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Assam Sage & Lemongrass

This is a blend that Michelle put together and sent in her tea box/package. It has a lot of lemongrass in the mix, but I don’t see any sage so it must be very small or similar in color to the Assam. Lemongrass usually overpowers the other flavors in blends (in my opinion), so I was a little worried about that here. Lemongrass often tastes to me like artificial lemon candy or even lemon cleaner.

As I poured the water over, I immediately smelled the sage coming from the cup. I love sage (fresh sage, not so much the rubbed sage) and was surprised by the savory aroma. Pleasantly surprised. The flavor with each sip is unmistakably sage. It works so well with the dark black Assam base. I LOVE this one.

Second Steep
6 ounces water + 212 degrees + 20 minutes

This second steep is maybe a little less flavorful, but only slightly so, and now the lemongrass is coming through in place of the sage. And I like it when I really thought I wouldn’t. It does have that Pez candy sort of flavor, but it’s light and also works really well with the base.

I really like that this blend almost seems like two separate teas with each steep, both flavors equally delicious and curiously different. I’m not sure if you keep your blends secret, Michelle, but I’d love to know how you make this one if you ever feel inclined to share. ;-)

Started with a quick rinse per Mandala’s website, though probably not the full 10 seconds. The tea is light, even with the full 2 teaspoons but a chocolaty flavor does come through. I see a lot of other flavors listed on Steepster but my palate’s not so refined as all that. So chocolate it is!

Second Steep
8 ounces water + 208 degrees + 20 minutes

The second steep isn’t as flavorful as I had hoped. It does have more flavor as it cools, but it’s a little drying. I’m also picking up this mineral note that I didn’t notice in the first steep. I have enough for one more cup, so I’m going to hold my rating until I try it again. Maybe no rinse next time and a little less water. Thanks for sending this one my way, Michelle!

For National Lemonade Day.

This steeped into a very dark cup, perfect for some added cream despite the citrus. It must be flavoring only and no actual lemon or lime. I was reading a past note and I mentioned that it reminded me of Pine-Sol. Thankfully I don’t get that flavor or aroma this time around. It’s just a solid dark tea with citrus notes. Not bitter and not too citrusy. Just enough to complement the base nicely.

Oh goodness, I steeped this one way too long. It’s SO bitter. Better luck next time. I think I’ll try a 5-minutes steep instead.

Z is for… Zingiber Ginger Coconut.

Despite its age and the astounding amount of coconut still remaining, this rooibos blend is holding up very well. No rancid coconut, no soap flavor or aroma. It actually tastes very much like a gingersnap cookie. But with coconut added.

Y is for… Yunnan.

From Michelle. A really delightful chocolaty cup.

Second Steep
8 ounces water + 212 degrees + a really long steep

This second mug is almost as flavorful as the first, with a little nuttiness thrown in.

I’ve enjoyed this one!

For National Superhero Day.

Even though I don’t recall him using potions (maybe he does, I don’t know), I’m choosing this herbal blend for my superhero of the day – Doctor Strange! Because potions or not, he obviously uses some kind of magic. I’ve been digging a bit into the magical and mystical myself lately. I’m curious about tarot and astrology, even signed up for an alchemical herbalism course which I’m super excited about. I’m questioning, exploring. I think that’s why I really enjoyed the Doctor Strange movie so much. I love that magical element. But on to the tea!

My first thought is how artificial this tastes. I think it has stevia in it. There is also that dusty, stale flavor I often get from a lot of herbal blends. But I would say the primary flavor is blueberry. I remember seeing kiwi on the list but can’t recall if there was also blueberry. Either way, that’s what I taste here. I know I would enjoy this so much more without the artificial sweetener.

X is for… Xocolatl Chai.

Made as the bag instructed – 14 grams leaf, steeped 2 minutes in 8 ounces boiling water, then steeped 3 minutes with an additional 8 ounces hot milk. I’m not sure how many chocolate chai blends I’ve had, at least one awful one that I can recall, but this must be the best of the bunch. Strong cardamom aroma and flavor mixed with the cacao nibs. There’s also a pretty potent menthol-type aroma but I’m not too sure where it’s coming from. With the milk, this is a luscious drink – rich and chocolaty like a hot chocolate. Not at all like some chocolate teas that turn out thin and weak with that dreaded oil slick on top. I’ll try again sometime without the milk to be sure, but I still expect it’ll taste pretty darn good.

W is for… Wild Black Yunnan.

A good chocolaty tea, very similar in my opinion to Nepal Black which is an absolute favorite.

V is for… Vanilla Tea.

From Michelle. Thank you!

I think next time I might try steeping this at a higher temperature, maybe boiling, to see how it comes out. Michelle’s instructions gave a range of 190° – 212° so I’ll play around with it. This has a really authentic vanilla bean flavor!