90 Tasting Notes
I have had a theory about sencha, that it would go well brewed with coconut, ever since I drank some sencha alongsidea vaguely coconut flavoured (amongst other things) tart from Silo Bakery in Canberra. So I added a tablespoonful of dried flaked coconut to my pot of boiled water that was cooling for the sencha, then after three minutes added the sencha. Fail. No coconut taste noticeable. Ah well. I’ll just have to eat coconut flavoured things alongside.
Preparation
This is not one of my favourites, to be honest. I’m gradually working my way through it. Too toasty for my taste, sencha-wise; I prefer a greener-tasting cup. It comes into its own iced though, whether cold-brewed or hot-brewed and poured over ice (which is how I’m drinking it now). It was a gift; I wouldn’t buy it again though. The hunt for the sublime in sencha continues…
Preparation
Managed to restrain myself from drinking the rest of the sample until this morning. Brewed it a little stronger this time (slightly less water, slightly longer) and it produced an even more amazing coloured cup, such a dark amber – and a really strong flavour of bitter chocolate – but in a pleasant way (if you already like bitter chocolate; if you don’t this might not be for you) and still the smoothest of smooth mouthfeels. I meant to try adding a little milk to see what that was like, but whoops! I drank it all before I remembered to do so.
Will be interested to try some other Keemuns to compare with this experience, before I invest in a larger quantity! Yay for exciting experimentation!
Preparation
Like it. A lot. Had to blog about it here: http://joiedetea.blogspot.com/2010/02/keemun.html
Preparation
Drinking this on ice this morning (and last night). It’s the remains of a trial batch I made for a custom blend for one of my etsy customers – Earl Grey and I added rosebuds and jasmine flowers. It’s gorgeous to look at and the roses add a really delicious note, they soften the bergamot which I can sometimes find a bit overpowering in straight Earl Grey. Tis is awesome over ice whether stronger (more Earl Grey flavour) or weaker (more rose flavour). May have to mix up some more when I run out (oh, and the customer’s aunt, for whom it was a gift, loves it too apparently).
Preparation
I bought this and a bunch of other samples from Santion the other day. This is the first Dragonwell I’ve had for a while (like, a couple of years) and it is very pleasant. I brewed about 2.5 grams in 200ml of water. Strong scent of toasted white bread in the dry leaves, the wet leaves have a scent of cooked green vegetables, I’m thinking asparagus, but possibly also a little broccoli? The taste is nice and savoury-green, a little astringent, a little sweet – seems well-balanced to me. Not sure if I would describe it as ‘nutty’ but perhaps that’s just my tastebuds today. The finish is possibly a bit short. Offers a good second infusion, haven’t tried a third yet. This is not the highest-grade Dragonwell offered by SanTion but it’s extremely drinkable and seems like good value.
Preparation
I just used up the last of this the other day. The dry leaves are attractively twisted and the jasmine aroma is good. This is my go-to everyday jasmine tea. It’s refreshing and flavoursome, and difficult to brew wrong – one of the few non-black teas I am relatively confident about ordering in a cafe or restaurant. I think it’s best brewed with slightly cooled water, but boiling water won’t completely ruin it. It cold-brews nicely too. Not the highest quality jasmine out there but for the price it’s pretty good.
Interestingly this was one of the only 2 teas I could stomach early in my pregnancy (the other one being T2 chai) when I was constantly nauseous and couldn’t drink tea !
Preparation
This is seriously one of my favourite ‘strong black’ teas, it is a terrific breakfast cup or a pick me up for any time of the day. Deliciously flavoursome without being bitter or astringent. Takes milk and sugar well at a longer steeping time (5 mins). Wonderful deep colour as well.