Arbor Teas

Honestly, I forgot I had this. I was in the mood for Darjeeling, and found this in the back of the cupboard. It’s wonderful.

I still haven’t decided how I feel about Darjeeling in general. I think I like it, but I still haven’t really put on finger on what it is I like or dislike about it.

It’s kind of… sweet. And fruity. And a bit spicy? Hmm.

The last of my sample. :(

I love this tea.

Nearing the end of this sample… I’ll be sad to see it go.

May have brewed it a little weak today. I’ve been brewing single cups lately, so I think I forgot how to properly brew a pot. Still good, though. I love love love Indian black teas.

Bumped up a few points because I’ve been getting a serious craving for this one lately. It’s becoming my go-to black tea.

With a bit of amber sugar. I’m really digging on this tea.

Breakfast blends can be a bit harsh on my stomach, so I was interested in trying something that was meant to be a bit more mellow. This was pretty basic… in a good way. A good staple tea.

Used more leaf, less water than I usually would. Has a taste largely unlike other green teas. It’s somewhat savory, but hard to describe. It tastes like a food I’ve had. And also a little like genmaicha. It almost has a note of caramel but without the sticky sweetness. Its a nice, almost woody version of that taste.

Had this tea again today – really brightened my day. Lightly tart, floral, and really just great all around. I’m not a big flavored tea person usually (nor a white tea person really), but this one really hits the spot on a sunny day like today.

This is a very interesting white tea! It has many different taste notes…very complex and somewhat paradoxical. Of course, it has a base of the classic gentle white tea flavor. But the schizandra brings a tangy edge to it that I haven’t seen in many teas. It has an herbal smell to it, almost peppery. But the taste and feel of the tea is something totally new to me as an American. It is very slightly tart with a subtle sweetness. I’m really not sure how to describe the taste of the schizandra, so I recommend you try it for yourself!

I’ve never had Nilgiri on its own, only in a few blends I’ve tried. It smells and tastes similar to a Ceylon… a bit brighter and crisper than I usually like for a hot tea. Like Ceylon, it’s a taste I neither crave nor dislike. It should probably work well iced.

Iced the rest of the pot with a bit of agave. Definitely works better sweetened.

Only my second experience with jasmine, and I don’t drink much green tea otherwise, so I don’t have much to compare this to, other than A&D’s Damn Fine version. I wish I’d tried this first to get a proper opinion, because right now all I can think is that I just don’t like it as much.

The taste is a bit milder, and a bit less sweet. There is a flavor coming across that I can’t quite put my finger on… not altogether unpleasant, just different. Not a bad cup, just nothing that wows me.

Starting to whittle down my collection of Assams. This one has come to an end. It was a good, basic Assam… but I don’t think it will be a re-order.

My first early morning cup in quite some time… Had to cut back on caffeine for awhile. I got up, filled the kettle, sat down and waited for the whistle. And waited. And waited.

You know what helps the kettle boil? Turning on the burner. Yeah… this cup couldn’t have come soon enough.