234 Tasting Notes
I was up VERY late last night doing some top secret (from my kid) volunteer work and was woken up very early. I thought a mug of Earl Grey would be helpful. This may end up being a multiple mug day.
This is a very bergamonty Earl Grey. Too much so taste wise but it has a lovely fragrance. I find it feels very syrupy and acidic at the same time. I think I’ll stick to other Earl Grey blends.
Flavors: Acidic, Bergamot
Maycember has been a terribly busy month. I’ve not had a chance to play on line or quietly sip tea. This weekend we have a reprieve from the insanity that is end of school season. I managed to be out of bed before most of my household and get a quiet moment with a mug of Tea Forte’s Cherry Blossom.
I’ve never tasted a cherry blossom. It’s rare that I actually eat flowers. Where I live, there are few cherry trees and I understand that this year’s cherry crop was harmed by the deep freeze we had in January. Visiting Washington D.C. for their Cherry Blossom bloom is on my travel list.
It has a very slight tartness of cherry but I mostly get a light floral green tea. I enjoyed it but not sure the name fits the product. I feel that it’s a nice green tea- light and mellow.
Flavors: Cherry, Floral, Green
Preparation
“…the insanity that is end of school season!” How I feel your pain, although perhaps from a different angle! (Working in the admin offices, I wish I had a quarter for every time someone has asked me, “and what do you do all summer?”
I used to work in schools. You’d be rich with all those quarters!
This one is pretty good. The mint is strong enough that my sinuses are a little happier as the trees are trying to kill me with their pollen. The citrus comes through almost as if I had added lemon to the mint tea. There is a grassy flavor to the tea as well. It is not a favorite but it is something I would take again.
Flavors: Grassy, Lemon, Peppermint
Someone in town gave me an advent calendar from last year that they never used. Checked the expiration date and it’s still “good” for 2 more years but I decided to use it today. I started with No. 1 after dinner. While I get the nougat, I definitely don’t get the caramel. I do smell it (if I put my face in my mug) . It tastes nutty, like toasted hazelnuts or almonds.
Flavors: Almond, Chemical, Nutty, Toasty
Preparation
2022 Bird & Blend Advent calendar Day #1
It’s funny. I vaguely remember being disappointed in this tea in December. Today, I’m loving it. Just goes to show, my ratings are purely based on the moment. I wouldn’t say that April equates to Gingerbread but it’s a gloomy rainy weekend/week and it definitely feels like a good wake up tea. The GINGER is very present as is the cinnamon and cardamom. I didn’t feel the need to add milk today to make it more creamy. It’s not as sweet as the typical gingerbreads I have had. I have a terrific maple gingerbread cake that I make during the winter. So perhaps I am missing some of the sweetness that the mallow flowers are supposed to contribute. I think some brown sugar to sweeten might bring it closer to gingerbread. It’s a decent ginger spiced tea though
Flavors: Cardamom, Cinnamon, Ginger
2022 Bird & Blend Advent calendar Day #20
The blend is so pretty. The hibiscus is strong and I task rose more than I taste peach. I get a bit of cardamom as well, which I do like. Peach sodas are not a staple in my diet but I don’t think the name works for this fruit tisane. I think I might cold brew the last of this and see if the tea improves that way.
Flavors: Cardamom, Hibiscus, Peach, Rose, Tart
Preparation
Did I snag this from a hotel room? Most likely. Am I wishing I was on vacation right now? Most definitely. So for a half hour, I’m going to pretend that the 52 other tabs on my laptop are not important and focus on this mug of afternoon tea and a crispy chocolate chip cookie.
6 minutes recommended steeping time does seem a bit too much for this one but as a rule follower I did as it said. The tea is bright and light. I don’t think I like the blend of flavors. Individually, I do enjoy spearmint, hibiscus, lemongrass, and chamomile but together is too much. It seems like a muddy herbal mess. Maybe the 6 minutes was a mistake and I would enjoy it more with less time in the water.
Flavors: Chamomile, Hibiscus, Lemongrass, Spearmint
Preparation
2022 Bird & Blend Advent calendar Day #6
I’m a fan of Earl Greys. Unfortunately, I became distracted this morning while steeping so the tea became too bitter. The splash of milk definitely helped to mellow it. The bergamot and vanilla come through well. I know I enjoyed this one back in December which is why the second tea bag from the advent calendar was still around. Not sure this would be a repurchase but would definitely enjoy it if offered.
Flavors: Bergamot, Cream, Vanilla
