Yume

Thoroughly enjoying my Book of Tea from Lupicia, today’s tea was Yume. It’s advertised as a “black tea with rose petals, sweet aromas of vanilla and fruit.”

The fruit flavour I get is mostly strawberry-like, with a heavy dose of a gourmand vanilla-type finish. It’s mid-level between natural and artificial tasting but has a strange, bitter aftertaste that I am not enjoying.

The tea itself seems like the standard black Lupicia uses in their fruity black blends, a middle of the road, slightly astringent Darjeeling blend (if I had to guess.)

Lupicia suggests adding milk to this. I’m a straight black tea drinker, but I can see this would probably be improved with milk and sugar.

Not sure if it was just a bad batch with the odd aftertaste, but even without, there are better strawberry/gourmand blends, so this one is a pass for me.

So delicate and beautiful. The flavors are so smooth and perfectly balanced that I initially just basked and didn’t want to start identifying. I didn’t get a lot of rose, but didn’t much mind.

This cup managed to remind me of how Perseus gave me so many of the same feels. Whatever is happening over there, I hope Theodor comes back. :(

Thank you for the sample, ashmanra!!!

I love the smell of this tea, and I had thought a replacement for Carol (which is seasonal) was found. Fraisier does nicely as a replacement but then this one came along and confused me. So which should I restock?

The aroma is very fruity and the first sip has lots of strawberry and vanilla…or is that cream? I noticed as I kept sipping through breakfast that the black tea base comes through a little more in this tea to me, and becomes more noticeable as it cools. That’s not a bad thing, I thought it was a plus since it was breakfast.

Then I served some last weekend to Ashman thinking he would love it, but he said he preferred Carol and Fraisier. He felt a little let down by the amount of fruit flavor in comparison to the aroma, and said perhaps if the aroma hadn’t gotten his hopes so high he would have enjoyed it more. The amount of black tea he was tasting was off-putting for him.

So this one will be my own breakfast tea for solitary breakfasts, and we will stick to his favorites for weekends. I must say, I really do enjoy this one! I like the base just fine, the fruitiness satisfies me, and it stands up to my breakfast.

Which means I need to order both Frasier AND Yume. Oh, well!

Shae’s ADVENT CALENDAR, December 20

Another Lupicia? I am spoiled brat. Thank you Shae! Yume… "is “dream” in Japanese" says Lupicia website.

I am out of ideas of photos. Yep, this one is still “bit new”. “Luckily”, it’s soon over.

An interesting tea I said to myself when I opened the pouch. It’s strongly rose-y, but flavours here on Steepster are saying it should be straweberrry and creamy too. Rose + strawberries? Kinda weird combination, but yep, it could work.

I used two teaspoons of base, mostly. And one rosebud. Not much petals were in, but the bud will make it rose-y, I am sure.

Ohh, while hot, it’s certainly rose. Perfume like, but tasty. But as it cools down, the berries become apparent and rose fades a bit. I wouldn’t call it creamy though. How interesting tea… maybe I would like to see more from base; but it’s not soap-y and/or artificial and that always counts.

Photo: https://flic.kr/p/2kiJWSp

Oh my god, this tastes like somebody took wet roses and let mold growth occur on them in a basement in an old person’s house. It smells like cherries, but it tastes like sickly sweet decay.

I keep sipping it, thinking I have to be wrong.
(sip) I can’t possibly dislike it this much.
(sip) Oh no, someone mixed vanilla into poison.
(sip) Am I dying?

Excuse me. I need to throw this horror show out so I stop sipping it.

Sometimes a good cup of tea is just what you need. This tea has a great base. The other flavors work well together. Definitely hints of berries and vanilla. Somewhat woodsy base.

This was from one of my lovely friends, Whiteantlers in a sachet no less.

Straight, it was sweet like a creamy life-savor with strawberry, rose, and vanilla being the noticeable flavors. There was also not astringency to be found in its smooth body. This is the kinda tea you give to your grandmother, or your mother for mother’s day. Rose, strawberry, and vanilla are the giveaways and the thing you want to look for in this tea. I might consider on trying Lupica again because of this tea.

Home from Hawaii, with a couple of tea souvenirs. First up is this Yume tea from Lupicia. Yume means “dream” in Japanese, and I see why it carries this name.

I’m normally not a big fan of blends, but as I discover more, I am finding more and more that have a great balance. Basically, they are more than just some fruit dumped in a tea bag.

This tea has a wonderful tropical feel, a bit fruity with hints of vanilla and strawberry, but it keeps a nice and tasty black tea base. A balance like this means the maker is proud of the fruit and flavor blend, but also proud of the base. No need to hide it when it is this good!

I’ve been wanting to try Lupicia’s Yume tea for quite some time. I was not disappointed!

For a black tea base was toned down with the strawberry and vanilla notes. The notes were stronger scent wise than taste. For me the rose was barely there, but I am used to strong rose flavors in the teas that I usually drink. I am admittedly a big rose fan. This tea is ideal for spring. I would definitely consider buying this.

I did try this tea hot and cold. Cold brewing did nothing for it.

Merry Christmas, Steepster!

I’m currently visiting my family for the holidays, and had packed in too much of a hurry to bring my own tea. But not to fear, this is a tea-loving household! I was happy to find that we have The Book of Tea 100 from Lupicia this year. It’s a comprehensive collection of their tea samples, beautifully packaged in rainbow-like rows. I tried this one with my parents after lunch. It’s a black tea with a sweet, predominantly vanilla and fruit fragrance. The brewed tea is fairly mild and is perfect for the afternoon. It has a touch of strawberries-and-cream and rose flavors, and the rose in particular is not too strong—I think even those who don’t like floral teas will find this one acceptable. After the hectic pace of the last few months, it’s wonderful to be able to enjoy a slow cup of tea and conversation with loved ones. I hope everyone is having a lovely holiday season!