New Tasting Notes
May Sipdown Prompt – a cold steeped tea
I put this in the fridge this morning after breakfast and took it out after lunch. I used the Rare Tea Company glass cold steeper, so this was refreshingly freezing cold, much colder than plastic containers get! I think the tea should have had more time, though.
The bergamot came through very well, the rose was muted, and the tea base itself just hadn’t had time to extract as well as I had hoped. Still it was quite refreshing to drink outside on this hot and muggy day. I will definitely be trying this again, giving the tea more time to infuse. The citrusy bergamot is great as a cold tea flavor.
May Sipdown Prompt – the tea with the shortest name
I didn’t look hard, but I am pretty sure that four letters is the shortest tea name I am going to find in my cupboard. This tea could fill several prompts this month, including a tea that I will re-order asap – and I expect I will after this is gone.
I usually drink this alone as the rose flavor that I barely taste is stronger than Ashman likes. The strawberry and vanilla are much more in the front to me, and the tea is a nice, strong one that resteeps well for combining thanks to the CTC base. It is beautiful to look at and delightful to drink.
Day 9 of the Inoki advent calendar. I have a migraine so this was very welcome. Apparently the aroma is quite strong, as my partner can’t be in the same room with it. He says it smells like toothpaste. Which, yeah, I suppose it does have a somewhat toothpaste-y flavor. Sweet, menthol, gently cooling at the back of the sip. Nice when I’m not feeling well. Although now I can’t get that toothpaste comparison out of my head…
Steepster TTB 2025
This is Bitterleaf’s 2024 Shifeng Longjing/Dragonwell Green, Qihuo Grade Preming, #43 varietal, and I am too lazy to make a listing for it!
Steeps up pale yellow with a hint of peachy-pink undertones. Smells fresh and the slightest bit leafy. Tastes a smidge nutty, with a hint of sweetness and a teensy bit of buzzy astringency toward the end of the slip. Very soft, with a nice gentle mouthfeel. An easy drinker!
Flavors: Astringent, Fresh, Nutty, Soft, Sweet
Impressive job with the packaging. It’s beautiful, inviting, and informative. However, the tea is unprotected. Yes, it comes in a canister, which is in a box, but I feel a foil package… or perhaps that is foil inside the package that I am seeing? I am not getting enough aroma. There is a small amount, but not nearly as strong as I had hoped.
Dry Leaf appearance: Dusty, dark brown, long leaves, fairly tightly twisted. Not super tight like some teas. Which I prefer for oolongs. Doesn’t take so long to open.
Initial steeping aroma: Oh yum. I am excited. Mineralality. Fruity notes.
Flavor: More roast notes come out the longer you steep. Lovely fresh charcoal notes with hints of charred wheat bread. Note: Slightly charred bread that is still good for some jam.
I tried some cardamom just now to see if her tasting notes matched mine. I do think cardamom is a good descriptor.
Mouth feel: Licking a rock. Silky.
Wet Leaf aroma: Fruity. Mineral. Slight clove.
