181 Tasting Notes
From the LiberTEAS sampler I bought a while back
Threw one of these together after my workout today – a little over a cup of whole (organic) milk, about a cup of crushed ice cubes, two-ish tsp of raw sugar and 1/2 tsp of matcha.
Although I’ll admit to loving the caramel and being quite enamoured with the french vanilla…this might be my one true matcha. The flavour is quite true to the inspiration – I can taste the layers of chocolate over the matcha – and it mixed marvelously with the milk…this is absolutely amazing and I’m going to be so very sad when I run out.
Delicious, delightful and definitely worth re-stocking.
From the LiberTEAS sampler I bought a while back
I should preface this with the admission that I’ve never tried Gooey Butter Cake, despite having visited St Louis a few times…so I happen to have no frame of reference for the flavour.
With that said, though, this is a delightfully lemony black tea that satiates both my desire for a little caffeine and a spot of sweetness. The lemon note lingers wonderfully at the end of each sip, followed by that slight astringency that rides alongside most black teas that are worth their mettle.
It’s not what I was expecting, but I’m oddly enchanted by this tasty little sample. I’d definitely enjoy getting my hands on it again, given half a chance. :)
Oh, and it holds up REALLY well to multiple steeps. I think I got a solid 3 cups out of it before the lemon flavour started to fade and I decided to give up on the leaves.
Preparation
From the LiberTEAS sampler I bought a while back
Both dry and whilst brewing this smelled much like a breakfast tea – there was that almost-astringent note on top with that earthy black smell underneath – so I had high hopes for how it would taste once finished. I sweetened this one with a little sugar and honey (as is my custom for breakfast-y blends) so that may affect the flavour.
Post-sip it tasted just as expected – it’s a basic Irish breakfast sort of blend that hits all the right spots when I’m craving coffee. There’s a lingering woodsy note at the back, strong wake-me-up flavours in the front and it leaves you just a little dry, but not so much that it’s unpleasant.
I think in the future I would choose to mellow this one out a bit with milk, but otherwise it’s a solid, repeatable sort of breakfast-esque tea. Would recommend.
Preparation
From the LiberTEAS sampler I bought a while back
This smells like childhood! Well…the good parts, anyway. :)
Both dry and post-steep it smelled just like those orange push-ups you’d buy out of the gas station freezer bins…not exactly a real orange, but definitely not in a bad way.
One sip in it tastes exactly like those little frozen treats – you can actually taste the orange layered in with the cream and the pu-erh blends seamlessly in behind; a little bit of sugar on top of the tea and it just tastes all kinds of perfect.
This tea is absolutely amazing, truly, and I think it’ll be even more delicious once it cools down a bit and mellows out…not sure if I can wait that long, though, as I keep stealing sips.
Preparation
From the LiberTEAS sampler I bought a while back
Dry, this one actually smelled a lot like potpourrii…and not in a good way. :/
Once steeped, though, it opened up into a deeply coloured and delightful smelling brew. I’m definitely picking up the papaya and cinnamon with a bit of the orange-citrus-rose notes…the oolong base was an amazing choice and really complemented the multi-layered flavours beautifully. It’s damn tasty.
I’m so crap at describing this tea right now – I’m too busy trying to fit my whole face in the mug and just wrap myself up in the smell. :)
…the only complaint I can really come up with is that it gets a little astringent and bitter as it cools. You may want to hustle and drink this one hot.
Preparation
From the LiberTEAS sampler I bought a while back
Dry, this was much like I was expecting – you could smell the raspberry, but it wasn’t too impressive. Once you start pouring the boiling water over it, though, this mouthwatering right-off-the-vine sort of raspberry flavour comes rolling up at you…I have high hopes for how this one is going to turn out.
As I was waiting for it to cool the aroma kept drawing me back to the mug – it smells fresh and clean, almost like when my aunts used to cook up big batches of raspberry jam – but sadly that first sip didn’t quite impress me. The smell is pungent (and quite delightful) but the flavour seems to play second fiddle to the black tea base.
As it cools, though, the subtle raspberry flavours start to rise again…it’s a steady, calming sort of tea – the black base is rich and flavourful and the raspberry serves as a delightful overlay. It’s well-suited to a lazy evening at home in front of the tv or when you just need a quiet cuppa to chill you out.
As far as black-based teas go, this one is rather delightful. I enjoy how simple and well-executed the flavours are…I’d happily have another few cups of this one.
Preparation
Okay, so I totally play favourites…pretty, playful Kili will always be my favourite dwarf.
Out of the two mixes this one is less nice, honestly.
It smells a lot like a good Indian korma tastes – slightly sweet, but heavy on cardamom and cloves and generally very richly chai. It held up well over two steeps (one this morning for class and one after returning home) and I can find no fault with the flavours or mouthfeel (it’s not as astringent and dry as some chais can be)…
So this is a good tea. A solid, tasty chai that could make multiple delicious pots of deep, rich tea…but it’s not my favourite. I’d recommend it to others in a heartbeat – and I’ll probably put some in the TTB – but he’s just not the one for me.
Preparation
From the LiberTEAS sampler I bought a while back
3 minute steep, 1.5tsp per 12oz of 190F water.
Once steeped it yielded a golden tea that smells – oddly enough – both vegetal and chocolatey. I’m not sure if I would consider it “tiramisu” at this point, but I’m hopeful.
One sip in and there’s the roasty oolong from the description with a sweetly dessert note from the marshmallo and cacao. The taste is rather deceptive – the smell is almost grassy – but this is one I’d be more than happy to drink again in the future. It’s warm and comforting and kinda restful (without really hitting any of the dessert-type cravings).
So if you’d like a sweet dessert oolong I’d definitely recommend this one…but it’s definitely not the espresso-laden dessert I was expecting from the description.
EDIT: Second steep lost pretty much all of the dessert flavours that made this one so delightful…it became very roasty oolong which – while not bad – was rather disappointing. I’d like it better if the flavours hung around a little longer, so I’m knocking my score down a wee bit.
Preparation
Out of the two, I’ve always had a weak spot for Kili…so I had to try him first. I’ve loved the ginger black teas I’ve tried in the past, so I brewed this up with 2tsp in my travel mug (and 2tsp of sugar) for 3 minutes. Then I dropped a bag of crackers on the mug – scalding tea arced across the kitchen and I had to spend the next 5 minutes toweling down my flooring. Lucky me.
Second steep (same leaves) was 200F for 4 minutes plus sugar, then I threw a lid on it and ran off to my microbiology exam. Once I got there I had my first sip – it was rich and yet had mellow ginger tones that were comforting and delightfully spicy. This is a handsome tea with a decidedly playful side – it may just become my go-to breakfast companion.
So after finally getting home I decided to try for a third steep (from the same leaves as earlier) – 212F for 3 minutes as the website recommends – in my 12oz cup with the same amount of tea from earlier. It’s just as good as I remembered…rich without being overwhelming, full of spice and nuance that just unfolds as you sip (and as it cools).
I might be in love with this handsome little dwarf. <3
Preparation
From the LiberTEAS sampler I bought a while back
After sniffing a whole bunch of the samples I settled on this one for my nightly brew – it smelled warm and spicy (which went quite nicely with the 0F temps here in Indianapolis) and I couldn’t wait to try it.
As it steeped it opened up into a deep, rich colour and a scent that reminds me a little of baked goods. I did sweeten it a little bit, but the black tea definitely manages to push it’s way to the front, palate-wise; I pick up a little bit of bitterness, some malty hints and that’s about it…I know there are supposed to be some caramel and sweet notes, but I’m just getting a definite dryness (that I think comes from the black chai).
In all honesty it reminds me most of my Irish Breakfast tea – hearty, rich and a little bit punchy (but in a good way)…I would’ve loved it more if it hadn’t gotten my hopes up for something sweetly caramel and spicy. Maybe I just need to stop reading the descriptions before I drink?
Oh, and as it cooled the spicy chai notes really came up a bit brighter. I decided to hit it with a generous splash of (whole, organic) milk and it helped the flavour quite a bit. If I resteep I’ll definitely sweeten it a bit more and add the milk right off the bat.
So I guess I like it, but with a little bit of a caveat. It’s not what I expected, but it is a hearty black tea that I would be willing to drink in the mornings if I was out of my usual suspects.
