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Archive for December, 2011

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Teas Etc Loose Leaf Oolong Tea ‘Traditional Ti Kuan Yin’

Saturday, December 31st, 2011

Tea Information:
Tea: Traditional Ti Kuan Yin
Type: Oolong Tea
Packaging: Loose Leaf
Company: Teas Etc
Purchase: Here
Description: This medium bodied Chinese oolong has undertones of dried fruits and a sweet golden finish.

We call it Traditional Ti Kuan Yin because of the longer oxidation which was traditionally the way the tea was created in China. More recently Chinese Ti Kuan Yin has been fashioned after the greener, less oxidized oolongs of Taiwan and unfortunately this more traditional processing is overlooked.

We like both the greener and more golden darker oxidized oolongs, each for their own unique character. One is not better than the other, just distinctly different.
Ingredients: Chinese oolong tea
Origin of Traditional Ti Kuan Yin: Fujian, China

Steep Information:
Amount: 5.6g
Water: 750ml 175°F
Tool: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker BTM800XL
Steep Time: 3 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: toasty, then vegetal
Steeped Tea Smell: roasty, light vegetal
Flavor: smooth, sweet, a little vegetal
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: toasty
Liquor: translucent brown-green

Other Names: Iron Goddess of Mercy, Ti Kuan Yin, Ti Kwan Yin, Tie Guan Yin, Monkey Picked Oolong

A smooth and sweet Ti Kuan Yin, I even had a leftover cup from the refrigerator and it was good. Not all Ti Kuan Yin ice well.

This was smooth, but not as silky a mouth feel as some very nice Ti Kuan Yin I have had. It is on par with the one from Teavivre. The better Ti Kuan Yin I have had was from Chicago Tea Garden. This would do far be my second favorite.

Resteep Information: 3 min
same as first

Resteep Information: 3:30 min
lighter than first

I gave up on the leaves so I could sleep. This is one of those darling teas you really get your money worth, and it keeps on ticking, just add a bit more time and voila! If you drink a lot of tea start your day off with this and it will keep going all day for you.

My apologies for not getting pictures of resteeps and spent leaves.

Rating: 3/4 leaves

Leaf system:
1=Bleh! not again if it were free
2=Acceptable, if it were free or there were limited other tea options
3=I might purchase this tea from time to time, or select it while out
4=A staple in our cupboard from now on, I will purchase and keep purchasing



I received this product for free in return for writing a review.
All my reviews are as unbiased as possible, whether I buy or receive free product. I accept no other compensation other than free product.

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Teas Etc Loose Leaf White Tea ‘Coconut White’

Saturday, December 31st, 2011

Tea Information:
Tea: Coconut White
Type: White Tea
Packaging: Loose Leaf
Company:
Ingredients: white tea, coconut shred, flavor, natural essential oil

Steep Information:
Amount: 2.9g
Water: 500ml 185°F
Tool: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker BTM800XL
Steep Time: 3 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: strong, sweet, young coconut and something else…fruity
Steeped Tea Smell: faint, sweet young coconut
Flavor: sweet vegetal tea, hints of fresh coconut meat
Body: Light
Aftertaste: sweet coconut
Liquor: translucent yellow-green

I seem to have my hands on a tea that is not yet for sale. And to those of you who enjoy flavored tea, and coconut, let me take the opportunity to say, envy me ;)

This white tea is the strong smell of a sweet young coconut, like you’d eat fresh, not the shredded stuff you’d put in candies.

In the sip the coconut flavor plays a definite second fiddle / second half of sip to the smooth white tea. The vegetal flavor is delicate and enjoyable (as opposed to vegetal green or bitter over brewed).

This is one of the teas with a silky, buttery mouthfeel. I adore those.

Being a coconut fan I would not mind if the flavor was a touch stronger, but that would risk overpowering the tea, which is smooth and refreshing.

I do think this might be nice iced.

Post-Steep Additives: pinch of German rock sugar
As with most flavored teas this bumps the flavor up so you get a coconut meat kind of taste at the start of the sip, and more of the tea in the middle. The end is still a light sweet coconut flavor.

Resteep: 330
just as good as #1, a slight stronger, 3:00might have done

Rating: 3/4 leaves

Leaf system:
1=Bleh! not again if it were free
2=Acceptable, if it were free or there were limited other tea options
3=I might purchase this tea from time to time, or select it while out
4=A staple in our cupboard from now on, I will purchase and keep purchasing





I received this product for free in return for writing a review.
All my reviews are as unbiased as possible, whether I buy or receive free product. I accept no other compensation other than free product.

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Teas Etc Loose Leaf Rooibos Tisane ‘Coconut Custard’

Saturday, December 31st, 2011

Tea Information:
Tea: Coconut Custard
Type: Rooibos Tisane (Tea is technically only from the camellia sinensis plant)
Packaging: Loose Leaf
Company:
Purchase: Here
Description: Think palm trees and island breezes.
The rich coconut flavor mingling with the lovely taste of red rooibos is tropical and tasty.

Creamy sweet flavor and a lovely caramel finish completes the experience. Naturally caffeine free, this addictive and delicious no-calorie treat is not to be missed.
Ingredients: South African Rooibos, shredded coconut and flavor

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 tsp
Water: 500ml 212°F
Tool: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker BTM800XL
Steep Time: 5 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: alcoholic coconut (think pina colada)
Steeped Tea Smell: coconut cream, sweet, then a hint of rooibos
Flavor: rooibos, hints of coconut, followed by a creamy coconut flavor
Body: Full
Aftertaste: wood
Liquor: cloudy reddish-brown

This was a new blend. It was not as creamy as the older batches, I think it needs more of a cream and vanilla kick.

As far as a coconut rooibos, delicious.

Rating: 3/4 leaves

Leaf system:
1=Bleh! not again if it were free
2=Acceptable, if it were free or there were limited other tea options
3=I might purchase this tea from time to time, or select it while out
4=A staple in our cupboard from now on, I will purchase and keep purchasing




I received this product for free in return for writing a review.
All my reviews are as unbiased as possible, whether I buy or receive free product. I accept no other compensation other than free product.

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52Teas Loose Leaf Hojicha Tea ‘Coconut-Banana Cream Pie Hōjicha’

Saturday, December 31st, 2011

Tea Information:
Tea: Coconut-Banana Cream Pie Hōjicha
Type: Hojicha Tea
Packaging: Loose Leaf
Company: 52Teas
Purchase: Here
Description: Here’s a toasted green Hōjicha (pronunciation) blended with freeze-dried bananas, our honking big coconut flakes and natural flavors. This is a truly delicious treat you are NOT going to want to miss out on.
Ingredients: Hojicha, freeze-dried bananas, coconut, natural flavors

Steep Information:
Amount: 2tsp
Water: 500ml 175°F
Tool: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker BTM800XL
Steep Time: 2 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: coconut, runts banana
Steeped Tea Smell: vegetal, barky, roasty
Flavor: coconut, roasty, vegetal, hints of runts banana
Body: Full
Aftertaste: astringent, roasty
Liquor: translucent dark brown-red

meh…I wanted more banana and coconut, it’s hints of favor in a roasty vegetal brew.

Post-Steep Additives: sugar
brings out the coconut flavor

It’s an OK cup, but I really haven’t been fond of any hojicha teas.

Rating: 2/4 leaves

Leaf system:
1=Bleh! not again if it were free
2=Acceptable, if it were free or there were limited other tea options
3=I might purchase this tea from time to time, or select it while out
4=A staple in our cupboard from now on, I will purchase and keep purchasing




I purchased this product.
All my reviews are as unbiased as possible, whether I buy or receive free product. I accept no other compensation other than free product.

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Teas Etc Loose Leaf Oolong Tea ‘Cinnamon Apple’

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011

Tea Information:
Tea: Cinnamon Apple
Type: Oolong Tea
Packaging: Loose Leaf
Company: Teas Etc
Purchase: Here
Description: A sumptuous blend of Formosa oolong, sweet cinnamon and juicy apple.

Chunks of green apple swirled with sweet cinnamon pieces and whole leaf, high quality Formosa oolong makes this as nice to look at as to drink.

Aromatic and deliciously satisfying.
Ingredients: oolong tea, apple pieces, cinnamon, flavor

Steep Information:
Amount: 2+ tsp
Water: 500ml 195°F
Tool: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker BTM800XL
Steep Time: 3 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: strong cinnamon apple, minds me of a nice mulled apple cider, hints of roasty tea
Steeped Tea Smell: cinnamon black tea, hint of sweet apple if you sniff hard
Flavor: sweet black tea, spice notes and a subtle sweetness
Body: full
Aftertaste: cinnamon, apple
Liquor: translucent dark reddish brown

It’s a smooth and lovely tea. It doesn’t call to me in such a way it’s going to be an addiction but I am enjoying this and hope it gives me another couple steeps. I should warn you I am suffering from a head cold so scents and flavors may be muted.

Resteep: 500ml 195°F 3 minutes
resteep weaker, but not bad, perhaps adding 30 seconds would have done better?

A warm, comforting, fall feeling cup of tea.

Rating: 3/4 leaves

Leaf system:
1=Bleh! not again if it were free
2=Acceptable, if it were free or there were limited other tea options
3=I might purchase this tea from time to time, or select it while out
4=A staple in our cupboard from now on, I will purchase and keep purchasing





I received this product for free in return for writing a review.
All my reviews are as unbiased as possible, whether I buy or receive free product. I accept no other compensation other than free product.

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Bazza Ready To Drink Bottled Green Tea ‘Coconut Colada’

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011

Tea Information:
Tea: Coconut Colada
Type: Green Tea
Packaging: Ready To Drink Bottled
Company: Bazza
Purchase: Local grocery store
Ingredients: Premium brewed organic green tea using filtered water, organic evaporated cane juice, organic agave syrup, natural coconut flavor, natural passionfruit flavor, natural pineapple flavor, natural flavors, asorbic acid, natural caffeine, malic acid, d-ribose, maqui berry extract, organic yerba mate

Served: Cold

Tasting Notes:
Steeped Tea Smell: sour, green tea, faint coconut
Flavor: Sweet (passionfruit?), bitter, pineapple, coconut
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: Sweet, then bitter
Liquor: Translucent green

If I had to guess it’s the yerba mate I don’t like

Rating: 1/4 leaves

Leaf system:
1=Bleh! not again if it were free
2=Acceptable, if it were free or there were limited other tea options
3=I might purchase this tea from time to time, or select it while out
4=A staple in our cupboard from now on, I will purchase and keep purchasing



I purchased this product. All my reviews are as unbiased as possible, whether I buy or receive free product. I accept no other compensation other than free product.

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52Teas Loose Leaf White Tea ‘Cucumber Strawberry Bai Mu Dan’

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011

Tea Information:
Tea: Cucumber Strawberry Bai Mu Dan
Type: White Tea
Packaging: Loose Leaf
Company: 52Teas
Purchase: Here
Description: Now, as for this week’s tea of the week: Here is a truly spectacular blend of our premium bai mu dan white tea, freeze-dried strawberries, and natural cucumber and strawberry flavors. If you are not refreshed by a cuppa this, I just don’t know what to tell you.
Ingredients: Bai mu dan, freeze-dried strawberries, natural flavors

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 tsp
Water: 500ml 185°F
Tool: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker BTM800XL
Steep Time: 2 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: cucumber, vegetal, hint of perfumy strawberry
Steeped Tea Smell: cucumber, vegetal, sweet, hint berry if you try
Flavor: crisp cool (but its hot!?!) Cucumber, then a hint of sweetness that might be strawberry
Body: Light
Aftertaste: vegetal
Liquor: translucent honey yellow brown

Post-Steep Additives: German rock sugar
not an improvement

Resteep: 500ml 185°F 2 minutes
more vegetal, and cucumber no berry, slight bitter tang

Rating: 2/4 leaves

Leaf system:
1=Bleh! not again if it were free
2=Acceptable, if it were free or there were limited other tea options
3=I might purchase this tea from time to time, or select it while out
4=A staple in our cupboard from now on, I will purchase and keep purchasing





I purchased this product.
All my reviews are as unbiased as possible, whether I buy or receive free product. I accept no other compensation other than free product.

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52Teas Loose Leaf Green Tea ‘Strawberry Pancake’

Tuesday, December 13th, 2011

Tea Information:
Tea: Strawberry Pancake Green Tea
Type: Green Tea
Packaging: Loose Leaf
Company: 52Teas
Purchase: Here
Description: What’s better than our Pancake Breakfast black tea? Maybe this Strawberry Pancake green tea with our sweet, buttery Chinese sencha and freeze-dried strawberries. With just a touch of maple syrup flavor (without the calories of actual maple syrup!) this is a tea you can really sink your teeth into.
Ingredients: Premium green tea, freeze-dried strawberries, natural flavors

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 heaping tsp
Water: 500ml 175°F
Tool: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker BTM800XL
Steep Time: 2 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: strawberries, vegetal
Steeped Tea Smell: strawberries and bread
Flavor: sweet strawberry, vegetal
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: bread, astringent
Liquor: translucent yellow-green

Delicious sweet green tea, slightly gritty mouthfeel. The pancake seems to be in the end / after the sip with the sweet strawberry upfront, and a strong vegetal flavor in the middle.

Rating: 3/4 leaves

Leaf system:
1=Bleh! not again if it were free
2=Acceptable, if it were free or there were limited other tea options
3=I might purchase this tea from time to time, or select it while out
4=A staple in our cupboard from now on, I will purchase and keep purchasing




I purchased this product. All my reviews are as unbiased as possible, whether I buy or receive free product. I accept no other compensation other than free product.

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Kusmi Teabag Black Tea ‘Earl Grey Smoky’

Thursday, December 1st, 2011

Tea Information:
Tea: Earl Grey Smoky
Type: Black Tea
Packaging: Teabag
Company: Kusmi
Purchase: Here
Description: Smoky black tea from China flavoured with bergamot.

Earl Grey is a great classic among teas, chosen by the Royal Family of British Monarchy for more than 200 years.

Appreciated for its refreshing and toning notes, it is one of the most drunk teas in the world.

Kusmi has made a smoky version that goes very well with a pastry.

Steep Information:
Amount: 1 teabag
Water: 12 ounces boiling water
Steep Time: a little over 2 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: lapsang souchong (campfire smoke)
Steeped Tea Smell: sweet, lapsang souchong (campfire smoke), bake-y, citrus
Flavor: smokey, bakey, citrus, astringent back tea
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: astringent
Liquor: translucent dark brown

I am not a huge smoke-y fan, but I do love how this combines earl grey into the smoked flavor.

I love the quality of packaging on Kusmi products.

Rating: 2/4 leaves

Leaf system:
1=Bleh! not again if it were free
2=Acceptable, if it were free or there were limited other tea options
3=I might purchase this tea from time to time, or select it while out
4=A staple in our cupboard from now on, I will purchase and keep purchasing









I purchased this product.
All my reviews are as unbiased as possible, whether I buy or receive free product. I accept no other compensation other than free product.

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Premium Steap Loose Leaf White Tea ‘Organic Mango/Pear’

Thursday, December 1st, 2011

Tea Information:
Tea: Organic Mango/Pear
Type: White Tea
Packaging: Loose Leaf
Company: Premium Steap
Purchase: Here
Description: Our newest addition to our flavored whites. Fantastic tea with robust aroma of mango & pear. Delightful combination that is well balanced. Great hot or wonderful iced!

Steep Information:
Amount: 2-3 tsp
Water: 185°F
Tool: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker BTM800XL
Steep Time: 2 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: Mango, vegetal
Steeped Tea Smell: Vegetal, hint of pear
Flavor: vegetal, a little bitter
Body: Light
Aftertaste: sweet
Liquor: translucent brown-green

I made this while visiting my mom, she has a lovely tea collection and an area just for tea!

I think it needs less time or lower temp…not bad, not great

Rating: 2/4 leaves

Leaf system:
1=Bleh! not again if it were free
2=Acceptable, if it were free or there were limited other tea options
3=I might purchase this tea from time to time, or select it while out
4=A staple in our cupboard from now on, I will purchase and keep purchasing

I received this product for free. All my reviews are as unbiased as possible, whether I buy or receive free product. I accept no other compensation other than free product.

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