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Catching up on this note since I spaced out on writing one when I had the tea for last month’s prompt! I was not a fan of this tea when I first got it, it was a little flat and left some things to be desired. After perhaps half a year not much has changed lol. The ginger has lost some of it’s bite, which was the whole star of this blend. The oolong base still holds onto it’s toasty green quality, but falls a little flat. maybe i can turbo charge this with some fresh ginger and cold brewing it for a beach hang this summer…. hmmm

Began this tea as a side by side with the Minami Sayako cultivar oolong tea from my last Yunomi tea order. As soon as I tried the teas side by side, I immediately decided to just drink them one by one. They were extremely different, it seemed superfluous to do a side by side for such different teas. this one is a late summer 2022 harvest. The brew was much much lighter than the Minami, more akin to a silver needle brew color – almost silver. The leaves were also much smaller than the Minami, but that might have just been the sample bag. I got bright lemon and heady florals on each steep. this tea is very reminiscent of a Lishan oolong, all flower and no bite. the soup was thinner than I am used to with such a green oolong, but that says nothing on it’s character. I was not as much of a fan of this one as the other oolong.

Began my session with this tea as a side by side cultivar comparison with the Tachiho cultivar oolong I got from my last Yunomi order. As soon as I began though, I realized how different they were and just drank them one by one. This one, the Minami Sayaka cultivar, is from summer 2021. From the jump the brew was a deeper gold color and developed into a soft gold till the end. There was a light roasty nuttiness on the top of the brew, giving it a distinct soba cha/hojicha flavor that reminded me where this was grown. The leaves were larger than the Tachiho as well. The floral note that wove itself in and out of the brew was wonderfully refreshing. I’m over the heavy florals of most green oolongs, but the light roast of this tea helps to mellow the bouquet in such a pleasant way.

Sipdown! Finished the herb blend that my friend made from his garden, with the “Rose tea” May prompt in mind. So glad the rose only appears in petal form, and doesn’t carry pretty much any flavor into the brew itself. Cannot stand rose in tea, perfumes, or the like. For me, I enjoy roses only in a garden. Farewell tea blend!

Suprised that I haven’t written a note for this one yet! Was compelled to get this one from all the reviews comparing the various lapsangs on the W2T site. This tea isn’t a bbq feast like most standard LS, but it has a lovely spice to it. The spice element is light, like a nutmeg or allspice, not so heady and intense as a cinnamon. The black tea gives itself a warm baked date quality that makes the sweet spice a perfect match. The brew is bright and clear, leaving any heaviness I may associate with a LS behind. It’s very easy to drink :)

Drank this for the “Strawberry day” prompt this month! Cold brewed as usual. I think my next cup of this will have to be Arnold Palmer style, that would amp up the sweet and juicy berry in such a great way

Happy 101st tasting note to me!

IT’S FINALLY TIME! I’ve finished all the opened samples of my Japanese greens, so i can treat myself to a new spring 2023 tea! WOOOO. This fukamushi is remarkable – it was chewy and intense for the first three shakes of my kyusu, and kept it’s savory twang until steep 5. The wet leaf was very interesting as well, reminded me of my favorite shrimp chips. I know, sounds gross, but it propelled me to make another round as soon as the first leaves were spent. yayyy tea!

For the “A tea available almost anywhere” prompt for this month!

The sick tea to end all sick teas. I drank this with my partner after their latest DJ gig (think vinyl records, not oontz oontz haha). My throat is not used to shouting in bars anymore, and when we return home, lead in our limbs and bags under our eyes, this tea helped us get some relief from shouting at our friends. Naturally, I wouldn’t drink this tea for fun… it’s not really supposed to taste good, it’s just supposed to fill a function. At least to me!

Sipdown!

Taking my time with the send-off of this tea today. It was a delicious place holder while I wanted for my 2023 harvest senchas to finally come to me. We’ll see if I can wait until the day’s over to dive into my new tea. I’m jonesin’ over here!

drinking this tea, thinking that it’s a better fit for the “Flavored black tea” prompt of this month. So simple, yet good :)