90
drank Mintastic by 52teas
259 tasting notes

I received my Mintastic today and decided it was just the thing. Dry, it smells lovely with spearmint perhaps winning the mighty contention between minty compadres for the “lead” aroma.

Once brewed, the odor is of a toothpaste/mouthwash mix. Pepsodent with a touch of Listerine? Ipana with Lavoris possibly, although I know that’s a little bit Ike and Mamie. Crest with extra whitener? I was a bit perplexed at first, but gamely sat down to drink my tea, knowing that I’d end up with minty fresh breath at the very least.

On taste, however, any serious intimations of toothpaste or mouthwash or anything medicinal, disappear. The trio of spearmint, peppermint, and wintergreen dance a lively gavotte in my mouth. No, it’s more like a Morris dance, where they take turns leading. No, it’s more like an English country dance, which Henry Tilney tells us is an “emblem of marriage”. The three distinct tastes remain distinct, and yet know when to blend and when to dip and when to “do si dos”. In sooth and in truth, it’s a delightful marriage of mints.

I can certainly see this as making a great iced tea too. Totally refreshing!
I have been consistently pleased with 52teas and consider their quality and their level of invention one of the best deals in the tea-buying world.

SECOND TASTE:
I like this as much if not more than I liked it yesterday. I used a smidgen less tea and this time I added a very small brown sugar crystal or two and a quick dash of milk. Although toothpaste overtones remain to the aroma, it’s a satisfyingly minty blend and it tolerates the milk very well.

Preparation
185 °F / 85 °C 4 min, 0 sec
__Morgana__

I haven’t thought of Ipana in a long, long time. Brusha brusha brusha.

Networld

sounds like a great summer tea! I’ll have to try this one

LiberTEAS

I wasn’t that excited when I saw last week’s tea of the week, but, after reading this review, I’m rethinking it… maybe I will have to order it. There is one or two others that I want to try of theirs, but have been waiting to see what this week’s offering will be.

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Comments

__Morgana__

I haven’t thought of Ipana in a long, long time. Brusha brusha brusha.

Networld

sounds like a great summer tea! I’ll have to try this one

LiberTEAS

I wasn’t that excited when I saw last week’s tea of the week, but, after reading this review, I’m rethinking it… maybe I will have to order it. There is one or two others that I want to try of theirs, but have been waiting to see what this week’s offering will be.

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I really love big, bold, brash teas. Smokiness enthralls me. I don’t seem to do subtle.
I don’t do rooibos.

My rating system:
0-30:
Never again in a hundred million years

31-55: This tea probably has some redeeming qualities but I won’t would not seek it out again.

56-70:
Shows some promise but also has a fundamental flaw. I probably owe these a second taste but am unmotivated.

71-80:
Good with at least one strong quality; I probably would not buy it but would drink it cheerfully.

81-90: Worthy contenders; they might be ranked 100 on somebody’s else’s scale. I like them a lot but have not fallen in love. Will probably buy and use.

91-95: These are the true loves, the chosen ones, the ones I dream about and crave. Unless they are in a limited edition—la! how you tease me!—I will always keep in my cupboard.

96-100: I cannot be separated from these teas and would develop a panic attack if I were to run out.
-

“She is too fond of books and it has turned her brain.”

Elderly dowager. Quintessential cat lady.

Tea which must be in stock always:

Black Dragon LS by Upton Teas: My choice every morning.

Florence & Lapsang Souchong by Harney & Sons

a good Gen Maicha

Samovar: Russian Blend, Maiden’s Ecstasy, Ryokucha

Mariage Frères: Confucious, Vivaldi, Eros, Aida, Marco Polo

American Tea Room: Brioche

Leland Teas: Bogart

Life in Teacup:
An Xi Tie Guan Yin Grade II modern green style & also Charcoal Style

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In the midst of the middle of the heart of nowhere in particular.

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