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I got my recent small order from Deb today, and this was one of the free samples that she selected. I’ve actually been enjoying chai more lately, probably because of the season changing, so I was interested to see it. I’m not the biggest coconut fan, but I do enjoy it as a supporting flavor.

Overall though, this is a bit thin for me. I do enjoy the coconut combined with the cinnamon and cardamom, and it is a creamier coconut so it does remind me of coconut cream pie. But overall it’s a bit weak, and I know if I use more leaf, it’ll be too sweet because of the added sugar.

I would maybe consider ordering this if it didn’t have sugar in it.

Sipdown! (14 | 423)

I was hoping this one would grow on me as I sipped through it, but it didn’t really.

It’s not a bad tea, but it’s a bit meh for me. It’s an Assam with a bit of brown sugar added, and a touch of vanilla. I do get a hint of the vanilla, mostly as a sweet woodiness. But to me, the Assam needs to be a bit more powerful, and I wish she had used a darker brown or black sugar, because the regular brown sugar just doesn’t have enough depth or richness to make me think of a milk tea.

And I know this is recommended to be taken with milk, but to me if a tea isn’t strong enough on its own, it’s not something I would ever buy.

Sipdown! (13 | 422)

For some reason, I expected this to be a black tea. Not sure why that is, but needless to say, I was slightly surprised when I steeped it up.

It’s not bad though, for a hibiscus-y fruit tisane. The fruit and hibiscus are well-balanced, with just enough tartness. The spicing is fairly mild but present, though I mostly just get cardamom.

Anyway, I like it better than other similar “mulled wine” sort of teas I’ve tried before. I’m not a fruit tisane lover, but this would be nice to have around for the holiday season.

Sipdown! (12 | 421)

Didn’t love this like I thought I would, given I adore pancakes.

The base is nice enough, flavorful with malty and raisiny notes. But the maple kind of tastes like it’s just sitting on top to me, and not integrating? I don’t know how else to explain it, or why that is. I also don’t really get pancake from it, just maple flavoring. Also in this cup, the base is a bit too strong so I don’t taste much maple. Not sure if I overleafed or what.

Anyway, it’s just okay for me unfortunately! But there are plenty of others who love this tea.

I like this one a lot more than I expected. I haven’t been a fan of Deb’s other matcha teas – they’ve all been kind of same-y in a generic sweet coconut-ish way.

But the lime really helps add some interest. I will say, it doesn’t taste like key lime pie to me, mostly because the lime is more of a candy-like artificial lime as opposed to the tarter real thing. So instead it makes me think of a lime Jello salad, the creamy kind made with Jello and Cool Whip. And some coconut, of course. Sort of like a lime-flavored ambrosia salad?

Anyway, I dig it. I’m not sure I would order more, just because I don’t see myself craving this particular flavor profile. But will enjoy my 25g packet while it lasts!

Sipdown! (11 | 420)

Finishing off an old packet of this one. Still has plenty of flavor left though!

It’s a very savory sencha, with a lot of deep-steamed vegetal notes. Mostly intense, slightly bitter greens like kale or chard, layered with umami.

It’s pleasant, but a bit heavy and one-dimensional compared to other Obubu sencha I’ve had recently. I see it’s a shaded tea which explains the intensity of flavor. But it’s not one I would order as they have many other sencha that I like more. :)

Sipdown! (10 | 419)

Overall, this one was disappointing for me. The leaf looks really gorgeous and smells nice as well, but the tannic base fights against the fluffy-cloud-creaminess that Deb was going for. There’s tartness from the raspberry pieces, but if I didn’t know better I would’ve guessed it was hibiscus before raspberry. It all just ends up a bit muddled for me, and the sweetness from the maple doesn’t help.

Oh well!

Sipdown! (9 | 418)

Another one where I was saving my last packet to share with a friend, then got a restock from the September subscription box!

Love, love, love this one. Soft and comforting, with strong nutty and grainy notes that almost make it genmaicha-esque. Mellow yet still flavorful, and so cozy for the evening especially.

Gives me all the autumn vibes by tasting like a hay ride!

Sipdown! (8 | 417)

So I was saving my last packet of this to send to a friend, but I got my fall subscription package today, and inside were five more packets! So I’m finishing off this last older sample and I’ll send out one of the fresh ones.

Just wrote a note about this yesterday so I don’t have much more to say. I think this is a very well-balanced sencha that’s easy to drink. It has a nice combination of freshness and umami without being too heavy, and a creamy nuttiness that’s really yummy.

Pseudo-sipdown. Another one that I have one packet left, which will be shared with a friend.

I love this one. It’s so different from spring and even summer sencha, with no umami at all. The leaves are enormous and there are many stems mixed in. It has a very smooth and nutty flavor, with oodles of sweet hay and dry grass. More grainy than vegetal, but there is a bit of bok choy in there. It’s brothy. There are even some woody, autumn leaf-y notes that make me think of hojicha. A clear, sweet aftertaste lingers on the tongue.

To me it just screams “autumn”. An unusual and wonderful tea that will certainly make its way back into my cupboard.