1242 Tasting Notes
The name and dry leaf aroma suggests lime and salt (margarita) but it steeps up as a nutty cucumber tea that may have looked at a lime one summer back in ‘96. Despite being a tea full of lies, it’s still refreshing and makes for a great cold brew.
Flavors: Citrusy, Cucumber, Nutty, Vegetal
Preparation
I found the bright base kind of lacklustre and meh (Sri Lankan/Ceylon black tea) but I did enjoy how much this one reminded me of a “chocolate” covered Turkish Delight candy bar (but a twist of violet instead of dusty rose). I think Big Turk is a Canadian candy bar but this tea does a good impression.
Thought it was satisfying with or without milk.
Flavors: Candy, Cocoa, Floral, Malt, Powdered Sugar, Sweet, Violet
Preparation
I thought this was decent and comparable to the bold caramel teas from TeaGschwendner and August Uncommon Teas. My mom loved it on a whole other level though – the smooth, buttery caramel toffee flavour on top of a builder’s blend (with Assam) is a winning combo, especially for a decadent morning wake-up cup.
It also takes to milk well – but would have to experiment with it more to see how it handles plant-based milks. Another time though, because this is gone!Flavors: Astringent, Brisk, Burnt Sugar, Butter, Caramel, Malt, Raisins
Preparation
My family thinks this smells like flower candles but I’m hardcore obsessed with it at this point. I even get moody if I don’t reach at least 7 re-steeps.
Flavors: Berries, Butter, Candy, Creamy, Floral, Smooth, Sugarcane, Sweet, Vegetal, Violet
Preparation
One of my many fridge brew casualties from the last week (ie – I mindlessly chugged this down because it was cold and there). Fab lime flavour that could veer into nippy rind territory if left for too long (but still refreshing). Tastes and smells a bit like a citrusy tropical drink, veering into acidic territory. Very refreshing with those + 30°C/86°F days. It will be missed but I luckily have more citrusy/tropical fruit goodness from 52Teas and other vendors.
Flavors: Acidic, Citrusy, Coconut, Fruity, Lime, Tangy, Vegetal
Preparation
I don’t normally leave tasting notes for kombucha or bubble tea but, considering the increasingly warm weather, they and cold brews consist of what I’m mostly drinking right now. I don’t know how to really review or rate them though.. they’re effervescent? Fruity, sour, floral? Flavour-wise I get a good sense of both Apricot and Rose which means the name is accurate – what more can I ask for?
I discovered this brand while staying in Ucluelet (near-ish to Tofino) and was completely seduced by the Jasmine Hibiscus. I tried to stock up on that flavour, and accidentally grabbed a few of these as well, only to discover upon returning home that they sell this brand at select stores around Vancouver too. Woops. I have no regrets though.
Flavors: Apricot, Effervescent, Floral, Fruity, Hibiscus, Pleasantly Sour, Rose, Stonefruit, Sugarcane, Tangy
Another tea pouch I finished off in May but failed to log in real time. I don’t recall much about this tea except that it last about three days in my posession. I love raspberries, especially when they’re paired with vanilla and multi-note black tea blend like seen here.
Flavors: Creamy, Malt, Raspberry, Smooth, Tangy, Vanilla
Mastress Alita’s sipdown challenge, June 2022: An iced/cold brew tea
I only ever cold steeped this in the fridge for 5-8 hours. First batch was more astringent and collard greens than I generally like it but the second batch I’m currently finishing off balanced the veggies with a good dose of canned peach and dry ginger notes. Not a large amount of heat to the ginger but its zesty earthiness is pleasant enough.
As always, the canned peaches take me down memory lane.
Very refreshing, although there isn’t much need for refreshments here right now. The Northwest Coast is deeply committed to a wet spring and mild temperatures this year. Overcast a few days before Summer Solstice. Hope it doesn’t rain for my upcoming six day camp/hike next week, but it probably will.
Flavors: Asparagus, Astringent, Earthy, Ginger, Kale, Peach, Stewed Fruits
Preparation
2022 reblend (and sad sipdown)
It’s good. I think I like it more than Banana Genmaicha but then I love generous coconut during the late spring and summer months. Simply a nice balance of smooth, creamy (approaching velvety) and tropical flavours on top of a toasted rice profile.
Edit – the thing I particularly love about this is the touch of matcha present. Gives the blend that extra fancy “omph.”
Flavors: banana, Coconut, Cream, Grass, Smooth, Toasted Rice
Preparation
It appears I drank this ages ago but had hoped I was mistaken. After rummaging through all the cupboards a half dozen times I must conclude that I drank it all up within the week it arrived (despite my best efforts).
My memory is hazy on the details, but I recall cold brewing it a lot and mentally dubbing it “the perfect sequel to Anne’s Pineapple Sencha” – which I also enjoyed very much. Have I mentioned I love Japanese sencha? There’s not enough flavoured teas using the base and it turns out that pineapple and/or coconut work very well to convey a mood (marine + tropical fruits = beach life).
On my recent trip to Puerto Vallarta I’d be inspired by this tea to drink many cocktails sharing the name (not usually my tropical cocktail of choice; I’m in a committed relationship with mai tais). The vacation (and drinks) were well received, but I think I prefer Japanese Sencha ever so slightly.
Flavors: Coconut, Floral, Grass, Pineapple, Smooth, Tangy, Tropical, Umami
Preparation
I love Japanese Sencha so much – it’s just pricy so it’s not something I typically turn to as a base. And – it also has a distinct flavor that the right flavor (or combination of flavors) needs to be paired with it.
For sure – I wish the cost, profile, shelf life, and niche appeal of this tea wasn’t so prohibitive to playing around with it. It’s a real treat for me to have any Japanese Sencha or Gyokuro varieties on hand so was thrilled to see it pop up in your subscription box not once but twice!
Similar to matcha, it takes to pineapple and coconut well :)
I’ll be honest with you – I’m not so comfortable with flavoring Gyokuro. Not just because of the cost but because it’s Gyokuro. I feel like it’s one of those teas that are simply perfect without flavoring. Similar to huángchá – I can’t see me flavoring it because it’s simply perfect without flavoring. I also love a true Jin Xuan – but I have considered lately maybe using it in a blend – because the natural notes in a good Jin Xuan would compliment the flavors I’m contemplating. But I’m still in meetings with myself over it. So, whether or not that will actually happen, time will tell.
Agreed on Gyokuro (and also kabuse sencha). There’s probably some unwritten tea blasphemy law not to tamper with the perfection that is shade-grown Japanese green teas. I only name-dropped it because I recently finished some off and it’s on the top of my mind; whatever Japanese Sencha you used for this green blend and more-so the Pineapple Sencha made me temporarily forget that sad absence. It also satisfied the part of me that’s too lazy to whisk or shake up a matcha lemonade or coconut latte (Note to self: should do that more often).
I believe you’d pull off a fantastic Jin Xuan blend and will definitely be all over that if you proceed down that path! I’ve enjoyed all of your oolong blends that I’ve tried though, regardless of variety or grade, so may be slightly biased.
Haaaahahaha. Excellent review; I chuckled.
Ha ha I was cackling as well. XD