Teavana Honeybush Vanilla

At the social tea parties I've been attending recently Teavana has been a very popular choice, and I noticed I haven't done any of their products in a long time! So tonight I've chosen to relax with and write about their Honeybush Vanilla herbal tea. I'd like to start by noting that my sense's attention was caught before water even touched the tea. It would make a fantastic potpourri.

Don't think the title labels the taste of this tea though because if you want a dessert level of sweetness you'll have to add some sweetener. The tea is actually quite malty and the vanilla isn't vanilla extract, but vanilla beans! This malty aspect has an overtone of walnuts and gives the body a round feel. There is a touch of sweetness to this tea in the taste of a clover honey. The sweetness and malty aspects are the same element in the taste, and the true vanilla is most sensed in the aura and aftertaste.

This is not what I would expect from a tea with such a name, but I doubt a honey and vanilla-extract tea would be best for a loose leaf tea. As a hot tea I'm grading it with C (decent), but cold brings out more of a balance with a stronger vanilla. And perhaps it could blend with others to taste as an A?

Katahdin Specialty Coffee Maine Whoopie Pie

It would be silly of someone to ask "where is this made?", even if it didn't say Maine. Katahdin and whoopie pie should give it away alone because one is a famous location in Maine, and the other is the official Maine treat! This morning I decided to sip Katahdin Specialty Coffee's Maine Whoopie Pie coffee because we just had a true nor'easter, another Maine trademark.

You can tell this isn't any typical coffee with just your nose. Something robust is happening, but not just a conventional coffee. Bringing this up to your lips fills you in on this secret: Chocolate, which is a major element in whoopie pies. There is some sweetener to this chocolate flavor, but not at the same level as many other flavored coffees. The coffee taste itself isn't a dark roast or some rare import, but probably Colombian. Balance in body and taste with little acidity. Good choice to match the chocolate.

This combo isn't your typical big-name chocolate flavored coffee because it's not sweet in the same sugary way either. This fit's Maine because Mainers are strong and sweet, but in an unorthodox way. I have to leave this with a C (decent) because it's a simple blend and if coffee is my focus of the morning I'd probably choose a bean with many more levels. (Like Katahdin's Baxter Blend). If it's an un-typical coffee occurrence, it could be best though. Example: with a desert or a coffee cake.

Martinshof Zweigelt 2009

Weingut Martinshof is an Austrian winery that's hard for me to pronounce. Today my review is for their 2009 zweigelt grape that's been sitting on my wine rack for awhile but have yet to try. I found a local specialty shop has this particular bottle on sale, so I decided I'd taste it for the first time before going back to get more bottles. Read on to see if it would be a good deal:

The lighter and less opaque color of this wine corresponded with how it acted on my tongue. Cherry and raspberry are the main focus with this drink on the palate, and the nose embraces the fruity theme as well. There aren't any layers of flavors or overtones though, and you're left with a strong acidic ending. It's also quite fizzy for a red wine.

It is quite easy to drink and there aren't any unlikable notes, but I'm leaving it with a C (decent) because I wouldn't chose this bottle to enjoy as the focus of my taste bud treat. It does supplement a pot luck dinner or social event with many different taste buds because of how easy it is to drink. I'll be going back to pick up a few for this.

Sugar Pie Red Wine '10

Sugar Pie Red Wine. The first thing I thought of when I saw this label at Trader Joe's was sangria. Wine, sugar and fruit juice (fruit being the main ingredient of many pies.) Now I'm not usually a fan of sweet drinks, but whoever is responsible of the marketing of this wine did a fine job. A pretty pattern on the lable, and the sign advertising that it was only $5.99 sold it to me.

After a few sips I found it doesn't taste like a pre-made sangria, as the name suggested me. It is on the sweeter side of the wine taste spectrum though. This is because of a focus on blackberry jam, but in a rich way. There were things I found that made me think of pie more though. Nutmeg and cinnamon could be tasted with the blackberrys easily. The nutmeg was almost like a cabernet's tannin but a bit more sweet and spiced of course.

It was a good deal at $5.99, but I won't be keeping this in stock on my wine rack at home. It's just not one my taste buds would want that frequently. That's just my preferences though. I'm giving it a C (decent), and will end my analysis with this: It is a great deal and I'm sure many will love the spiced notes.

Arizona Blueberry White Tea

An Arizona canned or bottled tea seems like an odd choice for this blog, doesn't it? Well this episode is Arizona's blueberry white tea, and I chose it because it's a common choice of me when I'm at a gas station looking for a quick drink. It's my choice not because of all the health propaganda but because it's better than most of the other soda and super-sugared drinks in the drink cooler. Here's why:

The hue of this tea under the label is translucent and pink and I think that proves that it's a white tea. But putting it in your mouth will prove this too because the actual taste of the leaf is light and almost over-powered by the fruit happening here. Obviously blueberry is a big part of the tea but I believe peach exists almost as much! It helps to tie the sugar to the palate so it can fit in with the other sweet drinks it's next to.

I'm not a fan of sweet unless applied in moderate proportions and this tea has a bit too much. It's just far better than the other options because it's acceptable in it's use of the sugar. So I'm leaving it with just a C (decent), but I'd also like to note that any plastic bottle cola would be an F (avoid).

Polar Banana Seltzer

When I saw this at the grocery store, I had to try it. It's obviously a new release from Polar Beverages because it's not even apparent on their website except for mentioning a simple "Monkey Rum" cocktail. They did choose a good time to bring out a new banana product with summer just started a few day ago. Let me find out if banana seltzer can compliment a hot day.

Sure enough; it smells of bananas, tingles on the tongue, and leaves an aftertaste. It's not foolishly sweet as I had feared, but also not as strong as I'd prefer. It's a seltzer and not a flavored soda so I understand why it's not tasting of banana extract. I'd like it stronger because their mention of a cocktail with this ingredient is inspiring.

When I want seltzer I'll be getting  Polar's lemon or lime unless I want some variety. Those flavors have been the standard with seltzer for awhile for a reason. As for cocktails, I think I'll be trying to make a classic pina-colada cocktail (shaken, not blended) and diluting it with this product like a club soda. It's a C (decent) in my book.

Very creative Polar...

Caribou Coffee Sumatra

Sumatra is one of my favorite beans (Ethiopian is my top choice), but it's far easier to find and more common. So today's choice is Caribou Coffee's Sumatra. The Sumatra bean is known for being hearty is a not-so-dark way, and 'earthy'. This is not what people would think of a coffee cup who aren't so familiar with Sumatra. Let's see if Caribou lives up to these standards.

As soon as I put my nose up to my mug, I could tell earthy would be a fine adjective for this. To refine this aspect I think it has a hint of raw tobacco (nothing like a cigaret of course). The body and overall taste is round and dark in this way, but there's a surprising note that's greater in the aroma. A fruit. It's very hard to pinpoint because it only exists behind these more robust flavors, and I honestly can't tell what fruit it would be.

I will certainly enjoy the rest of this cup once I'm done with this episode of Luxurious Liquids, but I believe it deserves a C (good). There are other Sumatran beans I prefer over this one. I'd like you to know that Caribou Coffee isn't as expensive as local roasters or big name brands though.

Gaetano D'Aquino Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie '10

Did you ever notice that Easter is the spring version of Thanksgiving? Instead of turkey it's either ham or a rotisserie chicken with my family, and this year Gaetano D'Aquino was a good choice for a house wine with our chicken banquet. I think it would do even better with seafood though. Here's why:

Gaetano D'Aquino holds true to the Italian standards of pinot grigio, being crisp and brisk. The nose is fresh in a way that's less fruity and more 'herbal' than many other whites, but minty isn't the right verb. It has a moderate body and a taste that doesn't tang until you swallow it. Just like the smell the palate is light and acidic in a not so citrus way. This makes it well balanced with a meal and easy to drink while still being sharp and fresh.

I'll be keeping this one in stock due to the price at Trader Joe's (it's imported by D'Aquino Italian Importing Co.) but I won't choose this one when I want to just have a glass of wine without a dinner. I'm leaving it with a C (decent) when on its own, but please consider it when you have a nice dinner planned.

Teavana Earl Grey Creme

Earl grey is familiar with almost anyone who drinks tea. It's a British classic black tea with bergamot oil (a lemon-orange looking fruit), but I always think of the lavender first. Teavana has three earl grey teas, a white one, a regular black one, and tonight's one: Earl Grey Creme (French for cream). Now how could there be cream in amongst the leaves? Let's find out.

Putting my nose over the cup I can easily smell the bergamot. Once sipped in my mouth bergamot happens again but I'm a little surprised. Teavana calls this a creme earl grey because the body of this seems a little heavier somehow! Vanilla is a part of this creme element in a taste but it's not as noticeable as the bergamot. The black tea leaves exist in taste as well, but they're not as strong as breakfast teas.

Teavana has a very different earl grey here, but not just because they added creme. This earl grey is missing lavender! Vanilla is nice here but can't make up for the lack of a floral note in my opinion. I'm giving Teavana's Earl Grey Creme a C (decent) because of these things. If you were never a huge fan of lavender and want something a little more crisp but smooth, give this one a try.

Jim Beam White

Jim Beam is one of the first names that comes to many minds when the word bourbon is stated. Almost every bar has it on hand, even my own personal one due to its price compared to others. I haven't had it straight in a long time though, because it's alway in a cocktail (like the Perfect Manhattan I listed in my Unappreciated Cocktails post). Let's see how it compares on its own.

The first thing I'd like to say is that there is a burn, but it's nothing compared to other liquors of this price. The nose is simple and the roughest part but lets you know that it's aged in oak. On the tongue oak happens again with a vanilla parallel and caramel in a way that isn't very sweet. Even before you swallow your sip the alcohol is apparent, but in an almost citrus crisp sort of way. At the back of your throat Jim Beam's White burns again of course.

The burn may be better in comparison to other liquors below $20, but you get what you pay for. I'm leaving the White label with a C (decent) mostly because of this but also because it's very simple and doesn't have different levels of taste. It will still be a staple of my bar for mixing cocktails though.

Lambrusco Dell'Emilia Bianco Le Grotte

Most instantly think of champagne when european sparkling wine comes up. Tonight I have an Italian one, Lambrusco Dell'Emilia's Bianco. This one caught my eye because it has such a pretty label. I'm sure some will look down on me for such, being something of a drink connoisseur. Lets see if you should get this bottle for reasons beside the pretty label.

This isn't as fizzy as most champagnes, it's just sparkling. There's not much of a nose to it but if it wasn't in a flute with a few bubbles around the glass, I could've mistaken this for white grape juice. Once in my mouth it kept this theme because juicy and fruity are certainly good adjectives for this. It wasn't cranberry but strawberry, kiwi, apricot and, a crisp like green apple. A bit to sweet for me but it's not an el cheapo bottle of something that claims to be a wine but is just spiked juice.

I feel it's important to mention again that this is sweet, and due to my personal preferences Lambrusco Dell'Emilia Bianco Le Grotte is a C (decent) in my book. If you know you like the sweeter spectrum of wines don't be afraid to choose this though. It has enough going on for someone to enjoy the drink instead of the effect.

Trader Joe's Bay Blend

Unlike their beers or wine, Trader Joe's puts their label on the front of their coffee products. It all comes in whole beans but if you'd like to take it home ground, you can use the grinder in the aisle to change that. The lower part of the tin says this is an "ultra dark roast" that is "rich & full flavor". Lets see if they're right.


This is dark, but no robust. It has a heavier body as well like many dark roasts. The adjectives I'd use here are plain and simple though. It has a slightly smoky taste due to the ultra dark roasting but it lacks any acidity. This could be a good thing for some but you may find that you miss it like me. It leaves you with little aftertaste in comparison to other coffees as well.

If you're drinking coffee for the caffeine this could be a good choice due to the lack of acidity because that aspect may be easier on your stomach. I feel for those who drink the drink to enjoy the drink it will be a C (decent). No levels of flavor, just the dark.

Red Rose Original & a gift to my readers

Red Rose's Original tea isn't anything special, no offense to Red Rose. I'd give it a C (decent) being a simple pekoe tea with a touch, just a touch, of orange/citrus. Considering other teas of this price range they don't compare because it's not just flavored water. It has a heavier body than Lipton. But why I'm posting this product today is because it's the tea you have to use to make this phenomenal ice tea. Here's the recipe for a 2 quart pitcher, step by step.

What you'll need:

- 10 bags of Red Rose Original tea with the tags cut off

- 1+1/2 cups of sugar

- 1 jumbo lemon cut in half

- Lots of ice

1. Fill the 2 quart pitcher half way with ice and leave in the freezer.

2. Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. About 1.5 quarts if you care to measure it.

3. Once boiling put the teabags of Red Rose Original in the pot and steep for 5 minutes.

4. While steeping add the sugar to the water and stir until dissipated. If you prefer sweeter, add another 1/2 cup.

5. Add the juice of the jumbo lemon to the pitcher and leave half of the lemon in the pitcher.

6. After the tea is steeped take the bags out, squeezing each one dry, and pour the water over the ice in the pitcher.

7. Top the pitcher off with ice if it's not full and put in the fridge until completely cold.

If done right, the pitcher should be opaque. Many mistake it to be sun tea but getting it cold as soon as possible by pouring over ice is the key to this. Someone has yet to not like it. It's a family recipe form my Nana, who rests in heaven. She was a wonderful woman and she wouldn't mind others having this. It's the wrong season for iced tea, but not for a gift. This recipe is my gift to my readers.

In memory of my Nana and Merry Christmas!

JosephsBrau Winterfest

Before I begin, I'd like to note that JosephsBrau is just a cover for Trader Joe's. That's not to say this could be a bad beer, I think Trader Joe's does a good job with many of their beers for a great value. I paid a mere $6 for a six pack, and for something outside of cans, that's great these days. So lets see how this dark lager (pretty rare these days) does.

This starts with a good sized head as pictured above, but this does not stay that way. Putting my nose in the glass showed a sweet maltyness and a hint of alcohol! Looking back at the bottle I see that this is due to 7.5% abv, which is a better deal for some. This alcohol taste doesn't have any notice with the finish though. The body of this is right in the middle of my other beer experiences, and it has malts for a taste like the head. I was surprised by the lack of carbonation despite being a lager.

For such a high alcohol percentage this one is easy to drink. I'm not a huge fan of it though. It's just kind of odd in my opinion and the malts aren't as good as ones in others, so I'll be leaving it with a C (decent).

McSorley's Irish Pale Ale

An Irish pale ale? When I think of a pale ale's origin I think British, and Irish are obviously known for stouts. McSorley's is actually an old pub in New York City that was established in 1854, so it's not as Irish in origin as some others beers. This isn't a history lesson though, I'll tell you how it tastes.

Once poured the hue didn't look like a pale ale. It looks copper like a red ale, which is more traditional to the Irish! It has hops and malt in the aura characterized in a sweet way. On the palate hops takes a back seat to a 'creamy' malt, but this is not heavy in body. The body is actually crisp in a citrus way. Once swallowed the taste dwindles and you get it dry in a pale ale way.

I'd say this is a cross between a red and pale ale. There is a variety of things going on but I don't think they're working together well. I have to give it a C (decent), but on a positive note it's fairly easy to drink despite being dry at the end.

TAZO Orange Blossom

Some of you may have noticed tins of TAZO tea while waiting in line at Starbucks. This is due to the growing popularity of loose leaf tea, and Starbucks it hopping on the bandwagon. Today I have a cup of their Orange Blossom green tea in front of me to review and it smells like a good way to end the day.

As I said the fragrance is very nice but not orange, jasmine. Orange is there too but blends with the sweetness of the jasmine. Once on your tongue you can tell it's a green tea, I think it's a jasmine pearl like this one. Looking at the leaves themselves they're not pearls though. The lighter fruit taste isn't just oranges (tangerines) though. I believe other fruits are there as well with many herbal supplements.

TAZO has plenty of fine teas, but I think this one scores better as a frankincense than tea. The aura put off by this is fantastic but the taste of the tea doesn't follow up with it. TAZO's Orange Blossom gets a C (decent).

Yellow Tail Tree-Free Chardonnay

Tree-free? Is Yellow Tail going green and helping to save the world!?! Well, not that Yellow Tail is a bad company but tree-free means not aged in oak like almost all chardonnays it seems. This could be a good turn, the fuller body of chardonnay with fruitier notes but not as dry as some lighter grapes. Lets find out.

Upon pouring this chilled, my senses would've told me this was pinot grigio if I didn't know otherwise. Very crisp and dry smelling in a 'sneezing' way. The palate showed melon notes in addition to the crisp, but I didn't find it very enjoyable on its own. After pouring another glass once room temperature I found it a little better. The melon could be detected in the scent and was stronger on the tongue. It has a very dry aftertaste chilled and at room temperature.

I'm leaving this with a C (decent) because I think aging in oak might be the way for chardonnay. Although fruitier it was rather simple wine and the citrus with melon didn't work well together.

Caribou Coffee Essential Organic Blend

Ever notice how loyal coffee drinkers are rather polar in there tastes? You have the 'dark side' with those that select only french or italian roast, and the 'light side' who chose flavored hazelnut, french vanilla or just a lighter colombian bean. I'd have to say I'm a little on the darker preference. I think Caribou Coffee has something that could be the first step for the dark side to see a little light, (or the light getting a little darker).

As stated on the label above I can tell this coffee is lively and intense just from the smell. With a little attention you can pick up the lemongrass notes as well. My first sip didn't back off form the full taste. A balanced body has a crisp palate with the medium roast, but not acidic in the way other coffees are. Fruit notes are slightly apparent, but I wouldn't call them peaches. They're just a darker fruit that perhaps may be plums. You're left with that medium roast coffee on your tongue and that crisp on the roof of your mouth.

As stated before, something in the middle of light and dark. The slight flavors that compliment the coffee aren't the best in my opinion, but I'm sure others would like it more. This must be the dark side of me speaking. I'm leaving the Essential Organic Blend with a C (good) for my opinion, but I wouldn't let that stop you from trying it.

Adagio White Blueberry

Now I would think most would know if they’d want this tea from the title. Blueberry flavored white tea. But I’m going to review it anyways because many other things are rarely stated in a title. Outside of a palate tastes the intensity, body and aftertaste are unknown. Simply put; is it balanced an enjoyable? (Adagio)

The smell put off by the tea in my cup doesn’t have as much blueberry, it’s more like a sweet white tea. Once sipped blueberry took the back seat to the tea leaves again, but was still noticeable. Like many white teas it has a rather full body for a tea. I tried serving this as an iced tea and the blueberry became much more present. Both hot and cold had a blueberry aftertaste.

I’m going to leave this with a C (decent) because it’s just too simple and the blueberry flavor to it isn’t ‘natural’. It’s more like some sort of blueberry extract in my opinion.

Twinings Prince of Wales

It's tea time and I'm introducing my first Twinings product, the Prince of Wales. Twinings is an older company than any other tea company I've reviewed, but I've noticed that the loose options of some of there teas are a newer choice. Twinings is catching on to the popularity of the whole leaf, lets see if they have a competitive product:

The tin claims it's "a smooth and mild taste with a well-rounded character". The nose has a calm robustness somewhat like a breakfast tea, but once in the mouth the container proves its point. It reminds me of some Darjeeling tea but with a bigger body and more placid palate. There's a light aftertaste as well that's just a faint note of the Chinese black tea.

Prince of Wales is appropriately named because this tea would fit perfectly in a tea party. It goes well with cream and sugar if desired and it's taste parallel's the amiable setting. I'm leaving it with a C (decent) because it doesn't have higher levels of taste.