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I was a bit skeptical of this one from the TTB. The name and description were appealing, but when I opened the package, it was all stuck together in a clump. But, it’s summer and there’s a gum in the ingredients list, so I figured that the weather had caused this clumping effect at some point. Squeezing and shaking the package de-clumped it fairly effectively, so I decided to try brewing it up anyway. And you know what? Credit where credit is due. The flavor here is on point! I added some oat milk and ended up with something that tastes very much like a mocha latte. Even my tea-averse partner commented on how the mocha smell wafted through the whole apartment. This turned out to be a really pleasant surprise, both hot and when it got cold. Others have mentioned stevia, but I’m not tasting any and there’s none listed in the ingredients of this formulation (thankfully), which makes me wonder if this is a particularly old bag.

There’s a bag of snow chrysanthemum in the TTB. It says Mountain Herbs but I’m not sure what company that is, unfortunately. Still, I was intrigued. I brewed it up and found it herbaceous, a little sweet, and with a distinct anise note. It’s like chamomile’s edgier sibling. Interesting, but just not my speed.

Reposted to https://steepster.com/teas/mountainherbscn-etsy/96438-kunlun-mountain-snow-chrysanthemum-flower; thanks to Shae for identifying the correct tea listing!

I tried this oolong out of the TTB after Wolf Tea’s Alishan Oolong and they were so different! This one was definitely more robust, with dominant cinnamon notes and a much darker brew. It didn’t hit the spot for mid-August, but I can see this being very comforting in colder weather.

Agree with Skysamurai that using the word “wild” in the name of this tea is a little strange, but honestly I’m willing to forgive it because this tea is delightful. I took handwritten notes while I steeped it up gong fu style and ended up writing JOY across the top of my notes in big letters. It’s just so relaxing. Light, but not insubstantial. I had intended to take proper tasting notes but I was too busy just enjoying it, both for its own quality and for the memories of similar teas past that it evoked.

This was a sample packet in the TTB, so there was only enough for one gong fu session.

The TTB tasting tour continues! I needed some caffeine today after a restless night, and the summery flavor vibes of this were appealing. Ultimately, it’s pleasant enough but doesn’t quite hit the spot for me. I think it’s because of the coconut cream pie flavoring – I would probably have enjoyed this more as a classic tropical oolong blend without the extra creaminess. BUT! I recognize that piña coladas are basically coconut milk + coconut cream + pineapple juice + booze and are beloved. So ymmv, if you enjoy a creamy tropical beverage you may enjoy this tea! I just tend to gravitate towards creaminess more for heavier flavors like coffee, chocolate, vanilla, etc. than for fruit.

I can never resist a gyokuro, so once I figured out what this was in the TTB I was super excited to give it a try. Leaning into the camp/travel theme, I made this for a long drive we had over the weekend. I settled on a plastic travel bottle – safer than glass, less likely to impart a taste than metal. Unfortunately, I had trouble getting the powder to dissolve in room-temperature water. Stirring with a spoon was minimally effective, and even after using my trusty milk frother there was some silt at the bottom of the bottle. I kept shaking the bottle as we drove/as I drank, but never really got rid of ALL of the sediment/small clumps. But that happens with powdered teas, so ::shrug:: Much weirder is that this absolutely smelled and tasted like steamed broccoli. Savory, umami, no astringency, vegetal, but very very specifically like steamed broccoli. It’s not something I would necessarily seek out but was intrigued to have tried.

The TTB tasting adventures continue with Paru’s Longan Tiger! I’m loving how many tea companies I’m getting to discover and try through this TTB. This blend is really intriguing – while I’ve had some of these ingredients before, others I haven’t, and not in this combination. I can’t fully describe the flavor, but I like it a lot! The goji berry definitely comes through, and there’s a honey sweetness, and other flavors that are maybe the jujube dates and longan. It’s sweet without being cloying or one-note, enjoyable both hot and cold, and overall a real treat.

Had this a couple of times over the weekend from the TTB. The first time, I made it straight and it was a fine roasty chocolate hojicha blend. The second time, I added oat milk and a touch of honey for an evening latte. It tasted like hot chocolate milk, with roasty undertones that linger after the sip, along with the chocolate note. It’s good, it’s enjoyable enough, but it’s not great.

Another from the TTB, and my impressions of this one are kind of all over the place. Broadly speaking, I found it sweet and enjoyable. But it was also confusing, because through all three steeps I made it reminded me more than anything else of a cocoa tea, and then I couldn’t not taste the chocolate notes – even though that isn’t remotely what this is “supposed” to taste like. Super weird!

Another fun try from the TTB! This one is infinitely better cold than it is hot. The flavors just don’t quite mesh until the tea cools. But once it does, it’s fruity, juicy, and tart. I get refreshing, generally tropical fruit vibes with sweet lychee and passion fruit that could just as easily be papaya or mango for all its distinctiveness. I like it well enough, it’s tasty, I just don’t love it.