268 Tasting Notes

94
drank Kiwi by Lupicia
268 tasting notes

So, normally I would not be drinking black tea at this time of night because of caffeine concerns but I think the number of margaritas that happened tonight will counteract the amount of caffeine in this one cup of tea. Also, my self-imposed ban on my Lupicia order has been lifted and I could not resist! THIS IS MY FIRST LUPICIA TEA AHHHHHHH

Both dry and when steeping this tea smells like Kiwi, which is one of my absolute favorite fruits. The steeping aroma also includes some black tea smell…so far so good. Here’s the thing… I can certainly taste the black tea for a second before the kiwi wave crashes into my mouth and is SO GOOD. So, I’m trying to be a good steepster-ite and describe the black tea in it but as I’m concentrating on the nuances of the black tea taste, the kiwi hits and my tongue/associated brain areas are like “KIWI. ME LIKE KIWI. SIP MORE” I’ll just say it’s blended really well…yes, that’s it. If you like kiwi, drink this tea. You will be happy. As for me, this tea has skyrocketed to a place in my favorite teas :-)

Also I shortened my display name so when people refer to me, they don’t have to type the 1851. Just call me mj :-). My friends do!

Preparation
Boiling 2 min, 45 sec 2 tsp 12 OZ / 354 ML
Ost

I plan on going to a Lupica store nearby soon. I’ll have to see if they have that one in stock! Sounds so good!
Btw, I’m curious, why did you ever have 1851 to your username?

mj

Haha, good it’s not even a noticeable transition! But yeah my user name used to be mj1851

mj

Whoops I read that as did you ever, not why did you ever. Anyway, it’s just a user name I use. When you have a super common name like me, usernames are impossible! 1851 is the year FSU was founded. That’s where I did my undergrad degree so I just started using that number in my username at one point.

Ost

Aha I see. :P Well, mj it is!

mj

Sorry that is possibly the most boring explanation ever… what can I say, username creativity is not a strong suit of mine!

Ost

Haha same with me :P

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96
drank Strawberry Oolong by Capital Teas
268 tasting notes

I picked this up the last time I was visiting the BF in Maryland. I think it’s new for the summer. First, a gripe about Capital Teas: when shopping in the store, you have to buy 4 oz minimum. Who wants to do that?? My intention when stopping in was to buy a little bit of a few teas to try, but that was not to be. Sigh. I asked if I could buy smaller quantities and was told no because they come with the tin…..but I don’t need a tin, I told them. Blank stare. It looks like online you can buy in 2oz quantities, at least.

Anyway, I had to choose carefully and I am extremely pleased with my choice. This tea is just so extremely pleasant. Dry, the tea smells pretty strong. I was worried that the strawberry flavor was going to be way too much. When you pour the water on, the leaves burst open like they’re spring-loaded and the strawberry scent is unexpectedly delicate. This continues with the taste of the tea. The primary taste is a nice roasty oolong, which I’m learning that I prefer to the greener oolongs (although I’m in love with DT’s vanilla orchid oolong, which is greener but that’s an exception). About halfway through the sip, the strawberry makes an appearance and is so delicate that it’s more like this tea makes my tongue remember what strawberry tastes like rather than my tongue actually tasting it presently. The strawberry taste is more like strawberry jam than fresh strawberries, although it’s not very sweet. I know that seems contradictory but that’s the best way I can think of to describe it.

Flavors: Strawberry

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 4 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 12 OZ / 354 ML
TheTeaFairy

I think it’s ridiculous having to buy 4oz, especially in store, makes no sense! But I’m glad you got lucky with that one at least :-)

mj

I know! I was annoyed. None of their teas are exactly cheap either, so that will prevent me from buying very often from them. Although, damn it, I’m kind of hooked on this oolong now. It’s three steeps in and hasn’t lost any flavor!

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75
drank Chocolatea by SereneTeaz
268 tasting notes

I went to the opening night of a musical that my friend wrote tonight; it was about a zombie-human love story. So funny! Then we went out for some beers. Now I’m home and NEED TEA. Or tisane. You know what I mean lol. This tea smells DIVINE (translation: like chocolate). At first sip, there is a weird artificial taste that also kind of tastes like nothing. It’s hard to describe. The chocolate only comes out to play after the sip is done. BRB, adding splenda to try to coax the chocolate out sooner. OK, yes that totally turns this around. Now it’s super milk chocolately goodness with no wood chip rooibos taste! Thank you carol who for this and all the other caffeine-free options you sent! That’s an area of my cupboard that I really need to expand.

Flavors: Chocolate, Cream

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 12 OZ / 354 ML
mj

Also decent with the addition of a bit of vodka. And X-files. Fox Mulder is just as cute as I remember.

TheTeaFairy

Sounds like you had a lovely evening!
Awww, in LOOOOVE with Fox Mulder (and David Duchovny for that matter, sexy as hell in Californication)
I watch old x-files all the time :-) I miss that Scully/Mulder chemistry…A reunion in a third movie would be so awesome!!

Marzipan

I liked Gillian better back then, when her face still moved.

carol who

The other taste should be amaretto. And you right, I think it really pops with a bit of sweetener. It is REALLY good with a shot of amaretto!

mj

I’ve been in love with Fox Mulder since an age when it was entirely inappropriate haha. And I agree, I loved David Duchovny in Californication too.

I just saw Gillian Anderson again in The Fall and in Hannibal. I was totally creeped out by both those shows, but she was pretty good.

If only I’d had amaretto…

mj

I just noticed that Scully back in the X-files days looks a lot like my mom! HOW HAVE I NEVER NOTICED THAT??

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95
drank Grand Amour by Nina's Paris
268 tasting notes

I decided I had time for one more cup of tea before I have to spend all afternoon working in the hood and I am super glad I threw this in my bag to bring to work with me. Nina’s Paris is batting 1000 with me so far! This tea is just delightful. I like it even better than the Nina’s Japon. The raspberry and the red currant are fantastic together and then caramel and vanilla mellow out the tartness. I’m glad I split my sample in two and risked underleafing it because I definitely want to have this again soon. Thanks for sharing your Nina’s with me, Ost!

Flavors: Caramel, Raspberry, Red Fruits

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 12 OZ / 354 ML
Cameron B.

Where is everyone getting all these Nina’s Paris samples?! I want some! XD

Marzipan

If you email them they will send three free samples (sometimes anyway, I don’t know if it’s going on now).

Cameron B.

Thanks, I’ll email them and ask about it. :D

mj

Well, I got the two I’ve reviewed in a swap with Ost. I didn’t know about the free samples either! I just emailed them. Thanks *Marzipan!

mj

I already got a response back! They are still sending free samples :-)

Cameron B.

Those jerks didn’t email me back yet! :O

mj

Did you email [email protected]? If not, what the heck

mj

I meant If so, what the heck

Ost

Nice! Glad you liked them! :D

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93
drank Nina's Japon by Nina's Paris
268 tasting notes

I’m having an experience y’all and that experience is Nina’s Japon. This is my first Nina’s tea and also my first tea with crispy rice. It’s so toasty and roasted nutty with a little bit of sweetness with the caramel somehow hitting as I exhale after the sip. To me, this is a really well done, subtle tea that I am loving. It’s scrumptious and comforting. Thanks Ost for hooking me up with my first Nina’s Paris tea!

Flavors: Caramel, Nutty, Toasted Rice

Preparation
160 °F / 71 °C 3 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 12 OZ / 354 ML
Cameron B.

This one is definitely high on my list to try from Nina’s. :D And several of the zodiac rooibos blends.

mj

It’s goooooood! Also, every time I see your profile pic I just want squish that little pug face. So adorable! Also this is my fav pug pic ever:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByLDTxpzm4N2OHZFbmZLMzR2Z0E/edit?usp=sharing

Cameron B.

Hah, my pug used to sleep like that. Depressed is definitely not the right word. :P

mj

Haha, that’s how they sleep? I just always thought that pug was super sad

Cameron B.

Well, mine didn’t always have his tongue out but he would sleep on his face fairly often. :P

TheTeaFairy

I also got a sample of Nina’s Japon, can’t wait to try, you made it sound real good!

And that pug…OMG!

It’s not a pug, but I got this in my inbox the other day..

https://www.flickr.com/photos/laafeevertee/14281710498/lightbox/

mj

Drinking this tea actually made me think of your recent review of Soba Cha by H&S, TheTeaFairy. I hope you like it!

That bulldog puppy is so cute it hurts! And his little stuffed animal…awwww. I love puppies :-) I’m a total dog person

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85
drank Chocolate Mint by Harney & Sons
268 tasting notes

My Harney & Sons tribute continues with Chocolate Mint. Chocolately, creamy, minty, energizing…mmmmmmm. Such a great tea! And I had a great time drinking it today while dance-cooking around my kitchen in my Star Wars apron while listening to this amazeballs playlist that Cavocorax recommended in one of her tasting notes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKgKmMLH8yk#t=238

So good. So I’m just finishing this tea up while I wait for my creation to cool a bit in the fridge: tequila-lime shrimp quinoa salad. Here’s to you, Mr. Harney and the fabulous company you built.

TeaLady441

Yay! Dance cooking!

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95
drank SoHo Blend by Harney & Sons
268 tasting notes

I’m continuing my Harney & Sons tribute day with one of my all-time favorite teas. This tea just fits me and was the first tea I went all crazy over. It doesn’t get the most love on Steepster, which is fine- more for me! I love how neither the chocolate nor the coconut overpowers the other and the floral aspect is the finishing touch for me. With milk, it is to die for! Mr. Harney has created a great legacy with his tea company, which adds enjoyment to so many lives.

sherapop

I am joining in on the tribute momentarily—next cup. Just heard the sad news. I agree: what a legacy!

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91
drank Hot Cinnamon Sunset by Harney & Sons
268 tasting notes

I’m starting my Harney and Sons tribute day with some Hot Cinnamon Sunset- my first H&S tea. This might have actually been my first non-Lipton hot tea. My mom gave it to me for some holiday or other when I was working on my Bachelor’s degree and it was my go-to tea (especially for studying!) for most of undergrad. Good memories :-). I kind of burnt myself out on it, so I haven’t had it in FOREVER and I forgot how delicious it is! This is my kind of cinnamon tea. It’s like “hey, here’s some delicious cinnamon for you to enjoy along with some cloves and oranges” rather than clubbing me over the head while screaming “CINNAMON!” like most cinnamon teas. It’s also a very forgiving tea. I used to abuse it with improper steeping conditions on a regular basis. Here’s to you, Mr. Harney! My condolences to the Harney family.

Flavors: Cinnamon, Clove, Orange

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 0 sec

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96
drank Laoshan Black by Verdant Tea
268 tasting notes

Friends, it’s finally happened. I got my hands on a sample of Laoshan Black! It came from Miss B ‘s tea sale of awesomeness. Thanks so much Miss B! I was beyond excited when I pulled this out of the package. Anyway, THIS TEA. Amazing! I’ve had other teas that had cocoa notes to them, but this actually tasted like chocolate with a toasty taste mixed in. It almost reminded me of a chocolate croissant, but not quite. This had zero astringency and just a tiny suggestion of tannin. Ugh, just so damn good. I got 5 steeps out of it too! This description is kind of falling flat. I can’t do this tea justice. Verdant, please stock the regular LB before I drive over there and buy the expensive one like a fool. K thx bye

Flavors: Bread, Dark Chocolate, Toasted

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 0 min, 30 sec 3 tsp 12 OZ / 354 ML
TheTeaFairy

Haha! Glad you got to try it, hard to live without after though…Yep, this one lives up to expectations every time!!

Terri HarpLady

Welcome to the LB fan club!

mj

Everyone who tries this tea seems to become a slave to it…including me!

TeaLady441

AHAHAHAH. One of us! One of us!

mj

I have been assimilated. Resistance is futile.

Terri HarpLady

MJ…I hate to confess this (although it’s not the first time I have, LOL). I sort of have a collection going of LBs from various harvests. It started with hoarding, for fear of running out, but lets just say I won’t run for awhile, & one of these days I’ll finally get around to doing a comparison of various harvests. Except I still haven’t ordered any of the current one, guess I’d better get on it!

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84
drank Eve's Rose Petals by Cameron's
268 tasting notes

I got this carol who along with some awesome Doctor Who books. Books and tea are a great combination always. The blend is quite fruit heavy-fine by me!- and brews up a deep ruby red. Very pretty! The flavors are well blended and there’s enough tartness with the fruit that it reminds me of a tart fruit punch. Yum. I’m really enjoying floral teas lately and this is a gem. Thanks carol who!

Flavors: Apple, Apricot, Black Currant, Hibiscus, Rosehips

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 5 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 12 OZ / 354 ML
carol who

Glad you are enjoying it!

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Profile

Bio

Tea-obsessed, book worm scientist.

I love black tea, especially Chinese black tea- I’m looking at you Fujians and Yunnans! I also enjoy Indian teas, mostly first flush darjeelings (and a select few assams).
I think I’m recently starting to like oolongs better though- gasp! I’ve been cheating on my black teas with all these lovely, alluring green floral oolongs. Sorry I’m not sorry.
White tea gets a lot of love too! I am particularly fond of silver needle whites.
I can’t seem to appreciate green teas and rooibos is foul, IMO.

Other interests: Books! Board games! Nerdy entertainment like Harry Potter, Doctor Who, Battlestar Galactica, Game of Thrones, Sherlock, all the nature documentaries, etc etc. Also Disney!

I’m up for swaps!

Follow me on instagram if you like tea, food, and animal pics plus some other randomness:
http://instagram.com/mj1851

Location

Minneapolis, MN

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