So a while back I received some samples from the ever-lovely Ysaurella, but I have neither been in possession of the time nor the faculties for note writing until now, so the samples have had to wait patiently. In very pretty air-tight containers, though, so they haven’t exactly been languishing.
My benefactress had recommended 75C for 3-4 minutes, so I went with 80C (my kettle only does increments of ten) a brief cooling off period, and then a three-minute steep.
In the bag already, it is quite clear this is an exquisite green – I had to force myself to brew it fearlessly, as the scent of the sample was so delicate and complex the risk to lose some small delicious note along the way seemed overwhelming.
But, in the end, I managed to keep my hands steady and my timing timely.
In the cup, the complexity of the dry tea prevails. For me, the notes most present taste wise are apple and date. The apple in particular is interesting – it can’t really make up its mind. Is it a red apple? Is it a green apple? Is it a special fairytale multiplex apple? Possibly, possibly, and possibly.
All in all this is a very pleasant tea, with a light, rosey aftertaste. I have synesthetic tendencies, and this tastes the colour of green marzipan. I see the cake from my 25th birthday (and many other birthdays, I admit I do love my princess cake) as I sip.
Thank you so much, Ysaurella!
[Sample from Ysaurella, spring 2014.]
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you’re very welcome :) I’m happy you loved it. It is surely a lovely blend, very sensitive and dedicated to the old Istanbul…
I’m going back there in a couple of months – maybe I should have saved the rest of my sample for the trip, to drink it in its proper milieu? Alas, I must admit I really wanted to try it iced, so I’m cold-steeping the rest now.
I love this one, I think it is a rebuy (when I next have the chance to restock Theodor teas, which might take a while). For me it´s the perfect Hammam tea, and while nothing can compare to a proper Hammam (Anna, go the evening you arrive and whenever you get the chance), it is nicer than the regular turkish tea served there!
lucky you Anna, Instanbul seems lovely, I’d love to visit it.
It’s a research trip, so all work and no play this time around, I’m afraid. It’s up there on the list (together with Paris, of all places) of destinations-where-both-me-and-my-husband-have-spent-a-lot-of-time-but-never-actually-together, though. We’ll see!
you’re very welcome :) I’m happy you loved it. It is surely a lovely blend, very sensitive and dedicated to the old Istanbul…
I’m going back there in a couple of months – maybe I should have saved the rest of my sample for the trip, to drink it in its proper milieu? Alas, I must admit I really wanted to try it iced, so I’m cold-steeping the rest now.
I love this one, I think it is a rebuy (when I next have the chance to restock Theodor teas, which might take a while). For me it´s the perfect Hammam tea, and while nothing can compare to a proper Hammam (Anna, go the evening you arrive and whenever you get the chance), it is nicer than the regular turkish tea served there!
lucky you Anna, Instanbul seems lovely, I’d love to visit it.
It’s a research trip, so all work and no play this time around, I’m afraid. It’s up there on the list (together with Paris, of all places) of destinations-where-both-me-and-my-husband-have-spent-a-lot-of-time-but-never-actually-together, though. We’ll see!