2291 Tasting Notes

This is not quite what I was expecting.

It’s not a green oolong, and dry it smelled somewhat overwhelmingly toasty and earthy. It’s not, though! It’s really nice. There’s toasted notes, but it’s also very fruity and a little spicy.

I lack the words to describe this tea. It reminds me of the Big Red Robe I have from Silk Road, only better. It has more layers and dimensions.

I highly recommend trying this if you like slightly toasty oolongs. And even if you’re not 100% sure about them. This is so drinkable, and I will be doing at least a couple more steeps of this tonight.

Flavors: Fruity, Smooth, Spices, Toasted

Preparation
185 °F / 85 °C 2 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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drank Paris by Harney & Sons
2291 tasting notes

Such an excellent comfort tea. I woke up with neck problems again and ran out of spoons by the time I was dressed and ready to head out the door. :( So frustrating, because there’s stuff I want to get done. But I can’t imagine taking transit right now!

Anyways, this tea jumped up and down yelling “DRINK ME! Drink MEE!!” this morning, and it was totally right. With just a touch of milk, it is delicious. Lots of fruitiness, some bergamot. Nice hit of caffeine that might help with the headache part of everything.

So yeah. I’m gonna drink this, then go lay down for a bit, then putter around and make this: http://www.budgetbytes.com/2010/01/broccoli-rice-casserole/ I make my own “cream of” soup because everything has wheat in it, and I have some chicken in the fridge that will be a nice addition. (It also works great with non-dairy milks and Daiya cheese, for those vegans out there…)

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 30 sec 2 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML
Sakura Sushi

I love Paris tea! Haven’t had it in quite awhile but I remember the very first time I tasted it. Two words: raspberry cake. Really! It’s a lovely one.

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drank Redberry Tonic by DAVIDsTEA
2291 tasting notes

IDK what it is about this tea, but I still really really like it. I’ll have to do a cold steep once I have some room in my fridge (tiny fridge is full because the 5lb bags of veggies weren’t much more than the 2lb bags of veggies!), because IMO a cold steep is the best way to drink this.

Even so, I’m enjoying this hot cup this evening. :)

(Steeped an unknown amount of time because I think I turned off the timer and then went to deal with laundry…? IDK, the timers I use for these tasks sound different.)

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 2 tsp 10 OZ / 295 ML
Fjellrev

I really like this one too! Although I’ve yet to try it hot. Just so addicted to the cold brew.

OMGsrsly

The cold brew is best! Sadly the hibiscus really comes out when it’s not. Not a dealbreaker for me, but definitely more tart than when cold.

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Oh, I have this one! It’s not labelled with this name, but that’s OK. I think this name is way better than the old one.

Anyways, it looks and smells super cool. I think it might be an assam base, as it smells SUPER malty. The juniper berries and tree bits should add an interesting flavour!

And it is interesting. It’s surprisingly sweet, and very malty. I can’t really tell there’s tree bits in here, but it’s really nice.

Would I get more? Maybe. I mean, I just did a tea count and am still rather overwhelmed. Maybe if I ever get down to 100?

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 2 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 10 OZ / 295 ML
Sil

I really want to pick some of these teas up someday….maybe if I get to 50 lol.

OMGsrsly

Yeah, I know what you mean! They’re quite expensive, but it looks like they’re selling 2.5 oz bags now which is nice.

Sil

ooohh

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drank Pure Chai by DAVIDsTEA
2291 tasting notes

This is one of the samples I received in my last order.

It’s not a tea I was super interested in trying, due to the ingredients being basically cinnamon and cloves, but I decided to make a cup up today.

Yeah, I wasn’t missing much. It’s mostly quite sweet cinnamon with some cloves and more cinnamon flavouring. The black tea is really hidden under there, although it does add some body.

My favourite chai is still Mariage Freres Chandernagor. It’s amazing, it’s balanced (although for some people perhaps still too cinnamon/clovey), it reminds me of the chai I used to get at a little restaurant.

Flavors: Cinnamon

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 5 g 12 OZ / 354 ML
Fjellrev

I hope HR gets more MF this fall.

OMGsrsly

Me too! Although I have to admit, I still have another tin of Chandernagor! :D I haven’t fallen in love with any of the other samples I’ve had, but maybe they’ll have an advent calender or something?

Sil

Pretty sure Balzac in Toronto is cheaper than HR….from what I remember. So if you ever run out, I can likely pick some up and send it

OMGsrsly

At this point I’m gonna say it’ll be fine. At least for another year. :) And really, spending lots of money in a fancy store on something you love every once in a while? Not such a terrible thing.

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drank Warm Crepe by Bayswater Tea Co.
2291 tasting notes

I don’t really understand the 10-15 minute steeping recommendations for these honeybush and rooibos teas. I steeped 7 minutes, and it seems totally fine, and hasn’t completely cooled.

This tea smells SO GOOD. It reminds me of Birthday Cake by DavidsTea, and Creme Brulee, and also a Marzipan Rooibos from Zen Tea. It’s cakey and vanilla and almond, with cinnamon and cardamom and IDEK what else in it. Very cakey.

I like it. A lot, I think. I’ll have to drink more to be sure, though. ;) Such a hardship.

Flavors: Almond, Cake, Spices, Vanilla

Preparation
Boiling 7 min, 0 sec 3 tsp 12 OZ / 354 ML
Sil

Sounds interesting heh

OMGsrsly

It is! And it’s not a rooibos. :)

Sil

Sample? :)

OMGsrsly

It was already on the list for you!

Sil

hahahaha

OMGsrsly

This one can go in your list too, Cameron!

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drank Pistachio Ice Cream by Butiki Teas
2291 tasting notes

This is quite a nice green tea. :) As someone who’s not a huge fan of spinach and seaweed flavours in their teas, that is pretty good!

I added a tiny pinch of sugar, but it works with milk as well. Nice, sweet and creamy, I’m also getting a lot of nut out of it.

Yummy. :)

Preparation
175 °F / 79 °C 2 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 10 OZ / 295 ML

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drank Maple Taffy by Bayswater Tea Co.
2291 tasting notes

Ok, ok… I did it. I forgot CrowKettle’s teas at home (I’m so sorry!) and then bought lots at Bayswater.

This one ended up in my bag somehow at the last minute. It smelled SO GOOD! And luckily it tastes good as well. Yes, there’s cinnamon in it. And popcorn. And red peppercorns (actually related to cashews). It looks really similar to the picture of the same tea from The Whistling Kettle.

Although it smells REALLY SUPER AMAZING, I think I might prefer the Steam Maple Seduction better. (I didn’t stop there today because of the rain.)

Yep, I think I do prefer the other tea. I’m not saying this isn’t good, because it’s really tasty… but I like the other one better.

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 12 OZ / 354 ML
Fjellrev

Damn, I’m going to pick some of this up next time I’m there. Hope you two had a great time!

OMGsrsly

I can send you some, instead of putting it all in The Box!

OMGsrsly

We met up and did breakfast at Whole Foods. Heh. :) It was delicious, and also it was great to chat with the owner of Bayswater. She seemed pretty horrified about flavoured high quality silver needle, or even silver tip puerh. :) Might have to bring some fancy fancy stuff in for her. They also have a darjeeling that smelled AMAZING and I’d probably steep as a green…

Fjellrev

Thanks! But I think I am going to make a trip to Vancouver once I get back from the Prairies. Her stuff is so decently priced. :)

Sounds like a good time!

OMGsrsly

That works too!

Crowkettle

I don’t remember enough about Maple Seduction to know if I prefer it to this one, but in pinch this is good (and almost gone).

Crowkettle

I think the owner needs a lot more persuading when it comes to branching out with white tea. Bring in some Watermelon Xylophone, White Rhino, etc. :/

OMGsrsly

Yes. More interesting whites and more interesting oolongs. I can’t believe that people who drink it for health benefits wouldn’t want it to taste good too.

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drank Crimson Horizon by Butiki Teas
2291 tasting notes

A second steep of this today, as my bff had the first steep of it last night during our midnight cookie baking session. Mmm, cookies…

Yum. I’ve thrown a little milk in it for extra comfort and it is delightful.

Now I have to go finish putting on outside clothes and get myself off to Bayswater! Yay tea!

(1.5 in 16 oz this am because I forgot I used a 12 oz mug last night. Oh well. It still tastes like tea.)

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 2 min, 0 sec
Fjellrev

w00t Bayswater and cookies!

Sil

woohoo!

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90

I found this hiding in the back of the cupboard when I was organizing last night, and I’m nearly out! Good thing CrowKettle and I are planning to go to Bayswater soon! :) (Anyone have any requests?)

Anyways, it was as delicious as always. Burnt sugar, sweet nougat. These teas go together SO well.

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 3 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML
ohfancythat

Are these teas pricy? I’ve wanted to try the divine temptation! I wasn’t a fan of the creme brûlée so much though

Cameron B.

I would love to try samples of these two and possibly Maple Taffy if I have anything you want to swap for! :)

OMGsrsly

They are very inexpensive. I think $4.50/50g? Something like that. There’s a website, but it’s not updated at all.
http://www.bayswatertea.com/

Sil

cameron – i can send you maple taffy. DT and CB that i had are going to RS though.. unless i check and there’s enough..

Dinosara

Hmmm I am tempted to request some Divine Temptation. Anything you want from Mariage Frères, since I will be near a store soon? Or TeeGschwendner? I would offer Theodor or Fauchon but I’m not sure what I will find from them.

OMGsrsly

I can totally get some, Dinosara! How much would you like? And of course I’d love to try stuff, but you don’t need to get anything specific for me – samples would be fine. Unless TeaG has the strawberry honeybush in stock, then I could go for a bunch of that. Yum yum yum.

OMGsrsly

Cool Sil, thanks for offering the maple taffy. I can send you the other two though, Cameron B! Definitely buying more of each. And whatshesaid, I can get you some divine temptation or just send you a sample. Your choice. :)

Dinosara

Awesome, I guess I would go with 50g of it. I will try to look for the strawberry honeybush at TeaG, but otherwise we can arrange something when I get back. If you’d rather me reimburse you for the tea and shipping just let me know and I will be happy to do so! Thanks!!

OMGsrsly

Oh, that’s fine. :) I picked up 100g extra today so I’ll send 50g to you and put the other 50g aside for a Christmas present! I’ll try to get it out to you this week, and just so you’re forewarned, I’ll probably put it in a freezer baggie with the actual packaging folded flat, just so it’ll fit into a bubble envelope.

Dinosara

Oh actually can you wait to send it out? I’ll be in Europe until Nov 15 so it’s probably best if the tea doesn’t sit around here. The packaging is fine. And I think you might not have my new address, so I will PM you. Thanks so much! :D

OMGsrsly

Ok, no problem. :) I’ll add a few samples of new stuff as well.

ohfancythat

Dinosara you’re so lucky to be visiting a MF!!

OMGsrsly

whatshesaid, I almost asked Dinosara for “a little of everything please,” but that might not work out so well. :D

Sil

i’m always so jealous when dinosara goes to europe.. sigh

Dinosara

LOL you guys. I wish European tea sellers would sell in less than 100g amounts, then I really would get a little bit of everying. I am actually most excited to find a reseller for Theodor in Brussels.

Sil

the du loup….oh how i miss you..

OMGsrsly

Oh hey! That’s the one thTs been on my list for ages. :)

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Bio

I mostly drink black tea.

Also: A map of tea places in Vancouver. I’ve been to some of them, but not a lot. If you have any suggestions, please let me know!
http://goo.gl/maps/gXsKK

Location

Vancouver, BC, Canada

Website

http://goo.gl/maps/gXsKK

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