404 Tasting Notes
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Aroma: Leather, dust (like house dust?), old chocolate, garden bed, greens, produce aisle sprinkler water (whhhhat the heck was going on? LOLOLOL), & mixed vegetables.
Tasting Notes: Nutty, light bitterness (up front), turnip greens, kale, charcoal, & astringent.
Flavors: Astringent, Bitter, Charcoal, Kale, Leather, Nutty
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Before May ends, I’ve decided to get ahead of the game, especially with the 3-day weekend. It’s wild to think we’re nearly 6 months in 2025 – such a strange era of life – however, I’m trying not to rush it any further!
I only noted on the back of the packet, “Your very standard tea. It’s good if you want to make a mug without needing too much thought. It does the trick for kicking the tea craving, but it’s a middle of the road brew. I’d definitely recommend something like this if you’re new to tea or need something for sun tea.”
April backlog and sip down
Steeping method: Western. 195F @ 3-minutes.
Tasting Notes: The honeybush takes the lead in the cup; however, it helps elevate the chocolate notes as it cools down. There’s a slight hint of the chocolate oranges I’d get in my stocking for Christmas when I was little. Very nostalgic.
Flavors: Chocolate, Orange
Preparation
MadHatterTeaReview- I believe there may be a misspelling of the tea name? You can probably edit the tea name, once you decide whether it is Artemesia or Artemisia. In any event, the description in the listing states it’s a mugwort, so the actual plant being infused is probably Artemisia argyi or A. vulgaris. It would be nice if the vendor specified, as there may be important medicinal differences. Mugworts are related to wormwood, of course, and other plant species as well, and readers may find the Wikipedia article on the genus interesting. I would caution folks to steep with care, as there may be toxicities (or medicinal effects, depending upon ones perspective). I recall learning in grad school of some of the compounds having abortifacient properties, for example. And the relatively benign Absinthe is legendary— some of its reputation may be owing to poor identification of the exact plant species being infused.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemisia_(plant)
Per their site, it’s “Artemisia.” Good to know! Thank you for the detailed information.
April backlog and sip down
I had made this as an iced tea to top off when we had a friend over. I usually will bring out strange teas for others, particularly one friend of mine, that will drink anything. I had sipped on this on and off during work but knew that this friend was to stop by later, so I had them throw in their tasting notes (they’re slowing getting into tea with my help and I like to test their palate and have them suggest tasting notes). I had generic notes, “Sunflowers & nutty,” but when they tasted the tea, they said, “It reminds me of Cheese Itz without the cheese.” That tasting note blew my mind because I knew what they meant. There was that salty and savory note like a cracker, yet it was a cracker trying to taste like cheese and slightly missing the goal to taste anything like cheese. Ha-Ha.
Flavors: Cheese, Cracker, Nutty, Salty, Savory, Sunflower Seed
After dropping a few backlogged reviews this morning (I’ve 14 more to go. Lol), I decided to top this tea off from last, after playing with friends in a few games of pickleball. They requested something “relaxing and good iced,” and since this was one of the few new teas I’ve acquired yesterday, I decided to brew some up. Let me note that having green and black tea mixed it doesn’t mean you won’t get heavily sedated and need a nap shortly after sipping. Ha-ha.
Despite the lemon grass & lemon balm added into the blend, the only two flavors that stand out are the peppermint and chamomile. I dig those flavors, but I wanted to get a hit in face with lemon flavors, too.
get a hit in face with lemon flavors, too.
April backlog and sip down
I’m thankful to my past self—likely drinking tea and working—for making one single note and rating on the package. 90% of the time I’m drinking tea is while working, and the other 10% is when I allow myself the time over the weekend.
Tasting Notes: Cinnamon stick
I found myself in the same situation starting a few years ago. I kinda miss sitting down with a tea during the week. It is what it is, I guess.
My main issue is not making time for it over the weekend either. I’ll get a session in now and then, but it’s mostly due to having been working from home all week, that I want to get out of the house. Lol.
April backlog and sip down
I couldn’t pull this one on their website, so I believe it was a club offering. Unfortunately, I must’ve misplaced the letter or accidentally thrown it away (oops) and I can’t verify if this is an oolong or black tea.
Aroma: Sweet, nutty, perfume, & soap.
Texture: Tongue numbing & mouth drying.
Tasting Notes: Bright, cantaloupe, floral, lavender, perfume, nutty, & sweet.
Additional Notes: This has the classic charm of Darjeeling, but it is less bold than what I’ve had from other vendors and grocery store offerings. I thought that it worked well both western and gongfu’d, however, I was able to get more (6) infusions from the gongfu’d than from the western sessions.
Flavors: Bright, Cantaloupe, Floral, Lavender, Nutty, Perfume, Soap, Sweet
Sounds like my house in a cup!
Mine too! LOL