117 Tasting Notes
Orange! I’m pretty happy with this tea. It’s refreshing and lovely, and I’d like to try it iced one of these days. My only complaint is that it’s kind of weak: as others have said, the fragrance is stronger than the flavour. I might try two bags and a longer steep time, next time, to see if I can pull more flavour from it.
Preparation
This has been a real disappointment. I should’ve read more carefully before buying it; if I had, I would’ve seen that it’s naturally and artificially flavoured. And that’s the problem: it tastes artificial. I’ve had simple, pure rooibos, and I’ve drunk plenty of chai. This, unfortunately, retains the beauty, freshness, and lovely flavour of neither. I’ve tried steeping it for more/less time, more/less/no sweetener, some/no milk, but nothing I’ve tried so far has made this tea actually taste good.
Preparation
Meh. It’s not bad, it just doesn’t live up to the name. It’s white tea, but I didn’t really get the flavour of white tea. It’s spiced, but all I could smell and taste were cinnamon and clove. It’s orange, but there’s hardly the hint of citrus. I think I’d like it a lot more with less clove, more ginger, and more orange. I might try breaking open a bag and mixing it with some other teas, see how that works out.
Preparation
This is the best tea I’ve had thus far. I tried it for the first time at Samovar Tea Lounge and bought a tin for myself. At the time, I hadn’t yet started steeping loose tea and it looked like it was going to be too much and last forever. I was mistaken. The tin recommends using 2-3 tablespoons of tea per 16 ounces of water, more tea than I’ve yet been instructed to use; consequently, the tin empties pretty quickly, especially if you simply can’t get enough of the tea.
As others have said, it’s a very warm, mellow tea that does what chamomile is supposed to do: warm you to the tips of your fingers and toes, loosen those tight muscles, and help you relax. In addition, it has such a smooth, comforting flavour and lovely fragrance that just steeping a mug makes me happy. One of the nicest things about it is that although cinnamon appears in its list of ingredients (it seems I can’t seem to get away from that stuff), the overall flavour and fragrance are both extremely well balanced. Cold weather + Ocean of Wisdom = very quickly depleting stock. Fortunately, I’m headed back to San Francisco in two months so that I can re-stock in person; this time, I plan to buy more than one tin.
Preparation
Amazing what a difference six months (and a whole lot of better tea) can make. I seem to have joined the rest of the tough crowd1. Sweetened or unsweetened, I really don’t like this tea anymore. It tastes fake to me now. Either it’s that I’ve developed a mild dislike for the overpowering fragrance and flavour of cinnamon or it’s something else, but whatever it is, I’m pretty sure I won’t be buying this one again. Rating lowered from 70.
Preparation
Vegetal is an understatement. This tea smells and tastes like spinach. Yet, somehow, I kind of like it. I can’t imagine drinking it daily, but every once in a while, sure. I’m wondering if I can mix it with the rice water1 and replace a meal. =]
Preparation
RE: I’m wondering if I can mix it with the rice water1 and replace a meal. =] … just drink Gen Mai Cha:)
This is a really lovely, smooth, jasmine green tea. As far as the jasmine bit goes, it’s more subtle than Adagio’s Rooibos Jasmine1 but not as subtle as Adagio’s Jasmine #122. The pearls are quite potent and stand up well to multiple steeps.
Preparation
My first experience with pearls. I missed out on the fun of watching them unfurl while steeping as I don’t have a glass mug and just a regular infuser. The pearls make me want to buy one of those fancy glass contraptions.
Taste-wise, I like Adagio’s Rooibos Jasmine better. A lot better. I initially appreciated that this tea is more subtle, but soon discovered that I missed the stronger flavour of the other jasmine teas I’ve tried. It’s just my first cup, though, and it could be that I mucked up the steeping time. If you’ve read any of my other tasting notes, you’ll know that I have a tendency to forget that I’ve got tea steeping. Oops. I think I’ll pay more attention next time and re-evaluate.
Preparation
I’m not really sure what to think of this. I waited to have a few cups to form some sort of opinion and I’m still pretty ambivalent. It’s a pleasant enough tea and tastes very green. You know how “green” things have a certain flavour, like young, sweet peas? This is kind of like that. In fact, it does remind me a bit of young, sweet peas, which is probably what I find a bit odd about it.