1429 Tasting Notes
Looks like they upped the ratio of actual tea leaves in this batch which means more leathery nippiness and less sugar cake. There’s definitely a lot more chocolate, dirt, and grit this time around, but I still see the things (vanilla) I originally loved.
I’m going to have to tweak the steeping parameters to account for the increase in zhu rhong presence. I may even add some of that Cinnamon Vanilla Baileys.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays, steepsterites!
Flavors: Chocolate, Citrus Zest, Leather, Pepper, Vanilla
Preparation
OMGsrsly’s Melon Oolong broke my tea hiatus, if not completely removing my tea blahs. It was a good effort though; Melona bars are one of the many ways to my heart. Now that I’m back in an environment where the water doesn’t always taste of metallic algae I can work through OMGsrsly’s gift bag and remove that apathy for good.. hopefully!
I’d contemplate picking this up again as a spring flavour and for the novelty of steeping an oolong at boiling temperature.. a good flavoured oolong to have when the temp. variant kettle runs off on vacation!
Flavors: Melon
Preparation
Nice to see you post! Does this mean you’re back home now? I’ve yet to try Melona bars. Now that you’ve given them a thumbs up I shall buy some.
Yes! Just got back home and will be off to school for my last semester in a couple weeks. I’ve a lot of tea to catch up on before that. Melona bars were a favourite a few years back- they’re why I instantly loved Cantaloupe & Cream.
If they taste anything like Cantaloupe & Cream, then I’m game. We should go for tea sometime once you come back!
This is one of the teas I picked up on my outing with OMGsrsly, and it has become my main companion in the last week. There are better teas out there (and in my cupboard), but the smell always makes me swoon and loose all sense of judgment.
The cinnamon comes through stronger without milk, but at a 200F temperature it keeps its smooth toffee-popcorn butter texture. If I accidentally use boiling water I add some milk after- that ruffles out the cinnamon and astringency, while generally keeping things amazing.
Although the maple is slightly more subdued than I would like, I bear no regrets with this one, and would consider picking some up again. I do wonder if the Maple Toffee from The Whistling Kettle is the same tea; the two look identical.
Flavors: Butter, Cinnamon, Maple, Popcorn, Toffee
Preparation
It’s been so long! After abstaining for a year and convincing myself I don’t need this heavy weight in my life, I picked some up as my free 50g (and what a measly sized 50g it is).
You know what? It resteeps well, and it’s delicious. Totally worth the weight (haha..).
One whole year, Gold Rush free, and in vain.Flavors: Berries, Burnt Sugar, Butter, Coconut
Preparation
I’ve been doing it wrong.
I was pleasantly surprised when this fandom blend tasted decent on it’s own- I really wasn’t expecting much. The Mother had a sip from my cup and approved of it too, but requested her’s to be made with steamed milk. Much to my chagrin, this green based chai tastes even better with milk. The vanilla flavour oozes out like honey, blending seamlessly into the smoky spice of the cloves and cinnamon.
I’ve been doing it wrong and now she’s drinking the last of this sample. Darn.
Flavors: Cloves, Coriander, Fruit Tree Flowers, Honey, Vanilla
Preparation
Hmm, this has a lot more rice kernels than I previously remembered. This optimizes the roasty trait, but I wish there was more veggie butter in the mix. Although it’s not my favourite genmaicha, it’s still good after a huge dinner. It didn’t mind me flunking the steeping parameters either.. well, not too much.
Also, happy Canadian Thanksgiving!
Flavors: Toasted Rice
Preparation
It seems that I’m always making this up for my mother but never drink it myself. If I drank more of it I’d probably eat less- the steamed milk version is as rich and filling as cake! It made a nice dessert after Japanese food. Some days call for indulgence.
Flavors: Coconut, Cream, Grass
How am I already out of this? It hasn’t even been a month.
Did you know Australian Shepherds will direct you into trees or jump right in front of you if you begin to outpace them? I did not. So much for using friends’ dogs as exercise partners (it was a fun “game” though)!
Preparation
This twiggy looking tea has a nice peppery note, which surprisingly stuck around for the second steep. The faint spice mixes into dash of malty hay and the syrupy sweet flavours of honey and overripe stone fruit. This bright orange tea is fitting on this warm autumn day.
Thanks for the sample, Amariel!
Flavors: Apricot, Hay, Honey, Malt, Pepper
Preparation
This one smells so good. It was honestly a bright ray of sun shine in a storm cloud herd of black tea (too much black tea!!!!). I’ll probably pick up more of this to try at some point- potato teas are pretty awesome.
Thanks for all these Teavivre samples, Amariel! There are some fantastic teas in this sample pile, but I wish I hadn’t finished off all the green varieties first..
Flavors: Cocoa, Hay, Potato