Tea Time Review

[DrKMcK]

Since I started buying the small 4 oz tins of Harney & Sons loose teas, I have been trying them and deciding which ones I really like and will buy in the 1 pound tins as the 4 oz. tins are finished. So, I've decided to do a review of the teas as I go along. I will review 3 types at a time.

I haven't bought regular tea bags since I started buying loose teas. I like the fact that I can put more of the tea leaves in the strainer than suggested. I like my tea STRONG!

First up: a photo of my Tea collection. As is usual for me, I never buy just one or two. LOL




Since the tea is loose, I needed a strainer. I tried this one first:






Well, this strainer allowed small bits of tea leaves to get into my cup while steeping. I hate getting tea leaves in my mouth!

So, I looked around online and spotted these strainers:








Well, they are silicone and very cute, but they are awful to use. You have to keep squeezing the bag because the holes don't seem to allow the water to freely flow into and out of the bag. And are horrible to clean out the wet tea leaves. Oh well.

I saw this little item and thought it might be better. It's a Manatee. LOL




Isn't it adorable?

First you stuff the tea leaves in his little body and hang him on the inside of your cup.







Cute, but not workable again. It's easy enough to clean but it doesn't let the flow move very well. I was getting desperate.

[DrKMcK]

Then I found this on Amazon!






The mesh is really fine and it never lets the bits of tea leaf through. I also like the cover. I tkeeps the tea hotter a little longer. This one is very easy to rinse out and clean. I bought two. LOL

So, now I am set. On to the actual tea tasting testing.

First up is: Plain old loose tea.



I bought this one pound bag of plain tea since the Harney's isn't exactly cheap. I usually have 1 or 2 cups of this during the day in between choosing one of the specialty teas.


Next is: Queen Catherine.



This is one I won't be buying again. It's not bad at all, but it tastes just like the regular black tea.


I tried the Paris tea.



Well, let me tell you; It is so, so good! It has a fragrance that stopped me in my tracks. I just spontaneously said..."Ohhhhh, that smells so good. It is a keeper for sure. And it tastes as good as it smells.


The next one opened was Earl Grey:



This is a nice smooth tea with a hint of citrus...very light. It will definitely be a permanent part of my collection.



The tea I opened next was a major winner. OMG! I absolutely love this one. Chocolate Mint!




This tea is so good. I love chocolate and having the mint in it just sends it over the top. Yes, this one is a keeper.

I am so glad I decided to try the loose teas. I think there's a freshness to them that isn't there with boxed tea bags. I just enjoy the flavors since I like variety. It really is amazing how many different teas there are to try.

I will do the next four tomorrow.

{{{Psst...try the Chocolate Mint! }}}

[pinkneon]

Chocolate mint tea?! That sounds ... Interesting! Does it still taste of tea??
I haven't had tea in ages! *Goes to boil the kettle*

[Pebbles82]

That sounds like an interesting selection I haven't had loose tea for a while now. I actually have a teapot that strains the leaves. The strainer lifts out.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[velma]

Ah! The hunt for the perfect infuser.... The novelty shapes and silicones are, as you've said, rubbish. We found the best things by far are the cup shaped infusers like you have bug ours don't have a lid. I was given a new teapot recently and that has a little lift our basket to put the tea leaves in so need for a strainer and it makes two cups so it's perfect. I'm not really a fan of flavoured tea but I did have a peach and ginger in a cafe a while back that was lovely It was more of a black tea than a fruit tea and had a really nice flavour. I do like a nice early grey. The brand makes a serious difference too. I'm rather in love with those tins yours come in. I'm a bit of a tin fanatic - I'd never bin them after but keep them buttons and safety pins

[Lala Noma]

I have the same thing you found in Amazon! It is not beautiful, but it works fine
I love tea, and drink tea every day! But I am really basic, I just drink black tea (we call it "breakfast tea") and earl grey... Both with milk. Yes, you can kill me . My sister is a tea lover, and she likes to try a lot of different mixes. She thinks your manati is lovely, hehe

[pinkneon]

I don't like Earl Grey ... Actually I'm not a big fan of flavored tea either! Imlike regular PG Tips LOL

[DrKMcK]

Originally Posted by pinkneon

Chocolate mint tea?! That sounds ... Interesting! Does it still taste of tea??
I haven't had tea in ages! *Goes to boil the kettle*

It does taste of tea, but since I love both chocolate and mint, the combination is wonderful. I started with the 4 oz. tins pinkneon, so that if I wasn't happy with a tea I wouldn't have to get through a whole lot of tea. The Choc/mint one I will buy for sure.

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

That sounds like an interesting selection I haven't had loose tea for a while now. I actually have a teapot that strains the leaves. The strainer lifts out.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I was checking those out Serendipity and I will get one for when I have company. The single sever infuser does me fine for ever day.

Originally Posted by velma

Ah! The hunt for the perfect infuser.... The novelty shapes and silicones are, as you've said, rubbish. We found the best things by far are the cup shaped infusers like you have bug ours don't have a lid. I was given a new teapot recently and that has a little lift our basket to put the tea leaves in so need for a strainer and it makes two cups so it's perfect. I'm not really a fan of flavoured tea but I did have a peach and ginger in a cafe a while back that was lovely It was more of a black tea than a fruit tea and had a really nice flavour. I do like a nice early grey. The brand makes a serious difference too. I'm rather in love with those tins yours come in. I'm a bit of a tin fanatic - I'd never bin them after but keep them buttons and safety pins

I have Peaches and Ginger too Velma! It was nice enough for me to have it on my list of keepers. I liked the peach taste.

Originally Posted by Lala Noma

I have the same thing you found in Amazon! It is not beautiful, but it works fine
I love tea, and drink tea every day! But I am really basic, I just drink black tea (we call it "breakfast tea") and earl grey... Both with milk. Yes, you can kill me . My sister is a tea lover, and she likes to try a lot of different mixes. She thinks your manati is lovely, hehe

LOL I like the manatee too. It reminds me of when I did a photo shoot one day with my hamsters in coffee cups!

Basic tea is fine. I've been drinking it for years. The flavored teas just caught my eye one day and I had started a thread about teas on HC. I got so many replies and folks were offering ideas on what teas I could try...and off I went!

Originally Posted by pinkneon

I don't like Earl Grey ... Actually I'm not a big fan of flavored tea either! Imlike regular PG Tips LOL

If you ever come across the Paris tea Pinkneon, try it. It's amazing. I promise.

[DrKMcK]

Today's Teas are all keepers. The first one is a caffeine free one, which is good for me to have at night. It's also the one most people are familiar with because of it's relaxing properties.
The first one was just one I bought at the supermarket before I started using the loose teas. It was nice, but I do prefer the Harney & Sons Camomile. I don't know if it's just the placebo effect, but I fell asleep like a rock with both of these.





I tried the Florence tea and it is another tea I really like. It has a lovely aroma.




Next up was the Darjeeling tea. Very nice and smooth. I will definitely get this one again.



LOLOLOL Sorry about the huge photo folks. I forgot to make it smaller.
See you tomorrow.

[Zombie Hamster]

Those teas do look tasty.
I am such a tea hound.
If you like Chocolate Mint have you tried Orange Chocolate tea?
I bought one made by Stash.
Also I love Chocolate Chai tea.
I get one made by Presidents Choice. (North American)