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The label says “musky vanilla flavors and white chocolate aftertaste.” I’m kind of picking up more on that as the tea cools — at first it seemed more like musky melon and olive notes. I also added 1/2 tsp of raw sugar, and I think that helped bring out it’s sweeter side. I have a feeling this one will grow on me and I’ll pick up more of its complex flavor profile when I’ve drunk it a few more times. The leaves are long, narrow, and olive-colored. They smell vegetal and spicy, kind of like a rain forest. I think this one might benefit from a longer steep time than was recommended, because I’m getting a lot in the aroma that doesn’t translate to the tea.

A nutty green tea from the Doke region of India. This is one of those green teas that steeps up a burnt orange, and to me it tastes roasted, though I can’t find anything that specifically says that it is. Also a bit more caffeinated than greens typically are. All in all, this is not my favorite style of green tea, but if you do like darker greens, this is a solid specimen.

This is a good-quality unflavored black, but to me not the great standout that the Black Pearl is. Has some low-key fruit flavors and beautiful whole leaves. The little card that came with the tea says that it it comes from a late harvest, so the fermentation process begins naturally before the leaves are plucked. Interesting. Next time I make this, I think I’ll try using slightly more leaves and see if I get stronger fruit notes.

Logging this one from memory, so the details are fuzzy, which is a shame. This tea deserves adjectives! I think it may very well be my favorite unflavored black to date. The flavor is rich and strong, with some grape/raisin notes. It reminded me of a darjeeling, but had none of the mustiness you sometimes get with darjeeling. I’m really going to have to drink this again so I can write a proper tasting note, because this isn’t cutting it. For now, just know that the tea is delicious. More details soon.

Was hit with the aroma of toasted rice the instant the water hit the tea leaves. Wow, genmaicha really is unique. The flavor definitely reminds me of rice cakes, earthy and nutty with just a hint of sweetness. There are a lot of mineral flavors in this too. The little card that came with the tea said this would pair well with Japanese cuisine, and I believe it. It’s quite robust for a green tea.

My Tealet winnings came in today! This is so exciting! So Much Tea! (and the tins are beautiful too!) Very much looking forward to trying each and every one of them, particularly since the box includes many tea kingdoms that I’ve never even ventured into yet, like genmaichas and pu’ers. But for now, I’m going with a known favorite, this lovely milk oolong. This is very similar in taste and quality to Teavivre’s unflavored milk oolong — it’s definitely on the green side of the oolong spectrum, vegetal and sweet, and yes, a bit milky. The beautifully-rolled dry leaves are very silky when steeped up. Unfortunately I had to use a little strainer on this cup, as my regular tea maker is out of commision, so I couldn’t see just how much the leaves would expand since they didn’t have the room. Overall, excellent cup.

This is the last of the Paris. I am officially out. How on earth did I let this happen? Why don’t I monitor my tea tins better?

A perfect melding of the greenish oolong and strawberry. In many ways this is an understated tea – the strawberry especially doesn’t knock you over the head the way fruit flavors often day. So natural and refreshing.

Oh sad day, this is the last of this :(
Plus I am too hot to think of anything else to say.
Truly the dog days are upon us.