2021 Tasting Notes
ADVENT DAY 24, tea 1/3
If you feel that I have missed one tea from day 23, you’re absolutely correct. I didn’t drank it yet, in the time I am writing this note. And as I wanted to use my new tea pot… and enjoy a tea I can share, decided to skip that tea and prepare this one.
It has been phenomenal and there were just loads of flavour and complexity. Honey, spices, baked fruits, malt, brown sugar, you name it. Just a lot and not clashing each other at all… and the cups were great for sniffing and drinking.
Incredlibly smooth and mouth coating, with long and long mouthfeel and aftertaste; definitely, worth more steeps than this single one, but alas, I didn’t had time. But yes, it will appear in my next order at the Siam Tee Shop; once I finish lots of other black teas I have.
My father, who enjoyed this tea with me, said it is great tea and liked it very much and always asked for more once he has finished his cup. That’s something very uncommon from him. And I guess, it is a proof of very good tea.
New teapot (quick picture from phone: https://www.flickr.com/photos/152410333@N04/54226080868 ; including 4 cups (2 pictured))
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Preparation
Beautiful new teaware! Happy Holidays!
Nice pot! Happy holidays:)
Happy holidays! Glad you’re enjoying that tea in your new pot! It sounds like Siam Tea does a decent advent calendar.
Leafhopper: Definitely there were teas that are very good. And I am glad I had this advent calendar to try new to me teas. Naturally, there were a few duds, or I just didn’t had enough time to enjoy them as they deserve; but overall it was very nice. Just finding a correct pouch in the box was a little tricky and it wasn’t festive packed at all :)
I think there will always be a few duds in these things, either because the teas are objectively bad or because they’re just things the drinker doesn’t like. I want to try an unflavoured advent calendar eventually, preferably one that has a lot of Chinese and Taiwanese hongcha and oolongs as opposed to Japanese greens or a lot of Indian/Nepali teas (though the ones you described sounded good, so maybe that will change). I wish there were more calendars like this. The one from Nannuoshan looks promising, so maybe next year!
Here are a few flvoured too; or… actually rather “just” scented. In worst scenario you can just skip them.
But yes, I think there are a few duds only because it is not my jam. And I think, but not sure, that there were several opinions of their advents. But maybe it was in the past… or some other vendor.
I think I have found a few teas I would like to try again and thanks to wishlist here on Steepster I have a note; so I just need to reduce the total qty first. And then maybe, one or two orders will be placed.
ADVENT DAY 23, tea 2/3
A tea I drank yesterday too; steeped western, in a busy environment. Not a best setting for such a good tea.
Very floral, from mangolia as well as from tea itself. Very smooth and refreshing, I will probably buy a small qty to try it gongfu and in more calm place.
It would be much better if earlier in the advent; but that’s just my wish as I just couldn’t focus on this tea that much as I would like to.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Preparation
ADVENT DAY 23, tea 1/3
Absolutely fine black tea. Darjeeling with no flaws or off notes, darker than I am used to. Easy drinking cup.
Sadly, I don’t remember much from yesterday morning session, but it was just a crazy day… as usual.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Preparation
Ashman has really started liking Darjeeling. I think I need to order a Margaret’s Hope for him. I had a second flush many years ago that was the first Darjeeling I really liked. At this point, my cupboard is groaning under the weight of all the teas, but I think it is okay to buy one “for him.” LOL
ADVENT DAY 22, tea 3/3
The last and the tea I was looking forward the least. But you know… it’s not that bad. Yes, lots of boozy chocolate in aroma; but in taste… it is more than fine! It is like a basic rooibos — which it seems I quite like, with Hershey’s chocolate topping added to the mug. Not too much, the rooibos is still noticeable; but covered in choco goodness. Fine enough!
Preparation
ADVENT DAY 22, tea 2/3
If I didn’t had so busy day, I would prepare this tea gongfu. Instead, I prepared it western and steeped twice. Luckily, this tea seems to don’t have a trouble with it and both infusions were equally tasty.
First steep was 4 minutes long and I got lots of, as I have read, typical #18 flavours. That’s robust full-bodied strong tea, with flavours that can be spicy — cinnamon mostly, woody notes (but in such a good way) and complexity. I haven’t noticed any freshness of mint; but I was completely okay with that.
The leaves expanded in my strainer so well, so I immediately thought that I have to try it for second time.
Second steep, which was 5 minute long brought very similar impressions, though a little bit weaker, that’s definitely real fact; but definitely still very flavourful. I assume it was more woody, instead of spicy, but I didn’t find it as a flaw.
Definitely, I will have to buy more of this one day, to give it chance steeping gongfu and overall… it is just so damn good tea and distinctly different from Nepalese or Georgian teas that I like, by a lot, too.
Preparation
ADVENT DAY 22, tea 1/3
I am still a day behind. I thought I will be able to finish all on time; but apparently not… and tomorrow is the last day for all and we celebrate and give gifts tomorrow too; so… today was preparation day and overall a whole day was in a rush and there was almost no time to drink any tea.
Anyway this one I prepared in the morning; knowing that second one I need to focus a little bit more and the last is a rooibos, which I am not really looking forward.
This sencha I actually bought to my grandma a few days back as she ran out of green tea. I thought it will be fine and unoffensive green tea and I was indeed correct.
It’s mild, slightly herbaceous and refreshing cup; thanks to the tea bag easy to brew and there aren’t any off notes. Of course, I steeped it properly and using 80°C and not too long…
Preparation
ADVENT DAY 21, tea 3/3
I wonder, what is Winter in this anise tea. It’s just rooibos base with anise. They say there are some spices in, but they are not noticeable. And overall it’s just rooibos with anise in every aspect. Quite meh; but drinkable meh.
Preparation
ADVENT DAY 21, tea 2/3
I have decided to brew this grandpa style and using one heart (I have received two).
Well, it wasn’t the cleverest thing to do, as leaves here are qute small and they are all in the mug. However, taste-wise it was fine, mostly jasmine (obvious) and fine white tea, sometimes a bit tends to white grapes; hay and meadows. Smooth and tasty, not bitter at all and again here we got a long mouthfeel.
Nothing I would purchase myself, but as a gift to someone — why not.
Preparation
ADVENT DAY 21, tea 1/3
Surprise, surprise! This tea is actually tasty and tastes like more star anise / ginger gingerbread. As I have mentioend several times in the comments under several gingerbread blends you have tried; there are different recipes for this dessert, so it doesn’t hurt my feelings in any way.
I actually like this enough to purchase a pouch; and definitely tasty and festive for the season. Good base tea too, quite strong and robust… as spices deserve. I believe some may call it chai…
