79 Tasting Notes

I got this as a sample, brewed exactly as the package said. I’m not much of an oolong person so… forgive the blunt note. This one has the “plastic” oolong note that I can’t peg, which I’m beginning to think is my interpretation of a certain floral flavour. I put it in quotations because it isn’t like it literally tastes like plastic, it’s just something about it makes me think of plastic. So this is quite floral. The dry leaves had smelt quite roasty borderline cocoa which got me excited, but ultimately this tastes like every other oolong I’ve had (few they may be).

Leaving no number ‘cause honestly I’m beginning to think this is just how oolongs are and they personally aren’t my cup of tea (HUR HUR HUR).

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 5 min, 0 sec
ashmanra

I wonder if it is the taste that reminds me of the smell of acrylic paint when I had art lessons as a kid. We have been referring to it as a latex note! I actually like it.

happykappa

Ooooh! Definitely, latex is much more fitting for it. Good to know a better descriptor for it, and that it isn’t just me having wonky tastebuds.

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92
drank Laoshan Black by Verdant Tea
79 tasting notes

Unlike the sample I had months ago, I prepared this “exactly” as described on the package save for some neglect steeping.

I’m on my third steep and still digging it. It started out a rich, malty, and slightly bitter chocolate, and consecutive infusions have become more honeyed. I bet I could still get a nice 4th cup out of this, which is pretty awesome.

… I may or may not have run around the house forcing everyone to sniff the tea and tell me how much it smells like chocolate. Whether out of confusion, fear, or sincerity, they all confirmed it does indeed smell a lot like chocolate.

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 4 g 8 OZ / 236 ML

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89

I really enjoyed this, probably because it reminds me of Bailin Gongfu. I’d like to get a bit more to try the two together and see which I prefer between the two, it’d be a pretty close contest though, they’re very similar to me. Dark, roasty, slightly cocoa-y, but this makes me think a bit of coffee though whereas Bailin doesn’t really. Not for the flavour, just that it’s got a bit of kick to it.

… Definitely going to get some of this with my Black Friday order!

EDIT: Also worth noting that the leaves are humongous! The biggest I’ve seen, which, granted, I’m still a bit of a tea noob, but still. Very long and needle-like.

Preparation
4 min, 0 sec

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85
drank Coffee Pu'erh by DAVIDsTEA
79 tasting notes

Huh I’m amazed I never commented on this tea before. I drink this somewhat regularly and have a couple different ways I like to make it depending on what I’m going for. Typically if I want it to be more sweet coffee/chocolatey dessert tea, I steep it for about 2 minutes and put a bit of sugar (honey seems “wrong” with this one to me on account of the coffee) and almond milk in it. If I want it to be more earthy and tea-y, I let it steep for 5+ minutes, depending entirely on how much attention I’m paying it.

… I’ve been tempted to see how short steeps go for this, but just can’t be arsed to experiment when I really quite enjoy this as I’ve been doing it.

Also, I do rinse it briefly (~10 secs) with cooled boiling water off the start, which I don’t know if it’s “necessary”, but the initial rinse liquid does smell a bit wonky to me. If nothing else, in my mind it’s a good thing.

Edit: Oh of course NOW I see my old review pop up on the page. Oh well. I hope this one might be a bit more helpful at least.

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I love almond in all its incarnations so… this was an obvious choice. I also particularly love the smell of this dry because it reminds me of almond bar cookies my grandma makes around Christmas. Taste… I might have to try again, it’s been a little while since I had it, but my main impression was that it tastes like almond extract in green tea. I could probably go pour almond extract in a cup of green tea and it would taste just like this, so… take that however you will, I still haven’t decided how I feel about it and want to give this a few more shots.

Preparation
0 min, 45 sec

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80

Well! Colour me surprised. In the pouch I smelt grass and the inexplicable plastic-y note I usually associate with oolongs, steeped it was salted and buttered corn on the cob, but the flavour… it’s quite nice! And that’s a big step for me, I usually pass over green tea. Sweet and creamy, it reminds me of matcha.

Preparation
0 min, 30 sec

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Going through the last of my Teavivre samples in anticipation of sales next week. Maybe it’s the high rating or loving everything from Teavivre so far, but my expectations were pretty high on this one. Kiiinda disappointed. It looks and smells a lot like Golden Monkey, but tastes so mild and just… I don’t know. Mellow? It is a nice flavour, not particularly sweet, maybe a bit hay-ey/earthy. I just don’t like it nearly as much as Golden Monkey which has a smokiness to it that I dig.

I think I lean towards teas that bludgeon me over the head, whereas this is more like a gentle caress.

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Surprisingly light, fruity and floral! Taste makes me think of a bag of assorted dried fruits. I can’t wax on poetically like some do so well, but this is a nice different cup of black tea from what I’m accustomed to. Tempted to keep some around depending on how the rest of my Teavivre samples go.

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I got this to-go from DAVIDs which I don’t normally do. Smells like gingerbread dry. Tastes like DAVIDs Birthday Cake with the faintest suggestion of ginger and molasses. Meh. Not what I had hoped for. I feel like it might’ve been better had I just gotten a sample to prep myself at home… D:

Edit: As it cools it’s a bit more ginger but still not really something I’d sing and dance about.

Kristal

I dunno how this tea will be, but I am looking forward to trying it in my 24 days of tea!

happykappa

Other reviews seem positive so hopefully it turns out more like the tea they’re describing!

Kristal

Me too!

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85
drank Irie by Tea Leaf Co
79 tasting notes

After my first cup a few days ago, I drank the hell out of this until my 20g baggie was no more. It was very tasty! Especially with a little splash of almond milk. No particular spice dominated the blend, and while I couldn’t pick out the taste of coconut, I think it lent to the smoothness. Really enjoyed it!

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Profile

Bio

Lessee. Sipper of tea, hooker of yarn, player of video games.

I’m mostly on a mission to try ALL THE BLACK TEA at the moment. When I do venture out of my niche, it’s mostly to dabble in pu-erh and roasted anythings.

Annnd mostly to keep myself consistent…

1-40: Ptoo ptoo!
41-60: Eh. Could do with or without.
61-70: Mm. Good but probably won’t get more.
71-85: Yum! Would keep a bit around!
86-100: ((incoherent slavering))

Location

Alberta, Canada

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