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Shae drank Soho Earl by Talbott Teas

1092 tasting notes

The weather when I woke up this morning was 7°F which, if you’ve ever been to Alabama, is COLD. Those of you who live up north will laugh but they actually delayed opening schools this morning! No ice, no snow, just cold. I grabbed this tea out of the cupboard at the last minute because I knew it would be cold and I would need something strong and warming.

Upon opening the bag, the first and most prominent thing I noticed was the smell of bergamot. It was almost overwhelming. It had a bitter edge to it and still does now even after steeping. It is drying but sticky, and it leaves a burning sensation on my tongue. It’s also perfumy but not at all in a good way. I let this one cool and it’s a bit easier to drink now but not by much. It’s not like any bergamot I’ve experienced before. It’s too much, too harsh.

Flavors: Bergamot, Bitter, Drying, Perfume

Preparation

200 °F / 93 °C 5 min, 15 sec 8 OZ / 236 ML

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Bio

Lifetime student. Lover of books and paper and ink. Kitchen dweller. Aspiring herbalist, excessively proud cat lady, and tea fanatic. Thirty-something elder millennial. She/her.

I love flavored black teas most of all, always with cream and honey. I prefer to sweeten my tea as it seems to bring out the flavor. I enjoy floral and fruity teas, as well as flavored or scented ones. I’m not overly fond of green or white teas, but I’ve found a few that I enjoy.

I’m open to tea swaps and/or just sharing what’s in my tea cabinet! Please reach out if you see something I have that you’d like to try. I do my best to update my cupboard regularly.

It will take me longer than usual to get to the post office while we’re in the midst of this pandemic, but I would still love to send you something next time I’m out and about!

Favorites
Any and all black teas, smoky teas, raspberry, strawberry, red fruits, bergamot, chai spices, floral teas, caramel/toffee, jasmine, rose, vanilla, peaches, plums, valerian root, cinnamon, cardamom

Not a fan
Lime, white teas, green teas, artificial sweeteners, sarsaparilla, licorice

Rating Scale

1-20: By far, one of the worst teas I’ve tasted. I most certainly will not finish my cup and will likely “gift” the rest to my sweet husband who almost always enjoys the teas I dislike (and vice versa).

21-40: This tea is not good but if I mix it with another tea or find another steeping method I might be able to finish it.

41-70: This one is just okay. I might drink it again if someone were to give it to me, but I probably won’t be buying more for myself.

71-79: This is a consistently good tea. It’s reliable but not necessarily special.

80-90: This one is a notch above the rest and I would gladly enjoy a cup of it any day of the week. I’ll likely be keeping this in my cupboard, but it isn’t one of my all-time favorites.

91-95: One small change and this tea would be perfect. I’ll definitely have a stash of this in my kitchen if you come over for tea.

96-100: No words can describe this tea. It’s an experience, an aha moment. Closed eyes, wide smile, encompassing warmth. Absolutely incredible. Perfect.

Currently reading:

A Breath of Snow and Ashes
by Diana Gabaldon

Updated October 2020.