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Advent calendar day 3
I thought this tasted a bit citrusy on the first steep and then muted peach on the second steep. I’m enjoying the second steep more than the first. Not something I would gravitate towards for a purchase, but perfect for a cup in an advent!

This one is nice, peppery and bright. A fun advent tea as I don’t think I would try it on my own. It’s nice to have steepster friends for enablers :)

This roasty toasty oolong was an extra from my upcoming Advent from Lexie. How will I be able to wait until next Wednesday to open the rest? Currently it’s steeped three times and is going for a 4th long steep. A nice example of a Tie Guan Yin that I would certainly be tempted to purchase, and is a nice start to the holiday.

Creamy and smooth, with no harsh bitterness. Just a hint of earthy dirt to let you know its a ripe pu. Another winner gifted by Rich!

It’s possible I brewed this with too much leaf, and it is mellowing a bit while it cools. I’m not getting any chocolate notes from the Keemun and it has a rather harsh aftertaste. I’ll see what the second steep brings, but on the whole, I’m not enjoying this cup.

Part of my shu tea box from Rich.
This one is earthy and spicy with camphor notes. The wet leaf smells like dark chocolate and cloves, and there is a slight bitter aftertaste that lets you know its puerh. My favorite, and I think the smoothest, of the ones I’ve tried so far. Maybe not for one trying to ease into puerh, but certainly an enjoyable cup.

Absurdity Day tea #2. I wasn’t aware that Death Eaters were minty, I’d probably put chicory, clove or shu puerh in such a named blend.
I only have a sample of this minty tea, so it’s a first cup and a sipdown. Thanks Shae for sending it my way.
The peppermint and the spearmint blend well together, but I can’t really taste the underlying black tea base. The second steep is smoother and muted, but still tasty. A yummy cup, and I’ll need to experiment with my own blend of black and mint teas.

Got this a as a sample, wish I had more. A very nice dark chocolate Keemun that didn’t get astringent or bitter even though it was brewed up nice and strong. Not very complex, but it is a very pleasant cup and I’ll see of the second brew is any good.

Absurdity day Sipdown. It’s an oolong with a strange name.
This was in a tea mail from Shae, thanks! Brewed this western style, the whole sample in half a pot. The first steep is roasty hay up front with a lingering fruity melon sweetness underneath. Its quite nice, and I had forgotten how lovely a Dan Cong can be. Second steep is a bit weaker, but becomes more floral as it sits and cools. I’m not sure I need this in my cupboard, but I’d be tempted to add it to an order.

I’ve tried this several times and it never compares well to Mandala’s big red robe, or Lapsang Souchon. This tea is just mildly woody and smoky and I’m left wanting more. I’ll finish the smallish bag I have and then go hunting in my cupboard for the better version. It’s in the ‘save for later’ or ‘break in case of emergency’ section of the cupboard.