Zen Tea

I received a 2 mug sample of this tea when I ordered a whole bunch of samples.

Now… I haven’t had an earl grey in so long. They were my first teas, and I’ve kind of moved away from them and found other teas to drink.

This one, although it is strong on the bergamot, is pretty darn good. I’m having it with milk and honey as I prefer my black teas, and om nom nom. Not a tea I’ll drink all the time now, but definitely a tea I’ll have every once in a while.

Thank you Captain Picard for influencing my early tea choices. :)

(In other news, since I have a bus pass, I was thinking of heading out to check out another tea store on my map. Only, so many of them are closed on Sundays! What’s up with that? So disappointing.)

TTB-A #18
Unsweetened it’s just ok.
Lightly sweetened its a liquid ‘thin mint’.
Need I say more?

This is the best chocolate mint tea I’ve had so far… I mean, I haven’t had a lot but I really like this one. The flavor is very strong with a nice balance of chocolate and mint. If it was watery mint tasting, it’d be a no go.

Thanks Veronica for sending some of this my way.

This tea is great! The strawberry and cream flavour is really there – it’s definitely best after it’s cooled for a bit though. I’ll enjoy the rest of my sample for sure.

I just don’t think I’m a fan of strawberry teas, but as far as this tea went it was quite delicious. They really got both the strawberry flavour, and especially the cream flavour down. The black base added a nice touch – it wasn’t overpowering at all and balanced the flavours out well.

Thanks Cavovorax :)

The Margaret’s Hope my mom gave me is so much nicer. I don’t know why, as I don’t have the packaging anymore – different harvest? Fresher?

Or maybe I’ve just been drinking too many Assam teas. I’m not sure. But I don’t care for this one.

I threw 1/4 tsp of these into my 14 oz “timolino” and sipped on it all day at work.

I still like this tea, especially for the versatility. Being able to let it steep all day without any funky flavours is awesome!

I did 1/2 tsp of this in a 12 oz mug this morning, and just left it. Screwed the strainer screen into the lid, and have sipped and refilled all day.

This tea has performed amazingly. It’s stayed sweet and thick, not getting astringent at all. Only a hint of bitterness after 4 hours – the point where it was cool enough to try!

I think I actually do have to get more of this one. I’ll be running through my sample pack in short order now that I know I can do this. It’s just so perfect for at work, or being on the go. Boiling water, cool water, random times, and as long as I keep topping it up before it’s 1/2 full, the flavour just goes and goes.

It’d be super fun in a glass container, because the leaves unfurl like holy wow. So pretty.

I haven’t had this tea in ages. I think I was trying to save it for something. Well, today can be that something. :)

I do really enjoy these still. If I had more, they would make it into the “every morning” rotation. I had been thinking of purchasing a tin of them, but now I’m not so sure. They’re definitely up there in the ranking, and the price is good enough that I wouldn’t feel bad about having them in a travel mug. :)

I’m a bit stuffy this morning (yay for being allergic to the cat that sleeps on my pillow), but this smells a lot like the Black Manas from Teajo. Or at least the steeped leaves do. And they’re so pretty when they open up. Wow.

Sipping on this, I think it’s too hot still. I’m not getting a lot from it. As a bonus that means it’s not at all bitter or astringent! Yay!

Now, just as a note, I’ve really disliked every Yunnan black tea I’ve had so far. This one, I actually like! I’m so shocked! I made this up feeling all skeptical and hesitant, but I like it.

The first steep is pretty delicate, but I kinda get the cocoa and honey notes other Steepsters (Steepsterites? Hmm.) have mentioned. It’s not that earthy, but it is definitely sweet and almost thick feeling.

As it cools I’m getting some of that smoky dirt flavour on the roof of my mouth. Maybe that’s what “earthy” means for tea? It’s not detracting from the flavour, unlike some other teas I’ve tried.

I’ve had this a few times now, and while the tea is by no means bad, it’s just not to my taste.

Green teas are really difficult for me. I think this one’s going into the SWAP box.

(It’s lemony and gingery, and it’s a green tea. Nice with honey if you’re not feeling well. OK iced, haven’t tried cold steeped.)

Playing with my new variable temp kettle.

I think I needed to stir this tea up a bit more. It’s sorta lemon-gingery, but mostly I taste green tea and powdered lemon. IDK. It’s probably because I’m sick.

Temp: 179F with my kettle! Gosh, this is going to be fun… For me. :)

Brought some of this with me on the drive over to my brother’s. I love ginger and lemon together, and if steeped 2 minutes at a cooler temperature the green tea base isn’t too bad.

I need to try this one iced.

Yep. Green tea with lemongrass, ginger and dried lemon juice. That’s exactly what it tastes like. It’s nicely balanced, and the green tea is a nice background – I probably used water that was too hot, but it’s not bitter or astringent at all.

This would be a good tea when sick, with some honey. I don’t know that I’ll buy more right away, unless I love it iced, but I’m glad I have it in my cupboard!

I think I’ve had too many slightly gingery teas the last couple days. I’m craving hot brown sugar ginger tea, but don’t feel like making it.

(1 tsp, 9-ish oz water)

Cold brewed for, umm, a couple days? IDK. It looked ok so I’m drinking it.

It’s nice enough. Citrusy, herbal, refreshing. Really sweet at this point of the cold brewing, though. I do prefer the Cranberry Acai, the flavours just work that little bit better for me.

This is SO good tonight.

Delightful apple-citrus-lemongrass-verbena goodness.

Oh, I’m glad I got 100g of this tea. Delicious limey refreshment. A bit herbal/medicinal, but that’s A-OK with me.

Cold steeped overnight. 1.5 tbsp or so in 1 litre (4 cups..) water.

I hot/cold brewed this one for a couple days, then strained it into a thermos this morning. So delicious and refreshing.

Sweet apple, carrot, lemon, ginger, etc. I really like this, but it is an odd tisane. :)

I iced this one too. Haha. I think I was expecting my apartment to be warmer today. But no, the heat is still on, and I am wrapped up in a fuzzy blanket, procrastinating.

I steeped it with about 2 tsp of tea (really hard to measure, the pieces are massive!) in 1/2 cup hot water for a minute. I topped it (in a 2 cup jar) with filtered water, then stuck it in the fridge overnight.

It smells… like pineapple. That’s odd. There’s no pineapple in here. Drinking it, I can feel the ginger more than really taste it, but I might have had more than one piece of ginger in my “2 tsp”. I can taste the lemon grass as well, but it’s more lemon rind than lemon grass or verbena. This is really, REALLY good.

I had a super awesome whole carrot slice in the jar, and couldn’t resist taking a picture. http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8255/8641576556_bbce57aee4_n.jpg

If this is as good in the next cup, I will be buying a tin. This will be perfect for the summer.

Sample package label:
“Black tea China
Naturally sweet and smooth with a touch of earthiness. Comprised of only the highest quality leaves and buds, expertly rolled into a pearl-like shape. Subtle cocoa notes whisper gently as each pearl unfurls delivering a superior tea experience not to be missed.

Preparation: (1 cup): 1 heaping tspoon, 95C(203F), 3 min

Technique: 6-oz water with total dissolved solids (TDS) of 19 ppm, heated to 212*F and allowed to cool to 203*F – verified with DAVIDsTEA digital thermometer. 1 heaping Tevanna teaspoon, without sweeteners, milk or cream.

This tea has an earthy / woodsy fragrance.

Brown hue

First 3-min Infusion:
This is a smooth, earthy, full-bodied tea with a natural sweetness and light notes of cocoa. It did not have any bitterness or astringency.
2nd 3-min Infusion:
A little less full-bodied, but just as enjoyable as the first cup.
3rd 5-min Infusion:
A little less full-bodied, but still enjoyable – a pleasant surprise.

2nd Cup
4-min Infusion:
Same experience as the first cup, but with more body a more well-rounded natural sweetness. Once again, there was no bitterness or astringency.

Impression: An excellent, smooth, earthy, full-bodied tea with a natural sweetness and without any bitterness or astringency that will go the distance. Well Done!

Thanks to Zen Tea Life for providing this free sample.

200 g. Sipdown: 1 tsp. (3g) / 8 oz. / 203F / 3 min.
I thoroughly enjoyed this robust, malty, full-bodied, creamy smooth Assam. A great “Good Morning” tea. Please see my original review: http://steepster.com/looseTman/posts/164482.
I won’t promptly restock as I’m currently well stocked, there are a few Chinese teas i enjoy more, & there are so many other black & pu’er teas I want to experience!

Sample package label:
“Golden tips evoke the hot sun of the early June Second Flush Harvest. One of finest producers in region delivers a beautiful example of what is possible under the right conditions. Slightly heartier and creamier than some whole leaf Assams, this selection picks up deep malty notes of cocoa and subtle fruit.

Preparation: (1 cup) 1 heaping teaspoon, 95*C (203*F), 3 min.”

6-oz water with total dissolved solids (TDS) of 19 ppm, boiled, left to stand so only steaming hot. (I do not have a quick-reading (tea) thermometer with this level of precision.)

1 heaping Tevanna teaspoon, without sweeteners, milk or cream.

The fragrance of this tea reminds me of fine pipe tobacco.

Amber brown hue

First 3-min Infusion:
There is a VERY ROBUST, full-bodied, creamy smooth morning tea with a light woody/earthy fragrance and without any bitterness or astringency.
2nd 3-min Infusion:
A little less robust, but just as enjoyable as the first cup.
3rd 3-min Infusion:
Definitely, not as robust. However, on my second cup of this Assam, I tried a 4-min 3rd infusion and found much more pleasing results.

Impression: An excellent, VERY ROBUST, full-bodied, creamy smooth morning tea without any bitterness or astringency that will go the distance. Well Done!

Thanks to Zen Tea Life for providing this free sample.

Sample package label:
“If you are a fan of Earl Grey and had not tried this, you are in for a treat. Cream Earl Grey has a taste that is smooth with vanilla overtones which stand out above the premium bergamot flavor the signature taste of Earl Grey. Our Earl Grey mellowed with a delicious creamy taste.

Ingredients: Ceylon Tea (Nuwara Eliya, Dimbula, Uva), cornflower petals, natural flavor.
Preparation: (1 cup) {6 or 8 oz.?} 1 heaping teaspoon, 95*C (203*F), 4 min.”

6-oz water with total dissolved solids (TDS) of 19 ppm, boiled, left to stand so only steaming hot. (I do not have a quick-reading (tea) thermometer with level of precision.)
1 heaping Tevanna teaspoon:

This tea Earl Grey has a strong vanilla fragrance.

Vibrant reddish hue

First 4-min Infusion:
There is an equally balanced lemon & vanilla aroma, followed by a very smooth, medium-bodied lemon taste without tartness. The overall aroma (bergamot, vanilla, & Ceylon blend) has notes of toasted marshmallows according to my wife’s keen sense of smell. There’s just enough creamy vanilla to smooth out the oil of bergamot tartness, but not so much as to obscure the classic EG flavor. There was zero hint of bitterness or astringency from this blend of Ceylon teas. The taste of lemon lingers on the tongue.

2nd 4-min Infusion:
I was surprised that a mild lemon flavoring was still present – quite enjoyable.

Impression: An excellent, much smoother Earl Grey tea that’s very well-balanced preserving the Classic EG flavor – Quite an accomplishment!

Thanks to Zen Tea Life for providing this free sample.