New Tasting Notes

Fourth of 7 teas from SiamTeas Clubbox January ’23 – Tuyet Shan

Actually, today wasn’t that hot as a few days back; but still I had a mood for green teas. And plain green teas. I took in the office Tielka green tea; and at home this one.

Two minutes steeping, not even 80°C water, but not measured. Western steeping 4 grams.

I had no idea what to expect, as the aroma was actually quite seaweedy, quite buttery and salty.
But when brewed, and it seems that first steep was just perfect, as I got nice and smooth tea. It was like a breeze, refreshing but not too strong to be annoyed by it. It was grassy, slightly minty maybe — which I find unusual in not flavorued tea nd I am sure I have avoided any contamination, as it was still in original box (along with sheng puerh).

Second steep, made with same leaves, but 4 hours later is certainly more buttery and grass turned a bit into hay, but both notes is, I believe, because I used sadly hotter water and this tea seems a bit finicky.

Now, as it cools down, it became somehow salty too.

ashmanra’s monthly sipdown challenge
June 2023 → a tea that was a gift

Eh, this isn’t great. It’s super old though, so I’m sure that’s the reason. I only have a couple of bags left so I may just steep those up together to see if that gives me more flavor. These tea bags were a gift from a coworker several years ago.

I’ve never tried this blend iced or as an iced latte so I was pleasantly surprised when I tried it and it tasted like a golden oreo shake! I sweetened the foam a bit with sugar-free vanilla syrup and it was amazing!!

Something about this tea with a bit of milk and a teeny bit of sweetener is just so warm and inviting. It’s perfect for a gloomy, rainy day like today. However, I still very much prefer Toast and Jam… I always will. This blend is just perfect for a rainy day at work when you really need something to cut the brain fog.

The first time I had this, I thought it tasted plain, boring, and a little metallic. I put it in my swap box, but a few months later, I decided to give it another try, and I’m glad I did. The second time I had this, it was quite creamy, and the coconut was authentic and tasty without being overpowering. The toastiness of the rice really complements the flavor profile too. I love how marshmallowy it is.

Finishing the last of these leaves today, looking forward to more arriving within a week.

Ashmanra’s Sipdown Challenge | June 2023 | A true sipdown tea

Logging this for the sipdown, since I pretty much just reviewed it. I have not been drinking much tea this month, in part because I’ve been traveling quite a bit. But! I am finishing this one off. I wonder how many more I can squeeze in before the end of the month?

2023 sipdown count: 39

I am sure this is what Queen Catherine would drink of an evening—always there to comfort and slow me down after a stressy day. Apple-y sweet, no single pushy ingredient, always a cupful of calm.

Sipdown! (3 | 192)

Another cold-brewed tea. I don’t generally drink iced/cold tea, but I’ve been enjoying it lately so taking the opportunity to get through some sipdowns while I can.

I like lychee, but this wasn’t my favorite. I think it’s because lychee is already quite floral on its own, and here it’s paired with jasmine. Maybe if it had been a scented tea, I would’ve liked it better. But jasmine flavoring is used instead, which tastes a bit too perfumey for me. Otherwise, it has a nice lychee flavor to it, and the apple adds a gentle sweetness. Something has slight peppery notes to me, like chrysanthemum, but there is none here.

Anyway, not a bad tisane, just not to my personal tastes. Happy to have it finished!

I took first sample from the tea festival today. The teaoria guy was very friendly, we spoke a lot, he offered me a cup of tea (that was available at most stands though), and he offered Georgian teas. Hard to not get any. Also, samples and tea itself was reasonably priced, so, among Klasek Tea teas, I took the most teas from teaoria. Also, they are fairly new, so I am supporting small business!

This one is actually black tea with bilberry leaves. Both ingredients I still have from Georgian Tea 1847, but this is already a mix. Preparation method 1g/50 ml means I have used all 6 grams/300 ml vessel. Steeped for 4 minutes.

It smells wonderful, very fresh black tea base, bilberry leaves and very, very fruity. They say it’s ripe red apple and I think it could be that.

In taste, it’s also very, very fruity. I think about the red apples here; very juicy, but I don’t notice any acidity. Moreover, high acidity? Fruits, caramel, malt, three major flavours for me. Maybe stewed fruits, hints of bilberries here as well.

Very refreshing and certainly considering getting this in 50g pouch they offer (if they offer shipping outside Poland :P )

Made two lattes with this already! The flavor is remarkably like the other peach matcha I’ve tried from Yunomi. The matcha was a whisper of green in the drink, the ratio of sugar to matcha seemed a little more on the sweet side than the apple flavor I had a few months back. not my overall favorite, but it does get me excited to move on to the mango flavor I got!

Mixed this 50/50 with some Spiced lapsang from W2T with a touch of oat milk to test out a friend’s weed sugar recipe. The resulting brew was so decadent! the sweet hay and light floral elements of the bai mu dan was simmering in the middle ground throughout, bookended by the more malty and brown sugar notes of the black tea. The sugar and the oatmillk tied it all together to make a wonderful dessert in a cup. the sugar hit just right too ;)

Whoops! I’m already about halfway through this bag, and have yet to write a note about it! It’s been my daily green for about a month now, and I get pumped up to drink it every time. The creamy mouthfeel with the vegetal bite hit the spot every time. I foolishly thought this tea would carry me through the season, but it’s clear that i’ll be on the hunt for a late season sencha soon hehe UwU

ashmanra’s monthly sipdown challenge
June 2023 → a favorite bagged tea

Another tea that I love but always seem to be forgetting about. It’s dark and earthy with a solid cardamom flavor. This is a tea that I’ll make and finish before I even think about it because it’s just that good.

This turns out so deeply beautifully blue. The flavor is spicy ginger plus artificial fruit. It’s strong and pretty tasty. I’m not sure I’d buy a whole bag, but I really wouldn’t mind having this again.

Ashmanra’s sipdown challenge – June 2023 Tea #4 – A minty tea

Well, it’s a mint tea but not a true sipdown.  Nothing new to say on this cupboard classic — mint and chocolate. 

Sipdown! (2 | 191)

Cold brewed.

This is… interesting. I’ve been feeling slightly under the weather for a couple of days, so I’ve been taking Emergen-C vitamin C chewables. This reminds me of those. Very acidic and tart fake orange. Definitely tasting the citric acid.

It’s not completely undrinkable, but not something I would want to have again either.