1601 Tasting Notes
Brewing the finely crushed leaf from the bottom of the bag. Stronger than I like with a thick gyokuro-like umami and some bitterness. Showing some age (1.5 years old) but still fully expresses its unique character. Scrumptious aromas — almond croissant, herbal basil, mixed berry cereal, kudzu. Smooth and thick spinach-seaweed base taste, fruity peach aftertaste.
Flavors: Basil, Berry, Bitter, Blueberry, Cactus, Flowers, Grain, Grapes, Heavy, Herbal, Herbs, Marzipan, Milk, Pastries, Peach, Seaweed, Spinach, Thick, Toast, Umami
Preparation
A freebie with my latest order, thank you!
I haven’t been drinking much tea for about a month. Early mornings have been chilly, plus we get more fog at our new housee, so I’ve been making matcha lattes or coffee. And lately, the afternoons have been miserable with temperatures in the mid 90s to mid 100s so I have rarely wanted tea in the afternoon or evening (except for chrysanthemum).
Anyway, like yesterday, the day started to heat up quickly so I didn’t want my usual matcha latte or coffee. I made a grandpa mug with this, half a coin, and refilled throughout the day. It was a refreshing blend of a lightly sweet honey-cotton candy sheng with some mellow earthiness from the shou. More sheng in taste and body without typical sheng astringency, and more shou in aroma. Clear and clean overall.
I probably never would have purchased this on my own accord, and yet it turns out I really enjoy it! With how arid it is this time of year, I don’t want any astringency in my tea. I’m already a dried-out husk of a human. With how hot it is, I’m just not ready for shou. This is a case of tea blending that fits my picky mood lately. Breakfast for Meditators – easy does it! Good seasonal transition tea. Might have to spring for this with my next order if it’s still around.
Come on rainy season!
Flavors: Clean, Clear, Cotton Candy, Earthy, Green Wood, Honey, Mushrooms, Walnut
Preparation
While peppermint-spearmint forward (with a little bit of that ‘wet rag’ taste), I really have never cared for the menthol taste mixed with acidic ingredients as it reminds me of medicine like Halls cough drop shudder. In my opinion, this shouldn’t be named only Organic Mint. Not bad but not my taste.
Flavors: Hibiscus, Musty, Peppermint, Rosehips, Spearmint, Tangy
Preparation
Good quality. Mostly eucalyptus and peppermint, sage didn’t stand out at all. Other ingredients are in background – even the licorice root! – and take any rough edges off the eucalyptus. I’d buy a box.
Flavors: Cooling, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Licorice Root, Menthol, Peppermint
Preparation
Bought this only because it has spicebush in it, which is a scent that permeates the memories of Ohio forests.
This tea isn’t particularly pumpkin in taste. After all, how much pumpkin flavor can you pull from a few dried chunks? In the steam, though, it is much like a slice of pumpkin pie without the sickly sweet condensed milk note that makes me recoil when it’s time for Thanksgiving dessert.
This is a fine basic chai that completely washes out with a drop of milk. At least the spices are fresh.
Flavors: Pumpkin Spice, Tea
Preparation
Is your spicebush the same thing that is usually called Sweet Shrub around me here in NC? I know some people call ours Carolina Spicebush, but my mother called it sweet shrub and told me they used to pick the flowers on the way to school before she 2s sent to the orphanage. They wrapped the flowers in their handkerchiefs and crushed them, and took them out all day to smell them.
This makes me smile. Raspberry and lemon Pez candies with a hint of rose on a tart fruity punch-tasting hibiscus base with just enough blackberry leaf and licorice root sweetness.
I paid mind to the recommend steep time of 3-4 minutes.
Flavors: Bright, Candy, Citrus Zest, Fruit Punch, Juicy, Lemon, Licorice Root, Raspberry, Rose, Tart
Preparation
Had hopes — not high hopes — for this based on the ingredients list but like most Yogi teas that have licorice root, that’s pretty much all I taste. That and lemongrass/lemon balm. And lemon oil when I burp. Some cinnamon as it cools. Meh. Also, it is very drying. Tart aftertaste.
Flavors: Cinnamon, Drying, Lemon, Lemongrass, Licorice Root, Tart