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Just using up the last of this. I find I rather like Yunnans, or what I’ve tasted of them so far, so I think I’ll probably try a few more from different countries in the future. I’ve still got the sample from Life in Teacup. I think they’re a pretty brilliant company overall, so I think I’ll have to add Yunnans and perhaps Keemuns to my list of things to get from them.

This one was still pretty good, considering I am not much of a fan of Tea Desire’s other teas. I made a good-sized pot of this to finish it off. My breakfast today consists of a pot of this, toast (with a bit of honey spread on it), and Train’s new CD.

A really good morning tea for those that’ve gotten sick of Assam, which can happen because it IS pretty bold. This is bold without the sharpness. Smooth.

Once I’ve opened the samples from Life in Teacup, I’ve been storing them in odd, empty tins. This one’s in Andrew and Dunham’s Earl Grey tin (I haven’t removed the label or anything—this is just temporary).

Dried, the smell of the leaves is a fainter ‘tea leaf’ smell, which is also somewhat sweet. I like it.

First steep I ended up doing twenty seconds instead of ten (didn’t use quite as many leaves—about two very rough teaspoons [the leaves are a fair size and don’t fit in my teaspoon very well], to six ounces water; also did a rinse-steep prior to the first steep). I’m not getting any smell from the tea. Hmm.

It has a darker oolong taste, I guess. I’m bad at explaining these things, especially since I haven’t tried many. It’s lighter than say Honeybee, but darker than ti kuan yin. However, it’s floral and sweet. In fact, the sweetness is kind of fruity almost, but without any tart. I suppose this is what people mean when they use fruits to describe teas. Maybe peach? I’m glad I got up early, this means I can experience a few more infusions before I leave for class.

This is VERY nice to sip. The sweetness sits as an aftertaste on your tongue for a bit.

Second steep, did thirty seconds. There’s definitely a sort of nectar-sweet quality, so definitely sticking with ‘peaches’. And possibly something else, but I can’t really place it.

Third steep, did a minute. Since I let the leaves sit overnight, this may be the reason I’m getting pretty much no flavour at all. Huh.

Happy Birthday to me.

The Tea Randomizer recommended this for the occasion. I think it is an apt choice.

I don’t know what I will do when I run out of this tea. I suppose I will go on a great Hunt for my next favourite smoky tea. I have read so many great reviews, especially by Rabs. I need to look more into Black Dragon and other teas.

Mm, this is coming out as sweet and smoky today. Makes you think of barbecue sauce. …In a good way?

Still delicious. I wish I could just stay here and enjoy it all day, but you’re still expected to attend class on your birthday.

The brew is a very pretty honey gold. This one didn’t have any steep parameters on the site, so I after some thought, I decided four minutes couldn’t hurt.

The leaves are quite large (not as large as Dawn, but big), and didn’t need a strainer either.

The brewed smell actually REMINDS me of Dawn. Dark, dry, dusty. The taste is similar too, although not without its differences. I didn’t know how to describe that tea when I drank it, thus making this one difficult as well, but—it has a sort of dark dryness, like Dawn’s cocoay taste. This is lighter though; I don’t know how to describe HOW it’s lighter, just that it is. There’s an aftertaste that sits pleasantly, sort of sweet. Overall, it’s earthy but bright.

I really like this. Although I still think something’s been going on with my tastebuds for the past few weeks.

Edit: The tea cooled right down to room temperature, and from that I got a few notes of Assam.

Second steep SMELLS like an Assam. THat sort of… deep berry (but I doubt anyone else would agree with me using the term ‘berry’ with assam, but I don’t know). The dusty taste of the first infusion is completely gone, and it tastes somewhat like an assam, but different, milder.

Trying my first sample today. I had a bit of a crisis when I tried to tear open a corner of the package and ended up tearing it RIGHT IN HALF. Luckily I didn’t lose more than one or two leaves, and I happened to have an empty tin to dump the sample into.

The leaves were quite soft, which I wasn’t too sure about.

SMELLS like a Yunnan. I didn’t do any pre-rinse, just sort of threw myself into 1-minute-steeps. First is very mild, but still flavourful, and actually somewhat sweet. I don’t know what to say about it right now, except that it does remind me of the Yunnan I got from Tea Desire (only in that there is some similarity, but I can’t really tell what). It’s sweet, and there’s a sort of pepperyness in with the taste as well.

Second steep, only meant to do a minute and a half but wasn’t paying attention and let it hit two minutes. Ahwell. First sip I get tea sweetness; this steep’s definitely stronger. Still getting the sort of pepper in the aftertaste as well, although I don’t really know if pepper’s the right word for it, it was just the only one I could come up with.

Third steep (three minutes) has lost the sweetness a bit. Still lovely and mild.

I’m finishing off the rest of this blend today. Made a small pot. I actually went by Murchie’s about a week ago and had it in-shop again, and once AGAIN enjoyed it, but am disappointed that mine doesn’t taste nearly as nice. Maybe I should buy a package of their Queen Victoria teabags instead.

Only somewhat bitter today, at least. Almost enjoyable. Which may be because the tea itself included a lot of the fannings that settle to the bottom of the tin. Huh!

Perhaps I will get a box of teabags of this next time I find myself at Murchie’s. I just wish the difference in taste between the loose and the bagged wasn’t so significant.

Sipping this sweet, bright earl grey, and adding tea to my cupboard.

I chose this one today with the Tea Randomizer again (as I have been doing for the past several days—I’ve just forgotten to log them). And I think something’s wrong with my tongue, because I’m not tasting very much. My mouth just feels dry. Ick. Still, I can taste the bergamot, and something slightly lighter and sweeter.

Finally got my Life in Teacup samples in today. It always takes no less than two weeks for things to get to me. Canada, you know. But they’re here and I’m happy! Although I hate that I was already in the process of making this tea when I noticed I had mail. I should have waited on the tea a few extra minutes so I could have made one of these. Ahwell. Tomorrow!

This tea is brought to you today, courtesy of That Tea Cupboard Randomizer that someone posted on the forums about at some point!

I think I’ll use it every morning from now on, so I don’t keep defaulting to my Newest Teas. Except when I have samples to finish, then I’ll finish those first.

Definitely still my favourite earl grey to date. Strong tea flavour, good bergamot flavour, and they both balance so as not to be overpowering.

Finishing up the rest of this sample! Bright and fruity, with sweet caramel. Not picking up any vanilla today. Would possibly consider getting this myself… Although I’d like to try every last Kusmi Russian blend I can get my hands on, first.

Used up the rest of this sample. Made it slightly diluted, and found that I liked it a little more. Almond fruity rooibos. Won’t be buying it though—really not an amaretto fan.