1088 Tasting Notes
Since I am on a strawberry tea thing now apparently.
Now that my tea stash is getting way out of control, I’ve started gathering my smaller bits of tea together by category with the hope that I might be able to actually finish a packet or two and reduce the amount of space my obsession is all beginning to take up.
I need more caramel tea. Smooth creamy caramel tea: burnt, caramelized, dulce de leched, flanned, custarded, all the caramel teas.
I seem to have caramel and toffee, but it is all spiced and chaied. And that’s just not the thing.
This train of thought is not taking me to the reduce-my-tea-stash place. Anyway.
Anyway, so I was going through my small bits of black tea this morning and found myself again searching for a fruit-flavoured choice, as opposed to a spicy or nutty or toffee one.
The last times I have had this particular tea, I seem to recall that the strawberry aspect of it popped more. Or perhaps that was me and my wishful thinking.
I shook and shook and shook my sample bag and still no strawberries appeared. Or maybe they were in little bits in my leaf.
Nonetheless, this is a very satisfying tea. Probably especially so as I have had far too many Ceylon experiences lately and have been craving a tea with substance beyond the flavours. Liberteas has made such a brilliant choice in this black tea base. Every time I have it, I send a silent thank you and blessing into the tea cosmos.
Plenty of coconut, which comes through in both scent and flavour. Layered onto the coconut, there’s a bit of cream going on. A wee ephemeral strawberry hint at the very end of the sip.
Yes, a very satisfying cup. If there were just a bit more strawberry, lovely lovely strawberries….
Flavors: Coconut, Cream, Strawberry
Preparation
First thing is that I was really craving either a red fruit or citrus black this morning, but with having begun shuffling things around, I was unable to find my stash of either. And the boiling water was already cooling.
So. I don’t know how I made the grand leap to this choice, but here we are.
It seems unfair to give this a rating under these conditions, but if I were to today, I would rate it at a 75.
It’s fine, though in a perfect world, I’d like a richer flavour here, of the oolong, of the flavourings.
Hazelnutty. A bit of cream. A bit of that slightly bitter nutskin thing going on. But there’s something metallic at the end of the sip that I don’t find pleasing.Slightly past boiling on first infusion. Boiling as per instructions on the second.
I will come back to this on a different day. A day on which I am not already slightly biased.
Flavors: Cream, Hazelnut, Metallic
Preparation
This is one very delicious strawberry tea. I do love a good strawberry tea. I have some favourites already, but I think this one will be added to them once I figure out the steeping parameters to take me to strawberry tea bliss.
I think I overstepped by a minute or so. The three minute steep brings out astringency in the black tea base that I think would disappear with a shorter steep at two minutes and/or two and a half minutes at a slightly lower temperature. I am going to try those and report back.
The strawberry flavour works for me. Not quite natural, but pleasant and lovely. No weird aftertaste. Sweet enough but not overly.
I am becoming a big fan of Zen Tea . Delicious. Canadian. Reasonable. And they haven’t steered me wrong yet.
Flavors: Strawberry, Vanilla
Preparation
I ordered this tea during the Black Friday 2015 sales based on reviews. Then rumour has it that this current batch, the new one that I am assuming I received, is inferior to the original.
Now, I haven’t tried the original EGC from Zen, but what is in my cup right now is pretty fantastic. It is not particularly creamy, perhaps that is the problem. However, it works for me. I have tried DT’s EGC and found it to be a disaster for me.
This vanilla is deep and grounded, with several levels of flavour, none of that false perfumey vanilla flavour or scent. The bergamot is there, also grounded, but with lovely floral and citrus lilts that surprise your sips from time to time. The tea base is a pleasant Ceylon mix, as opposed to the thin tinny nonsense that often finds its way into flavoured teas.
Word is that the original tea will be back in stock in two weeks or so. Can it get better than this?
Flavors: Bergamot, Vanilla
Preparation
I haven’t ordered this in a year but it’s too bad to hear that the newer one isn’t quite up to snuff. But glad you still enjoy it. I’m going to take a stab in the dark and say yes, yes it can get better than that.
I am going to have to conjure up an excuse to make another order then. I am really thinking that I got a bag from the original batch though. Who knows.
Maple hit first, followed up by bergamot. The second steeping stands up well with a smooth vanilla finish. A very enjoyable cup.
I think I might enjoy it more with a more body-ful tea base.
Flavors: Bergamot, Maple Syrup, Vanilla
Preparation
This is one of the Black Friday teas I ordered through Amoda. The idea of this blend seemed intoxicating.
I butchered the beautiful bag in trying to open it: the instructions give a pull strip which takes you to ripping the pouch, but how to rip is unindicated, so I ended up with the plastic open/close zip strips on the same side. However, I may have proceeded correctly but had a faulty bag to begin with. I hate that. It forces one to run around hunting up an extra tin. Who has an empty tin at this time of year?Anyway, the smell of the dry leaf is intoxicating too. Quite divine really. The leaf contains plentiful coconut bits and fat pineapple shreds. Pretty blend.
The taste is lovely, but a bit less lovely than one would imagine it would be. To me, the melding of flavours is less smooth than I would like. I don’t quite know how to explain it. It is as if each sip contains disconnected flavours: pineapple, coconut, and tea. Each flavour comes through clearly on its own. There is also the slightest bit of imitation flavour coming through at the end of the sip. Not so much as to tamper with the overall experience, but still.
Perhaps the second steeping will give up a smoother experience.
On the second steeping, the coconut creaminess and flavour come through far more prominently while the pineapple steps into the background. A far milder but still enjoyable cup. The imitation flavour disappears completely.
I may add the slightest bit of Lapsang Souchong to a cup at some point to see how it works with a bit of smoke.
Flavors: Coconut, Pineapple
Preparation
I nearly screwed up opening one of those bags too. Such an odd design to get used to, I think.
Hmm, maybe it’s good I didn’t grab this one. Almost did. Adding LS is such a unique idea. Not a fan of the stuff but I’d imagine that smokiness would pair perfectly with the pineapple.
Do tell how you managed to not screw up because I have another bag or two from Amoda which I have yet to open and I would be so sad to have to run around to find more tins or more elastics or contraptions to keep the tea from losing all its flavour immediately.
It is a nice tea. I’ve only had it for the first time today. The flavours of the pineapple and the coconut are bright and vivid. I thought that the hint of LS might mellow things out a bit. Not that there’s anything wrong with bright and vivid. Maybe it was out of step with the black tea? I really enjoyed David’sTeas Grilled Pineapple Genmaicha with that toasty ricey thing going on, so perhaps that was what I was attempting to conjure up with the LS. I will report back once I have had another cup or two and/or begun experimenting. I hope I haven’t preventing you from trying this tea. It is a nice one.
I have a couple more to open, and will probably try one a little later so I’ll let you know. From what I remember, I carefully lifted the tab up entirely before proceeding to start tugging at it, if that makes sense.
That does sound worthwhile trying. And thanks for reminding me that I still need to try Grilled Pineapple. Completely forgot that even existed.
Thank you. I will give it a go. And if it fails again, maybe I will send Teagan a note and report back.
Yes, do try it if it is still around. I really enjoy that one.
Yes, it is still around. I just checked. A heavy one and a bit expensive for a genmaicha/rooibos. I think I might choose this one as one of my upcoming free teas. https://www.davidstea.com/ca_en/our-teas/grilled-pineapple
Ok, just opened my last one, and definitely just do it very slowly and carefully. I know that isn’t much of a help but no tins are needed!
How sweet would you say Grilled Pineapple is?
Did you have to rip the bag? Or just pull the tab?
I’ve had several cups of Grilled Pineapple, but it has been a while. It is not overly sweet. That is to say that it is not a particularly sweet tea when compared to some of DT’s dessert teas etc. The pineapple comes through with more of a pineapple tang than sugar sweet in my recollection. The sweetness that is there gets toned down by the rooibos and toasted rice, so there is that groundedness to it.
I just took a look at the ratings. The average is 65 while I gave it a 90, hoisting up my initial 81.
You just have to pull the tab to the right and it’ll make an incision just above the ziplock part.
Cool, I’ll definitely pick some up next time I go.
Thanks. Maybe that is where I went wrong.
I just found out Zen Tea is having a sale now—last day. 30% off. Code is thanks. Where shall I post this so that people will see it in case they are interested?
If there isn’t a thread in the discussion forum, maybe there? I wish they had their Chocolate Mint rooibos in stock. SO GOOD. And they got rid of two of my favourites, so nothing for me. What are you interested in?
Particularly Coconut Island Herbal. But here is my cart so far.
Raspberry Vanilla Rooibos
Rooibos-Vanilla Almond – 10g (0.35 oz) sampler Rooibos-Vanilla Almond – 10g (0.35 oz) sampler
Black tea – Taiwan Ruby – 50g (1.8 oz) zip pouch Black tea – Taiwan Ruby – 50g
Black tea – Keemun Finest – 50g (1.8 oz) zip pouch Black tea – Keemun Finest – 50g (1.8 oz) zip pouch
Qty
Fruit tea – Blood Orange – 100g (3.5 oz) zip pouch Fruit tea – Blood Orange – 100g (3.5 oz) zip pouch
Fruit tea – Sweet coconut island – 100g (3.5 oz) zip pouch Fruit tea – Sweet coconut island – 100g (3.5 oz) zip pouch
This sweet and mild combination of coconut and tropical fruits will transfer you to a tropical island.Ingredients: ap…
Fruit tea – Blueberry Cream – 100g (3.5 oz) zip pouch Fruit tea – Blueberry Cream – 100g (3.5 oz) zip pouch
Sorry. Didn’t manage to clean that up very well.
Nice!
I am now trying to be sensible and whittling my cart down because yanno.
Have you tried any of those before or you’re just going with 100g of some untried?
The deed is done. Nice discount. Reasonable shipping. And in Canadian currency. So, yay!
I have been reading up on comments and making my own list of wants when I get ready to order. I reduced all the 100 gr ones except for the coconut one. And no, I haven’t tried any of them before other than the Milk Oolong. I have tried a few of Zen Tea’s herbals and have been quite happy with them, especially when pitted against the overly artificial ones DT produces. I need uncaffeinnated options (but perhaps I don’t need them immediately).
I see myself justifying the purchase of more tea. Hard.
Today’s morning cup because I had so little left of this batch in the tin, and I’ve been panicking about coconut teas going off so quickly. And I did buy another bag of this during one of DT’s recent offers.
Delicious. I used far more leaf than I normally would because I wanted to finish all of it, but I steeped briefly, as usual. Rich flavour. Buttery, sweet. Reminds me of butter rum lifesaver candies plus tea.
Just abs FYI- This is awesome as an eggnog latte if you are into that sort of thing!
Thank you, tigress! That sounds delicious, really delicious. Thank you for mentioning it. I will give it a try once I get my hands on some eggnog.
Ok, so today I had this as an eggnog latte. NOW I understand what everyone has been on about. This as an eggnog latte was like zabaglione in custard form. W.O.W. Thank you all for sending me there.
Lol, now you’re hooked!
I don’t know about hooked. It’ll be a once in a while seasonal treat. Normally I drink my teas black and unsweetened, so an eggnog latte was like pudding exotica though a thrilling one.
My second craving of the day.
You know when you don’t feel like trying a new tea because you want some kind of certainty in your cup? I’ve been taking all kinds of foolish chances on unknown teas this Black Friday weekend. Ok, maybe foolish, maybe curious, maybe thrill-seeking. Maybe it’ll pay off. Whatever.
Today, I wanted something I could depend on. The moment came for flannel pajamas and this. And to hell with the world for now. And my credit rating.
haha go you!
I am SO excited about the teapot I ordered that I can’t stand it. I’ve been stalking it for weeks. Oh, and tea.
ooh pics when it arrives! :)
We don’t have to wait! It’s this one. http://www.teavivre.com/shi-piao-yixing-clay-teapot/
awesome. is that your first?
Yes, Sil. It is my first and I am devoting it to oolongs. Would you believe that I still haven’t received it yet?
I can sure use more caramel tea in my life too. Good call on that.
At least you’re sorting through your stash and have some sort of method in place, lest your cupboard would get even more out of hand.
The some sort of method is not in place. Yet. However, the idea has landed in my brain and small steps towards making this happen have begun, so yay! My tea fever just started in earnest February 2015, so now is the time to organize teas to use the older ones before disaster strikes. Hopefully, disaster has not struck yet.
Sweet Caramel O’Mine is the tea of the week this week – just sayin’
Those baby steps are better than nothing! It’s great that you’re grabbing the harness now rather than later.
Grabbing the harness. I like that. The truer thing is that I am fondling the harness, though I hope that I will be developing a firmer grip in the coming days. For me, first, I have to plant the idea.
And yes, I have Sweet Caramel O’ Mine here on standby for the right moment. I have been a bit fixated on strawberry and if not strawberry, then at least red for the moment. My second fixation is on giving a once over to things that are already open, and preferably those which are already nearing their end either in age or in quantity.
The right moment is coming. I am never far from Caramel for long.
It’s ok, the last couple months have been the best times to make purchases between all the awesome BF and Boxing Week sales. It’s not like you’re buying this much tea all year round.
Thank you. The not-buying-tea-savings-plan begins at midnight. or earlier if my cc rebells. :)