The Republic of Tea

I got this tisane as a Valentine’s Day gift from a girl who lived down the hall from me in college. It remains my favorite tisane because of the anise, I love it, love it, love it!

I really want to like this one.
And I do, kinda. Its cherry, but its kinda just what it says on the label.
No wow factor. But then I have always loved their GingerPeach from the first
sip, so maybe this little sister sakura will always be battling uphill to win me over.

I wasn’t sure about it when I received the sample with my catalog but I have to say I loved this blend!! Mixing three of my favorite things … tea, strawberries, and chocolate … I was delighted. Slightly sweet with just a hint of chocolate, it is perfect for a sweet treat in the afternoon or after dinner in lieu of a dessert.

This tea was the first one I ever had at Mishka’s when I first moved away to UCD from home.
The other anna and I used to go and share a pot from time to time, and while they had so many teas to choose from I always fancied my special ginger peach. Still the best, even if I have to smuggle it back in my luggage to get my fix. But this is a lovely lovely tea.
…and if you are in the neighboorhood, have a pot of it at Mishka’s for me ;)

Got a sample of this for Christmas and just tried it. It is a little bit sweet and a little bit fruity. It is very light and simple and pleasant. I enjoyed it.

Was completely out of it this morning but didn’t think I could handle a caffeine punch to the head, so I swapped my morning cup of coffee for some tea. This was all I had at work. A little weak (but that’s 1 bag for 12oz water) and the sage isn’t really working for me today, but it shook some of the fog off and was gentler than a coffee jolt. Eeh.

My Wednesday night was the beginning of my climb out of a work-week funk (kicked off by the drive thru lady at Wendys accidentally giving the bf and I four chocolate frosties instead of two, and followed up by a good UTIOG sesh the next morning on the drive to work) I felt compelled to buy some tea while grocery shopping – just to celebrate. Keep in mind, the only loose leaf there was Twinnings – but RoT’s bags of blackberry sage sounded compelling!

As with their Vanilla Almond, the aroma right out of the can is powerful. The berry leads the way with the sage following softly behind it. Funny though, as soon as I start steeping, the roles reverse and it’s the sage I can smell quite distinctly with berry in the background.

Sipping, I get less black tea flavor than I was hoping for. All the flavors seem a little faint until the tea begins to cool. Then the berry is a very soft background flavor, the sage isn’t forefront, but kind of balances the tea by being everywhere in every sip at once – but not in an overwhelming way (though it does linger longer in the aftertaste than I’d like). It’s like when you’re cuddling up in a big down comforter that you’ve got all to yourself. It has that comforting, enveloping way of cozying up to the tea, rounding out the entire flavor – making the mouthfeel a little bigger and softer of a sensation than you may expect from a drink who’s liquid is comprised of only H2O. I like when a tea can do that. I just wish I could taste the actual tea […more].

Nothing particularly special about this Lapsang. For me, it lacks the small nuances that other high quality LS’s have to offer. This LS is straight up smoke with just a hint of sweetness as it cools. I tend to get a more robust flavor profile from other LS’s that provide a multitude of flavors and scents. This tea definitely lacks that quality. So overall I would rate this tea just so-so.

I have to agree with Mitch. I initially tried this tea because of the interesting blend of lemon, peach, and roobios, but it actually makes me feel happier when I drink it. It has a very fruity and cheerful taste as well as smell to it. I’ve shared this tea with five other people so far and they have all enjoyed it as well. This is definitely a staple for me to wind down my day with.

Purchased this one earlier today and brewed a cup. It was a pleasant surprise to find out it’s loose leaf and not bagged. It really is a nice mellow tea and is even better with sugar and a splash of cream. I will be keeping this one on hand!

I tried a sample of this in Harry & David’s last night, so I can’t give a steep time or anything since I didn’t do that part. What I can tell you is that this is one of my favorites that I’ve tried in a long time. It was a nice mild black tea and the cherry and vanilla flavors were delicate notes in the brew. Had this one without cream or sugar (which is odd for me) and I still thought this one was fantastic. I will definitely be purchasing this in the near future!

Pleasant but somehow unfulfilling. The passionfruit and papaya are a bit too subtle for my taste. I ordered a sample of this tea with my last RoT purchase, and it’s not bad, but I won’t buy any more. For black tea, my current favorite is RoT’s Blackberry Sage.

Wonderful taste, it reminds me of summer and the sweet smell of fresh peaches. I love this tea! I usually drink this late afternoon for a pick me up :)

I was given this tea as a gift (thank you Luthien! :) and it is now one of my favorites. It has a very smooth, mellow, and well-rounded taste without any acidic aftertaste. The scent is mild.

tried 3 bags, 12 ounces, 1 tsp german rock, 8 min – 2 bags is better

2 bags, honey, boiling water 7 minutes
it’s a fine red tea, but the hibiscus isn’t strong enough for me
and i was getting a weird minty flavor? usually it’s more of a lemony floral
resteep fail as usual

Amount: 2 bags
Water: 12 ounces boiling
Steep Time: a little over 7 minutes
Served: Hot

Notes: adding wild huckleberry honey seems to bring out the ‘red’ flavor more and made it more enjoyable. overall a unremarkable tea

Smell: lemon / citrus and earthy
Flavor: lemon / citrus
Body: medium
Aftertaste: citrus

Eck.
As soon as the tea started steeping, I thought I smelled an old trash can. It was drinkable at first, but a few minutes into it, my wife and I realized that it was bad.
The “tea for sweethearts” idea was cute, but it didn’t work. Someone else commented that a black tea base rather than rooibos would have been more successful, and I agree.
I would have a difficult time choosing between drinking this tea again and licking a dog’s butt. Unfortunately, the cup of tea doesn’t afford the benefit of a cute dog face at the other end.

Amount: 3 scoops
Water: boiling, 1 teapot full
Steep Time: a little over 7 minutes

Notes: kept taking sample sips from 4 minutes on until it was strong enough since it is a sample size.

Militiajim wants to use this as an additive to another tea or beverage because it seems more like a spicing or mulling flavor than a stand alone tea. In fact he is excited to add it to apple juice.

Smell: mostly cardamom and a hint of cinnamon
AmazonV Flavor: peppery and spicy (the cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, pink peppercorns and cloves come out)
Militiajim flavor: cardamom and some other spices.
AmazonV Body: light
Militiajim Body: watery)
Aftertaste: warm, cinnamon, then a burn (ginger)

Rating: 1.5/3
Militiajim: 1/3

Okay that is so weird I was just looking through my old tasting notes and I saw this tea which I did not know I logged. I had this last weekend. And definitely enjoyed it! I was surprised that I had previously given it a 56 and said it was too sour because I was pleasantly surprised at how un-sour this tea was…

I didn’t really like this tea. I thought it was kind of sour and I couldn’t taste the vanilla at all.

I absolutely love this tea—it’s one of my personal favorites. The toasted rice flavor give s the tea a warmer taste and a bit deeper flavor than just the green tea alone. It’s a bit unique and some may not care for it—but it’s one of my go to favorites!

per last notes
2 teabags
1 flavia cup hot spigot water
7 minutes
honey

i was forced to stir as all the color and flavor were on the bottom
smell is strong cinnamon and apple spice (mulled cider)
taste is juicy cinnamon apple, much better with 2 bags