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Thank you TheLastDodo for the sample! I’m surprised how quickly your package made it to me; usually things from the States take longer to arrive. Crossing my package makes it to you as efficiently!

I have to say, the mix of teas you sent me is both exciting and intimidating. Tons of new to me things; especially all the green teas. Probably like 8/10 of the samples are things I’d have never even come close to picking for myself; but that’s not a bad thing AT ALL because I know I’m gonna learn so much from trying different things! I’m actually dying to try the Tai Ping Houkui but I’m struggling to figure out what to brew it in; the leaves are HUGE

Suggestions would be appreciated!

I’m drinking this one Western Style with a splash of milk since the tea description mentioned it going well with milk. I wouldn’t have thought so, ‘cause of the Lapsang but it actually does work really nicely. I have to admit; my palate has seriously changed over time because I am loving Lapsang right now. It actually bothers me I don’t have any straight Lapsang stocked right now, because I’ve certainly been craving it. Tre calls in “Gentleman’s Tea” which I think is super charming and adorable, and I’m gonna start doing it too. But yeah, I was really happy to see this in my swap package!

I can tell I’m in a ramble-y, wordy mood so I’m gonna try and keep this short and sweet. But we all no I’m terrible at “run on” tasting notes…

But, it’s obviously smokey from the Lapsang – more of a campfire smoke though than an ashy, tobacco smoke. There’s a lovely, but light, malty note coming from I assume the Assam as well – and an unrefined earthyness from the Pu’Erh, which is probably only exaggerating the “Campfire Smoke” taste. I’m curious is this would taste a little brisker without the milk; thankfully I have enough leaf to revisit and try it again plain! Honestly not sure what the oolongs contributing here; I don’t think I’d know it was in the blend if I hadn’t read it in the description.

Really good though! Thanks so much Dodo! It was nice to come home from work today and brew this one up, since I went without my morning cuppa…

OMGsrsly

A tall and skinny glass! Maybe a canning jar? Size depends on how much leaf you have, of course. I have a “test tube” glass from Ikea I’m saving for when I get to try long teas. :)

Roswell Strange

Yeah; I was thinking using the mason jar I typically use for cold brewing. I feel like a tea newb ‘cause I don’t even know if the leaves are gonna need that much expansion room, but if they do I think it MAY be the only thing I have large enough.

OMGsrsly

Isn’t that 24 oz? Do you have enough leaves for it? :D

Roswell Strange

Yeah, 25 oz. I need to double check sample size; but I’m like 75% sure I have enough leaf to give it a try once. Dodo was really generous with the sample sizes she sent.

Roswell Strange

And if not, I suppose I don’t need to make the full 25 oz. jar, right?

OMGsrsly

True! But those are the really long flat leaves, right? Apparently they “dance” as they steep!

Roswell Strange

Yeah, they are. I have no clue what you mean by dance – but that sounds fascinating! Maybe I should be doing some research here…

OMGsrsly

I don’t know what it means either! But I was researching the tea one day, and that’s what someone said. :)

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OMGsrsly

A tall and skinny glass! Maybe a canning jar? Size depends on how much leaf you have, of course. I have a “test tube” glass from Ikea I’m saving for when I get to try long teas. :)

Roswell Strange

Yeah; I was thinking using the mason jar I typically use for cold brewing. I feel like a tea newb ‘cause I don’t even know if the leaves are gonna need that much expansion room, but if they do I think it MAY be the only thing I have large enough.

OMGsrsly

Isn’t that 24 oz? Do you have enough leaves for it? :D

Roswell Strange

Yeah, 25 oz. I need to double check sample size; but I’m like 75% sure I have enough leaf to give it a try once. Dodo was really generous with the sample sizes she sent.

Roswell Strange

And if not, I suppose I don’t need to make the full 25 oz. jar, right?

OMGsrsly

True! But those are the really long flat leaves, right? Apparently they “dance” as they steep!

Roswell Strange

Yeah, they are. I have no clue what you mean by dance – but that sounds fascinating! Maybe I should be doing some research here…

OMGsrsly

I don’t know what it means either! But I was researching the tea one day, and that’s what someone said. :)

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Hello! My name is Kelly, though many people in the tea community call me Ros or Roswell.

I am a mid-twenties tea addict, blogger, and all around nerd. I grew up in the Prairies, but a few years ago I relocated to Quebec to pursue a career with DAVIDsTEA in the tea industry! I’m still working on getting my French language skills down…

My first introduction to tea, in any form outside of instant and bottled iced tea, was about seven years ago when I happened to stumble upon DAVIDsTEA while looking for a birthday present for a friend! I tried their Birthday Cake rooibos blend, and I’ve been hooked on tea ever since! In those seven years; I was introduced to the online tea community, expanded my interest in flavoured teas to include a deep love and appreciation for straight teas and traditional brewing methods, got a tea themed tattoo, started reviewing teas, amassed a sizable tea and teaware collection, became a TAC certified Tea Sommelier, & even came full circle by beginning a career in the tea industry with DAVIDsTEA!

I consider myself a Jack of all Teas, and strive to have a knowledge and appreciation of all tea types, formats, and styles of drinking. I don’t like to feel boxed in to just being a “flavoured tea” or “straight tea” drinker – my expectations may vary depending on the type of tea or how it’s been processed/prepared but if it’s good tea, it’s good tea no matter how it’s been made!

You name it, I probably drink it- and I’ll absolutely try anything at least once.

My default method of preparation is hot, Western style, and straight – but I’m not opposed to additions if I’m in the right mood. If I ever add something to a tea or use a different method of preparation I will ALWAYS call it out in the tasting note though.

I like to listen to music when drinking tea, especially when I’m brewing a large pot at a time or steeping Gongfu. Often I curate very intentional tea and music pairings, and sometimes I share them here in my tasting reviews. Music is something that I find can deeply affect the experience of having tea.

I’m also one half of the “tea and fandom” podcast GeekSteep where, weekly, we discuss newly explored fandoms over tea as well as try to figure out the perfect tea to pair with each fandom. You can find us on Spotify and Apple & Google podcasts.

Favourite flavour notes/ingredients: Pear, lychee, cranberry, cream, melon, pineapple, malt, roasty, petrichor, sweet potato, heady florals like rose, hazelnut or walnut, sesame, honey (in moderation), and very woody shou.

Least favourite flavour notes/ingredients:
Lemongrass, ginger, strongly spiced profiles (and most Chai in general), mushrooms, seaweed, chamomile, stevia, saltiness or anything that reminds me too much of meat that isn’t supposed to taste like meat…

Currently exploring/obsessed with: Sheng from Yiwu, Yancha (Qilan in particular), anything with a strong sweet potato note. Also, I need to try ALL the root beer teas! Searching for a really good caramel flavoured blend, ideally with a black tea base.

Please contact me at the instagram account listed below if you would like me to review your teas.

Currently I’m employed in the tea department of the DAVIDsTEA head office. While I’m still sharing my own personal thoughts on new & existing DAVIDsTEA blends, I am no longer numerically rating them due to the obvious conflict of interest. Any comments expressed are a reflection of my own thoughts and opinions, and do not reflect the thoughts and opinions of the company. Any DAVIDsTEA blends you currently see with a numeric score were reviewed prior to my being hired there and have not been adjusted since becoming a DAVIDsTEA employee.

Location

Montreal, QC, CA

Website

https://www.instagram.com/ros...

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