92 Tasting Notes

48

I ordered this tea because I have been to tea at the Sacher hotel in Vienna. While that was a wonderful trip, I don’t have any particular memories of what the tea itself was like. This is perhaps a bad sign, no? The description mentioned bergmot, and I love Earl Grey, so I went for it!

This is a delicate tea. The bergmot whispers rather than shouts, and I could not detect the vanilla in any form. As it turns out, I would prefer the bergmot to shout at me, so I found this blend rather bland. I brewed at just under boiling for 4 minutes. Halfway through my cup I got bored and added some milk. I would not recommend doing that, because what was an insignificant taste before totally bows down to the milk, and you end up with a cup of lightly scented milk!

I didn’t finish my cup, and I doubt I will finish the sample either. It’s not a bad tea, just not to my personal taste. If you don’t think of it as Earl grey you may have better luck than I did!

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 4 min, 0 sec

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92

I didn’t have to rush out the door this morning, so I brewed up some of my River Shannon sample. I used 2.5 tsp of tea in 16 oz of water, and I brewed for almost 4 minutes.

Smell: dark and roasted

Taste (no additives): Whoa, nelly! This stuff is not playing games. Strong and malty with a slightly bitter finish. Needs milk and sugar for my personal taste, as it is really assertive. But then, I can’t drink black coffee in the morning either.

Taste (milk and sweetener): Perfection. The tea retains its strength and flavor, but to my surprise the bitter finish is totally smoothed out by the milk (I used 1%, and not very much of that was needed.)

I’ve been trying all of Upton’s breakfast teas. So far, this and the Scottish are tied. River shannon may have the edge, because I find the Scottish to be a little picky in terms of brewing times. But who am I kidding? I’ll probably order both!

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 45 sec

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43
drank Paris by Harney & Sons
92 tasting notes

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75

I have several British friends, all of whom insist that American teas are appallingly weak. Since I’m searching for a good coffee replacement, I decided to take them at their word and bought a carton of loose PG Tips at the supermarket (my local market has a whole section of British teas – perhaps I should try Barry’s next?)

This was not the best morning. I woke up 30 minutes before I had to leave the house, it was raining in a very ominous way, and I couldn’t find where my husband had parked the car (several blocks away, it turns out.) I quickly brewed this tea. Luckily, I got a new electric kettle to replace my old one last night, so I didn’t have to wait ages. I steeped for 2 and half minutes in boiling water, then dumped in my usual amount of milk and splenda before running off to class. I didn’t actually get to try this until I was actually in my British literature class, discussing our term paper (so, an appropriate tea choice for the day!)

My verdict? I see what my friends meant. This tea is strong and dark, but by no means bitter. It held up to milk and sugar, and had a nice dose of caffeine. It’s very drinkable. I may have to make it my standard tea to go – I find that I don’t enjoy more subtle teas in a travel mug, as I can always taste the plastic. Not in this tea! On another note, I love the commercials with the monkey (just saw a few on Youtube!)

Preparation
Boiling 2 min, 30 sec

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94

Years ago I was addicted to a tea from Celestial Seasonings called “Cinnamon Rose.” It had a great intense cinnamon flavor, and I drank it daily. When it was discontinued I was really upset, and I bought tons of cinnamon teas trying to replace it. Bigelow cinnamon was disappointing, and while I love chai I sometimes want cinnamon by itself. They were all unsatisfactory until today! The scent in the package is intense, so I was excited! I brewed 2 tsp in a big (16 oz) mug using my infuser for 5 minutes. I tasted cautiously, and was rewarded with tons of cinnamon flavor! The tea is naturally sweet, and that is coming from someone who sweetens everything. It’s as though the cinnamon is tricking your tastebuds into tasting sweetness – at first sip it is not sweet, but leave it in your mouth for a second and the sweetness comes out. I can’t taste orange/cloves/whatever else is supposed to be here, but who cares? Cinnamon is my favorite spice, and I will be ordering this tea!

After half a cup plain I decided to see what it would be like with a touch of milk (I use 1%.) The milk actually tones down both the spice and sweetness a bit. The tea is best plain, but I think that with the addition of milk and a touch of honey this could be a fabulous desert tea (at least if you love cinnamon like I do!) I also have the green version to try, and I will have to sample the herbal. I’m so glad I put this in my first Harney and Sons order!

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 0 sec

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79

This tea doesn’t have a really distinctive taste to me. I can taste the vanilla around the edges, smoothing out what seems to be a pretty assertive black. I was worried it would be too sweet for mornings, but it isn’t at all. I added milk and sugar. It’s not my first choice, but I like it well enough to finish my sample!

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 0 sec

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65

Cup #2. Meh. This time I was extra generous with the tea, and brewed it for a full 5 minutes. A little more body, perhaps, but overall the taste is faint – more the suggestion of the spices than the full force. I’m getting a lot of vanilla this time. I think this is just not my tea, but I do think it’s a nice delicate blend.

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

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86

Red velvet cake is my favorite dessert, so when I saw this today at Whole Foods I had to buy the tin! I was a little hesitant because I haven’t always loved rooibos in the past, but – red velvet! in tea form! I am usually pleased with Republic of Teas, and they did not let me down.

I don’t think the tea smells overwhelmingly like cake, but the taste comes out after brewing. I cut open the teabags and used my infuser. I like large cups, and find I need 2 teabags from most of their teas. I steeped for 5 minutes, and I think it could even have gone a little longer.

The color is beautiful. After adding a splash of milk (1%) it did turn a slightly odd looking pink color. The taste is very smooth. I can taste vanilla, with a slight tang like cream cheese frosting. The chocolate taste is light (but that’s ok, because I find it light in the cake too!) There is a slight citrus flavor in the background. I finished my cup and had to hold myself back from immediately making more!

I think I’m going to have to give Rooibos teas another try. I always thought I disliked them, but I’ve recently realized that I actually dislike the hibiscus that was in the rooibos I had before!

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

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86

I love chai tea, but find that I am picky about them. I want them to be strong – if they don’t have that peppery, back of your throat bite then I’m not interested. This is a good chai. It tasted heavy on the cardamom to me, and it did have some pepper. The first steep, following Upton’s directions, was a little weak. I resteeped the same leaves, not expecting much. I steeped 4 minutes the first time, and 7 on the rebrew. The second was better – I got more spice. I think in the future I will give this tea more time. I take my chai with a little milk and stevia. I’m not sure that this is my ultimate chai (needs more cinnamon for that) but it’s up there!

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 4 min, 0 sec

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Profile

Bio

I’m pretty new to the world of tea! I took up tea drinking to help control my coffee consumption, but it seems that I have just created another sort of monster!

I like strong flavors and bold teas. My favorites types include Scottish Breakfast, Earl Grey, and roasted mate. I have recently discovered a love for dessert teas, and my obsession with mint is ongoing.

I am a professional singer, and I’ve had a habit of drinking peppermint and throat coat teas leading up to any performance. I have too many cats and too many hobbies. I blog about sewing and knitting my own clothes (and, most recently, about tea!)

Location

Louisville, Kentucky

Website

http://stitchywitch.wordpress...

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