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ADVENT DAY 15

… again?
Damn. I put it into wishlist, but I haven’t been expecting seeing it so quickly. It was in day 3 and loved it.

I won’t repeat myself. See that tasting note. It’s same. For real! However, today I wasn’t able to enjoy it that much as back then. You know, busy days…

ADVENT DAY 14

I have to agree with Roswell Strange, it has got mojito vibe. But first, when I smelled the sachet, I got chamomile.

But brewed, it went well. Green tea with mint. Hints of citrus, quite delightful.

As Roswell wrote, it is indeed nicely balanced and mint was fresh in this tea — so no muddy taste. However, somehow quite boring? I mean that I have tried several lemon green teas and this has got added mint, which is nicely refreshing, but not adding much else. I haven’t got Julep itself yet, but I saw it should be with bourbon and sadly (or luckily?) no bourbon notes in.

ADVENT DAY 13

I have arrived home, awfully tired, picked up some Christmas gifts and some work stuff I have to do at home, because I had no mod to do it in the office. I have some neglected stuff there and I have to fix it ASAP. Oh dear. Tomrrow my probation period ends. It flies.
And I am supposed to have caffeine-free tea? And again some Ayurvedish? It can be good.

Error! It was good. I calmed down a wee bit. Tea relaxes. Soothes wild mind.

Enjoyable cup with lemongrass/gingery notes. Smooth and not fiery. I guess I have Ayurveda teas connected with Yogi teas. Gently citrusy. Mellow… but just not my cup of tea.

Off to work!

Another tea from derk (thanks!), as I was looking for simple black tea and this is it. However, it is so similar to the morning green tea from Paper & Tea. I mean in terms of flavour. It is very simple, easydrinking cup of tea. Light tea, light astingency, rather floral notes.

Nice mouthcoating quality, but aftertaste fades quickly and leaves some wood notes in the mouth, not harsh and overall it’s quite a smooth tea.

As derk wrote, it is a nice everyday cup, but nothing phenomenal. Maybe fresher it would be better, maybe it’s not just that complex as other Indian teas.

ADVENT DAY 12

I had this tea at 9 am. Now, it’s half past 2 pm and still haven’t wrote a tasting note, because, simply, I don’t know what to write!

It was so simply green tea, rather on seaweed spectrum. Naturally, it was grassy as well, but so simple and unoffensive nor offensive… it is just nothing to write home about.

Okay, finally, I have received a second box from derk and thus all teas should be tried as soon as possible. Okay, joking… but this one had on the label a warning sign saying DRINK SOON! so I decided to try it first from this box.

I have prepared it gong-fu and according to Ketlee.in suggestion. So 80°C water, 4 grams per 120 ml. As I had only 3 grams and 125 ml gaiwan, I was prepared for a little weaker tea.

I also steeped according to their suggestion, so 20 seconds first and subsequent steeps were with 5 seconds increments.

The dry aroma was reminding me mostly some sheng puerh from Farmerleaf and their maocha I had chance to try. So, nothing too distinctive, but like sun-dried tea leaves with hints of vegetal notes.

First steep and thus wet leaves were very different. Almost rose-y, white tea like, hints of hay and decently floral (other than rose). Liquor was again rose-like, so lightly peppery, lightly herbal. In the mouth it was smooth and round. No astringency.

Next steeps were a bit harsher, stronger rose notes and honey note that I have picked up. Lightly spicy maybe as well, but certianly not overpowering.

The mouthfeel was amazing and long lasting. It has got those flavours and they were staying for long. I would gladly try it again and I will keep it in the wishlist as a tea I will look later on.

Afterall, I would not expect this as a black tea. Rather it is somewhere on crossroads of maocha and white tea? Not sure. But as I wrote, is it truly black tea?

Thank you derk, it was nice start from this long-travelling box.

ADVENT DAY 11

I can’t believe we’re almost in half of Advent Season: It flies so fast. And today, we have got another tea I had before theAdvent season and thus I have two sachets remaining.

I blame Paper and Tea they put higher quality ingredients in or better mixed. Because today it was even a bit better. Wonderful base as in previous experience, more orange and very creamy (and nice) vanilla notes. Smooth, mouthcoating and cocoa-like indeed as well. What I liked the most, and I will repeat myself, is that the flavours aren’t “punch in the face”, but very subtle complements to the base tea. Today it was even more distinctive than last time… I mean the orange and cooca and it reminded me that one experience with chocolate covered orange. Sadly, this flavour wasn’t translated to long aftertaste, that’s was only black base with vanilla.

I will keep this rating, however it has got good chances to climb higher than 80/100.

ADVENT DAY 10

I came from work drained today. And with a bit of sore throat.

Took my advent calendar, took out this tea sachet. I have to say I really love the outer wrapping! It has got ivory color with purple details. And that detail, among the name of the tea, is dragonfly. Not much detailed, rather like a clip-art, but wonderful combination of colours.

The tea itself is wonderful too. Although caffeine-free tea, it’s tasty and somehow complex. Peppermint is very fresh and the menthol covered my mouth very well. Then hibiscus takes it’s note and it was lightly tart. Rose petals? Yes, when hot! I have noticed it while it was hot and it has got that rosey-peppery note and somehow I have to confess I loved it. As it was cooling down, the hibiscus was somehow stronger and I was thinking of fruit notes… maybe because I have associated hibiscus with fruit teas I suppose.

Interesting blend!

ADVENT DAY 9
It snows all day. What a fun to ride a car in this weather (irony). But it was necessary. I have a crown instead my tooth. Hurray!

And this tea waited for me in the afternoon at home. I did only single steep, as I had my two years old niece around and we were baking Christmas cookies, so not much time for tea.

I am grateful for tea from derk that I have finally received and now I have to find some time to put it into virtual cupboard. I don’t think I will do it today, although there are some nice ones for sure.

But for this tea. It should have fig, honey and leather notes and I can say I noticed all three? The base was very rich and leathery, but not in offensive way; smooth and enjoyable as well. Honey — I dare to say dark one. Very mouthcoating. Great base! ANd finally, the fig. I haven’t got much figs lately, to be honest. But it has got some quite nice fruitiness, a bit tropical for me — so I hope it is a fig.

Overall very enjoyable afternoon cuppa. I think I am getting used to their “not hitting in nose” notes and I can notice those fruits, herbs, whatever is in.

ADVENT DAY 8

In the Mood for Love and jasmine tea? I would expect rather rose than jasmine. But let’s try it!

It is indeed delicate green tea, naturally scented as they write on the outer wrapping. The scent was very natural and pleasant and green tea base was delicate and flavorful as well. Slightly hay and grassy. The jasmine was wonderful and not overpowering; even I say, like Roswell Strange, even a bit of fruity notes. I wouldn’t call it grape, but not sure what is it — maybe rather hints of muscatel to me.