323 Tasting Notes
I think I’ve figured out how to enjoy my Almond Happiness.
This morning I gave it one last ditch effort. 12oz travel mug, 1.5tsp Almond Happiness by 52 teas and 1 tsp Vanilla Cream by NMTC.
The Vanilla Cream had been one-note and bland, and the Almond Happiness was all-around disappointing, so I figured that I’d at least have a bit of a creamy vanilla tea, if nothing more.
Well, those two teas plus a bit of agave and half-and-half make a nice chocolatey, almondy brew, with a hint of vanilla and coconut. I don’t love either tea on their own, but I’m pretty happy with the two of them together!
Meh.
This was my first 52 Teas order. Everything I’ve heard about Frank’s blends has been wonderful. I was excited to try this one because I love all of the ingredients in it.
But it was just mediocre. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. It’s fairly flavorless, and the black tea is a bit bitter. I’ve tried 1-2 tsp at 180 and 212 degree water, with milk and agave and without. Perhaps it’s just not for me?
How long are you steeping for? And it very well might just not be for you heh. Worst case you can likely swap with ppl. Franks teas are generally middle of the road where I’m concerned….ESP since they can be so hit or miss and you can’t restock them most of the time :(so if you really love it, youre SOL
I’ve tried from 2-4 minutes. 2 was bland but 4 brought out more bitterness.
I’ve noticed that my orders from 52Teas need to be steeped at a lower temperature. A lot of the teas are a hit or miss for me though. The less adventurous ones seem to be more to my liking.
Almonds are tricky in tea, in my experience. There’s about a half-degree of sweet spot, and if you miss it, blech.
@rantHappy – This is kind of reminding me of one of Adagio’s flavored blacks. Hrm.
I’d recommend trying 2.5 minutes at 195-200. That’s been my sweet spot with Frank’s black tea blends. I also almost always add skim milk (or unsweetened almond milk) and some Truvia. The milk bonds with the tannins in the tea and cuts out the bitterness. Good luck!
Saturday Sample Sipdown!
I’ve had this one since I got it in the Connoisseur’s Collection last spring. It’s okay. I don’t know if I’m not a big Darj fan or if I’ve just never had a good one. I definitely plan on ordering a sweep of estates this spring when they come out.
My friend and I went to Dallywater’s for lunch today. If you’re in the Syracuse/Rochester area, you need to take a trip down here. It’s the most adorable little teahouse/cafe. The food is incredible and there are a bunch of really delicious smelling teas.
I know it’s after Christmas, but this tea smelled especially appealing to me today. Black tea, with what tasted like a mixture of orange, cinnamon and nutmeg. It was delicious with milk and sugar.
Brought this one to my Shakespearean Acting class today. We’re all sitting at the table, and my professor pauses in his lecture, looks at me and goes “Is that wine?”
The class turns to stare at me… I raise my eyebrows at my professor like “Come on. Please.” and he goes “Oh no, this is you, that’s tea.”
“I have wine-flavored tea,” I say. “Oolong Chardonnay’s my jam!”
It’s his turn to roll his eyes at me. “I have wine flavored… wine,” he says.
“What are those… things… floating in your drink?” one of the other kids asks.
“Leaves!”
“What, you mean, like, tea leaves?”
“Yup!”
“Woahhhhh.”
“If any of you ever want tea… Michelle can hook you up,” says my professor.
#shakespearestories
Love this tea, love it. Creamy and sweet and oolongy goodness. Ah. So good. Doesn’t get bitter either!
Preparation
This came as a gift from Azzrian, I’m reasonably certain! (I hope?)
Anyway, in my sample sipdown, I tossed this into my pot. The peach is beautifully sweet, and there’s also a nice hint of the spice – not overwhelming, but a good base for it.
Subsequent steeps lose the peachy flavor, but I’ve had three steeps and the oolong is nice and roasty! Thanks Azz!
Preparation
This is the third tea I ordered from NMTC last week – I was on such a vanilla/cream kick. Still looking for a good one. Right now the Copley Square Vanilla from Tealuxe and the Black Jasmine Cream from NMTC are vying to be my favorites.
Today was not a good day – one of those days where little things just add up until it seems like the universe is conspiring against you. I was locked out of my room all day, and when I finally got back in around 6, I wanted a creamy sweet tea.
This was, sadly, a bit disappointing. Brewed according to the parameters on the website (1tsp/cup, 4min at 212), the black tea was a bit bitter. Fine, I expected to add milk and agave. So I did, and it was okay, but a bit one-note, and not as heavy as I had wanted it to be.
Ah well. I’ll probably send some of it out as gifts and drink the rest.
Song of the night – The Stowaway by Murray Gold… on repeat!
You know who has a great Mango tea, thePuriTea. Actually tastes juicy. :)
Awesome!
I think Butiki has one too.
Thanks Bonnie :)