20 Tasting Notes
This tea was originally recommended to me by a voice teacher when I started to have problems with my throat- for years, it was the only thing that would keep my throat condition under control. Perhaps I am unfairly biased as a result, but I have an abiding affection for this tea. It’s one of those things that doesn’t taste great if you’re not sick, but if you’ve got a bad cold/sore throat, it’s a lifesaver! I would recommend everyone have at least a bag or two of this in their tea cabinet, just because it’s such a great tea to have when you’re feeling under the weather. I usually steep it for 10-15 min (you can pretty much just leave it in the mug, because it’s a tisane and thus won’t go bitter) and add some honey for some extra throat coating. I don’t usually drink it for the taste, but the taste definitely isn’t bad, especially with some extra honey.
Preparation
Amazing! Truly an excellent everyday tea- easy to make and doesn’t steep for too long, so it’s easy to throw in a mug and go! It’s a bagged tea with the expectations of a loose leaf: it’s got a great flavor, but you have to respect the tea- not like other bagged teas that you can leave in a mug for hours. I’ve found that I definitely have to keep an eye on this tea as it’s steeping (I’m usually pretty good about using a stopwatch, which helps!), but if brewed for the right amount of time it really delivers! Definitely my favorite black tea :)
Preparation
This tea tastes a lot like Throat Coat by Traditional Medicinals- the licorice, perhaps? A coworker said it ‘smells like Christmas!’ so I suppose that’s a point in its favor! It definitely has a warm, spicy smell, and is a solid herbal blend. Definitely good for the wintertime, or on a night when you want to curl up with a cup of tea but it’s too late for a nice mug of PG tips :)
Preparation
Probably my favorite herbal tea at this point! Nice light flavor and naturally sweet- perfect with just a little bit of raw sugar. No need to worry about oversteeping it, because the flavor is light enough to take a little extra time in the water.
Preparation
Really suprisingly wonderful! I grew up in Japan and was very pleased to find Ito En at costco- I was very skeptical at first, but the excellent quality of this tea really won me over, and the bags (silk-like [nylon perhaps?] pyramid bags) were so convenient! Before this I had lost all faith in bagged tea, and I have Ito En to thank for restoring it. Also, the matcha in each pouch is really awesome, and the plastic pouches are perfect for purses- totally airtight! I would highly recommend this tea, especially if you’re a busy person as well as a tea aficionado reluctant to go back to bagged tea. I usually steep for 30 seconds after letting boiled water cool for 2~5 min.
Preparation
This is hands down my favorite tea ever. Sweet but not overpowering, the liqueur is beautiful and the smell is divine! I sincerely wish I had a never-ending supply of Jardin Sauvage- an impulse buy at the Lupicia store in San Francisco had me hooked, and I’ve been craving it ever since! It’s perfect if you like sweet teas, but if you’re not big on sweetness in your tea you might be less enthusiastic than I…