Tea on the loose

After coming to US from Russia, I found it difficult to find loose tea in the States. First, they don't drink tea here, unless it's ice tea, and second, even if you buy tea, it's mostly in tea-bags. But the fastness that you have preparing "bagged tea" can not substitute the fine pleasure that you experience, when you see little peaces of tea leaves unwrap and dance in a pot of hot water. I always loved French press teapots (or coffee pots, as they call them). My Mom recently presented me with a
Bodum French press teapot. Beautiful! And then my husband's friend sent us a set of loose tea samplers from http://www.adagio.com. Thanks a lot, Mike!

There were 18 small green jars of teas: 4 black teas, 4 green teas, 4 oolong teas and another set of 6 green teas. These are the samplers we've got.


Oolong Sampler
Green Savant Sampler
Black Savant Sampler
Green Sampler

Although this sampler didn't match with the one shown on the website. Instead of Anji Duet and Kukicha we got Sencha Overture and Gunpowder. I didn't mind at all, as I love Sencha tea and Gunpowder is a type that you have to try to make your own opinion. You'll either love it or hate it, just like sushi. I love sushi, as you can guess.

I decided to write my impressions about these teas and, perhaps, some others in a blog, to keep track of what I've already tried and to share my experience with you. So, let's drink!