270 Tasting Notes
Finally getting back to my tea after a combination of moving, planning/decorating for a Christmas party (I know it’s not thanksgiving yet but with my schedule no one is going to be at my new place until that party, so it’s justified ;) ), and working nearly 3 hours away from home.
Made this one with a lot of leaf, possibly over three teaspoons for the cup of water, added a cup of warm milk/sugar and it’s a tasty morning latte. As my dog lays on my feet and the snow comes down out my windows, I think we are settling into the new place just fine.
After opening up the Aged Oolong Sampler Group buy courtesy of LiquidProust, I looked around and sadly realized that I didn’t have an appropriate way to measure small amounts of liquid so I looked at the rest of the pile that has been patiently waiting for me to complete my move an have a day off. This one jumped up an down and said “Pick me!”.
The dry “leaf” (balls?) smell AMAZING. I get vanilla an bread out of it Brewed with boiling water with one ball for 2 minutes and 30 seconds. The brewed liquid is a light amber brown. I get faint vanilla as the scent. This is quite tasty. I get a bread like taste with a tickling of cinnamon.
Funny story about this tea, while I was waiting for it to come, my mom went into a spice shop and asked the guy for “French Toast Tea” stating that her daughter was very excited to try some an that she wanted to get some for me.
https://www.instagram.com/p/-W-cKnpnniy5qkIW0BmnLBzzbGHM6xiKwMbUs0/?taken-by=kkpeltzer
Preparation
Didn’t know where to start with the What-Cha group buy (via the great Liquid Proust) box so I reached in, eyes closed, and this one came out.
The packaging recommends 176F so I brought my kettle to a boil and let it cool for around 3 minutes (really need to consider getting a temperature controlled kettle!). I put 3 of the pearls in my gaiwan and stepped for 3 minutes. It was a little astringent for me, it was tasty but I got distracted and didn’t pay attention to the exact flavor, other than fruit. That’s a good enough reason for a 2nd steep! It’s very light. It reminds me of a white tea. I can’t really place the fruit flavor but I have never had an apricot that I can remember.
https://instagram.com/p/88aD9uJnllXtpKNWsmdDP9TzdgdaSArmkH8Qk0/?taken-by=kkpeltzer
https://instagram.com/p/88Y9TpJnjLzjAqJLEpoe5m17afTbSRz0uOYj00/?taken-by=kkpeltzer
I think this is the one I received in my secret pumpkin gift from Flyawaybirdie. It doesn’t say 2nd flush on the package but this is the only one that came up when I typed in the name of the tea.
I boiled my water and waited around 2 minutes to try to obtain the 180F suggested by Flyawaybirdie. There was a note included with these stating, “I know you haven’t been feeling blacks lately. Hopefully these can change your mind”. Flyawaybirdie has given me hope for plain blacks. While this definitely tastes like a black, there is something tasty lurking in the cup. I don’t even have to sweeten it! Thanks for giving me the chance to try this :)
https://instagram.com/p/88OUdVJnruB1xg2Vu2FII_QJh6JsvrjnZOrks0/?taken-by=kkpeltzer
Preparation
A big shout out to the wonderful Nicole who organized the group buy that allowed me to get this and a few other tasty sounding teas I will be getting to soon.
I love the smell of this dry leaf. There is no question that there is maple flavor and black tea and only that in this tin. The brewed liquid certainly smells like black tea. I’m a little stuffy this morning so am having a harder time finding the maple in the scent. The first sips make me think that this needs more leaf than what was suggested on the tin. The addition of sweetener coaxes out more flavor.
Preparation
First tea in the gaiwan. It is strange to use a mere 4 ounces of water and then that amount doesn’t fit in the cup! I like that using this piece of brewing equipment makes me slow down and appreciate the tea. On the flip side, I am quickly realizing that I like to drink a lot more tea at a time!
The first steep was 2 minutes and tasty.
The second steep was 3 minutes and had more astringency.
I didn’t get farther than that because I forgot I had to leave to get to a car appointment!
https://instagram.com/p/8YaQVKJnhzDfM9c9iN0zFSD9B4nATXg_euSHo0/?taken-by=kkpeltzer
One of my favs tonight! Plus, I’d like to sleep.
https://instagram.com/p/8KD6JKpnhpZ_0ptQtlMtFzmGqmWjsuncWoXqY0/?taken-by=kkpeltzer
This is yummy with not much astringency. It’s sweet and dainty with almost a honey taste.
https://instagram.com/p/8JsX8npniyfFlnnYvh7LQbbdsQnh9wsSziv7U0/?taken-by=kkpeltzer
The leaf smells good with some lemon standing out with just a hint of mint. 1 tsp in a tea bag in 8 oz of boiling water. The brewed liquid does not smell as nice as the leaf did. I get green tea and a tad of mint out of this, it’s pleasant.
Thank you to TeaNTeas for the chance to try this.
https://instagram.com/p/8G8qE8pnmd04AUeDJA9Q5MqM-XyGol_Og5S5E0/?taken-by=kkpeltzer
Busy busy, you have been!