1443 Tasting Notes
Thanks Kelmishka for sending this my way!
I brewed this up not realizing there was vanilla, just thinking it was a more “straightforward” breakfast tea. The scent is really lovely, with the vanilla obvious, yet soft. The taste itself is quite smooth with a creamy, vanilla flavour at the forefront. The vanilla is mellow in taste, yet prominent. I have to check if Angrboda ever tried this tea on her quest for the best vanilla tea because I feel this would have been a good contender!
I have yet to find a vanilla tea that hasn’t really caused my stomach to be upset, until this! Quite thrilling. I find myself quite happy with this, so much that I would consider having this in my cupboard — as an added bonus: the sachet would also make it easy for work.
Preparation
2023 sipdown no. 73
Well, this is tasty! Another sample in yet another recent order! The light roasty-ness is really lovely here with a prominent pastry sweetness. I can’t remember much else except that the first steep surprised me in the best way.
The second steep had that cardboard-esque flavour peeking through that I find in roasted oolongs.
Preparation
2023 sipdown no. 72
Freshly steeped, this smells summer sweet, like fresh nectar from a flower. However, as the tea cools, it just doesn’t sit quite right with me — that sweetness borders on cloying (as much as a completely unflavoured tea can) — I’m being quite picky here, but this one steeps up either perfectly, or in this weird way that doesn’t agree with me. I do think there’s something to be said for drinking this as soon as it’s at a drinkable temperature (as hot/warm as possible).
Preparation
2023 sipdown no. 71
This was a sample MS added to one of my (too many XD) recent orders. The flavour is light-bodied with just enough creamy softness to make it noticeable. There are lovely hints of floral that I don’t really find overpowering, despite the tasting notes mentioning “rich florals”. There is also a definite floral-sweetness that is really lovely. The packet also mentions a “lingering aftertaste”, which I agree with and find delightful. I’ve actually quite enjoyed this tea overall and am a bit sad to see this sample go.
The cultivar notes Si Ji Chun and I can see that. I often have the Si Ji Chun oolong from CS in my cupboard and these teas could certainly be related.
Production Date: February 2023
Preparation
2023 sipdown no. 70
This tea has a very savoury scent once steeped, with hints of saltiness – almost like a Ritz cracker. There’s hints of stewed fruits with a maltiness cut through and a fascinating savoury-sweetness in this tea. It’s difficult to describe, but a lovely tea from MS.
Preparation
2023 sipdown no. 69
This one is much rosier than the initial harvest I tried of this tea (though still lovely and creamy). The honey is behind all the rose/floral that’s at the forefront. It’s still tasty, but not my favourite cup of tea. Sending what remains off to Kaylee to enjoy!
This harvest was picked Spring 2022
Preparation
2023 sipdown no. 68
Such a sad sipdown. I absolutely adore this company and they don’t ship to Canada — so I’ll have to stock up when we make it back to CPH ❤.
This is a strong Earl Grey with a very crisp, ‘clean’ taste. There’s hints of astringency almost like sitting on a fence that tempt to come out, but never fully do. I have learned this one does best just under boiling and with a short steep or it can become astringent. I stand by the timer and absolutely do not oversteep. It’s also best drunk when it’s cooled just enough to be drinkable — at least for me. Really, really enjoy this one and can’t wait to pick up more!
Preparation
At first sip, there is a candy-esque flavour here, but not one that’s too overwhelming. There’s also a slight edge of bitterness, but again, not too bad. As the tea cools, there is a jamminess that comes forward and it’s really quite nice. I could only find this available in a sachet, but that makes it easy to take a few in to work!
Preparation
2023 sipdown no. 66
I forgot to add this to my cupboard, so sadly no satisfaction from watching my cupboard number drop. I don’t really order green tea (though always happy to try it in swaps), but this one was so intriguing being the only tea production in Bhutan, and from an all-women cooperative!
There’s a definite seaweed-esque smell once steeped. However, this fades away in the taste, which has a vegetal flavour, with very subtle hints of sweetness and an edge of bitterness (that may have some from the water temperature, because in previous cups it hasn’t been as prominent).
The second steep is also tasty, with perhaps an edge more bitterness, but also more sweetness at the end of the sip.
I wonder if vanilla teas upset your stomach because they usually use a fairly strong base? I wouldn’t think it would be the vanilla itself unless you are sensitive to artificial vanilla.
I’m honestly not sure. I am fairly sensitive to overly strong artificial things in scent and taste, and have many a sensory sensitivity in general haha!