Cultivate Tea

This was the tea I picked for yesterday’s Mugtober pairing, but it was also part of my weekly matcha roundup. The mug was an oversized “teacup” with beautifully intricate butterflies and moths on it and a pink base colour. I picked out this matcha because I thought its incredibly soft mouthfeel and delicate, floral profile fit the mood of the teacup really well.

In that way, it was very on theme. However, compared to the rest of the matcha I drank this past week this was definitely the “odd one out” since I was very much on a mixed train of super autumnal feeling flavoured matcha and traditional matcha paired with pastry for the mid autumn festival. This was neither, though it was still delicious.

Tea Photo: https://www.instagram.com/p/DPrpoNakq3j/?img_index=1 (Third Pic)

Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUz2wZ11In8

I really enjoyed capturing my week’s worth of morning matcha while I was on vacation, so I decided to do it again this week with all the different matcha treats I made myself throughout the mornings and afternoons.

I’m really into blueberry flavoured things right now for some reason, so I decided to get my matcha mixology on with this more fresh, floral leaning matcha and “float it” over ice on some blueberry lemonade I’d received in my local grocery box for the week. Not only was it GORGEOUS but the bright, slightly tart lemonade and that fresh macerated blueberry flavour from the scratch made lemonade tasted SO GOOD mellowed out by the fresh matcha. Best matcha of the week by far!

Tea Photo: https://www.instagram.com/p/DNbRTGJp2UU/?img_index=1 (First Pic)

Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CyBASe-qyc&ab_channel=Sandhouse

Of the eight different matchas I had this past week, this was the most mellow and delicate tasting with smooth, silky floral notes alongside a dewy, light and fresh green finish. Virtually no bitterness or astringency. Very, very easy going and light feeling! Also, such an absolutely intensely vibrant and beautiful microfoam when all whisked up. Definitely a favourite in my stash.

Tea Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/DM3XbFkSH1h/?img_index=1 (2nd Pic)

Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEJ_9veuPXI&ab_channel=jbrekkieVEVO

Whisked this up as usucha for a bit of a mid-afternoon pick me up. Not only does this matcha whisk up incredibly smoothly with such a thick layer of light, airy microfoam but it also tastes so incredibly delicate and smooth. It starts very floral on the tip of the tongue, with aromatic notes of night blooming jasmine and orchids and such a delicate sugarcane sweetness and clean, earthy finish on the backend. Such an easy matcha to sip on, without a lick of bitterness or astringency.

Though I do typically favour matcha with more buttery or creamy notes (Okumidori is a fave), this more fragrant and flowery-leaning Uji matcha is also very much right up my alley!

Tea Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/DK2sGTiSHvB/?img_index=1

Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyxsWyTYh0E&ab_channel=VundabarVEVO

Gongfu!

I picked up this scented tea earlier in the year, and though I enjoyed the smooth nuttiness of the cold brew that I tried at that time I did feel I was missing out on some of the stonefruit-like fruity notes of the osmanthus. Well, gongfu was the solution because this was a super flavorful and well-balanced session with equally well represented notes of rich, toasted chestnuts and hazelnuts and ripe summer peaches and nectarines. The toastiness of the green tea itself, combined with those fruity florals, actually painted a strong picture of grilled stonefruit, which is something I was actually pretty all over this summer. I’ve also been pretty into osmanthus in general this year, and this has definitely been on of the most interesting and unique osmanthus scented teas I’ve tried as part of that journey!

Tea Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/DPCcjAPktFD/?img_index=1

Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agRDt0AhS_w

Cold Brew!

I did a lot of cold brewing during this trip, but this was the first thing I steeped up. I felt really uncharacteristically pulled towards green tea this trip. Mostly because of the osmanthus though, which is a recent fascination of mine.

I did feel like this cold brew ultimately had very little of that sweet, fruity floral note. Maybe a little bit of lingering peach or mango like fruitiness on the tail of the sip? Mostly it was a very smooth but deeply nutty tasting green tea profile that took center stage. The kind of strongly green tea forward taste that a younger version of myself would not have been able to handle drinking. Instead, this time around, I could appreciate the fresh subtly of the flavour and the crispness to the finish. It was not bad at all, even if it was different from what I’d been looking for.

Tea Photo: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKLEcaThsY9/?img_index=1 (Fourth Pic)

Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jij_rC3RzM4&ab_channel=BRIANJAIMS

I spent Friday afternoon hanging out with a friend, her partner, and their ridiculously adorable two month old. I always bring tea whenever I visit since they’re both tea drinkers, but this time around I was a bit more strategic with what I brought since they’ve been really trying to control their caffeine intake a lot more. Understandable.

This is by far one of my favourite teas I’ve discovered this year, and caffeine free because it’s a tisane – so I was excited to bring it for them to try. Thankfully, they also adored it. I knew for sure that her partner would because he’s a huge fan of marzipan and this tea does taste SO MUCH like sweet, nutty marzipan.

We drank it after lunch, and it was just a very perfect digestif.

Brought this to work yesterday and make another mug if it because I wanted to share this absolutely delicious, scrumptious tasting herbal tea with some coworkers. It’s just so incredibly light, smooth and almost cake-like!? Definitely still that really strong almond extract/marzipan flavour and a bit of a milky sweet cream note, but this time around I kept thinking about really light, fluffy chiffon cakes or even something like a classic wedding cake made from white/vanilla cake. So fucking good!

Because I bought so many teas on the Sunday I arrived in Vancouver, I was really spoiled for options of things to make in the mornings/evenings at my AirBNB.

This was something I picked up at Cultivate based on the amazingly sweet, light and nutty aroma of the sample tin I was able to smell. I’ve had plum blossoms blended into tea before (from Rishi) but didn’t totally fall in love with the taste, but this made me want to give it a second chance. Plus, I love trying more unique straight herbs.

I’m glad I did because WOW this was amazing. Lighter bodied but really fragrant with the most amazing sweet marzipan-like almond and cherry like taste with undertones of cooked milk that made me think of white rabbit candies. So incredibly unique and just really quite a magical brewing experience that I’m excited to now share with some different coworkers.

Tea Photo: https://www.instagram.com/p/DKLEcaThsY9/?img_index=1 (Second Pic)

Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTq9u603BSI&ab_channel=Delachute

Harvest July 2022
From TTB that was around in 2023.

Yep, another one I just took to try later and today is the day for this tea.

Prepared gongfu, more or less as vendor suggests

High marks for this jasmine tea! Lovely, fresh and strong jasmine notes with great base tea, that complements the flowers well. The base is, as SkySamurai notices a bit melon like, I could not notice any of the earthiness which is, definitely, a good sign.
Intoxicating (a good used word by vendor) aroma with fruity notes of the base, smooth and velvety in the mouth all 6 steeps long; while the last one was somehow weak in jasmine indeed and more of the green (really?, rather I think white) tea. It was so nice in mouth and so enjoayble… that I think I need more of this tea from Canadian company.

TeaTiff TTB. One can tell from reading the reviews below that the tea has been around the block a few times. Though TTBs are a great way to discover a bunch of tea cheaply they also don’t truly supply you with each tea’s full-on flavor as each tea will diminish in aroma and flavor with each time the package is opened. Generally, I would not rinse a black tea, however, I feel doing so may help release some of the build-up on it. Or so I hope. crosses fingers The dry aroma is not pleasant. Not terrible but does not smell like one would expect. Hmm. The wet leaf is kind of musty like stale wheat bread. Also just slightly problematic is the fact that because this is the bottom of the package there is a mix of small and big leaf. Meaning each will steep differently and affect the overall flavor. The first infusion at about 20 seconds is seemingly weak. A bit of barley and damp wood tones. Second infusion at about one minute is ashy with burnt bread. This is a unique tea but I can’t say I’m really enjoying this… Bit of lacquer now with a touch of allspice. This is like reading a book that I’m not really into but I am just curious to find out if the 10th infusion holds out or if the story falls off halfway. I don’t think I’ll make it there… this is not enjoyable. I mean I’d rather drink this then Lipton (no offense Lipton drinkers)

Homemade Advent Exchange Tea #16

A really interesting blend with lightly floral notes and some light vegetal white tea flavour (like bai mu dan and other delicately vegetal whites). Very smooth. the brew is very light but is aromatic and smells slightly of honey, flowers, and green tea.

TeaTiff TTB #18

This was such an interesting tea! I enjoyed reading some of the backstory here on Steepster. Though it’s not a flavor profile I’m typically drawn to, I enjoyed sampling this tea. It almost came across like a puerh with a very earthy, complex flavor. There were some dark chocolate notes in there and a lingering mineral aftertaste. Not sure this is something I’d drink again, but I’m glad to have tried it.

TeaTiff TTB #13

I was intrigued by this one because it was labeled as a black tea (and looked like one) but had honeybush in the title. Still not exactly sure what this is, but it’s yummy! It actually tasted almost like an oolong…very smooth and buttery with a honey-sweet, fruity flavor.

I have a pressed tea cake of just camellia sinensis flowers from Bitterleaf that I’ve treasured so, when I saw this blend of white tea and tea flowers at Cultivate’s shop while visiting Vancouver in May, I had to try it too. The mouthfeel is so rich and creamy with the most pleasant, soft and buttery flavour. Delicately floral with hints of sweet linden honey. Like the tea version of milk and honey. So calm and relaxing!

Tea Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/CyT18gLOoAo/?img_index=1

Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fc_zcikEU7c

The TTB has arrived! So big, so many teas… no chance to try them all!
Tea #21

I followed gongfu instructions written on the pouch of this tea, apparently not an original one. It says “4 grams, 100 mL, 100°C; 5-45 seconds, 8 steeps”

Actually I never heard about Song Zhong teas, haven’t done any research what it supposed to be like, what is intended flavor profile and so on.

So, as I have slightly bigger vessel, I have used 5 grams for my 125 mL gaiwan, 5 seconds first steep with following steeps with 5 seconds increments; but the rest I have blindly followed.

I preheated the gaiwan first, that brought aromas of red currants, wood, cherries, sweet (maybe a pollen) and sweets. A wonderful aroma indeed. Quick rinse to flush away the dust and 5 minutes rest of the leaves in humid environment under the lid.

This make previous aroma notes even stronger, except for woody notes. That was exciting for me.

First steeps were indeed fruity. Red currants and cherries, I don’t noticed any minerality so far and it was delightful also in the mouth, smooth and mouth-coating qualities is something I really enjoy. There are mountain flowers in the aromas, also with red fruits including a bit unripe strawberries.

From steep 4 I have started to notice a little change in pace of this tea. The red fruits started to fade and mineral notes and stonefruits came stronger. The floral notes started to be strong in taste too, once it was even too much and a bit heavy for tummy.

Steeps 7-8 were slightly floral, but they weren’t giving me much of impressions and I found out I am finishing this tea with happiness and lots of experience with another oolong I never had before. I found out that I like those fruity oolongs a bit more than their green counterparts, while sometimes I crave the latter and it is a virtue to have both examples in a cupboard.

TTB
This oolong tastes very mineral to me. I’m not getting much honey or floral notes from this one. It’s not bitter, but the minerality give it a bit of an astringent bite. Thanks for adding it to the box!

TTB
We have some red rocks in Big Horn canyon where I drive the boat, and this oolong testes like some rusty rock scrapings fell into my cup. There is a sweet and floral oolong underneath the iron minerality, but it’s buried deep. I’ll try a few more steeps to see if the oolong can rise to the occasion, but on the whole this one is too lopsided for me.
Thanks for adding it to the box!

TTB
I am traveling this week and I did bring some tea with grand hopes of drinking and logging tea notes. I did get caught up in the wave of canceled flights and had a hell of a time getting to FL. Let’s just hope my return flight is uneventful, is there some way to increase my travel karma at this late date? I’m sure the middle finger I’ve been giving United in my head won’t help.
This tea was mildly chocolate, certainly smooth, if a bit weak. Maybe a gong fu session is the way to go here.
Thanks for adding it to the box, glad I got to try.

Gongfu!

Unlike a lot of other teas I own that have been pressed with chenpi, these little tablets of tea have a more light to medium bodied liquor with much more upfront, almost sharp, brightness to the orange notes. Though not particularly sweet, they remind me a little bit of freshly squeezed orange juice in that fleeting sort of pulpy sort of top note acidity. Usually, I think of chenpi blends as dense and medicinal with that crawling bittersweetness in the back of the throat. In contrast, I think this tea is lively and Spring-like; in particular from the notes of linden flowers, creamed honey, and heady florals imparted from the white tea itself along with undertones of bamboo, peach skin, and straw. I wonder if the flavours will deepen significantly with time; part of me wants to see what that would taste like and an equal part enjoys how refreshingly different this tea is as well…

Tea Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/C5JSjEKuqQG/?img_index=1

Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFdcfFZohfQ

Who needs April Showers when you have June thunderstorms and blackouts!? Today I’m sipping on Cultivate’s Imperial White & Orange Peel because anything with chenpi is my immediate go to for a cozy, comfort tea during rain! It’s a deliciously light and refreshing white tea with notes of Timothy hay, honeysuckle, and peach skins with a zesty pop of citrus that’s simultaneously both soothing and cheerful!!

Tea Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cthd4UMOK_D/

Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMpT9r5h0I8

TeaTiff Traveling Tea Box | No. 35

I wasn’t expecting too much from this tea, but I was pleasantly surprised. It has a nice dark chocolate flavor and is adequately strong for a morning tea.

Thanks to Skysamurai for sharing!

Gongfu!

Enjoyed this session while listening to the white noise of the rain outside. Though I taste very little jasmine in this tea, which has it pressed alongside the white tea leaves, I am really enjoy the simple, clean, and crisp sweetness that remains a constant throughout the full session. It’s like fresh pressed sugar cane or candied flower petals. Really delicate and gentle. Alongside the grey skies and rain pooling on the pavement, there’s something quite calming and grounding about the session despite it being a little less lush and floral than anticipated. Not to wax too poetic, but it does feel a little like one of those moments where the universe is reaching out and saying, “appreciate what you have.” So, I’m trying to do just that.

Tea Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/C_WOGXCyS-z/?img_index=1

Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtqETmD-kEU

Gongfu!

After getting home this weekend I steeped up the this white tea along with some of the teaware I picked up this past week for a soft, gentle session to ease into the weekend! This Shou Mei has jasmine flowers compressed right into it, so I did expect the notes of jasmine to be a little bit stronger. Though, upon inspection of my sample I didn’t see a ton of flowers pressed into the pieces. However, the sweet floral notes of this semi-wild tea are quite beautifully soft and fragile. Despite their gentle dance on the palate, there’s still a sort of lushness to the tea both in it’s velvety mouthfeel and the creamed honey notes that seem to get deeper with each steep. Even though the jasmine shifted into a more generic floral note after the first half of the session, it did take a while for the tea itself to begin tapering off – making this a really rich and gratifying way to ease into the rest of the day!!

Tea Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/CtCK3cyuP3K/

Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4lxhQqMm4k