good sign. The first sip and the second and the rest of the first cup all taste dry and sour. This is not a good sign for this tea.
I steep the tea again. The colour and aroma have not much changed. The flavour is better, not as sour, still a bit dry. But now it seems that I’m losing a lot of the good parts of the flavour.
I finish off the second steeping and decide I’m going to stop for now and try this tea again later. Maybe it would be better gong fu.

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 0 min, 30 sec

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61

Gave away the last little bit for the sake of letting someone else enjoy it more than me.

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