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Sipdown (240)
I saw the sipdown in sight and decided to just take it. That gets me to about 44-45 empties this month so far (I think). Yay!!
This cup was overleafed b/c it was too much for the cup but not enough for another serving so I said f**k it and just went for it.
Even overleafed this is still smooth though. It has a nice sweetness today mixed in with the hay notes. Slight fruitiness as well. It’s a very good white tea and one I would likely get again if ordering from teakruthi.
Nice work on the sipdowns! I’m around that number for the year and that is much more than normal, for me. :D
I’ve hit just over 100 for the year so far, but I care less about the “number” and more about the “ounces” because so many of my packages are 2oz. packages that take me ages to clear out. The last few months I was averaging clearing 600g per month, which shocked me and I was quite pleased with that.
Thank you @tea-sipper!
@Mastress Alita – I tried tracking the weight of my tea but was so inconsistent with it that it just never stuck. That’s an impressive amount of sipdowns, especially given the size. Mine range from full packages to single serving samples that I finished. The tournament last month was a great way to work through larger amounts and I am seeing some of the payoff this month from that since some of the teas from the tournament only had a serving left that I finished this month.
C is for…Ceylon Gold
This is one of my older teas and by that I mean it is from September 2019. It’s a good one though, being one of the more enjoyable plain white teas that I have tried. However, as a plain white tea, I tend to forget about it often.
Today this has a lot of hay notes to it. Hay and corn. Smooth and light.
Nice job having September 2019 be the oldest in your collection! Mine is probably 2015(?).. well maybe a few years older than that since I started buying in 2016 but got older teas in swaps/buys [not counting aged puerh/oolong/etc.]!
I am still new at white teas so would you recommend this one as someone who is trying to branch out into traditional/straight teas?
Technically I think August 2019 is the oldest in my collection but those are my A Quarter to Tea blends I got in large amounts before she went on hiatus and so I don’t want to run out. I also probably have older ones that I received in swaps as well but I date my teas from when they arrive in my cupboard…unless I know the specific date they were purchased.
I do not drink a lot of straight white teas since I think a lot of them taste like soap. For me, silver needle white teas tend to be the most approachable. This one is mild and quite nice. The only other white tea that stands out to me more is a White Rhino since it is a white tea that acts more like a black tea and as someone who prefers black teas, that had a lot of appeal.
This tea is interesting because it is a white tea with a lot of black tea notes. Malt and honey really stand out here and yet is also has a touch of hay as well. it’s also a little thicker/syrup-y. It definitely makes for an interesting drink. Unfortunately, it is one I tend to overlook.
Thank you teakruthi for this sample. The plan was to write a Sororitea Sisters review for this but then my sister asked me to do something with her so that didn’t really happen. However, I sipped on this while talking with her and it was really good. I wasn’t paying it much attention but it made for easy drinking and went down real smooth. I hope to revisit it soon as clearly I enjoyed it.
Sipdown (292)
There is a lot more peach today than usual. I’m cool with that though. It’s a nice ginger peach balance that I’ve enjoyed each time I’ve had this tea. Hopefully Sil also enjoys it as I’m passing the rest of the sample on to her. Thank you teakruthi for the sample!
I don’t love this one. It’s got a briskness that for my tastes is drying. It’s fuller bodied and more sharp so based on my preferences, this is not for me. It’s not bad, just not my cup of tea.
Haha 9:30 might have been a bit late for caffeine though, I ended up drinking caffeine as well around 10:30…but it was in milk so that doesn’t count, right?!
Guys… you will make me order from Teakruthi after few years again! Haha.
I wish I had some tasting notes for those teas :/
Sipdown (289)
I was going to write Sororitea Sisters review about this tea but if I am being honest, there is not a lot to say about it. It’s a good tea but nothing particularly stands out. It is malty. Since it is called Southern Malt, I suppose that’s all it needs to be and it delivers.
In these quarantine times, I, like so many others, have watched many TikTok videos. I have also been trying a bunch of new recipes. Sometimes those two things converge, such as with the Dalgona coffee. Today it happened again as I attempted the one-pan egg sandwich that seems so simple when people cook it on the app.
As to be expected, it wasn’t so simple to makes and there were some kinks that I’ll need to correct next time but all in all, the sandwich was good. This tea, which is also good, accompanied the sandwich. Photo: https://www.instagram.com/p/B-rvTUNAHpV/?igshid=17wmz9hg2348s
It’s sweet and malty. A little raisin, some baked bread, and some sweet potato. And malt. A lot of malt which is to be expected given the name. As it cools, it gets a touch astringent which gives it a leather sort of finish. Not life-changing amazing but still a solid black tea option.
Thanks again for the samples, Teakruthi! A fantastic robust black tea here. The leaves look unique to me — they remind me of the pelt of some feral wood creature for some reason. Dark, wiry, short leaves with touches of gold. It somehow just appears slightly different than a usual black tea! (Maybe I’ve been watching The Witcher and it is AMAZING.) The flavor is like the image. Robust, tough, strong, wild, but also malty with touches of sweetness and a bit of starch. Reminds me of leather somehow, in the best way and dark dried fruits. It’s so mysterious yet the flavor notes really meld together well. So drinkable and comforting. A black tea I’d give an award to. Tough to describe the details, but simply perfection on that first steep today. I did start drinking this in the morning and it makes a great morning OR afternoon tea. The second steep wasn’t as special with either steep session. The first session, I didn’t brew it at boiling like I normally would for the second steep of a black tea. But the second session was more like how I’d brew a second steep and it was a little bit brisk, with the characteristics mostly like a drying coppery assam. Both first steeps were FANTASTIC though. With adjustments, I can probably make the second steeps just as good. This is exactly what I look for a strong black tea and I will certainly stock up.
With much embarrassment, I’m finally finished reviewing the teas from Teakruthi, since they were so kind sending samples a while ago. Most of the teas that I tried, I would definitely buy! ANNNNDDDD… I already went ahead and placed a smallish order since I already had rewards points to use anyway. I usually like to order from a shop if they send samples. It hooks me every time…. wish I had ordered a bit of this though. Next time! But Teakruthi is a new favorite tea shop, that’s for sure.
Steep #1 // 1 1/2 teaspoons for full mug // 14 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Steep #2 // 10 minutes after boiling // 3 min
Second steep session:
Steep #1 // 1 1/3 teaspoons for full mug // 23 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep*favorite steep
Steep #2 // 7 minutes after boiling // 4 min
Flavors: Dried Fruit, Leather, Malt, Sweet
I started watching the Witcher, but I stopped 30 minutes in because I figured I didn’t want spoilers for the game if I ever get around to playing. But maybe that’s silly.
LOVE the Witcher from what I’ve seen so far! Renewed my Netflix subscription specifically to watch the rest. It’s a great show for when you want to curl up under a blanket with a strong cup of black tea.
I really liked The Witcher as well; I watched it with my brother over the holidays. The timeline was a little tricky for me to follow without having any context from the video games, but it all clicked in the end. When you get to “Toss a Coin to your Witcher” you’ll have that stuck in your head for weeekkkks.
I’m hoping everyone stays safe and healthy! Scary times.
Thanks for the samples, Teakruthi! These leaves must be the largest that I’ve seen even in a white tea! Impossible to measure with a teaspoon so I just threw a ton of leaves in the infuser. Probably a small handful in my smallish hand. I’ve tried this a couple times using different parameters. The scent of the dry leaves is like the sweetest pile of hay in sunshine. The flavor is very light, so light it is tough to describe: light, full of minerals, smooth. It’s like a blank slate of a tea, more than most teas I’ve tried, which can be a good thing or not depending what you’re in the mood to drink. If you are simply craving a lovely white tea, this is a good one to try. I had to steep it the way Teakruthi recommended, and really this is impossible to oversteep. I will dock some points due to the comparisons between price & simpleness of flavor, however.
Steep #1 // 39 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Steep #2 // 16 minutes after boiling // 1 1/2 min
Second steep session:
Steep #1 // 28 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Steep #2 // 16 minutes after boiling // 5 minute steep
2020 sipdowns: 19 (David’s Glitter & Gold)
additional notes: I really liked this unique mint black. Seemed smooth and creamy, even if the mint got a bit catnippy. No spelling autocorrect for “catnippy”? Oh wait, it did that time. hhmm. As much as I would love to order from Teakruthi again, I’m still traumatized by their live bug infestation in their hibiscus tea blends incident from a couple years ago… I don’t see a couple of those available on their site anymore though, so maybe that solved the problem.
2022 sipdowns: 118
Um, just dozens of living bugs in their pouches of hibiscus teas. Believe me, I have never had this incident before or since. I had a ton of their samples, so I made sure to pour each tea onto a paper plate to check for movement and never saw it in other teas. (whew) And the people at Teakruthi are awesome, as far as their customer service goes, so I really wish that hadn’t have happened to teakruthi. This was years ago though, so I hope that problem has not been recent!
Thanks again for the samples, Teakruthi! NOW Teakruthi has a great new rewards system on their already great free shipping and tea sales. I love trying a new mint tea and with the black base here, it’s quite crisp and refreshing. Plenty of mint mixed in — very fresh fragrance! The black tea is on the lighter side so it’s tough to taste underneath that mint – too dark and deep and it might seem a bit odd with mint anyway. But the black tea is a nice carrier for the mint when I’m craving it (or need it for headaches) while also offering a bit of caffeine. The ‘zen’ of the name is accurate – this is a very calming and soothing blend. The second steep is also full of flavor. I guess I don’t see too many black mint teas that other companies sell, so this is a unique tea for Teakruthi to carry. I have really been loving most of the teas I’m trying from Teakruthi and I’m glad I stumbled on the shop!
Steep #1 // 1 1/3 teaspoon for a full mug // 16 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Steep #2 // just boiled // 4 minute steep
2020 Sipdowns: 9 (52Teas – Pumpkin chai – Anne’s but still have Frank’s)
Few years back I had it. It was way too minty for me as I recall. But what can be for one way too strong can be okay/not enough for another one. Maybe I should make another order from them. They bring new blends which weren’t available back then.
I just saw your review while posting my review on their site! I wondered if it was “the Steepster Martin”. haha.
Thanks so much for the samples, Teakruthi! I highly appreciate the actual peach pieces in this blend. To a lesser extent, the ginger. I’m just not much of a fan of ginger. I wouldn’t mind a plain Ceylon with legions of peach added to the black tea. The ginger takes over the flavor, leaving a bitterness, but also something savory that is reminding me of fennel or sage or some other spice I’m hardly familiar with. Sadly the peach is hiding, though I made sure to get at least one noticeable piece of peach in the infuser. Maybe someone steeping this one differently will have better luck with it. I’d lose the ginger, personally. But it has such a unique savory flavor, it’s like I’m sipping soup. The second steep still doesn’t have much peach. It might be TOO strong with 1 3/4 teaspoons. It’s different!
Steep #1 // 1 3/4 teaspoons for a full mug // 17 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Steep #2 // 3 minutes after boiling // 3 minute steep
The next day I wanted to try it again with a FLAT teaspoon to see if the bitterness would go away… not bitterness from the black tea at all but from all of this ginger. The flavor was obviously less strong this time, still with that savory note, still not much peach — only wisps and hints of peach in the occasional sip. It’s hard to taste the black tea underneath all this ginger, but it’s a good base for it. I’d probably prefer this blend with 1 1/3-1 1/2 teaspoons. It’s different but not something I’m eagerly wanting to stock up (too many other favorites from Teakruthi and again, ginger isn’t my favorite)… though I imagine down the line I will be remembering the unique flavor.
Steep #1 // 1 teaspoon for a full mug // 13 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Steep #2 // just boiled // 3 minute steep
Flavors: Spicy
Latte Sipdown (284)
The last latte I had with this tea wasn’t good. When I had it, I had issues with all the milk I steeped so I think part of my not enjoying it was because of that.
This latte is much better. Sil would be a fan because the cardamom is the real star here. Creamy but with a whole lot of cardamom and warming spices. Also the whipped cream and chai sprinkles help make it that much better.
I brewed this as a latte and lately I find when I froth milk in my milk frother, it smells a little off. Not bad but off-somehow. I wonder why considering I clean it thoroughly after every use…
Anyways, I don’t know if it is the milk or the tea (steeped for 3 mins at 185F) that I am not enjoying. It’s not bad per se but I think cardamom is coming through more in the scent than anything and there is something floral about the latte in general I was not expecting. I am not a fan but I think this may be user error…maybe.
I caved and bought a few of my favourite teas from Teakruthi during their Black Friday sale, and also got a couple more samples to review. I was in the mood for a breakfast tea this morning, and this broken orange pekoe did the job. I steeped 2 teaspoons of tea in a 355 ml mug at 205F for 3.5, 5, and 10 minutes.
The dry aroma of these very broken-up leaves is of malt, honey, and green grapes. The first steep has notes of malt, honey, tannin, baked bread, wood, grass, and green grapes. I get a coppery, malty aftertaste. The second steep focuses on the malt, baked bread, and honey, and is actually a bit weaker despite its longer time. The final steep is surprisingly gentle for this type of tea and echoes the malt and honey in the second steep.
This is a nice breakfast tea with some distinctive Sri Lankan components (i.e., the flavour I identify as green grapes and that coppery aftertaste). It never gets too bitter, which is a plus for a BOP. I recommend it for mornings when you want something solid and uncomplicated.
Flavors: Bread, Grapes, Grass, Honey, Malt, Tannin, Wood
Preparation
I usually enjoy white tea, but don’t drink it often for some reason. True to this pattern, I was eager to try a Sri Lankan white, but I’m posting this as my penultimate review for this company. Thanks to Teakruthi for the sample. I steeped two teaspoons of leaf in a 355 ml mug at 190F for 4.5, 6, and 10 minutes.
The dry aroma of these small, dark, not very typical white tea leaves is of autumn leaf pile and something tart. The first steep has notes of tart rhubarb, herbs, malt, autumn leaf pile, honey, and florals. The liquor is quite drying. The second steep is less tart and has a hint of rose, in accordance with Teakruthi’s description. The final steep is tart, floral, drying, and malty.
This is a pleasant if unusual white tea that’s more assertive than many similar teas from other countries. I can see people who don’t usually opt for white tea really liking this, as the malt and honey make it more akin to a black tea. While I can’t see myself drinking this regularly, I think its divergence from other white teas is fascinating.
Flavors: Autumn Leaf Pile, Drying, Floral, Herbaceous, Honey, Malt, Rhubarb, Rose, Tart
Preparation
I like chai teas on occasion, and was glad to get this cinnamon version to review. Thanks to Teakruthi for the sample. I steeped around 4 g of leaf in a 355 ml mug at 203F for 4, 6, and 10 minutes.
The dry aroma is of strong, woody cinnamon. In the first steep, the cinnamon is the star, and is strong but not too sweet. It’s the kind of cinnamon that gets put into baked goods, and it’s making me hungry! The black tea is malty, woody, and not astringent. The next two steeps continue the nice balance between cinnamon and black tea, and even brewed for ten minutes, the astringency is minimal.
This is a simple, well-executed cinnamon tea that I really enjoyed. It’s not particularly spicy and calling it a chai might be a stretch, but I guess it fulfills the same warm, cozy niche.
Flavors: Cinnamon, Malt, Wood
Preparation
Thanks again for the samples, teakruthi! The leaves here don’t look like a traditionally rolled, pebble type of oolong. There are some longer pieces. The description is confusing, as it mentions being green, not an oolong, and I think some might end up being disappointed if they’re looking for a typical oolong flavor, as this definitely tastes like green tea to me. It tastes very similar to the Mythical Green tea, with that smoky, mildly spicy profile. But now that I’m actually realizing that this is a green tea, before the second steep, I was treating it like an oolong and brewed it with close-to-boiling water, rather than waiting a while to prevent bitterness. So now I’m very surprised this didn’t become bitter at all, since it tastes green and I brewed it like an oolong. It tasted like a normally cooled-then-brewed green tea. So what makes it an oolong over a green tea? I’m not sure. But this isn’t the flavor I’m really looking for in an oolong either way. I’d choose the Mythical Green over this one. However, the descriptions say both teas aren’t even grown in the same area, so I could be very wrong about the similarities and I could not be steeping either tea correctly. So it’s always worth brewing them yourself and giving them a try!
Steep #1 // 1 1/2 teaspoons for a full mug // 28 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Steep #2 // 3-4 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep