Like I said, I really wanted to like this tea, but I just cannot find myself getting into it. I expected to taste green tea, but all I got was HEY HERE’S SOME MINT, TRY IT. And it wasn’t even like “oh it’s minty, but it’s pretty good,” more like this came from my grandpa’s candy dish from the Post-WWII era. In essence, this tastes like a STRONG mint leaf with a mix of random other small flavors, like it’s been sitting in the dish w/ other minty stuff (remember those little white chalky mints?) and red hot fireballs. Bad combo.

Just doesn’t CUT IT for me.

Okay, so it's a little early for this picture, but whatever.

It’s taste does resemble chestnuts, though I would wager that it has more Vanilla in it than anything.  I also got an oak-like, or “smokey” taste in this tea, which I am guessing is the chestnuts.  I get the smokey taste after I swallow it, so it has that sense of an aftertaste.

I really do enjoy this tea (even though it is a black tea), but I can’t help think that it derives from the Pumpkin Spice.  Perhaps it is in my mind/palate from earlier in the day, but these two are definitely similar.  Yes I realize that they are the same type of tea, but the taste is all too similar.

Steep Method: IngenuiTEA
Steep Time: 4 Minutes Even

As usual, heated water and poured it on top of the leaves.  Used Steep.it again, but setting it to 4 minutes instead of 3:30.  Good call.

Sip, sip, sip!  Opinion and Reaction

Since when do chestnuts taste like vanilla?

The chestnut flavor and the earthy tones of the black tea blend well with he subtle Vanilla-Caramely flavor of the tea.  Excellent tea, especially for those just getting into black teas.  Not overwhelming, but has a consistency throughout the entire experience.

Certainly reminds me of chestnuts (and caramel) over an open fire?

TeaCast scale: 86/100

Check this post out on Steepster

Pumpkin Spice

I’ll admit, I’m not really a big fan of Black Teas (though ironically it is the type of tea I started on), but I am always willing to try Adagio’s flavored stuff, as it is usually pretty decent.  There was that one occasion where I bought their Pineapple Black Tea, which I am still afraid to touch, let alone DRINK!  Anyway, I digress.

Right now my window is open a crack (Allegheny likes to CRANK the heat, which is bad when my door is closed), and I can smell the faint sense of Autumn.  Leaves are falling and that chilly air is just creeping in, though not as bad as winter, that’s for sure.  So, the mood is set for some Fall-esque tea, am I right people?

IngenuiTEA by Adagio

Steep Method:  IngenuiTEA
Normally, when making some tea from Adagio, I use their/my trusty IngenuiTEA steeping mechanism.  I figure since they sell it, they’d want you to experience their teas in it.  Also, I feel that I get a better, more thorough taste, than with my Zarafina, or some other auto-teamaker.

Steep Time:  3 Minutes, 30 Seconds

I heat the water first and when it’s boiling (about 200° F) I pour it into my steeper, the Pumpkin Spice already in there.  Decided to have some fun and use Steep.it for their recommended amount of time for teas.  A good thought, but I should have set my own time (3:30 was too short for this black tea).

Sip, sip, sip!  Opinion and Reaction

This tea is surprisingly light for it’s type (black) and certainly has that “Fall” attitude to it.  The taste is definitely there, a plethora of Vanilla and Oriental Spice-ish taste, as well as some Pumpkin flavoring to it.  I’m actually surprised that there wasn’t MORE pumpkin flavor.  I swear I need to steep it longer.  I’ll try that on the next steep, but man it definitely needs MORE punch!  So, Adagio, if you are listening, I am giving you the Thumbs Up on Steepster.com, but for next year (or even your next batch) please please add more Pumpkin flavor!  Maybe there is a lot in it, but the Black Tea tastes overwhelms it?  If so, use White Tea or even Oolong (my favorite!).  It does go well with my mood at the moment, but there’s simply not enough Pumpkin flavor, I expected Pumpkin Pie!  It’s more like Oriental Spice with a twist of Vanilla and a little hint of Pumpkins.  Just sayin’.

I like it, but I don’t LOVE it.

TeaCast scale:  81/100.

How would you rate this tea?

[ratings]

Well, turns out Steepster scratched me right where I itch; it’s the PERFECT complement to TeaCast. How so?

It gives me a way to contact viewers of TeaCast or in general tea lovers. If I ever need to find something new to try, I can just go to the Explore section of the site and check out the new stream of teas that are reviewed daily. I know ones to skip and ones to bookmark. You can comment on entries and “like” ones too (like Facebook, but cooler).
Another aspect I enjoy about this tool is the ability to have a succinct review of the teas I am about to try on the next episode of TeaCast. Though I use it for my personal use, I can tag what kind of tea it is, how much I liked it and my general text-based opinion of the tea. I am going to utilize this by having a Steepster entry on each of the teas I have tried and will try in the future. Easy to read, quick views for the fans! I hope it adds a dimension to the show, and if not then it is just an easy way to see what I am drinking!