2816 Tasting Notes
Backlogging – I’ve had this a few times now, and although it is a nice rooibos blend, slightly on the sweet side, I am not picking up any lemon here whatsoever so that was a bit of a disappointment. I’m picking up more straight rooibos than anything, Perhaps it’s just me since nobody else has remarked on it. I don’t have too much more to say so will just leave it at that. :)
Preparation
I’m finishing off the last of this sample before switching to a glass of wine. hee hee. Thanks again for the sample Verdant. Please see my previous notes regarding the flavor.
Preparation
This came as a swap from ashmanra – thank you so much! I have to say I have been curious about this one for a while. I haven’t been a fan of smoky teas in the past but they seem to be growing on me. Lapsang is pretty strong on its’ own but I am finding I like it blended in things.
This afternoon we were out paddle boating on Stow Lake in Golden Gate Park. It’s been foggy today and we were tired. I suggested to my sweetie that we try this, it smells good!
I never would have thought to put darjeeling in a blend like this but it somehow works. There is a very flowery note which is balanced out well by the keemun and the lapsang, which provide a dark smoky note. However, the smoke does not seem overwhelming to me, it doesn’t really overpower the tea. It even has a little bit of sweetness. This is a great one to just sip on straight, we really are enjoying it. I think I’ll have to pick some up when I order from Upton next!
Preparation
I am intrigued by the name – reminds me of an old Gerry Rafferty song. (Dating myself)
I got a big bag of this from Doulton and was shocked when my youngest daughter loved it. I will have to get more from Upton before I run out!
I didn’t think I would like it, but it’s good!
@Azzrian I thought Sherlock Holmes, which may date me back somewhere in the 1800s
@Azzrian-a few months ago wee went through the whole Gerry Rafferty thing and now my kids have him on their iPods…all because of this tea. LOL! But yes, our first thought was Sherlock Holmes as both my daughters LOVE to read the books! The new series ain’t too shabby, either!
Oh, Amy ho, I thought I was following you? I was wondering why I had not seen your pretty lama face : )
sometimes Steepster does that, it has unfollowed some of my peeps before. Welcome back, Tea Fairy. :)
I like this one alot too, but have not found a straight LS I can drink on a consistent basis.
I know! I lost teawing for a while, and haven’t seen JENN in forever! Maybe it unfollowed her, or she just hasn’t been on much.
I am going back to this one again this morning since I haven’t had it for a while. It isn’t nearly as good as the Mengku gifting raw I had yesterday, but is still a nice raw pu-erh. It seems a bit more mellow & sweet than I remember it. I don’t know if the tea has changed that much in a few months, more likely I have changed. hee hee!
Preparation
I’ve been trying to drink more green tea these past few weeks because my allergies have been so bad! This is a light delicious cuppa (see previous notes). I like the nuttiness of this tea.
Preparation
Thanks to Mandala for sending me a sample of this tea. I wasn’t able to get a better pic from the website so please feel free to update this if you’d like.
After doing my taxes it has turned into a lazy tea drinking day but I am going out soon so might as well have another cup. :)
I decided to steep this in the gaiwan this afternoon which is my favorite method for trying pu-erhs. I did rinse this quickly and then steeped my first infusion for about 30 seconds at 190 F or so. The wet leaf smells slightly smoky and lemony.
My first sip and I’m thinking yum! Slightly woodsy with a hint of smoke. The flavor is slightly astringent but somehow moist at the same time and seems to end on a bit of a sweet note.
Second steep is also good, nice vegetal artichoke-y type notes in the flavor. I did have a gunpowder green earlier today and I’m noticing some similarities between the two especially as I’m picking up some gentle pungency with an almost brothlike thickness. Oddly enough I am not getting much camphor here.
Third steep I went for about 60 seconds or so. I am really enjoying this sheng. It is mildly stimulating and energizing but without the drying bitterness of some others I have had. Like a lot of raw pu-erhs it is slightly sour but delicious.
Fourth steep for 30 seconds or so. I’m getting some delicious and light corn type flavors. If you steep it for less time you don’t get as much sourness. I can’t help but wonder what this will be like as it ages.
I don’t think I can resist this for the price, I am going back to get an entire cake. :)
Preparation
I really needed something to pick me up today. Lazy Saturday morning, I need to do my taxes and I just can’t seem to get my head together. I was hoping this would help. This tea is so much lighter than I remember it but it could also have been my steeping temp. since I didn’t measure it with a thermometer. I am wishing for a tad bit more sweetness here, today I seem to be getting primarily seaweedy notes.
Haha, my yesterday was spent perusing Steepster, brewing tea, playing games… gotta actually get some work done today! Motivation is difficult to come by sometimes.
I know exactly how you feel. I have a test on posthumanism on Monday, and a test on Electrical Engineering on Thursday this week. Needless to say, I’m regretting that I don’t have any Matcha in stock.
I excel at the art of goofing off… :-)
So do I…….. Another day of doing nothing. This is going to bite me, hard and fast. Uh oh.
This is very enjoyable for an herbal blend. It does have tulsi in it but also red rooibos. I am getting a lot of rooibos and orange in this cup. It reminds me ever so slightly of Constant Comment with the spices: ginger, cinnamon and orange. I’m not tasting a lot of tulsi here but the other ingredients could be overshadowing it just a touch.
In spite of this being a caffeine free tisane, it seems very rich and dark. It does have a bit of a kick to it, probably due to the peppercorns. This was very good plain but it also accommodated a splash of soymilk quite nicely.
