New Tasting Notes
2025 sipdown no. 17
This TGY is smooth and vegetal (as described), with subtle hints of cream. A marked difference from the Cha Yi TGY in my next note. Happily, both were lovely.
1st steep 1 minutes, 30 seconds
2nd steep 2 minutes, 30 seconds
3rd steep 3 minutes, 30 seconds
4th steep 4 minutes, 30 seconds
Preparation
Steepster 2025 TTB Tea
I REALLY enjoyed this sample. There is no way it woiuld be enough for 2 cups, but I used the whole thing (2.5g) and brewed it twice. The honeybush in the blend gave it a super honey-rich flavour with some oaty notes as well. It is very caramel-heavy with lots of sweetness. I get some nuttiness, but I would have expected this to be caramel vanilla instead of chestnut based on the flavour. I will be making a plum deluxe order next time this is in stock so that I can get more.
Flavors: Caramel, Honey, Nutty, Oatmeal, Sweet, Vanilla
Preparation
May Sipdown Prompt – a hearty tea
Sipdown
A lovely pot of tea for breakfasting outside under shelter as the rain pelted down. This CAN take milk and sugar but it definitely doesn’t need it for me.
It is a little malty and has a slight creaminess. Resteeps very well.
TTB! The vanilla tastes so strong! I’m drinking this at room temperature with milk and sugar, and that vanilla flavor is so clear, sweet, and tasty. I don’t know if I’ve ever tried a tea with such a strong, authentic vanilla flavor. It’s so desserty and nice!
Nice orange blossom scent, very floral on the first few steeps. Sweet, milky, and refreshing taste. I like adding ~1/4 of a dried orange slice while brewing for additional fruity sweetness.
Flavors: Floral, Milky, Orange Blossom, Sweet
Preparation
Steepster TTB 2025
This tastes like a generic black tea in flavour. I smell maple on the looseleaf, but I’m not getting any banana, maple, or pecan from the brew itself. I tried it twice (first steep 5 minutes with boiling water and a dash of soy milk – second steep 8 minutes almost boiling water with a dash of soy milk). There’s a tiny bit of nutty flavour and some tannins, the black itself is slightly malty but not enough for my liking. I do get a honey flavour like from the tea itself, but not as strongly as with Laoshan blacks.
This isn’t bad for a straight tea, but it does not deliver on the French toast flavour or banana at all.
Flavors: Honey, Tannin
Steepster TTB 2025
I pulled out some teabags to enjoy at work this week and I was excited to try this one. It’s been on my wish list for a while. I don’t want to commit to an entire box of 15 or 16 teabags because of how many other caffeinated teas I have right now.
There is a nice dark cocoa note with cinnamon and something spiced (nutmeg?). I can’t taste the orange, but the brew is a bit acidic. The aftertaste is spicy but warming with a light sweetness from the cinnamon. For once, I think a tea has mastered balancing cinnamon with other ingredients without completely overpowering every else in the blend. There is a dark bittersweet flavour that is probably the puerh and cocoa combined.
Flavors: Cinnamon, Cocoa, Dark Bittersweet, Dark Wood, Spicy
Preparation
Sipdown! (3 | 79)
Cold steep. Really enjoy this one for a hibiscus-heavy, refreshing fruity blend. It’s quite tangy from the orange and passion fruit as well, so I do add a bit of sugar to the pitcher to balance it a bit. Perfect summer infusion, and one that I will probably reorder in the future. Though I think once I get through most of my current cold steep stash, I might try S&V’s fruit blends next…
Flavors: Bright, Citrus, Fruity, Hibiscus, Juicy, Orange, Passion Fruit, Sweet, Tangy, Tart, Tropical
Preparation
Favorite summer enjoyments of mine include fruity cocktails and iced teas, poolside with an umbrella in the glass! Thanks for your report on this Harney blend!
All of their fruit infusions are quite good! I can imagine this one making a scrumptious cocktail too he he.
