2111 Tasting Notes
I see I never wrote a note of this, that’s rather surprising, but well here is the note:
I was in a mood to prepare a tea in a pot again, mostly because I was feeling cold all day somehow; and I wanted to had more than a single mug. This particular batch is from Autumnal Flush 2023.
So yep, I prepared 8 grams (or 6 grams? I don’t remember!) in the pot and used 85°C water. I wasn’t paying much attention to the scents, but taste was very nice. It was delicate herbal, creamy and smooth, with notes of hay, cut grass and citrus peels.
The liquor is very bright with green-yellow hue, very clear and there weren’t any dust in cups. Either the strainer is very fine or there is no dust in the tea.
Preparation
After a long time, I’m finally writing a tasting note for another Tielka tea I received last year. I’ve been enjoying it regularly, but as I’m nearing the bottom of the tin, it’s high time to share my thoughts.
This Yueguang white tea is beautifully fuzzy, a mix of buds and leaves, which I find particularly appealing. The aroma is equally delightful, reminiscent of fresh hay, meadow flowers, and a subtle herbaceous note.
I typically steep 5 grams of leaf in 300 ml of water, using around 80°C. The vendor suggests 70°C, which is difficult for me to achieve precisely, as my kettle only has settings for 60°C and 80°C (among others). I opted for a slightly higher temperature, but the result is still excellent.
The flavor is mellow, delicate, and smooth, echoing the fresh hay aroma. Each sip offers a lovely sweetness, complemented by subtle fruity notes that linger in the aftertaste.
In conclusion, I’m conflicted about sourcing this tea from Australia due to its carbon footprint. However, I greatly appreciate it as a palate cleanser for its simplicity and mellow flavor profile.
Note: I received Tielka teas, included in this (and following) tasting notes, free of charge in exchange for a tasting note. I will do my best to remain unbiased, but of course, I am very grateful for this opportunity.
Preparation
A teapot time.
I have used all 8 grams received from Derk in the session today morning and in the teapot; to share this tea with other family members. Thank you derk!
I have used 90°C water and steeped for 3 minutes. After we have finished first session, I decided to brew myself second session and steeped again for 3 minutes. There is no lose in the flavours and the leaves were almost lifting up the lid of the pot. I am sure there would be more steeps possible, but I haven’t made them.
I find this tea rather hard to describe. It is a wonderful and very, very complex tea with aroma of florals, herbals, and tropical fruits. Very ripe mango and bananas, in my opinon; combined with some, a little savoury, herbs. I wasn’t able to point out them, but then I read the description for medium roast version and I am pretty sure it is galangal, something I tried during the advent season for (probably) very first time. It was kind of spicy, but not fiery… rather piney as derk notices there.
There is an extremely long aftertaste, and overall high enjoyment of the tea not only from me, but also family members. As my mom described: “Delicate and mellow, with full of flavour.” When I examined the steeped leaves, I could show them the bugbitten leaves and explained them how it contributes to the taste and… yep I liked it very much because of it too. It has got a sweet finish, mouthcoating qualities and if there is something I am sad about, it’s that I will hardly try this tea again.
Of course, I am sure Song Tea would send me some, even they don’t specify shipping on their website; but to be honest, it is kind of expensive for me.
Preparation
Wow! This sounds like quite the tea! Bug-bitten, rugged mountain garden too steep for commercial picking, AND galangal! Thanks for the tasting notes!
I’m not sure if this is the Dong Ding that Derk sent me a while ago, but if so, I also loved it! Since receiving three samples of Song teas from Derk, I’ve been contemplating ordering from this company. A Different Eighteen is still easily the best Ruby 18 I’ve had.
The best Ruby 18? Now I am very intrigued!
It’s called A Different Eighteen and is apparently charcoal roasted. It’s fruity, chocolatey, minty, balanced, and sweet, without the tannins that usually push me away from this type of tea. Truly worth the $1/g they’re charging for it. Is it worth an extra $25 to ship to Canada? I’ve been thinking about it for about a year, so yes, it probably is.
TeaEarleGreyHot: it is indeed the tea. I like the back-story too! And galangal flavour seems to be a new favorite to me.
Leafhopper: Based on the tasting notes, you had the medium roast version, but it definitely doesn’t mean you didn’t had this one. I have also A Different Eighteen and I can’t wait to try it out. And yep, those teas seems to be so unique to try, even that expensive. But of course, I am trying to be a little more restraint than you.
ashmanra: I am not surprised :D
You’re right, I did have the medium roast. Another fantastic tea! Song is definitely a splurge, especially with international shipping.
A sipdown! (M: 2 Y: 2) prompt: A tea you put off drinking
I don’t really know why I put this tea off; maybe because I was afraid it would be too smoky, or just haven’t got a mood for gongfu, or…
It seems that all smokiness is gone by now. Smooth and floral cuppa, with hints of red fruits and some woodiness. Works well to me, however I am not able to point out exact flavours. But it’s cozy enough in snowy afternoon.
Preparation
A sipdown! (M: 1 Y: 1) prompt: January 1 – Happy New Year! Drink a favorite tea to start the year off right!
Well, this is so… so sad sipdown of delicious tea. Courtney shared a bit with me and as I wrote in previous note; I probably don’t have any expereince with raw mulberries, but this tea was just delicate and berry-ish.
But c’est la vie and I bet it is better drinking this fresh. And now, into the new year with aim to reduce amount of the tea!
Preparation
This tea bag was neglected in green tea box for long. For how long? Who knows… Was it single one? Who knows, again. Maybe it was from Izzy as she is only one who wrote about this tea.
Anyway…
decided to brew it today. Maybe I just wanted something simple, so… a tea bag is handy.
It was fine, hay-like and grassy green tea. Very easy to drink, no bitterness here. A kind of boring, but it makes its job well. Hot and refreshing.
Preparation
A few, not written, sip-downs (and other-downs) from November and December 2024. Funny coincidence: starting year 2025 with 2025 written tasting notes! The list is not sorted in any way and yet again, I wasn’t able to follow the prompts this year. And apparently, I have no track how many tea I had in January. Oh well.
A sipdown! (M: 7 Y: 94) Happiness is… Heavy Metal Tea by Sonnentor
A sipdown! (M: 8 Y: 95) Apricot by Harney & Sons
A sipdown! (M: 9 Y: 96) Nilgiri TGFOP1 Thiasola by Tante-T
A sipdown! (M: 10 Y: 97) Himbeerrausch by Teerausch
A sipdown! (M: 1 Y: 98) Lahu Yellow by Siam Tee Shop
A sipdown! (M: 2 Y: 99) Makaibari SFTGFOP 1SPL by Lochan Tea
A sipdown! (M: 3 Y: 100) Sourenee FTGFOP 1SPL by Lochan Tea
A sipdown! (M: 4 Y: 101) Spring 2024 Jingmai Sun-dried Shengtai by Farmerleaf
A sipdown! (M: 5 Y: 102) Hong Long by Xian Cha Tea
A sipdown! (M: 6 Y: 103) Lin Yun White Downey by Teehaus Shila
A sipdown! (M: 7 Y: 104) Christmas in Paris by Stash
A sipdown! (M: 8 Y: 105) 2007 Yunhe Banzhang King Ripe by Puerh Shop
A sipdown! (M: 9 Y: 106) Nepal Jun Chiyabari Himalayan Shiiba by Klasek Tea
I wish you all a great start to the next year; and I wish myself that the speed of the sipdowns will be same / or even better to reduce the quantity of the tea. I know it looks like… I drank lots of tea, but as I wrote; there are also some share-downs, give-downs and such. And I also notice as a sipdown every tea I had at least two sessions worth, so including samples and shared teas from you, my friends. You probably see some teas you sent me, sometimes long time ago, and I just finished them NOW! Happy 2025!
ADVENT DAY 24, tea 3/3
Ah, the very last Advent tea. And I have been correct that when there is a red winter punch, there has to be different coloured one too.
It tastes like mulled apple juice with loads of cinnamon. Probably quite intended flavour… so it was fine. Very forgetable though.
More spices, more fruits in the punch, please!
Preparation
I have preparaed this tea in my new teapot; and steeped as written. So, only 70°C water and 2 minutes steep. I have used 5 grams. This tea I received from my Swiss friend as a birthday gift, but that’s almost half an year ago.
It is indeed a very mellow tea that much I was afraid if it is steeped at all. It produced a very bright liquor with a slight yellow hue. While the flavors are indeed mild and smooth, they are certainly present. Hay is the most prominent note.
While I generally prefer stronger teas, this one has a certain charm. It’s too mild for my usual preference, but it would be perfect for an early evening cup, especially after (or with) a hearty dinner.
Preparation
ADVENT DAY 24, tea 2/3
I know, I know… I was just late with last two tea bags. Mostly because they just don’t seem to be appealing to me somehow. Sad for the very last day, indeed.
This is just fine… fruity, herbal tea. Nothing that says distinctly winter berries… afterall, what are winter berries in fact? And it was just red fruit tea with weak herbaceous backbone; it was easy to drink but also easy to forget.
