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Hops, hops, hops, hops, hops!

I’m currently working on this tea, and I must admit that I’m impressed by the numerous amount of hops/beer flavors coming out of the tea. The dry leaf has a nice punch of hops to it—however, the flavor reminds me of a bitter bread-y beer. I’m not a fan of the bitterness, but the flavor is unique, and I give mad props to 52teas for concocting a unique tea.

I’ve been meaning to get to this sample sooner than later, but considering the large amount of samples already building in my cupboard, I haven’t had the chance to sit down for a session with this one until last night/today. Plus, I’ve been bad at noting everything I drink, so the reviews are lacking considering the tea being consumed on a daily basis. However, it is my goal to take the time eventually to backlog everything that I have been drinking, and get those reviews out there.
Now, back to this tea….
I must note that I was unsure about this tea after steep 2 & 3, considering there were so many bitter notes to the tea, that it was almost unpalatable. Fortunately, because the first steep was so sweet & floral, I knew that there’d be potential for the tea to improve as time went on. After steeps 2 & 3, the tea started to round up with the floral notes again. This had lasted a few steeps in, at which point, there was a slight peachy profile during steep # 7. This hadn’t lasted as long as I had hoped, but the consistency with the floral notes had remained throughout the session—which made me happy.

I hadn’t noted anything else about the profile, other than it had lasted 16 total steeps. I’ve been wanting something good to drink, and had found a majority of the teas I had started, weren’t exactly the teas I had wanted. The Hummingbird was pleasantly delightful, and had satisfied the necessary needs for a quality & delicious tea. I was happy that the session continued for as long as it had, too.

Currently drinking this for my sinuses are all blocked, but a chai-like tea sounded like it’d be good for my current situation. Everything coming from the tea is subtle—subtle notes of cinnamon, clove, and vanilla (?)—and it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what’s going on with the flavor. Perhaps it’s an old sample, so the age of the tea is present with the brew. There’s potential here, but considering Butiki Tea is no longer around, I cannot give an accurate rating/review. I’m happy that I was able to give it a try at least once, though.

Tea swap sample

I may have liked it less (or more?) if my sinuses weren’t out of control, but it helped relieve some issues considering taste. So, with that said, I can only rate it upon my session today.

Sample from tea swap

I’m particular when drinking black tea; however I tend to be very open to trying anything once, twice, thrice, or more, until I am able to come to the conclusion on whether liking or disliking a tea. This tea, on the other hand, is astounding. I mentioned to the wife that there are teas that could allow one to totally give up on bread—and here is one of those teas! I’ve recently discovered that, while drinking teas such as this, you kind of give yourself the notion that “This is bread, therefore, I do not need bread otherwise—” which may compel one to forfeit bread altogether, and solely drink bread-like teas.

The color of the dry leaf is nicely dark; the aroma has cocoa notes with a touch of yeast. The wet leaf, as it progresses, changes into a fine hue of scarlet; while the color of the liquor remains that color of scarlet throughout the session.

The body of the liquor is thick, coating the mouth/throat with a layer of solidity, almost—(dare I say it) like bread? I’ve yet to meet a tea where I’ve become “full” similar, but nothing like, drinking too much beer in a sitting or two, thus becoming full (that is until you’ve gone to relieve yourself).

Overall, this was a nice tea to have early in the morning. Fortunately, I’ve had it before I can no longer have a sense of smell due to the oncoming cold stuffing my sinuses with the unwanted “junk” it brings with it.

https://www.instagram.com/s.g_sanders1/

Side Note: Floral notes (roses?) after the 6th steep. I was unable to detect it, but the wife mentioned it.

I usually find floral teas appealing, but considering this was my first rose tea to be had, I couldn’t drink all of it—too many rose notes for me, I suppose. However, my wife couldn’t help but linger nearby as I gave this tea a go. In fact, she wanted to try it—and try she had—which to my surprise, she loved it. So…here’s her note on it….

“A tea that reminds me of my grandmother, for roses were her favorite flower, from which she was named after. When I drink a cup of this tea, I am reminded of the gift of knowing my grandmother as I grew up distant from most of my outside family; however, grandma had reminded me of the simple joys in life—”Wake up and smell the roses," She’d say. So, as I drink this tea, I am reminded of my grandmother Rose, who always seemed to smile at the gift of another day." -The Missus

[Note: Rating by the wife]

Backlog 15 October 2016
Puerh TTB # 5

The aroma on the wet leaf is loaded with many profiles: minerals, smoke, and stonefruits.

Within the first few steeps, I noticed a sweet malty/earthy flavor; which left “a sweetness that might be found in fresh clean water.” The mouthfeel was thin, but there seemed to be a layer of “creaminess” left on the top of the mouth—however, “not thick like milk…” Throughout the session, the mouthfeel did gain a thickness which lingered on the throat, roof of the mouth, and tongue. It slowly became thick and rich—which was appealing to say the least.

Backlog 13 October 2016

Puerh TTB # 5

I’ve been drinking so many teas, but always forget to write and/or don’t write the review when I ought to. So, there are few notes with this tea, but I found it to be smokier than anticipated, and there was a lingering astringency in the mouth. Not my favorite tea, but that goes to show that I know what I don’t like now, compared to what I do like.

Started this late last night—way beyond the time that I usually drink pu-erh. However, thanks to LP and the Pubertea Group Buy I had to try it first.

The wet/dry leaf reminded me of old books; while the flavor was layered with honey, wood, and raisins. I had 9 infusions before bed, and I was so far gone, I thought that I wanted to go to sleep, but also read Shakespeare aloud to my wife and dogs. I felt happy, as a child might feel on Christmas morning, finding that “Santa Claus” had left them all of the joys of youth at the base of the tree. Could I go on? Yes. But I think this settles it for now.

Backlog 3 Oct. 2016

Old books with deep earth. More to come later with another session.