2343 Tasting Notes
Here’s Hoping Teabox – Round Seven- Tea #11
This tea actually does taste like pear, a nice rustic pear. I’m not sure what the bee pollen is for. The black tea was very light but let the pear take the stage. However, as the cup cooled, it tasted like chocolate for some reason? Very odd, as the black tea definitely wasn’t dark enough to taste like chocolate. So I don’t think I liked this one for whatever makes it taste like chocolate. Chocolate and pear are not a combination I aim for. Then there was a TON of bee pollen texture in the last sip, which was just…. oddd. But pee pollen is good for you unless you’re allergic? one serving left in the teabox!
Steep #1 // 1 1/2 teaspoons for a full mug// few minutes after boiling // 3 minute steep
Here’s Hoping Teabox – Round Seven- Tea #10
Teasource asks in this description: How do you like them apples? I say, not with lemongrass or coconut… An interesting blend that I have no idea how this actually tastes like apple, especially with the coconut. The really fresh looking coconut. And lemongrass? In a candy apple inspired blend? But somehow the flavor turns out actually apple. The second steep was only hints of apple once in a while, and mostly just white tea flavor. Hmm, this one is a mystery. But it’s good there wasn’t actually the flavor of the lemongrass or coconut.
Here’s Hoping Teabox – Round Seven- Tea #9
Without looking, I thought this tea was cocoa flavored, it definitely tasted like additional flavoring had been added and not just black tea. But it is amazing if this tea just naturally tastes like this much cocoa. But maybe there is cocoa flavoring I don’t know about. The aftertaste was even better which is something I don’t usually notice. There was an odd clump of something in the leaves. Not sure what that was still. And THEN I look on Steepster and this should have had raspberry flavor… there was definitely absolutely NO raspberry flavor. Ah well, I would have liked this for what I believe to be the natural flavor of the leaves anyway.
This herbal blend I’ve had a few times and the elements just seem like they should be awesome together: fresh looking coconut, apple, rose, cherry, raspberry, banana, sultana…. and hibiscus but the flavor of that doesn’t come across too much. (I love the hint of that when the cup isn’t too red — no overly tart hibiscus, yay!) Sadly the huge delicious looking coconut flakes don’t show up more in the flavor. Overall, the flavor is mostly reminiscent of cherry and really only cherry which is disappointing for all these other ingredients here. Reminds me of the day I helped my grandma pick cherries from her tree in the yard for jam this summer. Sadly, one of the more fun things I got to do for a few weeks while visiting my dad in the hospital every day. I thought this was similar to a blend I’ve had in the past, but the brew definitely isn’t the same. Maybe I should have went with more than two teaspoons for more flavor, but that probably would have made it more tart. It’s a unique flavor to have around though.
Steep #1 // 2 teaspoons // few minutes after boiling // 6 minute steep
Flavors: Cherry
Additional notes: Sipdown! I’ll miss this one, as it is a great assam. The flavor is fantastic even though this one is already an old tea. I remember all the Single Origin teas I tried were exceptional. It looks like they carry most of the teas they used to, so I like their consistency. I really need to order from them at some point!
Also, the Here’s Hoping teabox is having trouble finding some participants this round. If you’re in the US and at all interested, please sign up! https://steepster.com/discuss/18700-signups-open-now-heres-hoping-traveling-tea-box-round-eight
Another 52Teas blend from a while ago that I never wrote a tasting note for. I should love this one as it is pineapple and spicy on a lovely dragonwell. Again, to be fair, this isn’t the freshest blend I have from 52Teas but it’s still delicious. I think the pineapple pieces should have been bigger! Somehow the heat isn’t noticeable enough for me here. I hope the pepper flavors don’t disappear in teas over time, as they age. I like my teas spicy when they should be spicy! But I like the overall result here. The dragonwell really takes over the flavor anyway.
It’s a shame to waste high quality tea that was meant to be appreciated. There are plenty of fruity blends out there. I don’t know 52 teas was thinking
I hate to suggest another company’s teas in a comment, but…. if you want spicy, try Kapha from TeaGschwendner.
MrQuackers: I was thinking about fulfilling a request that a customer made. :) This was a custom made tea.
MissB — I believe YOU sent Kapha to me a while back. :D
Liberteas: I guess if you had to choose between killing a customer or using Dragonwell in a blend, then it’s ok. But I draw the line at requests for orange coolaid flavoured $72 / 20g matcha.
MrQuackers: She was one of our very generous contributors to our Kickstarter campaign. Without contributions from her and others like her, we wouldn’t have been able to take over 52Teas so I honor most requests. I don’t flavor Matcha – it’s too messy, too expensive and the margin that I’d have to mark it up to make a profit would be so much that I doubt I’d get many takers so I don’t see the point. I like my Matcha unflavored or if I want flavor to it, I’ll mix it with coconut water or another specialty water to give it flavor.
Here’s Hoping Teabox – Round Seven- Tea #8
I used a fairly big chunk of this accidentally. After it was in the infuser I couldn’t really do anything about it! The leaves have hints of gold within the brick. I thought the flavor would be too much, but maybe the leaves didn’t unravel too much yet. As usual though, a ripe pu-erh can never really be astringent. I do usually like stronger flavor than this though. The flavor is very mellow, I can only describe it as the what pu-erh tastes like, but the lightest of that: mushrooms, light cocoa… No hints of anything pu-erhly unpleasant though. The third steep was crazy long but the flavor was still very mild…. and the brick was still hardly unraveled! I guess this one would never unravel. Unless I tried many more steeps, but that last steep was very very long. Nothing impressive but nothing offending either.
Steep #1 // 12 minutes after boiling // rinse // 3 minute steep
Steep #2 // few minutes after boiling // 3-4 minute steep
Steep #3 // just boiled // 20? minute steep
I think I got this one as my freebie with a 52Teas order a while ago. I thought I’d review this one before summer was over! With ingredients like cayenne and tulsi this is sure to be a blend for me. It’s a unique one! The flavors are definitely interesting and I feel most are all equally represented. Hints of clover and lemon and vegetableness from the tulsi, a little ginger, maybe the pouch settled but I feel like there isn’t enough heat here. But then the green tea seems to disappear behind the other flavors too. It’s interesting three different tulsi is included, and I wish that had shown more too. To be fair, I’m not writing a tasting note when it’s at the freshest, but I do remember it tasting like this before anyway.
Steep #1 // 1 1/2 teaspoons for a full mug// 30 minutes after boiling // 2 1/2 minute steep
Steep #2 // 25 minutes after boiling // 3 minute steep
Additional notes: Sipdown! This is probably better than the original 64 rating but because the original Paris years ago was such a fantastic tea, I expected magical things. Sadly this didn’t meet those expectations. I wouldn’t mind keeping it around though.
My 90 year old grandmother broke her ankle today and she will have surgery tomorrow. It will be very tough for her to get around after this, as she had such trouble before but I guess pretty darn good for your average 90 year old. (I know I wouldn’t be doing that good!) More worries and more worries. I got the news while working with my dad on his alphabet. From that it seems like the aphasia from his stroke in June is really really bad. I can’t imagine how tough it is to relearn these things. It is crazy how selective the brain is. It hasn’t been fun this year.
Elder care is rough physically and emotionally (adapting to role reversal when you really don’t want to be the parent). Praying for a little peace and rest for you today.
I’ve been watching a 90+ year old recover. Pretty amazing.
Sometimes they put a pin in the ankle. My grandmother had one. Seriously, my ankle had 2 accidents last week. Cases where it moved off the sidewalk and bent. It can happen to anyone.
My thoughts and prayers with you and yours.
Thanks all — I appreciate it. This is the grandma that was in Maine with my dad when he had his stroke when he was visiting her, so being far away, there is little we can do to help. And it is tough on my dad dealing with his stuff and now worrying even more about his mom. But then seeing the news today is scary with all that is going on! Earthquakes, so. many. hurricanes. I’m thinking of everyone!
What gmathis said.
Wishing the best for you and your family. Such a tough thing. I know as I’m getting older (almost 34) and getting my own family started (3rd child is due November 6th), I am also simultaneously worrying about my wife and I’s parents getting older and just waiting for that inevitable bad news. I hope you are able to find some peace in and around all of this.
Thanks Evol Ving Ness and mtchyg. Congrats on your third. :D I’ve been trying to read some good books while enjoying this extra summer in NY.
Here’s Hoping Teabox – Round Seven- Tea #7
An interesting one – the light black tea really paired well and supported with the tasty fruity flavor here. The description says it is a Ceylon which might be a Ceylon I actually liked, but take the flavor away and I probably would hate it. I’m sure this would be excellent iced. Two tasty steeps. Sorry for the short note, but tasting notes are also helpful for dating a tea in a teabox… then I know when I’ve had it before.
