Backlogging and based entirely on my notes
Experience buying from The Puritea http://steepster.com/places/2885-thepuritea-online-los-angeles-california
Date of Purchase/Amount of Leaf/Date of Steeping: Bought during their Black Friday sale near the end of 2011; 3 – 4 TSP sample; steeped once on 1-29-2012.
Appearance and Aroma of dry leaf: No discernible aroma; standard look for an Assam.
Brewing guidelines: < No information noted on teapot used >; stevia added; my standard Chinese red tea steeping times and temperatures; four steepings.
Color and Aroma of tea liquor: Malty aroma, dark amber color.
Flavor of tea liquor (by steeping):
1st: sweet, malty flavor
2nd: good
3rd: still good
4th: decent, but not enough to attempt a 5th
Appearance and aroma of wet leaf: Standard mid-grade CTC leaf; malty.
Value: $2 for the sample (no more than 4 TSP): I find that to be very pricy for a small sample; otherwise it’s $12 / 4 OZ.
Overall: I liked it, my wife liked it: a good Assam. As I mention in my review of The Puritea, I was hoping for more Tea in this sample. I don’t think it’s likely I will buy this tea from them again, as there are plenty of Assams that are higher in quality and priced at least as good.
I really wanted to like their teas, & they are ok, but none of them live up to the description, & they don’t look at all like the photos. Oh well, at least they don’t taste bad. I think maybe I’m just too use to awesome over the top teas, haha