Several weeks ago I was contacted by a public relations specialist about the Zarafina Tea Suite (automatic tea maker). They offered to send me one free, and after a little waffling about the ethics of accepting free stuff for review, I decided that the opportunity to try and review the product was worth more than the $150 I would never actually spend to buy the suite to review for you all. So I accepted, and Friday night, the tea suite was on my doorstep. I’m in the process of reviewing the machine now (I’m on my second cup), and I should have my full review ready to post (with pictures) by next Monday. So you can decide for yourself how much weight to give my review since this particular machine was free. I would like to assure you that I’ve never been afraid to give the straight scoop on anything, and will not hesitate to give my honest opinion on this either. I am using only teas that I’ve tried and enjoyed before, so that my opinion won’t be biased due to the flavor or type of tea used.
After I have fully tried out the Zarafina and completed my review of it independently, I’ll be putting it up against my Adagio triniTEA maker (which I did purchase myself). It seems like many people out there are constantly asking “which machine is better”? Hopefully, I’ll be able to answer that question, and figure out if one really is better than the other, or if they are better for different uses, etc. We shall see. I'm not using the Adagio machine at all this week just so I don't bias my opinion of the Zarafina by doing so. Obviously neither machine will be able to compete with traditionally made tea, so I’m not comparing them to tea from a teapot or infuser at all. Tea machines are convenience items, and must be viewed in that light.
This week, I’m also on vacation, with a semi-full schedule of things to accomplish. So I may or may not have time to complete many tea reviews, though I will try to get a couple posted here and there. Be patient, and normal daily reviews will continue next week.
Until then, I wish you many happy cuppas.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
Honey Orchid Dan Cong Oolong from Teacuppa
Scent in package: light honey, roastedBrewed in: tea for one/metal infuser
Steeped: 4 min.@ 180, 2 min.@ 200
Cup: Café mug
My Oncidium orchid is blooming, and so this afternoon I reached for a new oolong to try from Teacuppa. I was a little disappointed when the tea didn’t have even a hint of orchid scent in the package, but went ahead and brewed it up anyways. Needless to say, I should have read the directions for brewing on the web site first, which suggested hotter water/shorter brewing for the first couple of infusions.
So my first cup was a bit more astringent than your average oolong, and I wasn’t terribly impressed with the taste, but it was still drinkable. The scent was strongly “cooked”, a result of my steeping it for too long. It was also far too dark golden brown for good scent or taste. I chalked it up to my poor brewing choices, and tried again with a second infusion.
The second infusion was much better – the scent is more on par with what I’d expect from an oolong, honeyed and with a hint of floral in the background. It was much softer in the mouth, though strangely, still drying on the tongue and the back of the throat. There is a honey taste up front, but I didn’t really taste much of the fruit that was promised at the beginning (though I did taste it somewhat in the first infusion). The floral aftertaste is noticeable, but light, and again, nothing like my “real orchid” (I do have an oolong that tastes as the orchid smells…one of my favorite oolongs).
All in all, while this certainly isn’t a bad tea, it kind of bored me. It seems like an everyday, run-of-the-mill oolong that you could pick up anywhere, rather than being the exquisitely special tea that it’s billed as. Frankly, I’ve been spoiled lately with many of the oolongs I’ve had, and while this one would have probably suited me fine last year, it’s just not doing anything for my palate after all the better oolongs I’ve had recently.
So an “okay” tea, but there’s better out there, in my opinion.
And for your viewing pleasure, a picture of my orchid blooms.Thursday, July 26, 2007
Teaware: The Secret of the Saucer
I like to have a lot of different cups at my disposal. I choose a cup for its function, but I’m big on looks too – I want it to be aesthetically pleasing to look at while I’m sipping out of it, whether it’s a big mug, dainty teacup, or a tiny tasting cup. At work, I use a fairly heavy café mug, to keep my tea warm over an hour or so as I sip at it. For black tea at home, I prefer a really big heavy mug, for the same reason (I’m generally a sipper, which means tea gets cold quickly without the insulating properties of a heavy mug). I have heavy ceramic travel mugs for insulation and the ability to toss them in the dishwasher for cleaning. In the evenings though, I use a glass mug because it cools more quickly & I like to watch the color of the tea. And lately, I’ve been turning to my lovely Lenox teacup and saucer set (pictured above) in the late nights for green, oolongs or rooibos tisanes. Teacups are generally wide and squat, to allow for good cooling and easy drinking.
It’s taken me awhile to come to terms with the traditional teacup and saucer set. When you’re not used to using the set, it seems like a lot to keep track of. It’s not always easy to juggle two pieces of dishware when one might fit better (in which case I use a glass mug). I’ve always sort of wondered what the saucer was for – a spoon, perhaps? But I don’t add anything to my tea, so that’s not needed. Or the teabag? Again, I drink mostly loose leaf tea, and when I do put something in a bag, I have teabag holders by my normal chairs and by the bed for holding teabags, though I normally just let the tea brew in the kitchen and leave the tea/teabag there. I have no need to carry a teabag holder with me.
But lately, I’ve been finding that the handiest use for the saucer is simply to hold the cup. Nothing balances on the arm of my big reading chair like a saucer/cup set…my big mugs wouldn’t stay there, nor would my delicate glass cups. But the saucer creates its own hard surface for the cup to balance on, so if I don’t want to reach all the way to the end table for a sip, I don’t have to. It also makes it possible for me to take my tea to bed without a full tea tray, as I did last night. I had a lovely rooibos blend right before bed, and could sit the cup and saucer right beside me on the bed as I sipped and read without worrying about leaning it against my leg for stability, or keeping it in hand at all times (as I do with mugs).
So finally, I think I’ve discovered the secret of the saucer – and that is simply to hold the cup. Amazing that it took so many years to come to such a revelation, but there it is. The shape & size of the saucer are much more important when you consider this particular use for it. My Lenox saucers are nice and large, and curved upwards to catch any dribbles (another good use for a saucer, though I don’t often have that problem either). I’ll have to use some of my other cup/saucer sets to see if they work as well when they’re smaller too.
In keeping with that train of thought though, people used to actually take their teacup and saucer set with them when visiting friends if the hostess didn’t have enough sets for everyone. What a great idea, really – you’d always use your own set, and I assume everyone would have a different pattern, so you’d always know whose cup was whose as well. Ingenious, when you think about it. I’ve considered buying a tote for my favorite teacup and saucer…perhaps one of these days I’ll splurge. I really like the totes from Sweet Necessi-Teas – a bit expensive, perhaps, but certainly elegant and luxurious.
So find yourself a teacup and saucer set. Don’t get just any set, pick out one that you really like the look and feel of when it’s in your hand. That’s what got me to finally start using (and musing about) mine. I wouldn’t want to be without it now (but I’m not getting rid of my nice big cozy mugs, either!).
It’s taken me awhile to come to terms with the traditional teacup and saucer set. When you’re not used to using the set, it seems like a lot to keep track of. It’s not always easy to juggle two pieces of dishware when one might fit better (in which case I use a glass mug). I’ve always sort of wondered what the saucer was for – a spoon, perhaps? But I don’t add anything to my tea, so that’s not needed. Or the teabag? Again, I drink mostly loose leaf tea, and when I do put something in a bag, I have teabag holders by my normal chairs and by the bed for holding teabags, though I normally just let the tea brew in the kitchen and leave the tea/teabag there. I have no need to carry a teabag holder with me.
But lately, I’ve been finding that the handiest use for the saucer is simply to hold the cup. Nothing balances on the arm of my big reading chair like a saucer/cup set…my big mugs wouldn’t stay there, nor would my delicate glass cups. But the saucer creates its own hard surface for the cup to balance on, so if I don’t want to reach all the way to the end table for a sip, I don’t have to. It also makes it possible for me to take my tea to bed without a full tea tray, as I did last night. I had a lovely rooibos blend right before bed, and could sit the cup and saucer right beside me on the bed as I sipped and read without worrying about leaning it against my leg for stability, or keeping it in hand at all times (as I do with mugs).
So finally, I think I’ve discovered the secret of the saucer – and that is simply to hold the cup. Amazing that it took so many years to come to such a revelation, but there it is. The shape & size of the saucer are much more important when you consider this particular use for it. My Lenox saucers are nice and large, and curved upwards to catch any dribbles (another good use for a saucer, though I don’t often have that problem either). I’ll have to use some of my other cup/saucer sets to see if they work as well when they’re smaller too.
In keeping with that train of thought though, people used to actually take their teacup and saucer set with them when visiting friends if the hostess didn’t have enough sets for everyone. What a great idea, really – you’d always use your own set, and I assume everyone would have a different pattern, so you’d always know whose cup was whose as well. Ingenious, when you think about it. I’ve considered buying a tote for my favorite teacup and saucer…perhaps one of these days I’ll splurge. I really like the totes from Sweet Necessi-Teas – a bit expensive, perhaps, but certainly elegant and luxurious.
So find yourself a teacup and saucer set. Don’t get just any set, pick out one that you really like the look and feel of when it’s in your hand. That’s what got me to finally start using (and musing about) mine. I wouldn’t want to be without it now (but I’m not getting rid of my nice big cozy mugs, either!).
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Australian Tropical Black Tea from Teacuppa
Scent in package: fake fruity smell, citrus
Brewed in: unbleached filter bag
Steeped: 5 min.@ 212 degrees
Cup: Café mug
I guessed I was in trouble when I first opened this package. The tea was not really leaves at all, but more dried tea “crumbles”, like something a bit larger than you’d find in jar of powdered iced tea, but with bits of dried fruit peel mixed in. It smelled citrus-y, but something was “off” about it. I was hoping that the tea would taste better than it looked.
It didn’t.
This is a pretty sorry excuse for a tea, and I’m somewhat shocked that a company like Teacuppa would carry it in their inventory alongside their much higher-quality teas. Not only does it resemble a larger version of powdered tea, it tastes much the same as well, lacking depth and any “tea” flavor whatsoever. The only flavor that comes through at all is a sort of fake orange taste, presumably from the dried peel in the mix. And on top of all that, the tea is astringent, like a dark brown orange flavored mess (but not even as good as mixing the popular orange Tang powdered mix with a decent hot tea).
Do yourself a favor. Avoid this like the plague. It doesn’t take much to find better tea than this, even in a teabag.
Brewed in: unbleached filter bag
Steeped: 5 min.@ 212 degrees
Cup: Café mug
I guessed I was in trouble when I first opened this package. The tea was not really leaves at all, but more dried tea “crumbles”, like something a bit larger than you’d find in jar of powdered iced tea, but with bits of dried fruit peel mixed in. It smelled citrus-y, but something was “off” about it. I was hoping that the tea would taste better than it looked.
It didn’t.
This is a pretty sorry excuse for a tea, and I’m somewhat shocked that a company like Teacuppa would carry it in their inventory alongside their much higher-quality teas. Not only does it resemble a larger version of powdered tea, it tastes much the same as well, lacking depth and any “tea” flavor whatsoever. The only flavor that comes through at all is a sort of fake orange taste, presumably from the dried peel in the mix. And on top of all that, the tea is astringent, like a dark brown orange flavored mess (but not even as good as mixing the popular orange Tang powdered mix with a decent hot tea).
Do yourself a favor. Avoid this like the plague. It doesn’t take much to find better tea than this, even in a teabag.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Yunnan Red Tip from Teacuppa
Scent in package: malty & strong
Brewed in: tea for one/metal infusor
Steeped: 5 min.@212 deg.
Cup: Café mug at work.
I normally drink a lot of Yunnan Gold…which is basically Yunnan black tea with golden tips. It’s smooth and malty like oatmeal, and perfect for breakfast. So I thought I’d see how this Yunnan Red Tip tea stacked up.
It looks a lot like a gold tip tea, except the leaves are darker, and the tips less prevalent. The scent is stronger too…less sweetness, and more “punch”. As it brews, the malty-ness really wafts through the air, and it almost made my mouth water (as a good Yunnan should!).
The taste was a bit disappointing though, I’m afraid. Rather than smooth and sweet, it’s more astringent than what I’m used to with Yunnan teas, and not really the flavor of oatmeal, but rather a some what sharper, almost (but not quite) bitter malt.
It’s a strong tea, and will wake you right up if that’s what you’re after. I can see myself downing a cup in the morning to get the blood flowing to the brain more quickly. But it’s not really a tea I’d probably sit down to just enjoy…it lacks the depth of flavor and natural sweetness that I’ve come to expect from Yunnan tea. Call me spoiled, but this seems more like a “knock off” than the real thing.
So I’ll certainly finish off my package, probably first thing in the mornings, but I won’t be reordering this one. If you want a thinner, more drying Yunnan taste, this is your tea.
Brewed in: tea for one/metal infusor
Steeped: 5 min.@212 deg.
Cup: Café mug at work.
I normally drink a lot of Yunnan Gold…which is basically Yunnan black tea with golden tips. It’s smooth and malty like oatmeal, and perfect for breakfast. So I thought I’d see how this Yunnan Red Tip tea stacked up.
It looks a lot like a gold tip tea, except the leaves are darker, and the tips less prevalent. The scent is stronger too…less sweetness, and more “punch”. As it brews, the malty-ness really wafts through the air, and it almost made my mouth water (as a good Yunnan should!).
The taste was a bit disappointing though, I’m afraid. Rather than smooth and sweet, it’s more astringent than what I’m used to with Yunnan teas, and not really the flavor of oatmeal, but rather a some what sharper, almost (but not quite) bitter malt.
It’s a strong tea, and will wake you right up if that’s what you’re after. I can see myself downing a cup in the morning to get the blood flowing to the brain more quickly. But it’s not really a tea I’d probably sit down to just enjoy…it lacks the depth of flavor and natural sweetness that I’ve come to expect from Yunnan tea. Call me spoiled, but this seems more like a “knock off” than the real thing.
So I’ll certainly finish off my package, probably first thing in the mornings, but I won’t be reordering this one. If you want a thinner, more drying Yunnan taste, this is your tea.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Bao Zhong from Teas, Etc
Scent in package: very light floral
Brewed in: tea for one w/metal infuser
Steeped: 3 min@ 180 deg., 4 min. @ 180 deg.
Cup: Café mug at work
Sigh. I received this green oolong tea as a sample in my last order from Teas, Etc., and waited to try it, because I wanted to make sure I had time for at least a few infusions. The sample was only big enough to brew once, so I wanted to make it last. I got two infusions yesterday before I ran out of time, and that was enough to get me completely hooked. I want more!
The tea brews up extremely light – it looks like plain water when pouring it until over half the cup is filled. The end result is a super-light yellow liquor that reminds me of a white tea more than a green or oolong. It’s beautiful, and when you hold it up to your nose, a honey-sweet floral scent wafts up gently out of the cup. It’s very light and delicate, but provocative, especially in the somewhat thick texture that lingers on the tongue. The aftertaste is sweet and mild, and stimulates a very relaxed state of mind.
With many oolongs, the second infusion is much different than the first, and the third is something else entirely. This particular tea was constant in the second infusion – same viscosity, same lovely scent, same relaxing floral sweetness. It was almost too relaxing for work, but at the same time, a welcome respite from the afternoon doldrums.
Needless to say, I enjoyed this tea very much, and wasn’t terribly surprised when I looked up the price on the web site, and found that 1 oz. would cost me $7.95, or I could get 3oz. for $19.95. But I will have to have more…I feel like I’ve only skimmed the surface of this tea, and with two incredibly constant infusions right from the start, I’m curious to see what else these beautiful green leaves have in store. I would not hesitate to serve this tea to guests…I’m positive it will be enjoyed by whoever drinks it. For a bit of luxury, try some…you won’t regret a single minute, and I have a feeling you’ll get more than your money’s worth from it!
Brewed in: tea for one w/metal infuser
Steeped: 3 min@ 180 deg., 4 min. @ 180 deg.
Cup: Café mug at work
Sigh. I received this green oolong tea as a sample in my last order from Teas, Etc., and waited to try it, because I wanted to make sure I had time for at least a few infusions. The sample was only big enough to brew once, so I wanted to make it last. I got two infusions yesterday before I ran out of time, and that was enough to get me completely hooked. I want more!
The tea brews up extremely light – it looks like plain water when pouring it until over half the cup is filled. The end result is a super-light yellow liquor that reminds me of a white tea more than a green or oolong. It’s beautiful, and when you hold it up to your nose, a honey-sweet floral scent wafts up gently out of the cup. It’s very light and delicate, but provocative, especially in the somewhat thick texture that lingers on the tongue. The aftertaste is sweet and mild, and stimulates a very relaxed state of mind.
With many oolongs, the second infusion is much different than the first, and the third is something else entirely. This particular tea was constant in the second infusion – same viscosity, same lovely scent, same relaxing floral sweetness. It was almost too relaxing for work, but at the same time, a welcome respite from the afternoon doldrums.
Needless to say, I enjoyed this tea very much, and wasn’t terribly surprised when I looked up the price on the web site, and found that 1 oz. would cost me $7.95, or I could get 3oz. for $19.95. But I will have to have more…I feel like I’ve only skimmed the surface of this tea, and with two incredibly constant infusions right from the start, I’m curious to see what else these beautiful green leaves have in store. I would not hesitate to serve this tea to guests…I’m positive it will be enjoyed by whoever drinks it. For a bit of luxury, try some…you won’t regret a single minute, and I have a feeling you’ll get more than your money’s worth from it!
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Green Peach from Dragonwater
Scent in package: peachy-keen
Brewed in: small glass teapot w/glass infuser
Steeped: 2 min @ 180 (per instructions)
Cup: porcelain teacup
Brewed in: small glass teapot w/glass infuser
Steeped: 2 min @ 180 (per instructions)
Cup: porcelain teacup
I was looking for something “different” to try, and came across this sample pack in the back of my cupboard. The label says it’s a mix of sencha and assam teas, flavored with bits of peach and peach flavoring. Since it was a mixture of black and green teas again, I was careful to follow the instructions for brewing it a short time at a low heat. The brew smells like peach, with a hint of the green sencha sneaking through.
The brew is a lovely golden color, though not what you’d expect from a green tea at all. It was thick and honey-like in texture (though not in taste). Unfortunately, the taste is a bit of a problem…I think it would have been okay if they’d left it at “peach bits”, but the peach flavoring was obviously artificial, with that typical aftertaste that just doesn’t sit well on the tongue.
Normally, I like Dragonwater’s flavored teas, and many of their blends as well (though not so much with the green/black blend). But this one just won’t do…mostly because of the peach flavoring, which serves to hide most of the other flavors so I can’t really decide if I like the sencha and assam together or not.
So this one can stay with the vendor, in my opinion. Dragonwater has many great blends and flavors, and I’m kind of surprised this one made it past the chopping block, but perhaps there’s someone out there who really likes it. I’ll save my tea money for something better.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Lapsang Souchong (Organic) from Dragonwater
Scent in package: typically smoky smell, campfire
Brewed in: tea-for-one pot w/metal infuser
Steeped: 5 min@212 degrees
Cup: Café mug here at work
I wanted something sweet and smooth this morning, and Dragonwater sent me this sample with my last tea-tasting order, so I thought I’d give it a try. I expected it to be much like Adagio’s Lapsang…because really, it’s all liquid smoke (at least until it cools), right?
Wrong.
Apparently, my palate has advanced enough to tell the difference between even ultra-smoky teas such as this. And what I found with this particular tea is that the taste falls somewhere between Adagio’s Lapsang and the Organic Bohea that I love from Teas, etc. Adagio’s tea really is like liquid smoke for the first few sips, until the sweetness comes out as it cools. This Dragonwater tea is more mellow on the first few sips – the sweetness comes out earlier, while that strong smoke flavor is still evident (unlike the Bohea, which is mellow & sweet all the way through). I realize it may not be fair to compare the Bohea to a modern Lapsang, but there are enough similarities that it doesn’t seem too far off.
Getting back to this Dragonwater cup – it’s sweet from the start, yet retains it’s ultra-smoky flavor throughout. There’s a sharp “bite” from the smoke right on the tip of my tongue, but that’s the only sharpness in the whole cup. It’s round, smooth, and very well balanced – right at that halfway point between the Adagio Lapsang that is a little more bold, and the Bohea which is a much softer, mellower tea.
There’s only one conclusion to draw, really – and that is to have all three in the cupboard, so that I can have the tea that suits my mood for that day. Today, this fits the bill quite nicely, and I’m enjoying my cup while waking up to work. It’s very good, and I’d highly recommend it.
One of these days I’m going to use some of this Lapsang in cooking…chicken or ribs or homemade BBQ sauce. I’m convinced it will be a wonderful addition to whatever needs a bit of that “smoky” flavor.
Brewed in: tea-for-one pot w/metal infuser
Steeped: 5 min@212 degrees
Cup: Café mug here at work
I wanted something sweet and smooth this morning, and Dragonwater sent me this sample with my last tea-tasting order, so I thought I’d give it a try. I expected it to be much like Adagio’s Lapsang…because really, it’s all liquid smoke (at least until it cools), right?
Wrong.
Apparently, my palate has advanced enough to tell the difference between even ultra-smoky teas such as this. And what I found with this particular tea is that the taste falls somewhere between Adagio’s Lapsang and the Organic Bohea that I love from Teas, etc. Adagio’s tea really is like liquid smoke for the first few sips, until the sweetness comes out as it cools. This Dragonwater tea is more mellow on the first few sips – the sweetness comes out earlier, while that strong smoke flavor is still evident (unlike the Bohea, which is mellow & sweet all the way through). I realize it may not be fair to compare the Bohea to a modern Lapsang, but there are enough similarities that it doesn’t seem too far off.
Getting back to this Dragonwater cup – it’s sweet from the start, yet retains it’s ultra-smoky flavor throughout. There’s a sharp “bite” from the smoke right on the tip of my tongue, but that’s the only sharpness in the whole cup. It’s round, smooth, and very well balanced – right at that halfway point between the Adagio Lapsang that is a little more bold, and the Bohea which is a much softer, mellower tea.
There’s only one conclusion to draw, really – and that is to have all three in the cupboard, so that I can have the tea that suits my mood for that day. Today, this fits the bill quite nicely, and I’m enjoying my cup while waking up to work. It’s very good, and I’d highly recommend it.
One of these days I’m going to use some of this Lapsang in cooking…chicken or ribs or homemade BBQ sauce. I’m convinced it will be a wonderful addition to whatever needs a bit of that “smoky” flavor.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Classic Black from Art of Tea
Scent in package: very quintessentially “tea” – nothing special
Brewed in: tea for one pot w/metal infuser
Steeped: 5.5min. @ 212 degrees
Cup: Café mug at work
If you’re looking for something pretty to look at, this tea isn’t it. It’s just your basic Nilgiri tea, though organic, and small dried bits at that. But if you’re looking for something to wake you up first thing in the morning, this will get the job done quite pleasantly, if somewhat astringently.
Nilgiri tea is very distinctive for me – it’s clean, fresh, and very light on the palate while still strong in taste. It’s not terribly complex, though this particular tea does have a bit of a muscatel aftertaste, not unlike a good Darjeeling. I over steeped my cup this morning by about 30 seconds, and it is more bitter than it should be, but not undrinkably so. It’s also quite drying in the mouth, but that’s probably the over steeping too…Nilgiri tends to be a bit drying, but not quite this much.
In any case, it’s very brisk and bold, and will get you going first thing…if you have friends/family who like Lipton, get them some of this to help wean them off those nasty teabags. It has the same base flavor, but far richer with that lovely aftertaste. It would also be a good black "tea party" tea - a flavor most people are used to, but just that much better than a bagged tea.
I’ll have to taste this again, brewed properly to decide if I’ll reorder or not, but I do already have a Nilgiri tea I like from Teas, Etc. that seems to stand up to being over steeped a bit better, so we’ll see. Like I said though – this one would be fine for switching people from bags to lose tea…and it works well for that first wake-up call in the morning too.
Brewed in: tea for one pot w/metal infuser
Steeped: 5.5min. @ 212 degrees
Cup: Café mug at work
If you’re looking for something pretty to look at, this tea isn’t it. It’s just your basic Nilgiri tea, though organic, and small dried bits at that. But if you’re looking for something to wake you up first thing in the morning, this will get the job done quite pleasantly, if somewhat astringently.
Nilgiri tea is very distinctive for me – it’s clean, fresh, and very light on the palate while still strong in taste. It’s not terribly complex, though this particular tea does have a bit of a muscatel aftertaste, not unlike a good Darjeeling. I over steeped my cup this morning by about 30 seconds, and it is more bitter than it should be, but not undrinkably so. It’s also quite drying in the mouth, but that’s probably the over steeping too…Nilgiri tends to be a bit drying, but not quite this much.
In any case, it’s very brisk and bold, and will get you going first thing…if you have friends/family who like Lipton, get them some of this to help wean them off those nasty teabags. It has the same base flavor, but far richer with that lovely aftertaste. It would also be a good black "tea party" tea - a flavor most people are used to, but just that much better than a bagged tea.
I’ll have to taste this again, brewed properly to decide if I’ll reorder or not, but I do already have a Nilgiri tea I like from Teas, Etc. that seems to stand up to being over steeped a bit better, so we’ll see. Like I said though – this one would be fine for switching people from bags to lose tea…and it works well for that first wake-up call in the morning too.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Russian Caravan – Fruity from Dragonwater
Scent in package: fruity and sweet tea scent
Brewed in: unbleached filter bag
Steeped: 5 min.@ 212 degrees
Cup: Café Mug at work
When I read the description of this tea, it really sounded like a lovely blend. Assam, Keemun, Lapsang Souchong, and Lychee (which I’d never tried, but always been curious about). I love Assam, I love Lapsang, so I figured I should probably try it. And I’ve not been disappointed in the least.
There’s nothing to miss without photos – the tea looks like any other boring black tea blend, made of smaller leaves of various dried shapes. The brew is a dark red-brown, but still completely translucent – very beautiful, and would be lovely in a glass teapot or delicate porcelain cup.
The scent is very fruity, but not overpowering to the tea blends. A very light and refreshing smell, foretelling the sweet taste to follow. There’s not much scent as it’s brewing, though a hint of the lychee fruit stands out, but the tea itself is perfectly balanced and smooth in the mouth. The slightly tart fruit taste just melts into the malty assam, and it’s all set off by the sweet smoothness characteristic of a good Lapsang (without being smoky at all).
I couldn’t really make out the Keemun in it, but that’s probably more because I’m not in the habit of drinking Keemun plain, so it would be harder for me to recognize that particular flavor.
In any case, this tea is one I could drink all day without getting bored with it, and I do plan on ordering a larger size eventually. It’s $6.00 for a quarter pound, so a pretty good deal for such a lovely blend, in my opinion. Give it a try – a great morning cup, and a good wake up call in the afternoon as well.
Brewed in: unbleached filter bag
Steeped: 5 min.@ 212 degrees
Cup: Café Mug at work
When I read the description of this tea, it really sounded like a lovely blend. Assam, Keemun, Lapsang Souchong, and Lychee (which I’d never tried, but always been curious about). I love Assam, I love Lapsang, so I figured I should probably try it. And I’ve not been disappointed in the least.
There’s nothing to miss without photos – the tea looks like any other boring black tea blend, made of smaller leaves of various dried shapes. The brew is a dark red-brown, but still completely translucent – very beautiful, and would be lovely in a glass teapot or delicate porcelain cup.
The scent is very fruity, but not overpowering to the tea blends. A very light and refreshing smell, foretelling the sweet taste to follow. There’s not much scent as it’s brewing, though a hint of the lychee fruit stands out, but the tea itself is perfectly balanced and smooth in the mouth. The slightly tart fruit taste just melts into the malty assam, and it’s all set off by the sweet smoothness characteristic of a good Lapsang (without being smoky at all).
I couldn’t really make out the Keemun in it, but that’s probably more because I’m not in the habit of drinking Keemun plain, so it would be harder for me to recognize that particular flavor.
In any case, this tea is one I could drink all day without getting bored with it, and I do plan on ordering a larger size eventually. It’s $6.00 for a quarter pound, so a pretty good deal for such a lovely blend, in my opinion. Give it a try – a great morning cup, and a good wake up call in the afternoon as well.
Better!
Finally, I feel the fog lifting, and my taste buds seem to have regained thier sense of purpose. Hooray for wine, which works to cure an ill when even tea won't hurry it along.
This afternoon, a review of Dragonwater's fruity version of Russian Caravan.
This afternoon, a review of Dragonwater's fruity version of Russian Caravan.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Glass Kettle from Adagio
I splurged last week, and ordered an all-glass kettle for my stovetop. I've always been a bit wary of doing that, due to the risk of breakage, etc, but I've gotten tired of looking at my trusty stainless steel kettle, and trying to keep it clean with my messier cooking habits (it's not easy to get grease off stainless steel). And my SS kettle doesn't have a flat bottom, so with my ceramic stovetop that means I have to set it on a larger burner. So when I read that this one could withstand high heat, and was dishwasher safe (the magic words), I thought what the heck? Might as well give it a try...The first time I used it, I was afraid to put too much heat under it. So I set the temperature at slightly more than medium, and waited as it took *forever* to start boiling. It did boil though, and without trouble too. It's very relaxing watching the water start to swirl around through the pot, heating and bubbling gradually. This kettle can take flame too, and I think it would be lovely to watch it on a gas stovetop.
The second time I used it, I started a bit higher, and had moved up the temperature almost all the way to high by the time I was done, to get the water boiling sooner. I figured the worst that would happen is glass shards and hot water everywhere...I still have my SS kettle in case. But nothing happened, and all was well.
I do notice that you can't fill it all the way - it needs some air in the top to get to a full boil, for some reason, and if it does start boiling hard, the water and steam tend to shoot out of the spout quite jerkily, which could be dangerous. But even filled just three quarters full, it still makes plenty of water to fill a nice sized teapot, and when it gets dirty, I just stick it right in the dishwasher, and it comes out nice and clean. My SS kettle has hard water stains that I've not been able to scrub out...not a problem with the glass kettle in the dishwasher. I've also noticed a difference in water quality...perhaps the SS was contributing more of a metallic taste to the water than I had noticed previously.
It's a bit spendy at $29...and definately a "luxury" item, but I do really like the way it doesn't take up so much space on my stove, and is so easily cleaned that I don't have to look at a constantly dirty kettle on the stovetop.
One downside though - I have to keep the stovetop cleaner, because you can see right through the kettle to whatever is behind (and under) it! That's not necessarily a bad thing though...
Anyways, if you're wanting something pretty, dainty, and still very functional & easy to clean for your stove, splurge on one of these kettles. You won't be disappointed, and there's the added bonus of no metallic taste added to the tea water (if you currently have a metal kettle).
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Head Cold, No Taste
Yes, I caught a head cold from my hubby this week...I guess it was inevitable, really. So I don't really trust my taste buds at the moment, thus the lack of reviews.
I can tell you, however, that my favorite teas to reach for when fighting a cold are blended with herbs - namely rooibos, peppermint and chamomile - and a spices like cinnamon. I've been drinking a lot of Cassablanca Twist (Adagio) and Rooibos Chocolate Mint (Dragonwater) lately, as well as Rooibos Apple Cinnamon (Dragonwater) and Spicy Chai (Stash). Stuff to sooth the throat and open the airways...tea for medicinal purposes, if you will.
So the reviews will return just as soon as my sense of taste does...but I have some teaware coming this weekend that I'll post on in the meantime.
I can tell you, however, that my favorite teas to reach for when fighting a cold are blended with herbs - namely rooibos, peppermint and chamomile - and a spices like cinnamon. I've been drinking a lot of Cassablanca Twist (Adagio) and Rooibos Chocolate Mint (Dragonwater) lately, as well as Rooibos Apple Cinnamon (Dragonwater) and Spicy Chai (Stash). Stuff to sooth the throat and open the airways...tea for medicinal purposes, if you will.
So the reviews will return just as soon as my sense of taste does...but I have some teaware coming this weekend that I'll post on in the meantime.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Shou Mei White Tea from Teacuppa
Scent in package: unremarkable, no smell, really.Brewed in: small glass teapot w/glass infuser
Steeped: 3.5 min.@ 180 degrees
Cup: Porcelain teacup
I ordered this tea because of the description – it said it had a stronger taste for a white tea, reminiscent of an oolong. So I figured I’d try it and see. I brewed it up last night, and honestly, it was the most interesting tea I’ve tried in quite awhile. The dry leaves are interesting - they look like dried fall leaves, rather than the tender green shoots one normally identifies as "white tea".
The taste and color were stronger than a normal white tea…the brew was golden yellow, honey
colored. And the scent was like a mixture of barley and alfalfa, which is almost exactly what it tasted like as well. It did indeed remind me of an oolong, as the texture was a bit thicker than other white teas, and there was a lingering honey-like aftertaste that is very soothing on the tongue. It was not astringent in the least, nor was there any bitterness at all, even as it cooled.It took me three quarters of a cup to decide I actually did like it, and didn’t merely find it interesting. The flavor is unlike anything I’ve had before, and the texture and strength is unlike any other white tea I’ve had, but refreshingly so. I quite enjoyed it, and finished off the pot.
It’s not terribly expensive at $5.50 for 1oz., so if you’re looking for something incredibly different and reminiscent of barley/alfalfa fields, order some (or a sample, which is cheaper). Whether you like it or not, I’m positive you’ll be interested in the unique taste and texture of this fascinating tea.
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