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Mastress Alita’s sipdown challenge, April 2022: A tea with the flavor of your favorite jelly bean

I let this cold steep in the fridge – for over 24 hours now? It came out perfect though: chilled ripe watermelon (not candied at all though, unlike a jelly bean. It even has vegetal melon tones) on a crisp, yet malty black tea blend foundation. It’s absolutely refreshing. Too bad it’s a grey overcast day; it would’ve been perfect for sunny balm of yesterday, but the tea wasn’t ready yet!

Janaury 2022 Blend (I think.. either that or December)

This was one of the many 52Teas’ pouches I polished off over the last few days. There is a lot happening in this blend but the dominant features are definitely the coconut and hojicha (with wonderful cocoa accents, both added and naturally found in the tea). It comes across as a hot chocolate taste-alike. Didn’t really pick up on the baimudan, but that’s fine.

I love hojicha more in theory than in practice. Still, after finishing this tea off, I desperately crave a hojicha soft serve – with coconut and chocolate additions. My hojicha cravings are a paradox.

February 2022 Reblend

Always a joy to drink this one again, and sad when I finish it up. I’m glad it’s so popular because it means this isn’t a permanent farewell (also, there’s still some available.. hmm, tempting).

I’m still making up my mind on this tea, but I’ve gotten to a point where I’m drinking it every other day with +4 steeps and am trying to ration it – so I think I may like it. :P

First impressions: like if Milk Oolong and a particularly violet-inclined Tieguanyin had a stylish baby. There’s an extra dimension of “sweet berry” that make this more than a simple floral cream delight. Yeah, there are some lovely natural and flavouring notes in this one. I want it always.

Mastress Alita’s sipdown challenge, March 2022: A sleepytime tea

I’m so pleased with this tisane. It reminds me ever so slightly of David’s Teas Dulce & Banana, which didn’t please everyone but is greatly missed by me. Love that combo of caramelized bananas and apple-ish chamomile (I enjoy chamomile). This one is extra indulgent because the nutty ingredients and cinnamon spice place it comfortably in banana bread territory (with walnuts). I happily don’t notice the honeybush much; it’s ok. My only quibbles are that pecans would’ve been better than walnuts, and cocoa is meh (an impression of frozen chocolate banana with nuts – especially if cooled).

This isn’t a true sipdown, thankfully; I never go out of my way to drink up my precious sleepytime teas anyways. I want many more evenings with this one!

Mastress Alita’s sipdown challenge, March 2022: A tea flavored like your favorite pancake/waffle topping

This tea blend smells exactly like its namesake (I don’t remember buying this tea). I had a rough start with my first session, but sessions 2-4 were amazing (documented below). Overtime, I was increasingly reminded me of my favourite crepe: Lemon Sugar (yes, I know there are more exciting dessert and savoury varieties, but this is my absolute favourite. Also, yeesss, a crepe is only technically a pancake but I thrive on technicalities.).

1st attempt: Despite the amazing aroma, it steeped up way too bitter and chemical. Tastes a bit like Lemon Pledge Polish. This was a cup of great sadness.
2nd attempt: Ok, this tastes like something good. Lemon Glaze with powdered sugar on top of a bold malty black tea. Ethereal and brisk all at once!
3rd attempt: Less leaf is definitely better. I can get a delicious second steep out of this though.
4th attempt: aaaaand it’s gone. :(

Mastress Alita’s sipdown challenge, March 2022: A French tea
I have so many French teas from December still. I’m honestly sad to see any of them go, but one had to be first, and of course it’s my only MF tea.

I now have in my possession Violet Cremes. I bring this up only because my fam and I noticed that this tea shares the fruity violet notes (and petals) with it. Violets are delicious.

I will miss this complex blend of vanilla, violet, pepper, and fruity delights on a bold black tea base. À bientôt, delicious tea (wishful thinking – the best I can do is next December).

Mastress Alita’s sipdown challenge, March 2022: A tea with spinach/artichoke notes

Spinach and artichoke aren’t notes that spring quickly to mind when I drink tea – although, I do associate the former a tiny bit with Dragon Well/Long Jing style. While not quite as pronounced, this Da Fang tastes a like a close relative of Dragon Well: it’s nutty, with a squeeze of lemon on a light, calcium-rich leafy green base. It brings to mind Gomae (spinach, sesame sauce). It’s pleasingly smooth, and without that bitter kale-like note that some green teas have; it’s a forgiving tea.

I love this tea’s profile and am glad What-Cha included it as a sample (I even horded my last cup’s worth, but open packets of green tea need to go at this time of the year). I’d definitely consider picking up more at some point.

Steep Count: 3

February 2022 Tea Reblend

I’m still getting the feel for this chocolate-y Irish Cream flavoured black tea, but it seems fitting to make a cup of this on St. Patrick’s Day! The black tea blend is complex – also, vanilla is life right now (and makes this tea count towards “floral” month).

No partying or festivities today though, beyond drinking this tea. Tomorrow is my nephew’s 2nd birthday (the one who also loves tea and who gave me plague during Christmas break), so I best save my energy for that!

Mastress Alita’s Sipdown Challenge, March 2022: A floral tea

Woof! I’ve so many floral teas that are nearing the bottom of their tins and pouches – so, it was luck of the draw that is the first floral sipdown of March (there will be many more, with perseverance)!

Murchie’s isn’t usually super exciting (this black tea blend is kind of boring but consistent), but is passable English tea grandmother fare (bring out the scones!). I think the lavender flavouring is well-balanced too; the “cream” comes across as a vague sugary state that reminds me of cake frosting (or Angel Food Cake). The vanilla is candy-ish in tone. It’s a simple but cozy cup that I mindlessly drank up – with or without milk (milk makes the “cream” more real :P).

I’d possibly buy more if/when I visit Murchie’s. Tastes like a spring tea party in the garden.