Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Darjeeling. Black
Where to Buy: sTEAp Shoppe
Tea Description:
Rohini Second Flush Black Tea delightfully smooth full bodied mouth feel. Cocoa notes with highlights of almond and spice delivered in a baked bread. Warm and inviting gliding over the palate pleasing your every whim. As with all of the high quality Darjeeling teas this tea remain inviting for several steeps.
Rohini is a well established Tea estate, though the estate did remain closed for a period of 30 years the Saria family revived it in 1994. The garden is divided into four; the lower Jaberhat, mid elevation of Kotidhara and Pailodhora, and Tukuriya which is the highest in elevation. Tukuriya division which is located at an average elevation of 4400 FT and stretches right up to Kurseong town. The teas from Tukuriya are made from tea bushes that have remained there for more than 100 years.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Darjeeling Second Flush Rohini Black from sTEAp Shoppe offers a lighter darjeeling with a deep lurking presence.
Upon first sip you will get a sweet raisin note, a light grape essence, not nearly as muscatel as some Darjeeling, and you may even think that it is a rather light, bright, tea with a clean finish. But wait… sneaking upon your unsuspecting taste buds is a rich, full mouthfeel, almost creamy, velvety, with a nutty, woodsy, backdrop of flavor.
There is a honeyed sweetness to this Darjeeling, and while my palate does not detect cocoa notes as in the description it does offer a wonderful hint at almond, and fig.
The more the tea cools the fuller and more robust it becomes, almost as if it thickens.
I could see this tea being quite excellent iced, but it requires no additives and I feel adding any thing, even sweetener, would ruin this perfect cup.
Janet at sTEAp Shoppe offers up another winner in this Darjeeling Second Flush Rohini Black.
Flecks of Gold Black Tea from sTEAp Shoppe
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: sTEAp Shoppe
Tea Description:
Flecks of Gold Black Tea has a full mouth feel and rich liquor. Forward notes of chocolate enrich your palate with decadence as the floral presence of a quality black tea surrounds your senses. Underneath the creamy cocoa notes is just a hint of spice, just peaking out of it’s hiding place, aloof in nature.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Oh … this Flecks of Gold Black Tea from sTEAp Shoppe is fabulous! Recently, sTEAp Shoppe expanded their collection to include “Simply Tea” … that is, straight, unadultered, pure teas … including this Flecks of Gold Yunnan Golden Tips black tea … so named because of the beautiful golden tips found throughout the dry leaf.
The description on the sampler I received of this tea suggests multiple infusions, so I’m definitely going to be putting this tea through its paces. This first cup is remarkably rich and flavorful, with notes of dark cocoa and a very appealing undertone of caramel-y sweetness. The tea has an earthiness to it; it tastes rugged and masculine, but with a tender, sweet side to it. The peppery taste of the Yunnan is there too, and in this first infusion, it sort of represents itself as a sort of invigorating … skip-in-your-step kind of flavor. Very enjoyable.
The second infusion is even better than the first! The flavor is smoother this time … there are fewer spiced notes but more of that rich cacao flavor! It has less of that rugged flavor … and this is, instead very sweet, almost like a buttery caramel sweetness.
I usually do not take a black tea for more than two infusions, but, since the second infusion was so delicious, I decided why not! Let’s see what infusion #3 has to offer. And it’s very similar to the second infusion … except … this almost tastes buttery! It’s really smooth and sweet and I taste hints of the spiced notes that were present in the first infusion and seemed to be missing in the second.
The second time I tried this tea, I accidentally over-steeped it during the first infusion. I had set the timer, but stepped away and by the time I was able to get to the tea, I estimate that the tea had steeped for three and a half minutes rather than the recommended two and a half minutes. The flavor is still very pleasant, although there is more astringency here than in a steep where the time was kept to 2.5 minutes. There are hints of bitterness in the background as well, although it is certainly still quite drinkable. But, for the best cup, I’d recommend sticking to the recommended parameters. However, if you do make the mistake of oversteeping it … please know that the subsequent infusions are not affected by this… I still got very flavorful infusions from the second and third steeping of the leaves.
This is a FANTASTIC tea! I highly recommend it.
Sunrise Sensation from sTEAp Shoppe
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Yunnan Gold Buds, Organic Yunnan Black, Hojicha, Kukicha Twig Black
Where to Buy: sTEAp Shoppe
Tea Description:
Sunrise sensation is a quadruple crown of black tea to wake up and face your day. Premium Yunnan Gold Buds honey tones with Organic Hojicha’s robust bitter cocoa tones, the rich citrus floral tones of Organic Yunnan black tea and Organic Kukicha’s coffee like aroma make the combination one to remember. The complexities in this sensational tea engage the flavor profiles from each ingredient and puts it together making something so refined and soothing. Just like a culinary masterpiece it is not always necessary for the recipient to know how it works, just that it does.
Sunrise Sensation with Yunnan Gold Buds & Organic Yunnan Black teas , Hojicha & Kukicha Twig Black teas simplifies the complexities of your day.
Premium Yunnan Gold Buds, Organic Hojicha Tea, Organic Yunnan Black Tea, Organic Kukicha Twig Tea, Raw Organic Cocoa Nibs, Organic Wild Lingberries, Cinnamon, Organic Vanilla Bean, Organic Maple Syrup Crystals, Orange
Naturally Caffeinated.
Learn more about this tea here.
Wow what a blend! Janet of sTEAp Shoppe has really outdone herself on this one! I have to refer to the description for a moment, one specific line “Just like a culinary masterpiece it is not always necessary for the recipient to know how it works, just that it does.” I have to say as much as I would like to understand how this blend works I am happy to just sit back and enjoy it!
Taster’s Review:
I adore Yunnan Gold Buds with its honey flavors, and I can taste elements of this tea in the cup quite distinctly, yet there is the Hojicha with its toasty caramel notes, which I also adore on its own, and there it is right there in the tea to be noted, however we also have Yunnan black with rich chocolate notes! Alas let us not forget Kukicha Black tea which has a nutty toasty flavor! I mean as if that is not enough, and could have been a total wreck or something simply divine which it IS the later, we have added to that a myriad of amazing elements such as, Organic Lingonberry, Organic Vanilla Bean, Cinnamon, Organic Maple Syrup Crystals, and Orange! SAY WHAT??? Again, this could have easily became some kind of mess but rather what it is – is one deliciously sinful cup of wonder!
I truly wish I could give a better review of this tea, describing how the delicate flavors of vanilla dance delightfully with the chocolate flavors of the Yunnan Black, or how the Hojicha’s caramel notes mix with the Kukicha’s nutty toasty notes to make something of a yam flavor when combined with the organic maple syrup crystals, and how the orange note is present but does not over take any of the other notes, yet adds what I can only attest to being something of a culinary experts’ secret ingredient that adds a subtle yet delightful citrus note that toys with our senses. I wish I could explain how the honey flavors within the Yunnan Gold Buds, blend masterfully with the Lingonberry and cinnamon to make what is something of a bake-y dessert like sensation, yet in some way you don’t even notice the cinnamon as an element unto itself… I just wish I could get across clearly how good this tea is!
If someone served me this tea and did not tell me it was a blend, I would guess it were a black tea from the finest tea vendor possible. You see, none of these “flavor” elements stand out as a solo ingredient and THAT is what makes a blend perfection! A tea so perfectly balanced, so mindfully melded, that it comes over on the palate as a straight tea!
I do hope you will try this one!
Chocolate Orange White Tea from sTEAp Shoppe
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: White
Where to Buy: sTEAp Shoppe
Tea Description:
Chocolate Orange Loose Leaf White Tea is a Delightfully mild citrus spice with a creamy touch on the tongue. The mild loose leaf white tea is the perfect vessel for this spectacular combination of creamy, tangy with a delicate touch of spice.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I was a little skeptical about this blend, to be honest, because it’s a white tea … and I generally prefer chocolate-y teas to have a black tea base. I was also skeptical because I felt that with the chocolate and orange notes to be strong enough that the white tea would end up being overwhelmed.
Well, the white tea is not overwhelmed. It has a light, fresh taste to it … somewhat vegetative, with a creamy note that is accented by the vanilla. I find that this creaminess highlights the chocolate and adds some much needed emphasis to the orange flavor.
The chocolate comes through nicely, as does the vanilla. I wish the same could be said for the orange. I taste the orange, certainly, but it isn’t as bright or vivid a taste as I think it should be for a tea called Chocolate Orange.
My favorite part of this tea is the touch of cinnamon, which adds a very pleasing, autumnal taste and a sense of warmth to the cup. I like that the cinnamon is a gentle, sweet cinnamon, just enough to spice up the tea without adding an overpowering amount of flavor (something that cinnamon often does in a blend – I’m glad that’s not happening here).
Overall, this is a very enjoyable blend. A little weak on the orange, but, the other flavors are very pleasing – I like that the chocolate comes through, and I love the little touches: a touch of vanilla, a touch of cinnamon. It makes for a very delicious cuppa.
Orange Spice Cake from sTEAp Shoppe
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black – Darjeeling and Yunnan
Where to Buy: sTEAp Shoppe
Tea Description:
Organic Yunnan Black TeaThis is a wonderful citrus tea with subtle spice notes playing through it. This Organic Yunnan Black Tea with it’s rich orange liquor in both color and flavor make the perfect vessel for creating a warm inviting orange spice cake tea. With notes of cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg to give this tea depth and warmth inviting you in to take another slice of cake.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
This is a really nice tea. Maybe it is the cold weather and the holiday season but it makes me feel festive. I am sure this tea would also be amazing in the summer, cold brewed.
On first sip it reminded me a little bit of Constant Comment but trust me there is no comparison! This is by far and above better and has far more layers to it than a simple orange spiced tea.
The spice is balanced so perfectly and does not take over the wonderful citrus.
Often a tea will be named with “cake” in the title, or something indicating it should taste like cake, but this one really does and you won’t be disappointed in the bake-y goodness of this cup.
On the other hand, the sweetness is not over done and the cocoa nibs offer a perfect amount of chocolate goodness. I really love the way that sTEAp Shoppe handles the chocolate flavor in their teas, it tastes like good chocolate.
The aroma is intoxicating and the color of the cup is delightful to look at.
A tea that could be served at parties to please everyone.
All of the ingredients in this tea blend perfectly to make a well balanced delicious dessert or any time tea.