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additional notes: Wow, this one is ancient is aging so so well, that last sip of the SECOND steep was perfection – peaches and cream. Heavy on the cream. Heavy on the vanilla. I would definitely restock this one whenever I order from DF….

From Daylon R Thomas!  Thanks very much!  The first time I steeped this, I expected it to be light and tame, used two teaspoons and WOWZAs was that too much.  Too astringent. I should have read Daylon’s notes before steeping it up!  (I tend to not do that though, so my flavor notes aren’t influenced by the power of suggestion…) So I vowed to try it again with one teaspoon and here we are. MUCH better.  The leaves are so big, hints of gold, nutty scent almost? Could be the cashews I had.  I didn’t expect it to be so rich, with such huge leaves.  The flavor in the first steep is wonderful and just dark and deep enough:  Plummy, fruity, a combo of sweet strawberry, fig.  But then a spice to it, a kick. Sweet like a pastry, cinnamon roll maybe.  I mean, the flavor notes seem so light and sweet but it’s a STRONG tea at the same time. But then I’m wondering if it’s contaminated from the tea in the infuser before. Very drying to the mouth.  The second steep it’s like impossibly, beyond dark maple syrup which sets my teeth abuzzin.  Syrupy both in flavor and mouthfeel.  Quite astringent even with a tame steep.  It’s quite unique.  Like a stronger Premium Taiwanese Assam.  Note to self: ONE TEASPOON.
Steep #1 // 1 teaspoon for a full mug // 20 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Steep #2 // just boiled // 3 min

Album: Bettye Lavette – LaVette
Song: Don’t Get Me Started https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n04sbZXctjA

additional notes: Just a note to say, at six years old, I did not expect this tea to age so well. A surprise, because when I originally tried a sample from a teabox, I thought it was terrible because of the age of the tea. I acquired this sample because it was in the holiday box, so now I’m glad I was forced to give it a second chance! It would definitely be a S&V restock, simply because it has aged so gracefully. (I have quite the list forming.)
2024 sipdowns: 28

Ashmanra’s sipdown challenge – March 2024 Tea #7 -March 14 – Pi Day and Einstein’s Birthday  

Had to go with a cake tea for all those Steepster bdays!  I hope everyone with a March bday has or had a great day!  As usual, I’m about a month behind on reading tasting notes, so probably won’t get to wish you well on your own day!   This tea is hanging on strong somehow, with a best by date of 2013.  Yowzers.   Next time will be a sipdown of this particular pouch.

Ashmanra’s sipdown challenge – March 2024 Tea #6 – Your tea with the longest name  

Thinking of a tea with a long name, I thought of this one which always made me laugh at how absolutely specific and long the name is.  So I’m glad to finish it for this prompt today.  A touch of flavor remains in this old tea, but it was never my favorite to begin with. 
2024 sipdowns:  26

Album:  Raze Regal & White Denim Inc
Song:  Don’t Laff – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpYl6j5PkhI

Ashmanra’s sipdown challenge – March 2024 Tea #5 – An evening tea  

I think a no caff- chai is a cupboard staple for nighttime drinking, so this one was acceptable!  Hopefully last night was one of the last colder nights for the year.  That wind was fierce.  Fun fact: one of my oldest teas around here looks to still be available!
2024 sipdowns:  25

Ashmanra’s sipdown challenge – March 2024 Tea #4 – A breakfast tea

Never could tell why this was a “breakfast tea”.  But now in my scoop, I’m seeing tiny pieces of something… I wonder if whatever that is contains caffeine? Maybe the Ashwagandha or Gurana? And maybe I didn’t get these tiny particles in a scoop previously and just had the bigger pieces in the infuser? I think it’s hilarious they changed the name of the blend to LIGHT breakfast boost. Still ain’t a breakfast blend IMO! Helpful tasting note, I know.

Album: Tiny Ruins – Ceremony
Song: In Light of Everything https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAvaiIoMnXE

Note to self, regarding my huge aged tin of this: use TWO teaspoons for a mug or you are wasting your time and tastebuds on a bland cup of tea.

Ashmanra’s sipdown challenge – March 2024 Tea #3 – March 8 – International Women’s Day

Had to go with a Butiki tea today for this prompt!  I hope Stacy is succeeding even more at whatever she is doing now, than when she was as a tea genius. (I would probably know what Stacy was up to if I followed any social media other than Steepster, but here we are.)   If Stacy ever wants to start blending some tea again, I will be first in line and she can take all my money.  Anyway, this is an ultimate favorite I like to occasionally break out, with its spectacular base and perfect flavor combination.  I have a couple steep sessions left, to treasure in the future and I feel very grateful for that. Somehow for a tea I enjoy only once in a while, will pair best with the new Glasser album.  She hasn’t had one in ten years! 

Album:  Glasser – Crux
Song: Clipt   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1Ift8eoISE

Ashmanra’s sipdown challenge – March 2024 Tea #2 – A floral tea

I realized as I was unwrapping the tuocha to finish this today that there is “flower” in the name, so I’m counting it for this prompt!  The flavor isn’t much, isn’t spectacular, so I’m glad I’m clearing it from the cupboard. 
2024 sipdowns: 24

Album: Will Johnson – No Ordinary Crown
Song:  Along the Runner (No Ordinary Crown) -   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwByxoDfsks&list=OLAK5uy_nwHzFgnwPcCNu4vVxRilt5eLqmJB3CWNM&index=1