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derk drank Organic Chamomile with Lavender by Traditional Medicinals

1679 tasting notes

This tea isn’t for the faint of heart when it comes to lavender. The contents smell very fresh with the lavender dominating.

I’ve prepared this a multitude of ways.

Following the recommended parameters of 2 bags to a mug, boiling water, steeped for 10-15 minutes, It’s weirdly thick and stewy. I don’t like cooked flowers. Even with 1 bag and brewed for a shorter amount of time (between 2 and 5 minutes), I couldn’t really enjoy it. I did find it tastier when brewed in glass over ceramic for whatever reason.

By far the best preparation has been cold-brewed with 2 bags to a liter of water overnight in the fridge. The taste is just right, cool, clean and light with neither flavor dominating. There is also a little bit of bitterness and sweetness which makes the brew less one-dimensional than when hot. I’m not sure I can taste the lemon balm besides as part of a lightly citric aftertaste that is partnered with some sweetness and lavender. I could see myself sipping this while sitting on a porch on a sticky summer night with the crickets and tree frogs chirping away.

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This place, like the rest of the internet, is dead and overrun with bots. Yet I persist.

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.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Georgia, Japan, and Nepal. 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, possesses off flavor/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 puerh, I likely think it needs more age.

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