263 Tasting Notes
Sampled from the Strange VariaTea Traveling Tea Box
After two weeks with the box, trying to cram in tastings during this oh-so-busy season of my life, I’m finally getting ready to send it on! I’m squeezing in a few more samplings before doing so.
This morning I drank this tea while revising the first paper for my clinical practice course. I don’t really understand what’s New York-y about a pancake breakfast, but I don’t mind the tea itself! It’s definitely evocative of pancakes and maple syrup, with a full, unctuous mouthfeel and, oddly, notes of chocolate? Maybe they’re chocolate chip pancakes! :D
Normally I prefer some astringency in my breakfast black teas (don’t ask me why!) but I think it makes sense, thematically, that this one is not terrifically tannic.
I actually like this quite a bit. There are only one or two servings left in the bag, so I’ll probably keep the rest.
Flavors: Chocolate, Maple Syrup, Pancake Syrup
Sampled from the Strange VariaTea Traveling Tea Box
There is a particular nut flavoring frequently used in tea that is VERY specific, yet I can’t really describe it. I just know it when I smell/taste it. And this blend has it! It’s not bad or anything, just very… specific.
I didn’t really get crepes (or anything bready/baked) from this one. And I can’t decide whether I liked it overall! But I was glad to have tried it.
Flavors: Musty, Nutty
Sampled from the Strange VariaTea Traveling Tea Box
A classic blended black tea base with a very light strawberry flavor on top. It actually smells like a very natural strawberry flavor, and what I can taste is pretty natural too. It’s just quite faint. A pleasant, unassuming morning cuppa, but nothing to write home about.
Flavors: Drying, Strawberry, Tannic
Sampled from the Strange VariaTea Traveling Tea Box
Smells like slightly smoky caramel; tastes like… a mild slightly smoky black tea with hints of chocolate and whiskey. It’s a bit muddled, but nothing is too overpowering, which is good. And the cocoa is nicely done, not artificial or chemical-y. I can dig that.
Flavors: Bourbon, Caramel, Cocoa, Milk Chocolate, Smoke, Whiskey
Sampled from the Strange VariaTea Traveling Tea Box
This one reads as coconut cream + sour berries, which I guess is two-thirds of the way there? I’m not sussing out any kind of shortcake note, though, and I don’t think the hibiscus is doing the berry component any favors.
Flavors: Berries, Coconut, Sour, Sunscreen
Sampled from the Strange VariaTea Traveling Tea Box
ExcuUUUuse me, but who give this bagged tea permission to be so delightful?! Goodness.
I recently started my first social work internship and had my final day of orientation/training on Thursday. I brought one of these teabags in my KeepCup, but alas — I could not find a SINGLE WORKING HOT WATER HEATER/KETTLE at the office! There were a few of those dual hot/cold water dispensers, but none seemed to actually heat the water. Cue me holding a cup of lukewarm water with a teabag floating sadly in it.
Reader, I drank it. What else was I to do?! And you know what… it was fine. Surprisingly not bad. I could tell this tea was going to be yummy once I was able to, y’know, brew it properly.
And it was! So yummy and cozy and malty and sweet-but-not-sweet. I’ve gotta get me a box of this.
Flavors: Biscuit, Malty
Sampled from the Strange VariaTea Traveling Tea Box
I always want to like vanilla-y green teas more than I do! I just find vanilla + black tea to be a more natural and enjoyable pairing. I liked the grassy sencha base on its own just fine, but it didn’t really fit with the vanilla layered on top.
Flavors: Grassy, Vanilla
Sampled from the Strange VariaTea Traveling Tea Box
Sweet potato, a bit of malt, and a hint of charcoal as it cools, but nothing that really punches you in the face. Which is maybe a good thing! Sometimes you want muted flavors without a ton of oomph behind them. I am sipping this alongside some avocado toast (#millennial) and it’s a very pleasant pairing.
Flavors: Charcoal, Malt, Sweet Potatoes
Sampled from the Strange VariaTea Traveling Tea Box
Cold-brewed last night and enjoyed this morning.
OK, first of all, WHAT IS THIS SPELLING. I have never seen it before, but The Internet tells me it’s an alternative for “julep.” Wild. “Julip” looks so much more unpleasant, though…
Well, anyway. “Juicy peach” seems a bit hyperbolic. The sage is actually pretty strong in my cold-brewed cuppa, especially compared to the peach! It’s also got a decent amount of grassiness from the sencha.
Not my favorite, but… fine.
Flavors: Floral, Grassy, Peach, Sage