E. Alex Gerster
Tea Reviewer
Member since Jul. 18th, 2011. Reviewed 66 teas.
Reviews of Teas & Herbal Teas
Page 1 2 3 of 3 pages with 66 results
Irish Breakfast from Twinings
Style: Irish Breakfast – Region: ?????63 / 100 Aroma: 4/10 Flavor: 4/5 Value: 4/5
Sep. 15th, 2014
Actually one of Twining's better blends. A bit bolder than their English breakfast tea, with more pronounced malty flavor. A nice mix of Ceylon and Assam teas. Stands up to sugar and cream if you go that way, and just fine on it's own. Biggest disappointment is the lack of aroma. Makes a pretty decent cup of tea.
Read Full Review
Earl Grey from Dilmah
Style: Earl Grey Tea – Region: Blend77 / 100 Aroma: 8/10 Flavor: 4/5 Value: 4/5
Sep. 7th, 2014
One of my favorite Earl Grey teas that I take with me when I travel. It has such a nice aroma and clean, soothing taste. You still taste the Ceylon black tea base and aren't overwhelmed by the bergamot flavor.
Read Full Review
Organic Assam Breakfast from Republic of Tea
Style: Assam – Region: Assam, India80 / 100 Aroma: 7/10 Flavor: 5/5 Value: 4/5
Sep. 7th, 2014
Saw this Organic Assam on the Republic of Tea website and fondly remembered the Temi SFTGFOP1 First Flush Black Tea that Alex Zorach had sent me a sample of last year, so I had to give it a try.
This tea is organic TGFOP1 full leaf from the Hunwal Tea Estate, in the Jorhat area of Assam. Hunwal rises into the hills ...
Irish Breakfast from Dilmah
Style: Irish Breakfast – Region: ?????73 / 100 Aroma: 6/10 Flavor: 4/5 Value: 5/5
Aug. 24th, 2014
Traditional unblended tea with deep color and bold flavor. 100% Ceylon. Equally nice as a warm cup to start the day, or iced for a refreshing glass throughout the day. Aroma is very subtle and the flavor not terribly complex. Just a good all around Ceylon tea.
Read Full Review
Winter Spice from Twinings
Style: Herbal Tea – Region: Blend83 / 100 Aroma: 9/10 Flavor: 5/5 Value: 4/5
Mar. 1st, 2014
Received a box of 20 teabags of this herbal blend less than two months ago, and it is nearly empty. I guess that tells you I enjoyed this blend! The spices and apple flavor go well with the base of chamomile, which merge together with a nice synergy. The aroma is wonderful and not overpowering; the flavor is light and ...
Read Full Review
Barooti Assam (Broken Leaf with Golden Tips) from Ahmad Tea
Style: Assam – Region: Assam, India70 / 100 Aroma: 6/10 Flavor: 3/5 Value: 5/5
Mar. 1st, 2014
My local Indian Market was out of the Ahmad Kalami Assam, so I picked this one up instead. Quite different in flavor and aroma, but still an excellent value.
Brewed at 3 to 4 minutes maximum, and you get a bold, robust flavor and aroma, but with less complexity and maltiness than the Kalami Assam. The color is extr...
English Breakfast from Adagio Teas
Style: English Breakfast – Region: Anhui, China80 / 100 Aroma: 8/10 Flavor: 4/5 Value: 4/5
Mar. 1st, 2014
Opened a fresh package of this wonderful loose leaf blend, and enjoyed the fresh aroma of the dry leaves: earthy, slightly smoky and a light honey scent as well. Just over three minutes as a steep with boiling water. Beautiful color and a malty aroma begins to develop.
I am not sure I would classify this as a tradit...
Citron Green from Adagio Teas
Style: Fruit Green Tea – Region: China77 / 100 Aroma: 7/10 Flavor: 4/5 Value: 4/5
Feb. 28th, 2014
A very pleasant blend that is light and soothing. Only takes two to three minutes for a very flavorful and aromatic steep. Best using water of 175 to 180 degrees to get the full aroma.
Nothing poetic to say about this tea, just a very good blend that is inexpensive, flavorful and comforting!
Baker Street Afternoon Blend from Upton Tea Imports
Style: Russian Caravan – Region: Blend80 / 100 Aroma: 7/10 Flavor: 5/5 Value: 4/5
Feb. 24th, 2014
One of my favorite blends from Upton. The light smokiness in aroma and flavor adds character yet does not overpower the whole leaf base. There is a light sweetness (possibly from the Darjeeling), a light woodiness, and just a touch of malt -- making for an interesting and satisfying brew.
I understand that it makes ...
Bond Street English Breakfast Blend from Upton Tea Imports
Style: English Breakfast – Region: Blend70 / 100 Aroma: 5/10 Flavor: 4/5 Value: 4/5
Feb. 24th, 2014
A very robust blend with deep flavor and light aroma. Not a full leaf blend, but rather fine chop makes this brew quick. Longer steep brings a bitterness that is unpleasant, so just 3 minutes is recommended.
Dark and brisk - just what an English Breakfast Blend should be.
Organic Fukamushi Sencha from Den's Tea
Style: Sencha – Region: Shizuoka, Japan87 / 100 Aroma: 8/10 Flavor: 5/5 Value: 4/5
Feb. 11th, 2014
I have been drinking more organic teas lately, as they are becoming more available. This deep steamed Fukamushi Sencha from Den's Tea has been a great find with excellent flavor and aroma. It is a bit pricy but worthwhile as the steaming releases nuances that brew up very quickly for several steeps.
Overall light v...
Gingerbread Spice Holiday Tea from Celestial Seasonings
Style: Herbal Tea – Region: ?????67 / 100 Aroma: 7/10 Flavor: 3/5 Value: 3/5
Dec. 21st, 2013
A pleasant herbal brew. Ginger and cinnamon in a gentle blend of flavor and aroma. I prefer this one after it has cooled, and for using in recipes. I actually poach pears in a strong brew of this tea, and a friend of mine makes baked apples with a cup of this herbal tea poured on top.
Read Full Review
Lemon Twist from Twinings
Style: Lemon Black Tea – Region: ?????70 / 100 Aroma: 7/10 Flavor: 3/5 Value: 5/5
Dec. 21st, 2013
When I was a teenager, black tea with a slice of lemon was what you were served in most restaurants around Miami when you asked for a cup of tea. Nothing fancy, usually not anything very memorable, and usually some off name brand that the restaurant bought at a deep discount. It was more of something just to accompany ...
Read Full Review
Jasmine Green Tea from Rishi Tea
Style: Jasmine Tea – Region: Hubei, China90 / 100 Aroma: 9/10 Flavor: 4/5 Value: 5/5
Dec. 12th, 2013
If you enjoy Jasmine Tea, then I would definitely give this one a try. It is a very good value at approx. $4 an ounce, less than half the price of Rishi's Yin Hao Jasmine Green Tea (which is also excellent). For me, the biggest difference is that you get a bit more flavor of the green tea base, and the Jasmine flavor i...
Read Full Review
Organic Silver Needle White Tea from Wegmans
Style: Silver Needle – Region: China63 / 100 Aroma: 6/10 Flavor: 3/5 Value: 3/5
Dec. 12th, 2013
Silver Needle Tea can be extremely fickle to brew and very subtle in flavor and aroma. It is typically a very mild and smooth tea, and this sample of Wegman's was very much in character.
Brief steepings at about 190 degrees produced a weak aroma, and yet nice flavor of sweet grass with a touch of melon. For a first ...
Dong Ding Oolong from Tradition
Style: Jade Oolong – Region: Taiwan / Formosa93 / 100 Aroma: 9/10 Flavor: 5/5 Value: 5/5
Nov. 10th, 2013
Beautiful jade green oolong with low oxidation and a bright, clear aroma and flavor. The natural sweetness is amazing! Aroma mirrors the sweetness but has distinct floral notes.
I have become very impressed by this brand, and the quality of their teas for very reasonable prices. One of my local Asian markets often ...
Bi Luo Chun Green Tea (Pi Lo Chun) from TeaVivre
Style: Bi Luo Chun – Region: Jiangsu, China93 / 100 Aroma: 9/10 Flavor: 5/5 Value: 5/5
Nov. 8th, 2013
This tea is amazing! By far the best of this variety that I have ever tried. From the moment you open the package and see the tender curls, you are greeted by a wonderful aroma that is herbaceous, nutty, lightly smoky with a hint of citrus. This aroma persists through brewing and matches the mellow flavor.
Light gre...
Monkey-Picked Ti Kuan Yin from Foojoy
Style: Tie Guan Yin – Region: Anxi, Fujian, China83 / 100 Aroma: 8/10 Flavor: 5/5 Value: 4/5
Nov. 6th, 2013
Very nice lightly roasted oolong with pleasant aroma and aftertaste. Full bodied and filled with interesting notes that remind me of tart baked apples, with hints of cinnamon and caramel. Second steeping of the leaves yields a bit more woodiness, and hints of walnut. A very interesting and nice oolong that I look forwa...
Read Full Review
Houjicha Roasted Green Tea from Wegmans
Style: Hojicha – Region: Japan73 / 100 Aroma: 8/10 Flavor: 4/5 Value: 3/5
Nov. 2nd, 2013
Thanks again Alex Z. For the sample of this hojicha! It was a really nice switch from some of the darker/deeper roasted teas of this variety that I had tried recently.
Very good quality tea as can be seen in the dry leaves, and tasted right from the start. The flavors of sweet grass and grain enhance the lightly roa...
Green Gold from Mandala Tea
Style: Green Tea – Region: Anhui, China90 / 100 Aroma: 9/10 Flavor: 5/5 Value: 4/5
Nov. 2nd, 2013
Bright, mellow, impressive flavor and aroma. There are slight nutty hints like a good dragonwell tea, but more herbaceous notes that linger as an aftertaste.
I had been brewing this in a small gaiwan, yielding at least 4 good short steepings, but also tried it in a tea thermos, adding 175F water over the leaves sev...
Masala Chai from Adagio Teas
Style: Chai / Spiced Tea – Region: Sri Lanka / Ceylon93 / 100 Aroma: 9/10 Flavor: 5/5 Value: 5/5
Oct. 31st, 2013
This is one tasty chai. The blend of spices leans to the warm flavors and aroma of ginger and cloves, rather than to the cinnamon and cardamom sweetness which is present but not dominant. The Ceylon Sonata black tea which is the base, is a wonderful Kenilworth Estate tea that has citrus and spice notes that shine throu...
Read Full Review
Liu An Gua Pian Green Tea from TeaVivre
Style: Lu An Melon Seed – Region: Xiuning, Anhui, China90 / 100 Aroma: 9/10 Flavor: 5/5 Value: 4/5
Oct. 21st, 2013
Truly a fantastic green tea, much better than any other liu an gua pian that I have tried. The dry leaves have a beautiful aroma and unfurl gently to release their emerald brew. Sweet, rich and releasing different flavors with each steeping.
I used a small glass gaiwan to brew so I could watch the leaves, and did a ...
Organic Tender Tip Country Green (Organic Chunmee Green) from Foojoy
Style: Chun Mee – Region: China73 / 100 Aroma: 6/10 Flavor: 4/5 Value: 5/5
Oct. 18th, 2013
This was my first loose tea from Foojoy, and I was rather pleased. A good solid green that is both inexpensive and has good flavor. Although I had seen Foojoy loose teas in their tins at my local Asian market, I had never tried any since I was not ready to take a chance on about $9.50 for 8 ounces; a very good price, b...
Read Full Review
Golden Strand from Mandala Tea
Style: Yunnan Gold – Region: Yunnan, China90 / 100 Aroma: 9/10 Flavor: 5/5 Value: 4/5
Oct. 16th, 2013
I absolutely adore this tea. Wonderful amber color. Smooth Yunnan flavor with a sweet caramel taste being most prominent and a light spicy, peppery tone as a highlight. Does well with a short one minute steep for the first infusion, 2 minutes for the second, and 5 for the third.
It is a bit pricey, but worth every ...
Black Pearl from Mandala Tea
Style: Yunnan Red – Region: Yunnan, China90 / 100 Aroma: 9/10 Flavor: 5/5 Value: 4/5
Oct. 16th, 2013
This is one of those teas that I first purchased a few years ago, and became one of my few go-to teas when I needed a bit of warmth and comfort. I know it is either in short supply or sold. At right now, but I was overjoyed to be able to add an ounce to my last order!
Complex, warm and soothing. This is great tea fo...
Page 1 2 3 of 3 pages with 66 results
