I decided I’d go ahead and do my tasting note, even though like I said before, I diluted it on accident. As it cooled, it got sweet enough for me to taste it enough to up the rating, and be able to give a decent review. (I’ll still put in another one tomorrow, after I taste it again, just to be doubly sure!)
Smell: Dry, in the bag. OH MY GOODNESS BLACKBERRIES! But creamy blackberries. And I think I could smell a hint of vanilla. It almost smelled like a blackberry dessert of some kind, cobbler or something. Either way, a good aroma. Steeping it was about the same, but more blackberry and less of everything else. Still yummy, and exciting!
Taste: At first, I couldn’t taste a lot, and it was a bit astringent, and had a sour mouthfeel (anything bitter leaves a sour aftertaste for me.) BUT—I could taste a hint of the blackberry as I swallowed, on the back of my tongue, and as it cooled and finally accepted the two packs of raw cane sugar I added, the blackberry came out, very smooth, really sweet, a bit tart (good tart) and the vanilla came out in a creamy note. When it finally got really cold, it sucked and tasted really bitter, but I don’t like any tea cold unless it is iced and mean to be iced, and this tea I don’t think is. It is VERY good, VERY yummy, I cannot WAIT to try cream in it, and it will make an EXCELLENT desssert tea, as well as a pick me up! Yay!
Unfortunately, I have yet to fully read and finish anything Jane Austen wrote. :( As I dig deeper into this tea, I need to go pull out some of my Austen novels to enjoy with it…
Sighhhh… Fauchon doesn’t even ship to Canada. And I just had shipping shock the other day doing a mock order for both MF, The O Dor and Fauchon and then figured with all these shipping charges… I could fly there for cheaper. le sigh
I agree about the crazy shipping from Adagio! It feels like it’s almost the equivalent of agreeing to give up your first born, which is frustrating because there’s ONE blend from Adagio I’ve been dying to try since getting into loose leaf. However, I’m not going to pay $30 shipping for one blend :(
Tuscanteal – yeah. It’s frustrating. At least there are more places carrying it? Did you check your local Winners? They had some for a bit at least.
Roswel Strange – it’s absolutely ridiculous. I tweeted them to ask why they couldn’t send it USPS and they said it WAS USPS. I don’t understand why it’s so much. If they made an effort to lower their prices they would get SO MUCH BUSINESS.
Maybe you can find someone on Steepster to grab that one blend for you? That’s how I got this one and my beloved TARDIS tea. :P (I won’t give out my contact though in case that person doesn’t want to do it for everyone, but there are tons of nice people here who probably wouldn’t mind splitting and re-shipping an order for you)
I’m a tea mule for a few companies right now, including Adagio – actually making an order tonight with them! If anyone wants something added, send me a note. We’re getting it shipped to Blaine, WA to a company that specializes in this sort of stuff, and then I’ll pick it up and parse it out shortly after arrival. Lots of options.
Ooh, MissB. I will message you.
I didn’t realize that MissB! That’s great! :D
(I sometimes have access to a mule up here but more options are better)
Cavo, my dad lives in California so I ship orders to him. When I move back to Thornhill I can just add stuff to orders for you and then drop them off at your house.
MissB – definitely shot you a message!
MissB – a tea mule, that’s so funny! I could probably do the same for a lot of things, I have Nexus.
Oh, VariaTEA – I nearly missed your response! Thanks for the offer. I will likely take you up on it. :P (And we can meet at the DAVIDsTEA at Promenade!)
Ooh, Nexus. I’ve debated getting one. I always get questioned at the border if they ask me what I do for a living (will you be writing – anything – while you’re in the US? is my favorite question).
Worth It hands down!!!!
MissB: “My signature. On the credit card receipts.” Although sometimes they don’t have a sense of humour.
haha Hopefully one of us will get hired at that DAVIDs and then we can have discounts on their tea.
I’m about to order this one and am SO excited!
I hope you enjoy it!
OMGsrsly: Ha! Yes, I’ve learned to keep it serious at the border. Two hour cavity searches are someone else’s idea of a fun afternoon. ;)