Sipdown! (26 | 62)
The second Old Ways sample from my Tea Thoughts Galentine’s box! I really like how she included very small-sized tea this time around, that way I can easily sip them down in one or two cups, but still get to try fun new teas.
I admit, I was a bit worried about this one, as Old Ways’s description says “classic floral yancha”, and me and floral don’t always get along. However, to me, the floral presence here is very subtle, and not one of the main flavor notes. Mostly I taste a deliciously toasty yet mellow tea with those characteristic mineral notes I would expect from a yancha. Nothing about it is too strong or too weak, it’s so smooth and cozy but not overly roasted. I do pick up a touch of floral, but it’s not too much for me, and helps adds some lighter top notes. The end of the sip turns quite sweet, with a bit of honey, and almost reminds me a bit of a Taiwanese oxidized tea. And then the finish is actually a bit refreshing somehow, like green apple skins, leaving a clean taste on my tongue.
Tasty, tasty tea! Definitely looking forward to exploring some samplers from Old Ways sometime. :)
Flavors: Apple Skins, Autumn Leaf Pile, Clean, Clear, Dried Fruit, Floral, Honey, Mineral, Nutty, Roasted, Smooth, Spring Water, Sweet, Thick, Toasty, Woody