4317 Tasting Notes
2024 Holiday tea #9
My holiday tea for today. Next time it will be done and gone. BUT I must say, it just warmed my heart when I walked into my corner store for my usual bagel run and I just happened to see that they had a selection of S&V’s tins for sale! They definitely weren’t on the shelf last time I walked by. It’s a small shop I like supporting another small shop I like and I LOVE that. I have never seen S&V “in the wild” before so I’m very glad of it. I didn’t ever expect S&V would really be available in shops — that really they would only be available for online ordering? So it was great surprise to see. :D
additional notes: Now how am I the only one to write a tasting note for this one? Seven years ago? Hmm. This was quite good! I have almost finished it (samples). I used half of one sample this time around. The first steep was WAY too weak, but that was entirely my fault (cooler water), and the bit of cake was hardly unravelled. The second steep was much richer — bread, coffee, very sweet, almost a mouth numbing or buzzy mouth quality to it (or probably lingering effects of walking in the brisk wind while it’s barely double digit temps…) Steeps two and three, also delicious. NO negative characteristics here. It’s quite a good cake and Teavivre is still selling it, if anyone (other than me!) would like to try it. It’s $56.90 right now for a 357gram cake. Pretty reasonable considering it’s from 2011. Odd that my review is missing from Teavivre’s site though, and there are only four other reviews, so it’s not just a steepster problem low on reviews….
2024 Holiday tea #8
The holiday tea for the day! There is already a hint of an offputting scent to this… probably the aging pecans, is the only thing I could guess. The flavor is still doing okay though. So many sweeteners in this blend though! Still mostly boozy flavored…was hoping a bit of that would dissipate by now…
Ashmanra’s sipdown challenge – December 2024 Tea #3 – Your favorite winter tea
This tea was specifically the reason I was looking to do an S&V order. I can’t possibly run out of this one! Delicious, of course. Paired with apple fritters/ egg breakfast. I also hope those taking part in the advent get to try this one!
2024 Holiday tea #6
I always thought this tea was only “okay” but it landed in my cart so I must like it more than I think! I had to look up what chestnuts taste like and the internet told me “bitter”… that is, until they are roasted chestnuts and then they are “sweet”. So in that case, I think this tea is 100% accurate. It’s very sweet, almost like caramel, with a hint of something nutty. However, I do think that the previous iteration of this blend I had was a little bit more noticeably nutty and not mostly sweet. That nutty note was why I thought it was unique, so it’s lost a bit of that. I do crave it sometimes, so I’m glad to restock it. Maybe it will appear in the advent for some of you to try?
additional notes: I had a more enjoyable than usual steep session with this one… probably just means I overleafed it WAY more than usual if it’s getting the deeper notes I like shou to have. Usually this one is very mellow. Possibly it’s aging really well? It IS 11 years old now… This time around it almost has hints of cherry cola.
2024 Holiday tea #5
Just a note to include this in my holiday tea lineup. Licorice root is more noticeable today. ick… I hope it isn’t aging to take over the blend. I really enjoyed it before today. Hopefully it was just because more licorice root than usual ended up in the mug…
Another from Cameron B — thanks yet again! I was thrilled I was able to try this. I will say short and sweet: this very much tastes like a berry flavored chocolate truffle. Nothing else from this ingredients list really intervenes. I can’t even taste the guayusa. The flavor combo most reminds me of a Lupicia blend, but that one is probably better just because of the black tea base. This one is fine to have around for this particular craving though.
Steep #1 // 1 1/3 teaspoons for a full mug // 20 minutes after boiling // 1-2 minute steep
Steep #2 // just boiled // 2-3 minute steep
Flavors: Berry, Chocolate
That’s so exciting! I also love to come across small shops supporting other small shops.
Oh yeah, a local boutique carries S&V teas, and my friend bought me some for my birthday! It was a nice surprise!
Nice! Hope S&V is featured in all the little shops.