Numi Organic Tea

Tried two bags in one cup and it is definitely stronger! A more mineral taste, slightly more bitter but still not too harsh. I see what people mean by this having a fish-y smell, but I still don’t mind it. I’m picking up on less woodsy-forest-floor than I noticed last night. But, my nose might be off because I was just outside picking up breakfast and the air is smokey from forest fires. Anyway, the caffeine is definitely affecting me so can’t complain too bad, but will stick to one bag at a time for now!

Picked up this box on a whim today. My girlfriend was judging me since it was one of the more expensive boxes, but it seems to be worth it so far! A very interesting flavor I’m not used to, maybe since I haven’t had many pu-erhs yet. Something about it is very familiar and comforting. The grass/earth/forest smells and tastes are very enjoyable. Excited to keep drinking it and see how I like it later.

I feel a cold coming… Not full-blown sick yet, but definitely dealing with post-nasal drip and general feeling of being run-down. I expected this, honestly. It’s getting colder out, and I need to face the reality that windows need to be shut, heat needs to be turned on, socks need to be worn at all times, and jackets and pullovers need to be worn outdoors. Doesn’t help that my sleep has also been horrendous for weeks. I’m hoping this tea will help me fight off the impending blahs, if not nip them in the bud altogether.
Ginger is one of my favorite flavors ever, and ginger-turmeric teas help with congestion, joint pain, and inflammation. YES PLEASE.
I like the brothy mouthfeel and just general warming, autumnal effect that this blend of spices and roots has.

Steeps a bright, cheery orange.
Very brothy, warming, and pleasant. Slightly spicy. Not getting much of the rose, but the licorice adds a little hint of sweetness to round everything out.
It’s a healthy drink! Cheers to you all.

Two-fer session as it was spread out over two days. I’m coming around to this one. The sweet earthy notes are present when brewed gongfu, I’m using a high ratio this time to extract more flavor from the leaf.

I was hard on this tea at first, but then I steeped it extra-long and chilled in the fridge overnight. I may go back and try it Gongfu to see if I can pull some more flavor out. Thinking I need to keep the steep times long and possibly get some dark chocolate or more body through.

It’s a very mild Pu’er which works for some but leaves me wanting more flavor. The scent you get off of a dried square will translate evenly into what you taste. Very mild and earthy liquor with a deep amber color. My coworkers thought I was drinking flat Cola…

For perspective: I had a mystery toucha that shipped with one of the bings I ordered, and this had less complexity but a smoother flavor. Then again, this was available at local retailers and the other bing order had to be shipped direct from Yunnan so it alraedy . Might be good as a gift for those who would be turned off by the loamy flavors of smoe shou. I need to investigate more. Good thing I have 2/3rds of the bar left to consume.

At first I was turned off by this tea, but my methods just needed improvement to get what it was trying to tell me. After that, I actually found myself wanting to drink the chilled iteration. Weird having cold Puer but still, good to experiment.

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This is the second of the two Numi teabags I snagged from the office last year and I am not a fan. The combination of pithy orange and cinnamon is not a good one. Most of this went down the drain.

Sweet, nutty, fruity, and a little earthy.

This has an overarching creaminess that offers a unique experience. Shared a pot and double infused, increasing these notes with a second steep for longer time.

It was good, but not mind-blowing for me.

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I took this teabag and another from work last August and have had both rattling around in my stash since then.

It’s weird because I actually don’t ever drink tea at work. Even when I make tea and take it with me to work, I don’t ever end up actually drinking it other than maybe a sip at the end of the day. If I were to drink tea at work, I feel like it should be caffeinated ones so I guess that’s why I brought home the only two teas I wanted to try from the offerings in the office, both of which are without caffeine.

Yesterday, I was going through my inventory and decided to pre-decide teas to drink today since lately I’ve been finding I stare at my tea drawers, get overwhelmed by my options, and then give up and walk away. This was one of the ones I picked since it would be a sipdown.

It’s fine. Just fine. Decaf is never great (with the exception of Harney’s Vanilla Comoro) and this is no exception. It’s sort of ginger, without the burn. It’s sort of lemon-y but in a lemon pledge sort of way. And its got a random sweetness to it I can’t pin down. So I guess by “fine” I actually mean it’s not particularly good which becomes more and more clear as I drink.

Cuppa #3

This is heavy on the spice. I’m only getting a bit of chocolate, but it’s playing off nicely against the spice. There’s big cinnamon and nutmeg, and a surprisingly nice base. Wow, I wasn’t expecting this to even be drinkable. Hell, I half bought this just to see how bad it could be. But it’s actually good? Out of my three mugs so far today, this is the best.

You know what this tastes like? Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate. I’ve never had that before, but the flavor tastes very much like if you blended hot chocolate and pumpkin spice. It’s tasty. I can’t believe I’m recommending a bagged Pu, but this is really good. I mean, as with all these bagged teas, I will never beat out loose leaf, but I really think I could stash a few of these in my purse and enjoy them on the go. Good stuff.

Solid B.

Cuppa #2. And wouldn’t you know, it’s an Earl Grey!

Ok, so fair warning, I have no idea what it means to have an “Aged Earl Grey”, but seeing as how I bought every EG on Staples’ website, it came with the set.

Bit less scientific on this one. K-Water/5min/12oz/1 bag. I know full well that means I am underleafing for my water amount, but I didn’t want to add two bags. My mugs are just too big, I suppose.

Taste is… um, is it supposed to be that… whatever that is. It’s that odd profile again that may or may not be raisin. It’s a flavor that is metallic, but sweet. Someday I’ll figure it out.

EDIT It occurs to me my Keurig may need descaling. That could be why so many black teas have that weird flavor to them. I will start preparing my black teas via kettle and see if there is a difference in flavor.

Anyway, the bergamot I love so much is very lacking here. It’s there, just not as much as I like. I like a bold bergamot, and this? it’s just too subtle for me. Now, for some people, that might be a bonus, but here, it isn’t doing it for me. I am getting a lovely black tea flavor that isn’t at all bitter or astringent, and only a touch tannic. There’s a bit of wet earth there, if you really start trying to pick apart flavors. Honestly, this tastes more like a good black tea than anything Earl Grey. It’s frustrating because I was excited for the prospect of a really good bagged EG, instead, it’s just too dang subtle for me. Maybe adding sugar/splenda to it would bring out the bergamot, but I’m not really feeling sweetener tonight.

All in all: It’s not a bad tea but it’s not a good Earl Grey

I think I bought this one when I was in Prague on exchange fair. Steeped for suggested, 8 minutes.

Dry tea bag was with really nice and interesting aroma. I think I mostly noticed the mint there, but for sure lemongrass, elderflower and lavender. Maybe little note of spiciness of ginger there too. When I added the water and making the brew, it turned out very herbal in aroma, with none of those distinctive notes. After brewing time, I notice room filled with lavender and lemongrass. It is bit reminding me Douglas fir tips tea from Juniper Ridge.

Slow down.

In taste? Well it’s herbal! Quite refreshing, but as well earthy. There is certainly lavender even in taste. But it is not that artificial one. It is real one, mellowing it a bit.

I wonder how bamboo leaf should taste like?
Song pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dw-Tz255GFg with English translation here: https://lyricstranslate.com/en/variace-na-renesan%C4%8Dn%C3%AD-t%C3%A9ma-variation-renassaince-topic.html – unfortunately word-to-word.

Literally bought this tea just to have the glass teapot hahaha

The tea itself is okay, not a ton of taste to it. Boyfriend described the flowering tea as a “Squid”

Yerba Mate with cacao? Okay, cacao dust went out while I was taking the bag out. Maybe something remained in bag.

Brews cloudy brown. Taste is weird. Woody from rooibos, sweet from cacao and licorice, herbal because Yerba Mate. Cacophony of tastes.

I do not like it much – I mean it is not terrible, but bit it tastes weird for me. But yeah, at least it is quite energy boosting :)

Little teeny tiny cricket poop sized pearls. Very Very light. Good for at work.

Made a carafe of this for iced tea. I’m sure it will be delicious and hydrating when I ice it up.
I have a lot of tea to drink before I’m allowed to buy any more. Large carafes of ice tea is one way I’m trying to get through my overflowing cupboard.
In other news… I’m attending a 4 week pottery wheel class starting Friday’s I keep making jokes that everyone’s gonna get penholders!!! Yay! But I’m secretly aiming to make some modern, fun tea mugs.

So this is teabag #5/6 that I’m having tonight.
4min 212F
smells of cinnamon and nutmeg
tastes of cinnamon and nutmeg, maybe a hint of earth in the aftertaste
I wouldn’t call this a pu-erh. It tastes like a cinnamon tea. Their Emporer’s pu-erh is better.

The other teabags I finished today: Sakurambo (black), Darjeeling 1st flush -Lupicia; Jasmine green, Earl Grey – Rishi. #6 – will be Momo oolong Lupicia

Sipdown. After the 6th teabag, my tea count will be 251.