1379 Tasting Notes
Day 9 – Matcha Advent
As soon as the water hit the tea it filled my nose with ginger and spices, like fresh baked biscuits.
No real foam to speak of.
Flavour wise it’s creamy ginger with some sweetness and a touch of astringency. It’s also got some fire to it which is probably the chili. The green tea tastes earthy and bitter but subtle behind the ginger.
If you don’t like ginger this isn’t the blend for you, it’s not overpowering but I love ginger so it’s pleasing to me.
I imagine this is more suited to latte drinks than ceremonial methods, but I like it all the same.
This is the only Matcha so far that I would consider buying a pot of for Christmas. Orange Matcha was my favourite up until this point and now I’m not sure which would take the top prize. If this was perhaps less bitter it would be amazing, i’m sure milk would sort that issue.
That being said my partner blind tasted my drink and he couldn’t tell what flavour it was. And it does smell nicer than it tastes.
http://kittylovestea.com/2018/12/09/day-9-birdblend-matcha-advent/
Day 8 – Siam Tea Advent
First Steep: 1 minute
Once prepared this tea is yellow in colour and bares a soft, seaweed scent.
Flavour is also subtle yet very clean tasting. Hints of dry grass, seaweed and flowers with a dry after taste.
Also somewhat buttery with mild sweetness. Very easy to drink.
Second Steep: 20 seconds
More cloudy yellow at this point.
A lot more flavour now the leaves have been opened. Umami goodness with mineral tones (kale and broccoli), seaweed (that touch of salt) and the thick but sweet grass that coats the tongue to give complete mouth feel. Some dryness in the after taste though.
Umami is very soup broth like but I adore it. It’s not too heavy here but it is noticeable. Delicious!
Pictures and more info – https://kittylovestea.com/2018/12/08/day-8-siam-tea-advent/
Day 8 – Matcha Advent
Bubbles formed and then immediately dissipated into nothing.
Once Steeped the resulting liquid is golden brown and bares a very dry and herbal scent. Reminds me of dirty paint water.
Flavour wise it’s dry and wooden with a herbal and sour after taste that lingers with some astringency. It also has a refreshing quality similar to liquorice.
I took a large gulp and shuddered in disgust, that’s how much I dislike Mate. But that’s a personal thing. Besides, I doubt people drink it for the flavour.
It was interesting and perhaps better than your average Mate, but it’s still not for me. Perhaps it would be better mixed with other things, like as part of a smoothie where I’m covering the taste.
https://kittylovestea.com/2018/12/08/day-8-birdblend-matcha-advent/
Day 7 -Siam Tea Advent
First Steep: 45 seconds
Once steeped the resulting tea is pale yellow with a soft, floral scent and a sweet finish.
The flavour matches the scent. It’s weak with a soft yet perfumed peony tone that becomes a little dry in the after taste.
Second Steep: 1 minute 30 seconds
The leaves are more open now.
Here we go, more floral notes though it remains mellow. It’s like a bouquet of flowers and I’m drinking sap from their petals.
There is also a buttery finish that dissipates quickly before the dry after taste.
Third Steep: 2 minutes
Ooohh yes this is more like it.
The flowers are now met with a mineral, grassy tone and honey sweetness that meld with the butter to slip down so easily. It even makes the dryness seem minor.
It still reminds me of fresh rain in early Spring.
Fourth Steep: 2 minutes 30 seconds
Looking more yellow now and the leaves are fully open.
Very similar to the previous steep though a touch softer. The floral bouquet is milder but still dominant in this super delicate but beautiful Oolong.
Pictures and more info on my blog.
http://kittylovestea.com/2018/12/07/day-7-siam-tea-advent/
Day 1 – Siam Tea Advent
First Steep: 2 minutes
The resulting tea is cloudy, yellow with a sweet yet salty seaweed and lily scent.
The first sip reveals a light yet complex tea with notes similar to it’s raw form. I can detect seaweed, salt, sweet grass, vegetal broth and umami which lingers on the tongue in the after taste. It bares minimum astringency.
Half way down the cup there is some dryness coming into the after taste.
Second Steep: 1 minute
Similar to the first steep this remains light though full of character. The umami and seaweed has increased as has the saltiness.
The dryness remains around the same level as the first steep.
For info and pics please visit my blog
https://kittylovestea.com/2018/12/01/day-1-siam-tea-advent/
Day 2 – Matcha Advent
Not an awful lot of foam going on but I imagine that’s due to it being a blend of powders due to the acai. The foam I did create disappeared anyway after a few seconds.
The scent is similar to it’s raw form though not quite as sweet, though the blueberry is still very prominent.
Wow! My first sip was spectacular! Oodles of fresh blueberry exploded in my mouth with sweet and juicy notes before leading to a slightly astringent and dry after taste, which then lightens to leave the blueberry dancing on the tongue.
Even as it cools slightly the sweet tones are smooth and so easy to drink.
I didn’t expect to enjoy this blend so much if I’m honest. The flavour was so strong yet so good that I feel left out from not trying it sooner.
It might not have been foamy, but it was delicious!
For pictures and more info please visit my blog
https://kittylovestea.com/2018/12/02/day-2-birdblend-matcha-advent/
Day 2 – Siam Tea Advent Calendar
First Steep: 3 minutes
Once steeped the resulting tea is amber in colour and bares a sweet malt scent that matches it’s raw form.
The first sips reveal a beautiful malt flavour that’s sweet yet creamy that leads to a slightly dry after taste. Some astringency but very minor and only for a second.
It’s sweetness resembles rock sugar. There is thickness which is rather wooden/clay like but it diminishes quickly to leave the dry, malt after taste that coats the entirety of my tongue. Also getting a hint of prune/stone fruit.
Second Steep: 4 minutes
More burnt orange now in colour though it’s difficult to tell from the picture.
This steep is lighter than the first one but very easy to drink. Remains sweet and malty though delicate with an increasingly dry and somewhat astringent after taste.
For pictures and more info please view my blog
https://kittylovestea.com/2018/12/02/day-2-siam-tea-advent/
Day 3 – Matcha Advent
Holy moly…it went dark blue! From green to blue in the blink of an eye. It made a decent foam though with a beautiful shine.
It tastes like chocolate(along with the smell), it’s sweet but with a creamy undertone. The flavour isn’t strong but the delicacy of it is pleasant.
The after taste is sweet with some dryness and a quickly dissipated chocolate tone.
It was nice though very un-matcha like and I found that a little off putting. Sure it’s cool that it changes colour and I like chocolate (not a huge chocolate fan), but I love matcha for the grassy, seaweed flavours. If it’s going to be flavoured I feel it has to be done well, and this one just isn’t for me. Though I’m glad to have tried it.
For pictures and more info visit my blog
https://kittylovestea.com/2018/12/03/day-3-birdblend-matcha-advent/
Honestly, B&B’s matcha base is too weak for me. The flavoring easily overpowers it in these flavored blends. Their “Pure Grade Matcha” is better, but they don’t use it for flavored matchas unfortunately…
Yeah I found that. Apart from one or two decent flavoured blends I’m finding the rest highly disappointing. I’m glad it’s not just me though! I already gave a rant on the blog about Rooibos not being a Matcha.
I should really be more pleased that I’m not finding B&B’s matcha to my liking, as it’s so expensive! Especially with the international shipping.
Day 4 – Matcha Advent
Flavour is lemony but in a waxy sort of way. Some astringency also which adds to the waxy lemon rind taste. It’s not like, super lemony either considering the rind is so strong.
There is no sweetness to it either which I expect from lemon. It’s sour but sweet, yet all I can taste from this is waxy rind with a lingering aftertaste.
In comparison to this Lemon Matcha and the one I get from Pure Chimp I say I fully prefer the Pure Chimp blend. The Bird&Blend Lemon Matcha is heavy on the rind and waxy whereas the Pure Chimp Lemon Matcha uses lemongrass instead of the fruit so it’s fragrant and creamy but with full on flavour. For me lemongrass blends better with the Matcha base. (Plus it has to be said that Pure Chimp is a lot cheaper).
I feel a bit cheeky for the comparison but I have the Pure Chimp matcha often and have for a long time. This blend just doesn’t Matcha-up to that one. (Sorry, I had to).
For pictures and more information visit my blog.
https://kittylovestea.com/2018/12/04/day-4-birdblend-matcha-advent/
I’d never heard of Pure Chimp, but it looks as though they ship to the US! Hooray! I’ll have to try them sometime next year. ❤
They do a few flavours like Mint but I haven’t tried them. They usually do little sales though so keep your eyes peeled. I’m somewhat disappointed so far with the Matcha Advent. And the single serves really should be tins!
I’m with you on the single serving sticks. I’m always slightly irritated when I find one…
Day 4 – Siam Tea Advent
First Steep: 3 minutes
Once steeped the resulting liquid is red in colour and bares a rich wood and stone fruit scent.
Full on flavour, stronger than I expected actually. I think that’s because in my mind it showed similarities to a Sun Moon Lake tea and a Yunnan. I suppose it’s in the middle of those strength wise.
The stone fruit (prune or date) is rich and leathery with wooden tones and a slight astringency that leads to a drying after taste.
Second Steep: 4 minutes
Softer and somewhat sweeter in this steep, though the stone fruit remains consistent.
It’s actually so sweet now it reminds me of rock sugar. A delicious contrast between the darker fruit and wood tones.
For pictures and more information visit my blog.
https://kittylovestea.com/2018/12/04/day-4-siam-tea-advent/
