Star-Crossed Assam

Sample Sipdown! (51)

This one sounded too interesting to pass up – bergamot and blueberry with eucalyptus? I like all of those flavors, I’m just not sure how well they’ll mesh together.

Personally, I don’t think the flavors work together. I do enjoy the combination of the bergamot and the blueberry. And really, the blueberry and eucalyptus could be a nice pairing as well.

But for me, the eucalyptus and bergamot together makes it too bitter and sharp. It’s almost a bit like drinking cologne. Obviously that’s an exaggeration, but I’m definitely not a fan of this one.

But that’s what sample sizes are for! :D

The name makes me think there should be Star Anise present, when it’s actually a blueberry eucalyptus tea.

This is very much a “spa tea”- suitable for when you want that “clean” feeling inside and out. Right now I’m a little resistant ball of stress and the eucalyptus isn’t taking at all. I’m supposed to get Christmas and final bathroom reno touches (towel rack, toilet paper, garbage can) done with the family but everyone is booked up until the 23rd. Argh… The only thing we agreed to do together was see Star Wars, so now you can see what my family prioritizes! It’s probably much needed after what has ended up as almost a year of big renos though (we started in January).

Sipdown! 13/365

Going to have a bunch of AQ2T sipdowns in the next bit, as I’m on vacation and didn’t put much thought into what to bring, so I just brought the last few days of Christmas teas and a bunch of samples with 1-2 cups left.

Brewed this up, couldn’t remember what it was exactly until I smelled it – blueberry. Pretty distinct. Also, fairly tasty. I’ve had better blueberry teas, but this one was pretty nice. Not really sure about the eucalyptus in here, but I wouldn’t really know what I’m tasting for anyhow.

Sipdown Coldbrew!
1.5 tsp leaf with 500 mL cold water for 25 minutes or so
I can taste unripened apricot, vanilla, blueberry, and earl grey. At first I didn’t like the earl grey in it because it tasted medicinal, but now that I know what I’m tasting I actually really like it. The assam is a little bit tannic, so I diluted the liquid with cold water and ice cubes. It’s better, but considering how light in colour the brew was, I’m not impressed with the base. It seems to get bitter easily before you get the full flavour from the tea. As much as I enjoy flavourful teas, this black isn’t balanced enough for me. I like my assams creamy, malty, and free from any bitterness/unpleasantly bold flavours. I do like the blueberry/vanilla/bergamot combination, though.

This was an interesting tea…I like it…I just might buy an ounce.

Sipdown 12 of 2016. Sample. Purchased 11/2015 – Finished 1/2016.

I am really enjoying this one. It is a very calming /relaxing tea. Assam, berg and eucalyptus. Who would have thunk?