This tea’s loose leaf smells like a chocolatier’s shop in the late afternoon. The sun is low and the ochre dust motes ease in waves through the air. Ah. It’s old, it’s new, it’s sweet, it’s familiar.
As you steep the tea, it turns amber. When I saw the color, I thought “amber!” and then I thought “WHICH IS WHERE DINOSAUR DNA COMES FROM.” (Being a tea reviewer does not mean I will grow up.)
The resulting flavor is a chocolately, muted-berry, cream affair. The berries, despite being pretty prominently mentioned in the title of the tea, have been repressed — possibly by the patriarchy. It’s usually the patriarchy.
The primary flavors of this are a sort of chocolate/vanilla/hazelnut mix that remind me of protein shakes.
I’m not one to dis protein shakes! They’re an easy breakfast I eat most days!
But I’m not sure it’s what I wanted for my tea. This would be a great starter tea, though, for a person who really likes protein shakes and isn’t sure if they’re going to like tea. The “tea” itself isn’t the point. It’s more of a support for the chocolate/vanilla/hazelnut flavor that sits on top.
That said, there’s definitely a time and place for this tea. It’s inoffensive and unchallenging and sometimes that’s simply what you want. This tea is the sort of thing I’d contentedly drink while needing caffeine (it’s pu’erh!) but in the mood to focus on my work instead of the intricacies of what I’m drinking.
Not everything needs to be difficult or sophisticated. Take it from the girl who referenced Jurassic Park in a tea review.
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Leaf Type: Puerh
Where to Buy: Adagio Teas
Description
The earthy smoothness of Pu Erh creates a warm foundation for the rich flavor of hazelnut while playful, tangy-sweet strawberries peek through the nutty opulence. A hint of cream adds a soft, dreamy note to the blend.
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Chorange Puerh/Adagio Teas
I
have seen this tea compared to those chocolate oranges that you see for sale around Christmas. Would you believe I have never had one? After drinking this tea, you can bet I am going to try one this year!
This tea combines three things I really like – good chocolate, orange, and puerh. When I opened the bag, a rich, deep chocolate aroma wafted out and beckoned me like I was in a Bugs Bunny cartoon. First steep was served with breakfast, second is a leisurely cup after.
I often cut the steep time on puerh and did so with the Puerh Poe by Adagio with excellent results for many, many steeps. Watching the color of this one in the glass teapot, I decided to let it stay for three minutes. I generally steep puerh by observing color.
Oh my. Oh yes. I am not disappointed. First taste is chocolate, orange on the swallow, chocolate in the aftertaste. The puerh flavor is not very strong and is mainly earthy rather than horsey or fishy. I debated as to whether in a blind taste test someone could convince me that this was a flavored black tea instead, but I think there is enough earthiness to indicate puerh without turning off people who are not familiar with it.
I did find that aerating the tea in your mouth (by opening and closing the jaw without opening the lips) intensifies the orange flavor. On the second steep I felt that the orange was more pronounced and the chocolate less intense until it cooled a bit, and then the chocolate strengthened again. I don’t think this one is going to go seven steeps like Poe, though.
Would I buy it again? Oh yes, I would buy it again.
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Leaf Type: Puerh Tea
Where to Buy: Adagio Teas
Description
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I Will Not Faint/Adagio Teas
Before I get started on this review, I have to disclose that I designed this Miss-Davenport-from-Space-Cases-themed tea myself. I don’t get any proceeds from it. Those go to a charity I think the character would have supported.
ANYWAY.
Making this tea was an adventure. I don’t know how to design or proportion a good tea. Adagio doesn’t really give guidance; it just lets you jump in there and throw stuff in the pot in whatever ratio you’d like.
I just put some stuff in this blend that felt appropriate to the character. She’s English (Earl Grey) and obsessed with waffles (caramel rooibos) and strawberries (strawberry tisane). This is a low-caffeine tea because the character is stressed out pretty much all the time. The last thing she needs is more zing in her fret.
The result smells like CRACK. You should smell this thing. Creamy and Earl-y and rich with berries.
The taste, however… is okay… but not great. I think that all the strawberry I hurled in there might have too much hibiscus lurking in it.
The flavor is, like, tangy? And not in the best way?
When I swallow, it’s great. But when it’s actively being sipped and in my mouth, it’s both bland and a bit much.
This might actually be good iced. Hot, it’s meh.
I feel like I might have messed this up a little bit, but you live, you learn. Feel free to try it, though, and all of the other Space Cases themed teas I made. Every single one has proceeds that go to charity. I am not taking your money, which is for the best, because I can’t promise any of them are good.
Ah, Adagio. You are the tea world’s Willie Wonka factory, and I appreciate you.
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Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Adagio Teas
Description
This tea is a signature blend.
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Sleeping Dragon Tea/Adagio Teas
Gunpowder green tea was among the first green teas I’d tried as a kid. It’s a little nostalgic and is now my go-to drink when I’m having a rough day and just need a pick-me-up. It’s also probably responsible for my affinity for smoky-tasting teas and wines.
Sleeping Dragon picks up some of those notes from a good gunpowder tea, especially in the first cup. The first steep is rich, smoky, with subtle hints of fruit. Steep a second time and you get more of a fruity, lightly sweet green with a smoother, well-rounded flavor. (If you don’t like smoky tea, you can steep for 1.5 to 2 minutes and cut back on those flavors.)
This is a tea that’s fun to watch in a glass teapot—pellets slowly unfurl into long, beautiful green leaves that have a wonderful fragrance. If you’re not a fan of really grassy green teas, I highly recommend this one. It’s also a great intro to loose-leaf greens for friends who are new to green teas—it’s a very mild flavor that won’t send curious tea drinkers running the other way.
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Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: Adagio Teas
Description
Sleeping Dragon green tea is grown at about 3,000 feet in the mountainous Fujian province. The tightly rolled leaves and silvery fuzzy buds give this tea its signature shape and name. In the cup, it delivers a soft, fruity sweetness enfolded by a rich smokey note similar to a gunpowder, but more complex and crisp in the finish. Sleeping Dragon remains a great cup for a green tea novice or those who oppose the grassy character of some varieties.
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Fiery Cinnamon Spice/Adagio Teas. . . .
You always hear that smell is one of the most powerful senses as it is connected to your memory.
The Hot Cinnamon Spice blend from Adagio has a nostalgic aroma to me – it reminds me of red hot candies from my childhood when it’s dry, and the aroma makes you think that the flavor will be overpowering.
When brewed, it still keeps that red hot candy aroma, but the flavor is surprisingly mild compared to the aroma. If you try this tea, know that you must like cinnamon in your tea! Also, be sure you drink it hot – when it cools off it taste more like a cinnamon stick.
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Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Adagio Teas
Description
Finally, the wait is over! A long-time customer request, Fiery Cinnamon Spice is here to stay! This tea packs the perfect punch of cinnamon flavor, blended with Ceylon tea, orange peels, and cloves for an amped up, kick-in-the-palate cinnamon experience. Perfect to heat you up on a cold day, or just wake up your palate on an early morning. This tea will bring a smile to any cinnamon lovers face.
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