Fall Time, Halloween time with Adagio Tea

For some of us everyday is Halloween, and no, we don’t get tired of it. The flavors of fall, however, are seasonal. Adagio Teas has both the season and the holiday covered with teas and teaware.

Fall Teas

Of the teas I sampled my favorite is the Puerh Hazelberry. Normally I see puerh as a category of tea that is best experienced unflavored and in multiple gaiwan steeps. I wasn’t sure how this was going to go for me. The dry leaves smell like dessert with the fruit and nut flavors overwhelming the tea. But when the leaves are wet that’s when I could smell the earth of puerh rising up over the strawberries, hazelnut and cream.

Though dark in the cup, don’t be afraid. This is an amiable darkness with a soft touch that is not astringent at all. It is a friendly puerh with smoothness and a touch of that walking through a wet forest experience that I love. The earthiness of this puerh is on the whole mild with subtle mushroom notes, and capable of multiple steeps. I still preferred it without any sweetener or milk, though it can handle both if that is your cup of tea. 

They also went fall on their matcha with Matcha Cinnamon Apple. It’s unsweetened which is best for customization. I don’t usually do flavored matcha but the flavoring is both natural and mild so the tea is still the star. The matcha is a tasty Samidori cultivar from Uji, Japan, a vibrant green and not bitter. 

This is great as a latte and sweetener brings the apple cinnamon flavors out. I also enjoyed it plain though as the matcha is good quality. If you are new to matcha having a latte is a great introduction as it can be intense on your stomach especially if empty. Remember, once opened, store your matcha in a cool, dark place away from sunlight and have it within two months or it will begin to turn bitter. Be good to your matcha and it will be good to you. 
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TEA NOTE: When preparing matcha traditionally it is best to use a chasen bamboo whisk. Using a spoon may leave you with chunks. For me chunky matcha is a no. If texture is important to you, get one of these tools for your matcha preparation. It is easier to use in a flatter based bowl, or dedicated matcha bowl. For a latte or smoothie using a blender will work. 

Adagio Limited Edition Wicked Teas

Adagio has a limited edition box of six Wicked Teas in decorative metal tins (I think I was sent last year’s designs but the teas look to be the same). Though small the tins are packed with enough loose leaf tea to invite a friend over for a pot. (Or three. No judgments.) They are all flavored and lightly sweetened blends. Two are caffeine free and the rest have a caffeinated black tea base. Notable ones for me: 

Monster Mash

There are eyeballs in this tea. Candy eyeballs. I love that. It reminds me of that Sherlock episode where an eyeball is shown floating in Sherlock’s tea (Adagio has a tea just for that fandom too). These, thankfully dissolve into sweetness (no experiments or heads in the fridge necessary). 

The creme and caramel flavors mixed with this black blend lend a dessert taste. I think milk (of choice) is a good complement here, amping up the creamy feel. The sweetness is mild, but sufficient for me.  Whatever the mystery black blend is it is low in astringency but full enough in body to shine through when milk is added.

TEA NOTE: I think the candy eyeballs are only in the six tin sampler pack version of this tea, not the a la carte version.

Candy
Apple Concoction

This is a black tea base with apple pieces and sugar in it, red sugar. It does look pretty almost like a magical element (poof! You’re a toad!) No. This tea won’t give you the powers of an animagus or transform you into an amphibian, but it is the essence of fall apple picking during Halloween.

I let the water boil and then cool slightly, steeping at about 205° for four minutes. I also used one and a half teaspoons for an approximately 10 ounce mug. I liked it brewed at this strength and time. The tea tasted good with nothing else in it. The sweetened apple flavor definitely came through while the cinnamon is playing peek-a-boo in the background. If you prefer your tea extra sweet you could use a no calorie sweetener of choice, honey or simply more sugar. This Tea pairs well with a simple tea biscuit too. 

TEA NOTE: If sugar is a no no for you try one of Adagio’s many other unsweetened fall teas
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Adagio Candy Apple Concoction tea

The other teas in this box are: 

• Ghoul Gulp - Decaf Ceylon Tea, Natural Vanilla Flavor & Coconut Pieces
• Cat Scratch - Black Tea, Cinnamon Pieces, Natural Caramel Flavor, Cocoa Nibs, Natural Vanilla Flavor & Natural Chocolate Flavor
• Pumpkin Potion - Honeybush Tea, Cinnamon Bark, Cardamom, Ginger Root, Cocoa Nibs, Natural Pumpkin Spice Flavor & Safflowers
• Bat Brew - Black Tea, Cinnamon Bark, Ginger Root, Cocoa Nibs, Natural Chocolate Flavor, Natural Cinnamon Flavor & Chocolate Chips

The ingredients for each tea are not listed in the box I received, but all of the info is available on the Adagio website. I get it. It keeps the look of the box clean and gives you a reason to visit the site.

Adagio Ceramic Tea Infuser - Bones

Tea Infuser Cups

The company has a fall and a Halloween double walled infuser cup available, and they sent me the Bones one. It includes a fine mesh brewing basket that hooks to the rim of the cup and a lid. The volume isn’t listed on the box but it holds about 10 ounces. I like having multiple forms of teaware for different brewing styles and situations. Pros for this tea infuser cup:

• It’s perfect for steeping single serve loose tea western style well - no teapot needed. 
  
• The basket is large enough per volume of water for the tea to expand without crowding during steeping. 
  
• The lid and double-walled design keeps in the heat (though heat the vessel first so it can be most effective).
  
• It is the kind of handle-free cup that can be held in the palm of my hands on a cold day so I feel the warmth from my tea both outside and inside. Cozy.
  

Thanks to Adagio for providing the teas for this adventure. For more Halloween tea check out these posts:
Tea and a Tale: Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow - Join my mini-tour of The Sleepy Hollow Cemetery and a bit about tea in the 1800s.
Tea Halloween Style - Dragon makeup and pumpkin coffin scones!
Happy Halloween! Get out your Tea Cauldron - Make your own pumpkin tea at home
Go get your Halloween tea on!