Brand: Lupicia
Type: Flavored Black
Brew Time & Temperature: 3 minutes, boiling
Leaf Appearance: Long, rolled black leaves with bits of dried mango
Color: Dark amber
Smell: It has the smell of a ripened mango (but the smell just isn't too strong)
Recommended with/as: As is, sugar, honey, iced, milk
Rating: 8/10
Tasting notes and thoughts:
First off, I'd suggest brewing this tea longer than the recommended (or even better- use more loose leaf if you could find it), since it was a little weak after 3 minutes with a tea bag. As for the taste, I thought it was kind of lacking. You can certainly taste the mango, but I thought it tasted unripened, unlike the smell. It was a little bit sour and bitter- adding some sugar helped. There's little astringency however (making it very smooth) and the tea base is nice and light. Overall, it's okay, but I'd prefer if the mango was sweeter and much stronger.
Apparently, the tea IS supposed to taste like really sweet mangoes, but I can't tell if it's because I used too much water or my taste is still suffering from the sick (I'm getting better though!). Like most other teas this week, I think I'll try going for a re-taste later on.
Other notes:
Nothing really other than I think I'm almost done being sick (there's really coughing now). Valentine's day was less eventful than I hoped, since all I pretty much did today was sleep, eat, play video games, watch a movie, and buy groceries. Hopefully tomorrow or Monday will be better since my friends will be free to actually film that commercial I was talking about yesterday.
Next on the 100 Days of Tea: Matcha Kirara Rice Tea
Showing posts with label Week 3. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Week 3. Show all posts
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Friday, February 13, 2015
Day 20: Darjeeling the Autumnal
Brand: Lupicia
Type: Black
Brew Time & Temperature: 3 minutes, boiling
Leaf Appearance: Small, curled, broken up blackish brown leaves with flower buds and twigs
Color: Golden orange
Smell: From what I can smell, it seems to have an earthy smell
Recommended with/as: As is, sugar
Rating: 8/10
Tasting notes and thoughts:
This darjeeling is somewhere in the middle between a black and a green tea. It's not too strong (if you view it as a black tea), with some astringency. The taste has a tiny bit of spice, which is rounded out by sweet, fruity tones. Overall, I like it well enough, but I think I'll need to try different darjeelings (I think I have first flush and second flush in the book) before I give this one a proper score.
Other notes:
Woo, my smell is sort of coming back! I'm only coughing and my nose alternates between runny and stuffy, but I feel like I'm getting better every day. Valentines Day is tomorrow, and I have nothing to do (didn't ask out that girl yet because sick and I think most of my friends are busy), so I think I'm just going to do work and get some filming done for a Japanese commercial. I might make also some sweets tomorrow too since I found a good recipe for Baked Alaska and I had a random craving for some banana bread. We'll see.
Next on the 100 Days of Tea: Alphonso Mango
Type: Black
Brew Time & Temperature: 3 minutes, boiling
Leaf Appearance: Small, curled, broken up blackish brown leaves with flower buds and twigs
Color: Golden orange
Smell: From what I can smell, it seems to have an earthy smell
Recommended with/as: As is, sugar
Rating: 8/10
Tasting notes and thoughts:
This darjeeling is somewhere in the middle between a black and a green tea. It's not too strong (if you view it as a black tea), with some astringency. The taste has a tiny bit of spice, which is rounded out by sweet, fruity tones. Overall, I like it well enough, but I think I'll need to try different darjeelings (I think I have first flush and second flush in the book) before I give this one a proper score.
Other notes:
Woo, my smell is sort of coming back! I'm only coughing and my nose alternates between runny and stuffy, but I feel like I'm getting better every day. Valentines Day is tomorrow, and I have nothing to do (didn't ask out that girl yet because sick and I think most of my friends are busy), so I think I'm just going to do work and get some filming done for a Japanese commercial. I might make also some sweets tomorrow too since I found a good recipe for Baked Alaska and I had a random craving for some banana bread. We'll see.
Next on the 100 Days of Tea: Alphonso Mango
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Day 19: Kamairicha "Gokase"
Brand: Lupicia
Type: Green
Brew Time & Temperature: 2 minutes, 85-90 degrees C
Leaf Appearance: Dark green, small, curled/rolled leaves (their appearance makes it obvious that they're fried, rather than steamed)
Color: Light yellow-green
Smell: Still can't smell (uuughh), but I have the loose leaf of this tea so I can do that later
Recommended with/as: As is
Rating: 7.5/10
Tasting notes and thoughts:
Compared to the other green teas I've had so far, this one is not as grassy or fishy. Instead, it tastes sweet with a slightly sour aftertaste. There is a little bit of astringency, but overall the taste is not too overpowering and not too weak. Personally, I'd prefer a nice shincha to this (since it tastes kind of average in terms of green tea as a whole).
Other notes:
Oh man, Darjeeling tomorrow! Hopefully my senses come back by then, because I am really looking forward to that tea. As for my sick, I'm still coughing a bit and my nose is still stuffed. Getting better, though! As for school, I got a WWI test (one of my favorite wars!), AP biology essay (biotech and that's pretty easy), I have to start to repair an aquarium (turns out that carrying an aquarium filled with water and rocks can crack the glass on the bottom because structural integrity and all that jazz), and COOKING CURRY RICE WOO.
Next on the 100 Days of Tea: Darjeeling the Autumnal
Type: Green
Brew Time & Temperature: 2 minutes, 85-90 degrees C
Leaf Appearance: Dark green, small, curled/rolled leaves (their appearance makes it obvious that they're fried, rather than steamed)
Color: Light yellow-green
Smell: Still can't smell (uuughh), but I have the loose leaf of this tea so I can do that later
Recommended with/as: As is
Rating: 7.5/10
Tasting notes and thoughts:
Compared to the other green teas I've had so far, this one is not as grassy or fishy. Instead, it tastes sweet with a slightly sour aftertaste. There is a little bit of astringency, but overall the taste is not too overpowering and not too weak. Personally, I'd prefer a nice shincha to this (since it tastes kind of average in terms of green tea as a whole).
Other notes:
Oh man, Darjeeling tomorrow! Hopefully my senses come back by then, because I am really looking forward to that tea. As for my sick, I'm still coughing a bit and my nose is still stuffed. Getting better, though! As for school, I got a WWI test (one of my favorite wars!), AP biology essay (biotech and that's pretty easy), I have to start to repair an aquarium (turns out that carrying an aquarium filled with water and rocks can crack the glass on the bottom because structural integrity and all that jazz), and COOKING CURRY RICE WOO.
Next on the 100 Days of Tea: Darjeeling the Autumnal
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Day 18: Vanilla
Brand: Lupicia
Type: Flavored Black
Brew Time & Temperature: 3 minutes, boiling
Leaf Appearance: Small, rolled black tea leaves with a few twigs only (nothing else added)
Color: Dark amber
Smell: Can't do this today at all, for reasons stated below
Recommended with/as: As is, honey, sugar, milk
Rating: 8.5/10
Tasting notes and thoughts:
When this tea came out of the number generator, I was kind of dreading it. Vanilla, to me, is nice when matched with other flavors, but on it's own? No thank you.
However, when I tasted it, I was mildly surprised. I was expecting an intoxicating vanilla syrup taste and smell, but it was mild enough from what I could tell. The vanilla I could taste was somewhat like vanilla ice cream or a vanilla milk drink- like a float. It's sweet and not too strong, smooth, and for sure a good vanilla. I'd suggest it with milk or mixed with another tea (chocolate or sweet teas seem like a good pairing).
Other notes:
Getting better, but still sick. Coughing isn't as bad anymore, taste is sort of coming back, but my nose is so stuffy I couldn't even smell the tea well. To be honest, I didn't even account for this when I first thought of the project and set it up (this is like, the first time I've been sick in around 6 months). Luckily though, I've already tried most of the teas this week or have extra tea bags of them, so I might double up on reviews next week and re-do these.
Next on the 100 Days of Tea: Kamairicha "Gokase"
Type: Flavored Black
Brew Time & Temperature: 3 minutes, boiling
Leaf Appearance: Small, rolled black tea leaves with a few twigs only (nothing else added)
Color: Dark amber
Smell: Can't do this today at all, for reasons stated below
Recommended with/as: As is, honey, sugar, milk
Rating: 8.5/10
Tasting notes and thoughts:
When this tea came out of the number generator, I was kind of dreading it. Vanilla, to me, is nice when matched with other flavors, but on it's own? No thank you.
However, when I tasted it, I was mildly surprised. I was expecting an intoxicating vanilla syrup taste and smell, but it was mild enough from what I could tell. The vanilla I could taste was somewhat like vanilla ice cream or a vanilla milk drink- like a float. It's sweet and not too strong, smooth, and for sure a good vanilla. I'd suggest it with milk or mixed with another tea (chocolate or sweet teas seem like a good pairing).
Other notes:
Getting better, but still sick. Coughing isn't as bad anymore, taste is sort of coming back, but my nose is so stuffy I couldn't even smell the tea well. To be honest, I didn't even account for this when I first thought of the project and set it up (this is like, the first time I've been sick in around 6 months). Luckily though, I've already tried most of the teas this week or have extra tea bags of them, so I might double up on reviews next week and re-do these.
Next on the 100 Days of Tea: Kamairicha "Gokase"
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Day 17: Sakurambo
Brand: Lupicia
Type: Flavored Black
Brew Time & Temperature: 3 minutes, boiling
Leaf Appearance: Small black leaves with peppercorn or small cherries (I can't tell) and long needle-like yellow pieces
Color: Amber/golden orange
Smell: I can't really smell it, but the only thing that I can notice is a very slight cherry smell.
Recommended with/as: As is, honey, sugar, iced
Rating: 8/10
Tasting notes and thoughts:
Although I can't really taste right now, this tea was surprisingly flavorful. It has a nice tart cherry aftertaste, and the initial taste is a bit strong. It's only a bit astringent (but that might just be me being sick). Overall, it's sort of a sour tea but it fits with the cherry- I like it.
Other notes:
Welp, still sick. However, the group test went pretty well (we didn't finish 1 problem because we ran out of time & we were missing a group member), and our science fair experiment is showing data that confirms our hypothesis (oh my god I'm so hype), so I have that going for me.
Next on the 100 Days of Tea: Vanilla
Type: Flavored Black
Brew Time & Temperature: 3 minutes, boiling
Leaf Appearance: Small black leaves with peppercorn or small cherries (I can't tell) and long needle-like yellow pieces
Color: Amber/golden orange
Smell: I can't really smell it, but the only thing that I can notice is a very slight cherry smell.
Recommended with/as: As is, honey, sugar, iced
Rating: 8/10
Tasting notes and thoughts:
Although I can't really taste right now, this tea was surprisingly flavorful. It has a nice tart cherry aftertaste, and the initial taste is a bit strong. It's only a bit astringent (but that might just be me being sick). Overall, it's sort of a sour tea but it fits with the cherry- I like it.
Other notes:
Welp, still sick. However, the group test went pretty well (we didn't finish 1 problem because we ran out of time & we were missing a group member), and our science fair experiment is showing data that confirms our hypothesis (oh my god I'm so hype), so I have that going for me.
Next on the 100 Days of Tea: Vanilla
Monday, February 9, 2015
Day 16: Happiness
Brand: Lupicia
Type: Flavored Blend (rooibos and green)
Brew Time & Temperature: 2 minutes, boiling
Leaf Appearance: Green tea and rooibos with a large amount of flower petals
Color: Light yellow
Smell: Sweet, floral, fruity
Recommended with/as: As is, iced, sugar, honey
Rating: 7*/10
Tasting notes and thoughts:
Overall, I thought this tea was average. Unsweetened, it's astringent and bland. There's little fruit taste- despite the smell, the tea is a bit flavorless. Sweetened, it's a bit better, but I still don't like it. Not at all. Apparently, it's supposed to taste like grapefruit and peach (and maybe even wine) but I don't taste any of those. Rather, it tastes more like licorice.
Other notes:
*Okay, so I am super sick today (the flu, I think), so this review will have to be short and probably not accurate since I can't really smell or taste. I'm coughing, all of my joints ache, I've been lightheaded all day, and I can't even write decently. The thing that sucks is that I HAVE to go to school tomorrow because I have a group test and I can't miss that. Anyway, I'll let you guys know what happens.
Next on the 100 Days of Tea: Sakurambo
Type: Flavored Blend (rooibos and green)
Brew Time & Temperature: 2 minutes, boiling
Leaf Appearance: Green tea and rooibos with a large amount of flower petals
Color: Light yellow
Smell: Sweet, floral, fruity
Recommended with/as: As is, iced, sugar, honey
Rating: 7*/10
Tasting notes and thoughts:
Overall, I thought this tea was average. Unsweetened, it's astringent and bland. There's little fruit taste- despite the smell, the tea is a bit flavorless. Sweetened, it's a bit better, but I still don't like it. Not at all. Apparently, it's supposed to taste like grapefruit and peach (and maybe even wine) but I don't taste any of those. Rather, it tastes more like licorice.
Other notes:
*Okay, so I am super sick today (the flu, I think), so this review will have to be short and probably not accurate since I can't really smell or taste. I'm coughing, all of my joints ache, I've been lightheaded all day, and I can't even write decently. The thing that sucks is that I HAVE to go to school tomorrow because I have a group test and I can't miss that. Anyway, I'll let you guys know what happens.
Next on the 100 Days of Tea: Sakurambo
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Day 15: Sencha "Nara"
Brand: Lupicia
Type: Green
Brew Time & Temperature: 1 minute 30 seconds, 85 to 95 degrees C
Leaf Appearance: Long, rolled green leaves with some fannings
Color: Light yellow-green
Smell: Fishy/seaweed smell with grass
Recommended with/as: As is
Rating: 8/10
Tasting notes and thoughts:
Compared to yesterday's tea, this doesn't have that much of a roasted taste, if any at all. Rather, it's more sweet with a bit of sourness. It finishes off with a light grassy taste. Not too strong and not too weak- it's a very mellow tea. It's good, but compared to yesterday, it doesn't have that much of a complex flavor.
Other notes:
I feel like random.org (the number generator I've been using to pick each day's teas) has been picking a lot of high numbers, so I've been drinking only greens and flavored blacks. I think if this doesn't change soon, I might have to adjust the way I pick each day's teas. Also, for the Tea Reviews section, I'm torn on if I should keep houjichas and greens separate; they're both technically green teas, but I feel like houjichas are different enough that they should be in a different category. By that logic, should I keep rooibos and herbal teas different? I don't know! Decisions!
Next on the 100 Days of Tea: Happiness
Type: Green
Brew Time & Temperature: 1 minute 30 seconds, 85 to 95 degrees C
Leaf Appearance: Long, rolled green leaves with some fannings
Color: Light yellow-green
Smell: Fishy/seaweed smell with grass
Recommended with/as: As is
Rating: 8/10
Tasting notes and thoughts:
Compared to yesterday's tea, this doesn't have that much of a roasted taste, if any at all. Rather, it's more sweet with a bit of sourness. It finishes off with a light grassy taste. Not too strong and not too weak- it's a very mellow tea. It's good, but compared to yesterday, it doesn't have that much of a complex flavor.
Other notes:
I feel like random.org (the number generator I've been using to pick each day's teas) has been picking a lot of high numbers, so I've been drinking only greens and flavored blacks. I think if this doesn't change soon, I might have to adjust the way I pick each day's teas. Also, for the Tea Reviews section, I'm torn on if I should keep houjichas and greens separate; they're both technically green teas, but I feel like houjichas are different enough that they should be in a different category. By that logic, should I keep rooibos and herbal teas different? I don't know! Decisions!
Next on the 100 Days of Tea: Happiness
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