1759 Tasting Notes
My last few cups of this have been finicky. It seems too cold/hot water and over/understeeping make a big difference so I really need to watch for that sweet spot. That kinda sucks, considering I initially bought this as a convenience tea! Today, I finally got it right again. Not sure if its a sipdown or not, I may have one more bag kickin around. Either way, I’ll miss it! Need to find me another supply of osmanthus green. The oolong version I have at work isn’t very strong on the osmanthus
I cold brewed this the other day. SO GOOD! A ratings bump is in order. I wish I’d known this over the summer. Even though it means forgoing multiple infusions, I say its worthwhile, for me. It all comes out at once. Syrupy molasses, with a lemon edge, but more intense than usual.
The only thing I dislike about cold brews is that the chill really sets in to the liquid. I’ve never been a fan of super cold drinks, even in summer. Yeah, a cold beverage is refreshing and nice, but I don’t want my throat frozen either. It isn’t a pleasant sensation. A lot of people I know feel differently, so to each their own!
Oh. and rating bump! just a tad
I’ve done that, but I usually miss the sweet spot where its just perfect. And it takes a long time, longer than I expected it to. An hour should be enough, right? I wish it was haha
It makes me think of a former roommate of mine who disliked ice cream straight out of the freezer because it was too cold and solid, so she’d microwave it for like twenty seconds to soften it up a bit.
I’m hesitant to microwave, as it has a few food smells (we’ve done everything to clean it… baking soda, vinegar etc and there are still residual smells).
I’ve been thinking maybe a mug warmer might work. I might ask for that as a bday gift or something, as it isn’t something I really “need” haha.
Or I could wrap a warm towel around it? Hmmm.
I had a mug of this last night. It had gotten cold by the time I had any, so I wonder if that has anything to do with it not inducing dreams. Ah, to be fair I know I dreamt, I just can’t remember them. That said, even though I’m quite sore/tired from physio workouts, I feel like I really slept last night. It’s a deepseated feeling that I have difficulty describing… I just know I want more sleep like that heh.
The tea itself was quite pleasant to sip. Vegetal with an herbal twist. If it wasn’t dreamy tea I’d consider having some midday at times. (wasted opportunity, I enjoy dreaming!)
Sipdown!!
A swirl of honey covered up the staleness. It was an extra strong cup as well. I just couldn’t bear to toss this in the trash. Every drop was savoured.
Goodbye old friend!
@Fjellrev I know right? Old Darj reminds me of slightly worn cotton socks. Hence the honey. Still worth it!
I made an extra large cup of this for me, and one for a friend at work. Holy teamus half the package is gone! It felt like there was a normal amount but I need to see what the package says because it occurred to me after I’d put it away and we were off to host an event.
The tea was good though. A bit oddly sweet, it took some getting used to, but once I did? oh yes I was craving more. Not for the taste…but the euphoric ride! eesh. I was in a happy place. To be honest, I was in a work zone, since I had a bunch to do and not much time. So yeah. A better review next time.
Also. My coworker, who was fighting a cold finished it in maybe 15 min. He says it was good!!
Sorry that I missed that counter at the tea festival. It was always crowded. But euphoric ride! Sounds heavenly.
I adore this tea. Not only for the name, and its origin of Africa, but the taste as well. Honestly? I’ve never had anything like it before. I need to review this again, or rather sit down with it and take careful notes. There was a lot going on.
And I assume it was a green, but I left my postcard at work so need to verify. I could be wrong, it may be oolong. The profile was too sweet for oolong, IMO, and it had a roasted element like hojicha, along with a similar sweetness to hojicha, which leads me to think green. Still, I could be mistaken.
Anyhow, there was also a drying sensation much like I’ve seen in Darjeeling or green puerh. If you ever got clay in your mouth as a kid, you know what I mean. It is a taste I remember even after many years.
I’ve never seen this combo of sweet roastiness vs clay before. It was fascinating and seriously scratched my “good tea” itch!
Oh and very smooth, even though I accidentally let the second infusion steep for ten minutes. And then had no problem getting two more infusions after that!! Barely a hint of astringency.
In the fourth infusion, I noticed a slight menthol sensation, but it slipped my mind to note down more about that as I was distracted by my meeting.
And now I need sleep.
An interesting one this is! I wish I knew what the base tea was. Maybe Tj gave me a card with it? I need to sort my bag.
Anyhow. A bit too astringent/sourish yet very easy to drink. The maple is more of an impression than a flavour note. I think that may be where the sourness comes from. It was ok, I didn’t mind that.
I couldn’t stop myself from going back for more infusions. I made it through four, each one better than the last. Fifth infusion is sitting in my fridge now. Noms!
Second infusion was good. I experimented and added a quarter teaspoon of smoked honey. it paired quite nicely, adding further depth and a touch of sweetness that enhanced the maple.
My fave so far is the last infusion, with the astringency giving way to a freshwater note that pairs really well with the faded smokiness. Overall a winner.
I loved the scent of this one. Brewed? not so much. Something in there is cloying and a bit artificial. There are a few “candied” items. Nuts and such. So it could be any of those. And perhaps the fennel? I can’t be sure.
My mug was satisfying to a point, but missing a certain depth that I’ve come to expect in chai. Milk was necessary, but no sugar was added since it was already a bit too sweet on its own.
Tea festival this weekend was great. So much fun catching up with all the teaps! I was on a serious high until last night when I heard about the Quebec shooting. That just brought me back to reality. Then today I heard about a shooting right around the corner from my work. Literally. I mean, its the nearest intersection to the building. I cross there all the time. Lucky I was at home on my day off. So yeah. Sadness :(
One little sample cup!! maybe two sips. Hours before I went to bed.
And I dreamt a funny dream. I was dating Patrick Jane, but we had to keep it secret because I resided in reality and he lived inside a tv show. Oh and I could only meet up with him during a “new” episode, not in reruns. Now that I’m awake it makes no sense.
Oh and to get into his little hideaway cabin room we slid down a giant snow covered hill that launched us in the air (like a ski jump), across a little valley and down onto another hill where he showed me the secret entrance, before giving me a tour. Freaked me out, as he’d given no warning so there was a moment of wondering what broken legs might feel like. And then I wanted to go again. I’m not surprised my brain fixated on PJ. I’ve kinda had a crush on the character for ages, even moreso after I realized he was a tea nut :P
When I do recall my dreams, there is generally an element of stress built in, so I can’t blame that part on the tea. but it doesn’t happen very often. So it could be a coincidence. Still, I’m gonna reserve having an entire cup before bed until the weekend where I’m not working the next day.
The taste was nice and pleasant. Grassy and a bit sweet. Refreshing. I’m sure it would be different brewed at home.
I need a nap now…
Ha! I love ridiculous dreams like that. It makes you wonder how our minds can come up with some of the crazy things that they do.
Seriously! I’m impressed with my insanity haha. Though I have been thinking about PJ a lot lately. I sent out the press release for the Tea Festival, and Simon Baker’s publicist was one of those I “spammed” in hopes that we might get a tweet or something.
It’s just so funny how our minds will take things/people we’ve been thinking about throughout the day and turn it into a totally twisted circus.
Yup. Entertaining for sure! I hope I have a fun day on Friday, before I try a full mug of this tea :P
Yeah, that doesn’t make much sense. It would be more practical to visit him during commercial breaks instead of new vs. old episodes if you were trying to keep it on the DL.
Stupid convenience tea isn’t being so convenient now, is it?
Nope!! That’s what I get for having high expectations of a green heh
Haha I feel like I’m in the same boat, and that’s why I think I got tired of them and stopped buying them because it can be difficult to consistently steep them to my liking.
Right?! except in my office we have the hot water heater that doesn’t go up to boiling. Which leaves me with rather few options. I’m kinda enjoying the challenge of finding teas that fit (and yet still frustrated, I guess it depends on mood lol)
Ah yeah, that is quite the challenge. We have a Keurig at work that only dispenses hot water at a fixed temperature too so it can really limit a person.
Oooh. Boiling? and does it taste ok. Hot water can atleast cool down a bit, which is what I do now (bring to boil and wait a minute or two for greens)
I don’t even know for sure, but I wouldn’t say boiling. Maybe like 95°C? But either way, I do what you do anyway, just wait for a certain amount of time, even at home, and guess when to infuse certain teas.
Yep. I have a temp control but it’s too big for my kitchen now and my family doesn’t care for it, so I’m saving it. No sense in wearing out the machine til I need it :P