1556 Tasting Notes

75

52teas 12 Teas of Christmas – Day 9

If only this tasted like it smelled in the bag — rich sunflower seed (not peanut) butter and thick, tangy raspberry jam. Those are both there in the brewed tea but kind of both separated and smothered by the malt and toast flavors of the leaf. It’s certainly drinkable as is, but I can’t help to think there’s some kind of tweaking on my end that can really make this tea pop.

Flavors: Dark Bittersweet, Jam, Malt, Malty, Raspberry, Rich, Sunflower Seed, Tannin, Toast, Wood

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 3 min, 0 sec 3 g 10 OZ / 295 ML

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drank Ryokucha by Samovar
1556 tasting notes

matcha-sencha-toasted rice

Had this with some spicy ramen and pork belly bao at Ramen Gaijin. The tea was great with the meal but was so grassy I don’t think my stomach could handle it without food.

Flavors: Brisk, Clean, Freshly Cut Grass, Grassy, Green, Kale, Nutty, Ocean Air, Silky, Toasted Rice

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88
drank Banana Eggnog Oolong by 52teas
1556 tasting notes

52teas 12 Teas of Christmas – Day 8

Only 3g left and brewed in a glass gaiwan.

Back in December, I got more of the lightly creamy eggnog vibe and stronger nutmeg taste. Now it’s all banana candy and I’m here to say I love that smell/taste after years of hate. It is not at all cloying and works really well with the mineral and floral oolong base. There’s also a soft streak of bittersweetness after finishing the cup that sits so satisyingly in my mouth. Aroma is like banana candy and rum.

Oh yeah — goes great with cinnamon bread!

Flavors: Banana, Bittersweet, Candy, Clean, Floral, Mineral, Nutmeg, Rum

Preparation
185 °F / 85 °C 3 g 5 OZ / 150 ML

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95
drank Lichuanhong by One River Tea
1556 tasting notes

2023 harvest

Wonderful hongcha. Pronounced floral rose and cocoa aroma, tannins balanced with taste. Floods the body with warmth. High in caffeine.

Flavors: Bitter, Cacao, Clean, Cocoa, Coconut Husk, Floral, Geranium, Honey, Juicy, Malt, Malty, Oak, Peppercorn, Rose, Spicy, Tangy, Tannin

Marshall Weber

Have my first order from ORT arriving soon! Just some sheng and dancong samples tho. Are you a pretty big fan of their teas?

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drank Sparkling Blackberry Mint by Guayaki
1556 tasting notes

This is rather plain. A big MEH. Not-very-carbonated caffeine delivery that doesn’t taste like yerba mate. The person who bought it for me shook the can to make it bubblier. I’m not sure that improved anything.

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drank Premium Da Hong Pao by T Shop
1556 tasting notes

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Flavors: Bitter, Brisk, Creamy, Floral, Grass, Marshmallow, Mineral, Orchid, Peach, Roasted, Tart, Viscous

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drank Da Hong Pao 大紅袍 by T Shop
1556 tasting notes

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Flavors: Bark, Earthy, Forest Floor, Orchid, Peach, Roasted, Smooth, Wet Rocks

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Bio

This place, like the rest of the internet, is dead and overrun with bots. And thus I step away.

Eventual tea farmer. If you are a tea grower, want to grow your own plants or are simply curious, please follow me so we can chat.

I most enjoy loose-leaf, unflavored teas and tisanes. Teabags have their place. Some of my favorite teas have a profound effect on mind and body rather than having a specific flavor profile. Terpene fiend.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Georgia, Japan, Nepal and Darjeeling. While I’m not actively on the hunt, a goal of mine is to try tea from every country that makes it available to the North American market. This is to gain a vague understanding of how Camellia sinensis performs in different climates. I realize that borders are arbitrary and some countries are huge with many climates and tea-growing regions.

I’m convinced European countries make the best herbal teas.

Personal Rating Scale:

100-90: A tea I can lose myself into. Something about it makes me slow down and appreciate not only the tea but all of life or a moment in time. If it’s a bagged or herbal tea, it’s of standout quality in comparison to similar items.

89-80: Fits my profile well enough to buy again.

79-70: Not a preferred tea. I might buy more or try a different harvest. Would gladly have a cup if offered.

69-60: Not necessarily a bad tea but one that I won’t buy again. Would have a cup if offered.

59-1: Lacking several elements, strangely clunky, possess off flavors/aroma/texture or something about it makes me not want to finish.

Unrated: Haven’t made up my mind or some other reason. If it’s pu’er, I likely think it needs more age.

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Location

California, USA

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