Michelle Butler Hallett Send Message

1 bag for 250mL water @100C, steeped 5 minutes, drunk bare.

A bit flat. Some smooth heft from Assam and Kenyan teas, but the tea itself is practically dust. No bitterness, though.

1 bag for 250 mL water @100C, steeped 5 minutes, drunk bare.

I got a chest of Ahmad bagged tea last night: English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Darjeeling, and this rather scientific sounding English Tea No 1. I was dubious: light with bergamot, huh?

It’s pretty good. The tea base is strong, with lots of copper notes from a Ceylon. The bergamot is very light, giving a dry mouth-feel, dry like white wine, but without any acidity. I like this much more tha I thought I would.

Ahmad just might be my favourite for bagged tea, Ahmad and Stash.

1.5 tsp for 300mL water @100C, steeped five minutes, drunk bare.

So long as you like chamomile … which is fresh and fragrant and even a bit apple-y in this blend. The mango tastes and smells authentic, and the vanilla works well. It tastes nothing like a mango lassi; it tastes like chamomile with mango and vanilla flavouring. I like it in the evenings.

1.5 tsp for 300mL water @ 100C, steeped five minutes.

Tastes like pistachios and cream. The chamomile seems to give the body some nice heft. Not too sweet, and not too creamy. Soothing. A nice change from chamomile as a night tisane. Delighted.

1.5 tsp for 300mL water @98C, steeped four minutes.

Much better than I remember. I can taste tea, spices, and pumpkin. Lovely.

1.5 tsp for 300mL water @80C, steeped two minutes.

I like this one. I remember liking it a few yeas ago, too. The apple flavour tends to the Granny Smith end, and it can get a bit Jolly Rancher-ish. I might steep this one minute next time. Nice nibble of cinnamon. I can’t taste much green tea. Soothing. I used to drink a lot of Celestial Seasonings Apple Cinnamon when I was in university. This reminds me a lot of it, and of the happiness of fall studies.

1.5 tsp for 300mL water @98C, steeped five minutes.

Odd.

A heavy artificial cherry flavour, like cough drops or cough syrup. Some acai notes. Coffee and roasted mate. Something sharp in the scent — probably juniper. Hibiscus comes out more with each sip. Damn it, why hibiscus? It ends up dominating everything it touches. (I loathe hibiscus. I knew it was in the blend, but I remain optimistic that it will work this time, somehow … it never does.)

Four sips in and I have to toss it. I want to like this. Can’t stop thinking about cherry Vicks drops.

1.5 tsp for 300mL water @ 95C, steeped four minutes 30 seconds.

Hmm. I see on the package it recommends 4 to 7 minutes — odd, for a black tea. I’ll try the longer steep next time.

I got a sample of this, iced, in a DavidsTea store about an hour ago and loved it. My hot cup here at home is good, too: a better balance of tea and spices than usual from DavidsTea. I like the slight winey-note from the cloves. I adore cloves. And I can taste tea in this blend, too — some Ceylon, maybe. Not an everyday tea for me, as I prefer straight teas, but a winner for a flavoured tea.

1.5 tsp for 300mL water @ 95C, steeped 5 minutes.

Oranges, earthy mate, and some bitterness in the finish – as from orange peel. Tasty and potent; I’m not done my cup yet and feel a buzz already.