37 Tasting Notes
Picked at a ratio of one leaf to one bud and hand-selected to serve to Obama and the president of China at the Whitehouse, this tea lived up to it’s legend. It is tippy, smooth and full-bodied. The liquor is beautiful. Hot and clear is the best way to really appreciate this one. That being said, I always have some on-hand to mix with herbals to caffeinate them if needed. I found it was not unlike a good Darjeeling.
The first yellow tea I’ve tried and I loved it. When I was in the store, the manager and barista were testing an interesting theory: The 1st steep and the 7th steep are the best; everything else tastes horrible.
I decided to partake in this research. I tried the 1st steep (gorgeous!), the 5th steep (bitter and not something I enjoyed at all), and the 7th steep… perhaps even better than the first! Not sure why someone would continue to resteep a tea that didn’t resteep well, but the 7th steep really was excellent.
As far as the tea goes, I’m glad I bought some.
I’m unclear how I feel about this tea… On it’s own, I wasn’t really a fan. I found it a bit tart and even bitter (which is hard to do with a Mate). However, one of my favourite iced teas is Caribbean Calypso blended with Citrus Lavender Sage. When I’m looking for a fruity kick of energy, this is what I order. I had planned on buying the tea and bringing it home, but never did because I don’t seem to like it on it’s own? I finished the cup, but it isn’t something I would put effort in to purchasing and bringing home. Perhaps this confirms my “I don’t love tea with coconut in them” theory?
My new favourite. When Teaopia was around, I loved all teas, but had a special place in my heart for Sunset Honeybush. Although they are not really alike, Citrus Lavender Sage now holds that special place.
This is the kind of tea that I could have any day, any time of day and any way. I enjoy it hot, iced, and blended with virtually any other tea. Even my better-half, who is not a tea drinker, will have this when he isn’t feeling well.
I don’t generally like lavender, but I don’t find the flavour overpowering in this tea. Just enough lavender that it is soothing/calming.
the citrus is most prominent and even the sage comes through nicely. I particularly appreciate that it is a fruit-based herbal blend and it does not have Hibiscus. For an herbal, it has a very full taste.
A simply warm, perfect Chai blend. A more robust, bold, and spiced Chai (which I prefer). The carob and cinnamon add a gentle, natural sweetness, so it doesn’t need added sweetners. I have tired it hot & clear, as an iced latte (using the loose-leaf), and the Starbucks (pre-brewed) latte and love them all, but my favourite is hot and clear. The tea is perfect as is!
The leaves and ingredients are full and natural. The liquor is a gorgeous deep-golden/brown colour. It is full-bodied on the palate.
Some of my friends/colleagues have indicated that it is slightly pricey for a Chai/Black tea blend, but a portion of all proceeds go to the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation, so I don’t mind the “increase” knowing that I am contributing to such an amazing cause. Certainly a new favourite and my default Chai tea.
Preparation
A wellness blend I would highly recommend if it was still around. Packed with vitamin C, but what I particularly appreciated is that it is primarily Raspberry Leaves. Meaning what? Meaning it is GREAT for menstrual cramps. The blend was great on it’s own, but I made it iced with a touch of squeezed lemon and suffered no more. I miss it.
A very specific outcome. Senna leaves are known to “cleanse your system;” (make you sh*t). What I appreciated about this blend is that it was designed for a specific reason, but still had an enjoyable taste. Not something you could drink every day, but for when you needed to benefit from it, it wasn’t unpleasant.
I loved this blend. A spiced tea (not unlike a Chai), but more like cinnamon hearts (without being too sweet). I loved the balance of flavours. What I would particularly praise is that this a full-flavour blend, but does not overpower the taste of the black tea. You can still tell it is a black tea and enjoy it as such. I shall miss it.
A red wine-inspired tea! This blend is a little more tart than I usually go for, but I really like it! Since it is on the tart side, I prefer it lightly sweetened. I also really enjoy it iced. Before Teavana was in Canada, I visited a store in New York and this is one the first 4 teas I ever bought and tried from Teavana. I was so excited to bring it back to Canada and show it off to my friends. It didn’t disappoint. It has a very full flavour and I can even get my husband (the non-tea drinker) to enjoy it in place of juice.
