Stained Fingers on Thursday - A Review of Hero Blue Ink

This scan was done on an HP Deskjet F4280 at 600dpi.
Note: Because these scans are done with a light emitting printer, actual colors will, more likely than not, be slightly darker than they may appear, here. The colors shown, here, are probably a bit more reminiscent of what the ink would be like under a bright light or if it were held up and viewed with a light behind it.

Tea Review Tuesday - A Review of Stash Tea's Double Bergamot Earl Grey

For this week's review, I decided to pick a tea that was more readily available to a larger audience, would not be a significant investment, and yet still maintained good flavors for an enjoyable cup. As we have recently talked about my enjoyment of Earl Grey and Earl Grey variations, I would like to present to you Stash's Double Bergamot Earl Grey.

Like many black teas, the recommendation for steeping is three to five minutes, using just-boiled water. Since I am reviewing the bagged version of this tea, there is no need for measuring - just use one bag per eight ounces of water. If you are using more than eight ounces of water (such as a twelve ounce mug), I recommend steeping for an extra minute. In this case, I pour eight ounces of just-boiled water over the tea bag and wait for four minutes to see what results!

In the past, I have found that (even for not utilizing the special pyramid-shaped sachets) - Stash maintains some of the highest-quality bagged tea in the industry. The aroma of the Double Bergamot Earl Grey reminds me that, yes, this double the normal amount of bergamot oil. The scents are strong, sharp, not unpleasant, but definitely intense. One might describe it as being a bit perfume-y, which can be a bad thing with some flavored teas. Yet because of what Earl Grey is - a black tea with citrus oils - I think that it fits perfectly. Flavor-wise, the extra bergamot also reveals itself. A four-minute steep produced a cup that gives me a lot of citrus flavor, not an overwhelming amount of black tea flavor (something I have found can happen in Earl Grey, when the creators try to balance the bergamot and black tea), and a smooth sip. The flavors are very forward without being overwhelming, astringent, or harsh. I find this cup to have a very clean mouthfeel. The aftertaste feels light in my mouth. The only flavors that really linger are some bergamot notes.

If your favorite part of Earl Grey is the citrusy flavors from the oil of the bergamot orange, this tea is for you. I also recommend it for those, who are seeking a bit more kick to their cup of Earl Grey. On my personal enjoyment scale, I would rate this tea an 88/100.

Photo credit to Built from Ink and Tea.
Stash Tea's Double Bergamot Earl Grey is available from their website, here.
This review was unsolicited and uncompensated.
Text is copyright 2015, Built from Ink and Tea.

Stained Fingers on Thursday - A Review of International Standard's Deep Ocean Blue Ink

I am actually unsure as to the brand on this ink. The box says "International Standard," but the cartridges came with a Nemosine Singularity, so it is possible that these are off-brand or re-branded cartridges from the creators of Nemosine. If you happen to know, please post in the comments!

This scan was done on an HP Deskjet F4280 at 600dpi.
Note: Because these scans are done with a light emitting printer, actual colors will, more likely than not, be slightly darker than they may appear, here. The colors shown, here, are probably a bit more reminiscent of what the ink would be like under a bright light or if it were held up and viewed with a light behind it.

Tea Review Tuesday - A Review of Adagio Teas' Earl Grey Moonlight Black Tea

Last week, we tried TeaFrog's Cream Earl Grey. While contemplating this week's tea for review, I thought it might be a bit soon for another very similar review, but my taste buds said otherwise. With that determined, I will go start the water kettle and prepare the cup.

Adagio Teas Earl Grey Moonlight represents a delicious blending of creamy vanilla flavors with the traditional black tea and citrus notes of Earl Grey. Personally, I enjoy many variations on Earl Grey, such as Double Bergamot Earl Grey and Lady Grey. Cream Earl Grey blends especially appeal to me, as they produce such a delectable, smooth cup. Earl Grey Moonlight is no exception. The aromas wafting from the bag contain sharp bergamot notes, each tempered by thick, dark vanilla smells that seem to underline the citrus.

Twelve ounces of just-boiled water, a teaspoon and a half of leaves, and four minutes produce a dark cup, whose aromas mimic a barely-subdued version of the smells from the dry leaves. Yet in the brewed tea, the aromas of vanilla and citrus are much more blended together, merged into a single, pleasant smell. At four minutes, I found the taste to be just right. It held the slightest touch of bitter citrus note, which was not unpleasant. The vanilla makes the entire mouthfeel quite smooth.

The three to five minute steep time recommended by Adagio works quite well. Sticking within that range should yield a cup that appeals to your personal strength preference. I imagine that this tea would stand equally well to a bit of milk or sugar in a more traditional English style, too. What I think I most appreciate, as I finish this cup, is how well the flavors work together but how identifiable they are individually, too.

On my personal enjoyment scale, I would rate Adagio Teas Earl Grey Moonlight a 97/100.



Photo credit to Built from Ink and Tea.
Adagio Teas Earl Grey Midnight is available from their website, here.
This review was unsolicited and uncompensated.
Text is copyright 2015, Built from Ink and Tea.

Stained Fingers on Thursday - A Review of Noodler's Qin Shi Huang Ink

Unfortunately, the scanner is showing this ink much lighter than it appears in person.

This scan was done on an HP Deskjet F4280 at 600dpi.
Note: Because these scans are done with a light emitting printer, actual colors will, more likely than not, be slightly darker than they may appear, here. The colors shown, here, are probably a bit more reminiscent of what the ink would be like under a bright light or if it were held up and viewed with a light behind it.

Tea Review Tuesday - A Review of TeaFrog's Cream Earl Grey Flavoured Black Tea

Mmmm! This tea smells intriguingly wonderful! Upon first opening the package, a big cloud of bergamot oil hits me across the face. It is almost overwhelming. Then, I take a moment (to catch my breath), and I sniff at the leaves again. There is a smooth, underlying creaminess, reminiscent of vanilla, that suggests that the coming flavor might be something special! Following along with the instructions, I add one teaspoon of the very-scented leaves to my cup and then pour a cup of just-boiled water over them.

Whoosh! The creamy scent billows up from the now-steeping tea. TeaFrog recommends 3-4 minutes for steeping, and I like to steep my teas about midway. Three and a half minutes later, a golden brown cup of joy awaits me. The aroma has mellowed out and the Earl Grey scent blends with the creamy notes.

Drinking this tea, I find that it is so smooth! Delicious Earl Grey flavor, just as I think that Earl Grey should be, mixed with a creaminess that really hits the spot. The cup probably could have been steeped for four minutes and been just as tasty, if not a bit more so, but I will try that next time. I am also thinking that this tea would taste great if it were iced. This is definitely worth a try for any fans of Earl Grey (or someone looking to try something new!) On my personal enjoyment scale, I would rate this tea a 95/100.

(Sorry for the lack of pictures, this week!)


TeaFrog's Cream Earl Grey Flavoured Black Tea can be purchased from their website, here.
This review was unsolicited and uncompensated.

Stained Fingers on Thursday - A Review of Organics Studio Isaac Newton Ink

Please disregard the mistake in the name. The ink reviewed here is indeed Organics Studio Isaac Newton ink.

This scan was done on an HP Deskjet F4280 at 600dpi.
Note: Because these scans are done with a light emitting printer, actual colors will, more likely than not, be slightly darker than they may appear, here. The colors shown, here, are probably a bit more reminiscent of what the ink would be like under a bright light or if it were held up and viewed with a light behind it.

Tea Review Tuesday - A Review of Grand Tea's Monkey Picked Anxi Oolong Tea

I love a good oolong, and I love ti kwan yin more than most oolongs. Just to clarify for those not well versed in Chinese geography, Anxi is an area in the Fujian region of China. Ti kwan yin, or one of the other many spellings, is one of the famous teas of this area.

This tea seemed perfect for brewing with a gaiwan, so I grabbed my trusty ceramic "covered cup" and opened the shrink-sealed package of tea. The smell that wafts from the foil packaging is amazing. Bright and floral, it urges me to continue onward to the tasting. Adding a tablespoon of leaf to the bottom of my gaiwan, I pour the water across the leaves, then quickly discard this water, rinsing the tea and helping the leaves to begin to open.

Deciding to go with typical steep times for the gaiwan, my initial steep lasts for thirty seconds. The resulting cup is light, floral, and laced with vegetal notes that are so characteristic of ti kwan yin oolongs. The golden-green liquor is bright and attractive. In the flavor of this first steeping, the smell is reversed. The vegetal notes take the upper hand, accompanied by the floral smell on the edges. This tea has a smooth finish, and the flavor, especially the vegetal aspects, linger on the tongue, long after the sip is done. The flavors are not intensely strong, as expected from the first steeping.

The leaves themselves have barely begun to open. With that, a second steeping of thirty seconds is begun. I notice that, even after this steeping, the leaves remain a bit stubborn in opening fully. The tea is darker by a few shades, and the aroma is now more balanced. The flavors of this steeping are not much stronger, but they are sharper in body, revealing the source of the lingering flavors. The third steeping tastes much the same, with the flavors being a bit more developed.

The fourth steeping is rich with these same flavors, and I finally notice the almost-creamy edges. I am sure that this tea will last through several more steepings. I really enjoyed trying this Monkey Picked Oolong, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a nice, green oolong. On my personal enjoyment scale, I would rate this tea an 89/100.


Grand Tea's Monkey Picked Anxi Oolong can be purchased from their website, here.
This review was unsolicited and uncompensated.