241 Tasting Notes
I snagged a couple of these bags from the TTB, not realizing initially that they’re meant to be cold-brewed — so I was a little surprised when I read the packet later! I brewed one up this afternoon, and it’s very welcome on a 90˚F day.
The tea brews up a gorgeous vivid pink, but I find the flavors a bit muddied and weak. The titular juniper is almost nonexistent and the yuzu comes through more than the grapefruit. I find the blackberry leaf almost too sweet — it hits at the back of the sip in an unpleasant way. I thought it was stevia for a hot second!
Well, I’m glad I tried it, but I won’t be too sad when I use up the remaining sachet.
Flavors: Citrus, Herbal, Stevia, Sweet, Yuzu
We have a box turtle hanging out by our backyard pond, and we’ve been periodically checking on her to see what she’s up to. Yesterday we went out back to look for her, but she was very well camouflaged in some dried leaves, and my partner couldn’t spot her at first.
We are huge fans of The Office, and my partner immediately channeled Michael Scott:
“WHERE. IS. THE. TURTLE?!”
A deep(ish) cut from season 4, but it’s from a great episode—the one where Michael drives his car into a F*CKING lake!
Anyway, the quote made me think of chocolate turtles, which made me think of this tea, so after pointing out our camouflaged turtle friend, I went inside and brewed up some cashew turtle tea. :D
I’ve had this one twice now and each time I feel like there’s something missing! I want more of the buttery richness I associate with cashews and more rich, deep, chocolatey-ness. It’s a tasty tea, but I want more depth!
Flavors: Nuts
Cold-brewed this and took it outside with me for an al fresco work session this afternoon. I’m not sure the chili added much, honestly… the spice felt a little out of place! Maybe if it had just been a mango-chili blend, rather than blood orange AND mango AND chili? I dunno.
Flavors: Chili, Fruity
Sipdown!
A very pleasant spring tea. I think this is one of my favorite genmaichas from 52Teas—something about the interplay between the toasty rice and the sharp berries is very pleasing to my palate. I also get a smidge of pillowy creaminess, even though this isn’t one of the marshmallow treat genmaichas.
2023 sipdown count: 36
Flavors: Berries, Creamy, Marshmallow, Raspberry, Toasted Rice, Vanilla
I’m sipping this tea while catching up on tasting notes and saw that Courtney also just reviewed the 2022 harvest… and after reading her comment, all I can taste is rose! XD The power of persuasion.
I drank it yesterday as well and found it very mild and soft, but not particularly sweet. I’m really struggling to pick up on any honey notes. Today I’m also getting something slightly acrid? Strange. Maybe I overleafed it today.
Flavors: Floral, Rose, Soft, Sweet Potatoes
Grabbed a little sample of this from the TTB and made it into an iced latte this afternoon! It’s very refreshing, although the grapefruit flavor is a little less pronounced than I would’ve expected — I’d love it to be a little brighter and crisper. The pink is gorgeous, though!
Flavors: Grapefruit, Thin
A perfectly nice and straightforward peach tea — quite fruity, but not in a “gummy candy” way. The base is a smidge soapy, but not enough to bother me.
A fine accompaniment to some morning schoolwork: I don’t need to pay too much attention to it, yet it’s tasty enough to keep my interest. I bet it would be nice cold-brewed.
Flavors: Apricot, Peach, Soap
My own tastebuds confuse me. Why do I enjoy lavender but dislike bergamot? Who knows. There’s just a slightly metallic edge to bergamot that never sits well with me.
Still, I always trust 52Teas’ Earl Grey blends, because there’s always something there to play off the bergamot and add a little somethin’ extra! This one is no exception. It’s nicely balanced between the lavender and the bergamot; I do wish there were a bit more of the creamy vanilla coming through, though, because I’m barely noticing it.
This is making me want to bake something with lavender… :D
Flavors: Bergamot, Bitter, Lavender, Metallic
