346 Tasting Notes
I have a tendency to ignore Don’s tasting notes since I’ll likely taste them or miss them entirely during my sessions. I want to go into a session blind, figure it out, and then backtrack to the notes the tea vendor lists.
I’ll note that this is a “boozy” tea in the way that liquor (if my memory serves me well. I’ve not partake any heavy alcohol in months) gives you a bite/tang and hit of warmth. I’ve made several notations of “burnt alcohol from a cake or dense sweet bread.” I like it, but don’t love it.
I must admit my backlogs are quite backlogged due to oddball work schedules, holidays, etc. I found a moment where I didn’t want to write anything, but began making YouTube videos again; which lasted all but two videos. I ramble during tea sessions, which are likely 30 minutes or more, and cutdown to feature the sensible material which last about 2+ minutes. Lol.
Anyway, I drank this on Thursday during work. I followed the recommended time and temperature the sample bag listed (180F // 3-5 minutes), and it made for a gentle grassy tea. I noted that this was “equivalent to Japanese sencha, but less umami notes.”
I had this during work last Friday, so I made minimal notes during the session.
“Has a lightly aged, earthy, and mineral flavor. The cup isn’t producing much flavor/texture, and the tea completely faded after the 6th infusion. Not very strong and didn’t last long.”
Sipdown/Backlog
I quite liked this one. What sold this for me was the addition of spinach; I thought that it was an odd addition to a blend, but it drove me to grab some. I think the time spent sitting in the bag/sipdown pile for the past year (or longer?), helped bring the lemongrass and orange forward! I was a bit surprised to not find white chocolate in the blend, but I noted that flavor a few times on my scrap paper.
Flavors: Lemongrass, Orange, White Chocolate
Backlog
The tea took a while to open up and produce any flavor (3 infusions). Around the 4th and 5th steeps, the tea began to gain texture/flavor—very lightly—yet there was more than prior infusions. I noted that this tea might have been a better loose leaf tea, for the flavor jumps through between 6 & 7, but is completely gone after the 8th infusion. I longed steeped the 9th with near-boiling water, but the flavor was no more.
I acquired this sample months ago, but I needed a shot of caffeine shortly after getting out of bed today. I feel as if I’ve yet made the adjustment to the hour setback. Honestly, it doesn’t help that we dropped back the hour, but it begins to feel like 8pm at 5pm lately. The light completely washes away around 4:30-5pm.
Anyway, this was a good tea as much as I remember it being when I drank it. I didn’t make a note, but wanted to log it regardless.
Sipdown/Backlog
This is what I imagine Sunny D tasting like if it were meant to be a higher quality citrus drink. I powered through this tea, and for one last hurrah, made it iced. I shared a bit with my wife, and she thought I gave her “better quality Tang.” I reassured her that that it was an herbal tea and was by far higher quality than either Tang or Sunny D. Plus, there was no sweetener necessary to make this cup pop!
Flavors: Citrusy, Orange, Orange Zest, Sour, Sweet
