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I have received tea bag of this, for me unknown, brand from Izzy. Actually I think one more is hiding in the box from her. Anyway, here I come with tasting note (and thank you!).

I wanted to do short steep, as they suggest 3-5 minutes, but clock was ticking faster so I have four minute steep. The colour is not much pleasing, I have to say. It is dark bold mahagony brown, so I was naturally Very afraid, being the tea incredlibly bitter and not enjoyable.

But it isn’t! It’s quite good and quite cheap/taste wise tea. I mean for 2 pounds getting 25 tea bags, which aren’t awful? Good job! It’s bit higher than Czech standards (well, we can get box of tea for 25 CZK, but it’s awful, I see you Jemča Klub čaj, or Pigi, bleh), but if you want a good cuppa, you must pay more.

This tea is typical English Breakfast; bold, strong, caffeine waking me up, and no fuss with strainers and anything. Not the top-notch anyway, but hey it’s cheap (I know I repeat myself).

80 for tea bag.

Shae’s Advent Calendar, December 16
Again a word I don’t understand. Mender. Nada. Do you meant “to mend”? Maybe. Ah, that seems to be right. I don’t think I need to mend my heart, but it is interesting name of blend.

I went for two teaspoons and 300 ml, as usual. I saw there is lots of rose petals, which I am not that big fan of; but lots of green there as well.

The aroma of dry blend is interesting battle between cinnamon and rose. Both ingredients are pretty much obvious there. When brewed, and I have tried to make it in ratio I see in pouch — not just rose with few greens, but rather viceversa.

The taste is interesting, I notice rose, but it’s quite hidden by herbals, which are quite strong. They suggest brewing for 10 minutes, I haven’t checked the time, but it was surely more than 8 minutes, available here. It was bit rough and I notice some tingling throat after drinking it; but overall I liked it. The rose wasn’t overpowering, but I can’t point some flavours nor scents. Maybe it reminded me a bit basil. Trying Hawthorn was fun. I don’t think I tried some tea with it before. I can be wrong though.

Photo: https://flic.kr/p/2khyZgu
Won’t rate as I need to try this more. Currently somewhere arorund 65-75.

You know what happens when you place an order and won’t check other interesting things in shop? You place another order. And exactly that happened to me with Tangpin. I completely missed out they offer actual tea. I was that curious I decided to place another order of small pouch of this tea. All teas offered by them, as of today, are added to Steepster database.

So, I have used 7 grams (of 50 g) to use in my gaiwan from them. It’s so much leaf it is having volume of 105 ml while adding water for a rinse. But I think it will be regular 120 ml after.

I don’t recall having so complex black tea in aroma? It’s floral, citrusy, stonefruits, lilac, malt and leather a bit as well. And that’s only after rinse!

First steep, as usual for me, 10 seconds. Maybe too much; and it looks exactly like on the picture. The aroma tends to be more malty and leathery, quite straightforward but wait, there are again stonefruits and citrusy as aftertaste. 5 seconds would be enough. Oh wow.

Second steep, similar timing, a bit longer. It’s again leathery and malty, lighter a bit, maybe more citrusy.

Third is mellow and again wonderful. I wonder if I got a lucky hand when it comes to picking teas, or I generally enjoy all the tea?

Fourth around 25 seconds long; stonefruits became bit more present, as well the leather. Maybe I have noticed it is slowly being done, but I am still impressed.

Fifth, 45 seconds. Yep, degradation is evident. But comeon, it’s cheapo tea. And I wasn’t expecting anything but drinkable cuppa.

Sixth, looong. Malty cuppa.

EDIT: I was playing with the steeped blend and I see lots of small stems and not actually leaves. There are leaves too, of course, but I think there are quite lots of stems. More than I think I ever saw; but it works well. Maybe if it was more leafy it would stay longer; but well, I don’t think it’s bad. The leaves are quite small and usually somehow torn, but there are sometimes even full.

CuppaGeek Advent Calendar, December 16

This tea? Okay, I had it before last month came, so.. we will see how it is when directly received from Nichole.

Oh dear. It’s still super tasty even I did only 3 minutes steep to make more steeps later! Tart cranberries covered with sweetness! Yum! Bit creamy.

Let’s brew some water for upcoming brews.
Second brew: is as well very tasty, though creamy flavour disappears, but cranberry is still there.

A tea bag from Izzy! Thank you!
And I got this tea, almost two years ago, from derk. It flies; indeed. See: https://steepster.com/Martin-CZE/posts/388552 if you dare to read my old and somehow probably not accurate tasting note.

The aroma was weird. Familiar, not really awful, but bit artificial in minty way? Well, it contains natural flavours.

Brewed it is sooo hay-like. And lemongrass.
In taste not much better than last time. Terribly same. More lemongrass present than actual tea. Tingling tongue even. Oh well.

I can understand it’s favourite; it’s simple mint/hay tea. I would keep some in the cupboard if there is nothing but this tea. But won’t drink it regularly.

Shae’s Advent Calendar, December 15

Oh wow, how full pouch is! And there are some big pieces! (Turns around the pouch) Oh, interesting we will see how it is! (Opens the pouch for first time) That is indeed Mango, papaya, tropical fruits everywhere! (Closes the pouch)

But not for morning

Decided to brew in the afternoon, after long and draining statistics lecture. It was interesting, but I hate being only one who replies!

The tea; I described the aroma above. But brewed, western style with lots of blend (but picked out some orange zests and some strawberry pieces), it is much different. First of all, it’s filling the room with summery aroma of tropical fruits.

Next thing I noticed, when I sipped it down, it is mellow and very, very sweet. I can imagine it drinking iced, that would be a blast! I won’t do it as outside is -2°C and won’t be much better. Keeping for future reference here though.

Third, it’s great against thirst. You know you are drinking something and yes, it is highly refreshing. I can’t really undestand how actual fruits, which are moreover so sweet, are so refreshing when brewed.

Shae, this is amazing. Indeed it is.

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

CuppaGeek Advent Calendar, December 15

This is indeed orange tea in a cup. And somehow creamy.

It was drinking an orange hot ice-cream. It was very juicy, enjoyable and smooth/creamy, but on the other hand I am lacking the base now. Always complainer.

Shae’s ADVENT CALENDAR, December 14

I had to write Shae in the morning to find out what is this tea actually! Label says strawberry and there is no strawberry in. Had no idea how it could be called.

Two exams written, two course credits granted. We will see how today ones will develop. I get caught on trap question, so I know there is a mistake. And there (on other one) too. Oh well. So tired.

So, I know what is this tea supposed to be, so I brought a big mug and decided to brew it in. Steeped for 3-4 minutes, not sure; but less than recommended, as I thought it is “done”.

Roswell Strange said it is bit on “European” flavour profile and more-less agree with her. But I don’t get any strawberries, rather some generic fruity profile with hints of papaya in. It is interesting to see black/green blend with probably mellowed the bold black base, but it was somehow… poor. Maybe I have expecting more fruity note; or just somehow fresher taste, but it was just a fruity tea with base, but it was on the boring side and I finished the mug without much to remember.

I think I had better fruity blends, though usually with hibiscus, but maybe I kind of miss it here?

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

CuppaGeek Advent Calendar, December 14

Those Christmas sticks aren’t a thing here; and that said, I never had it before so I have no idea how they suppose to taste like.

But this tea is strongly peppermint with mellow creamy flavour. It was that peppermint strong I was thinking I am emitting ice which was confusing when drinking a hot tea. I must say I kinda liked it, though again the base wasn’t much noticeable.

I am craving for something sweet since… ehm few days. And I need to stay awake for little while as well. So, black tea with marzipan flavour; while I don’t like marzipan much at all.

A tea bag from Izzy, so again thanks goes to the UK. It’s her new favourite. Let’s see my thoughts.

Oh well, this is almond heavy marzipan aroma. There is no base in aroma. Only almonds. Brewed and rather went for shorter steep, but on recommended time. I don’t want to have super-sweet tea which I won’t be able to finish.

But wait! On first sip it’s not toothache sweet! The base isn’t noticeable in flavour as some malty base, or baked bread or anything; but it kills the sweet flavour of marzipan. Too bad there isn’t any in; but it’s maybe better?! Certainly in calories better. It is marzipan like for sure, but as I wrote, it’s not overly sweet.

I feel confused. Why it is like marzipan, with long aftertaste of almonds, but it isn’t overly sweet. Are there more almonds in Lübecker marzipan than I am used to?

Whoa. Would you recommend this tea? Ehhm, not sure? I think you need to have mood for it. Good for me today, but there are days I would hate it instead.