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I took two teaspoons this morning and since I have opened the box from derk, this tea was “screaming” I am here, though it was wrapped carefully to don’t contamine flavour to other teas.

That said, pouch was closed carefully, but it is indeed very aromatic tea. The cinnamon is very strong, as well the pastry, dough, whatever “Waffles” note. As well the maple syrup was very prominent.

I have decided to make two steeps, one 3 minute long. That was very on the sweet side, and although I like sweet things, this was maybe too strong for me. I had one whole white piece of apple (probably) in te tea bag. That was quite funny in the bag, as all other tea ingredients where black or dark at least. The flavour indeed reminded me waffles, though having them only once and… it is very old memory. I think it could be about 15 years, but now and then I go next to stand where they are made, so it is very similar. Or it’s bit simlar to not-Czech Trdelník. Anyway, it was tasty, waffle like, but too sweet for me. I completely agree with derk’s statement: “This one is for those lovers of sweet thangs.”

I decided to try second steep, though not suggested by vendor. I prolonged the steep to 5 minute mark and it was still quite flavorful. The waffle note shadowed a bit, and it became more woody and bark than cinnamony. While it wasn’t another steep of sweet waffles with maplesyrup, it was still quite drinkable. But I won’t recommend doing it.

To be honest, I am not sure how to rate it. It was tasty and well executed to name, but I am not that friend of this blend as it is sweet for me. I think I won’t go that low as derk, but it is around average for me. Not a fan, but I think I can finish that small pouch.

I wonder if I get this gourd directly from derk or it is from White Antlers? But that’s not important, just thank you anybody I got it from.

It is my first stuffed fruit/vegetable tea. It says that gourd translates to “pumpkin”. While I think it is rather far from it, especilly seeing the shape; I was very curious to try it out.

I don’t want to break gourd completely, so I was prying the stuffed tea with sharp knife, and managed to have 4 grams in my gaiwan saucer that I then emptied to my cup. Yep, grandpa brewing.

At first sips went through, it was pretty much okay. Maybe vegetal, but just a little. I would say it is even quite boring. The aroma was quite roasted and bitter, but…
the taste wasn’t. It was mellow. With more and more steeping, the roasted notes were more pronounced and in the end of cup I get mostly nutty and bit of peanuts notes. It was so yummy! I need to explore it more. Gongfu to come for sure.

Food pairing: Store bought Tiramisu I get for my name day (see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Name_days_in_the_Czech_Republic). Thank you Grandma!

A sample I get from White Antlers via derk. Thank you!
I haven’t read the derk’s note prior drinking this morning (but I read it earlier, but just don’t recall).

Three teaspoons/300 ml. Typical set up I guess.
Anyway, it is very robust tea after two minutes of steep. Quite bitter, very citrusy, almost too sour. As well malt note is certainly present. Although it seem quite hard to drink, it is certainly not that case. It is actually pretty much smooth.

Do I recommend it? Well, if you desire for strong tea, it is certainly worth. If not, it’s tea from Kenya at least. Either way, it is an uncommon tea.

A tea I got from derk and when she wrote that this got green rooibos in I knew I want to try it as soon as possible. Prepared in French press for family, so 4 tsp — 1000 ml. Not sure if good ratio; but I have one or two tea spoons left for preapring my own cup later.

I really enjoy the visual of this tea. Long lemongrass pieces, green rooibos looks great as well, blue pieces of cornflowers, nice rosehip/cranberry pieces. Everything seems nice and fresh, not old at all.

The scent is amazing and I understand why derk’s housemate liked it. It seems freshly citrusy, lemongrass and hints of blueberry jam. The blueberries are indeed on the sweet-jammy note, which I don’t mind and I prefer that in tea though. There is some mild sourness and nice lemongrass note. The blueberries fall behind though a bit. Maybe they will appear with colder tea?

Thank you derk!
Song pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5h6cNXgakw

A tea bag from Madeline, thank you!

Ah well, I don’t recall when I had Darjeeling for last time and moreover tea bag! Of course I was sceptical; but actually it is quite good.

I mean… decent and expected from tea bag. It is quite highly tannic, and somehow generic black tea flavours. Bold even after two minutes steeping, though they suggest three.

There is some note that I am not able to say simple descriptor of. It’s freshness, but not in minty way. Some kind of light notes, but not the florals. I noticed it only in Twinings Darjeeling (I recall I had it earlier for sure, but not US version).

Anyway, finished my cup and it gave me so needed caffeine boost (I am becoming addicted or what?!).

The US version have different ingredients, so a new entry for same tea from… I think same company, but different branches.

Quote on tag: An unforgettable impression — kind and compassionate — that is love. translated from German; from Google Translate — to be honest with you, dear reader of this tasting note. I tried to translate it myself, but as it is quite simple sentence, I think it is right. I haven’t knew the words.

This tea bag I have received again from postcrossing, somewhere in the spring, but it’s foil wrapped. It won’t be bad in my opinion.

The aroma is mostly chamomile, which isn’t really surprising. But I kind of need it today; I just feel somehow tense this afternoon-evening. Then some generic herbals, maybe the peppermint? I guess so.

In taste the chamomile is overpowered with cardamon though. With an ally as lemonbalm and peppermint. Bit of sage is there in aftertaste.

It’s nice evening blend which is not based on chamomile in taste, which is something I highly appreciate. If it makes me drowsy, we will see.

Haha, tried this tea today as well as Leafhopper. What a coincidence.

Brewed western, all 4 grams I had available in 300 ml. Steeped for 3 minutes. Thank you White Antlers and derk

The aroma is fruity, berries, little bit floral and woody.
Taste is incredlibly smooth, bit tangy as blacks should be, thick. Flavours are hard to say, it is tannic, but very enjoyable, honeyish. Bit creamy maybe as well. Some raisins.

Really nice tea. I will make the second brew later today to try it again. Because it’s so tasty and it would be a waste of leaves if I throw them away after 3 minutes steep. I believe it will work in another steeps as well. Haven’t noticed apple notes though.

Uh oh, this is tart. In aroma of loose pieces. I notice mostly hibiscus, and never noticed it that much as in this one. Mastress Alita, something for you maybe? Let’s see.

It brews, after 8 minutes steep, dark red colour. It brings memories of cheap and fruit teas from my childhood, on summer camps, at my grandma’s flat, even at home back (now) and then.

Back to the tea. Aroma is as well tart. Much less luckily and I note grapes. Surpringly sips aren’t tart, it is rather quite juicy and enjoyable. It’s quite simple drink, I believe making it iced would be great.

Good one… for evenings. Bit too tart for my taste.

Managed to write few more pages on the thesis. Mostly I managed to make one page with images with subcaptions! Happy with the progress today.
Tasting note 800? How?

Today morning I was craving for something fruity, but not caffeine-free, so I decided to brew this one. Dry leaf isn’t much cranberry forward, but certainly doesn’t smell like straight forward tea. Certainly I can see some green leaves in blend but haven’t seen any of the fruits.

Anyway, used maybe only one teaspoon, though heaped a bit and brewed for four-five minutes. I see now it is suitable for multiple steeps, but I did just one.

In taste it was way more cranberry like. Indeed tart as expected from cranberries, some creamy and sweet notes and some menthol. Overall it works well together, the base is present in taste as well (that’s something I highly enjoy!).

Well done! I look forward to finish my sample from derk, or it’s from White Antlers actually? Doesn’t matter — thank you both!

I have received almost three rounded teaspoons, so I have used only two today and steeped for 5 minutes. It is recommended to use 8 oz, but I went as usual for 300 ml which is roughly 10 oz.

Turned out delicious after 5 minutes steep. Yes, it was so uncommon, seeing copper colour and having jasmine tea. But oh my… it’s so YUMMY!

I can’t really describe it, not even the base tea. It’s soo unique. Together it makes so smooth and thick brew. Little bitterness and astringency (but 5 minutes steep, huh) but the jasmine taste was so great. Mild, round, mouth-coating. I started to dislike scented/flavoured blacks, as I am having lots of actual orthodox teas. Sometimes they tend to be bit over-powered with flavours. NOT THIS ONE! I remember smelling Jasmine Green tea from Impra. It was tea bag, and I thought I never would like jasmine in teas. How wrong have I been?

This deserves such a high rating. The ratio of base and jasmine is just great. There is no foul note. Mouthfeel is just amazing.
I need more! Thank you derk for sample. Such a small one, but now, I can tell, I had jasmine black. I want to share with my friend, but we can’t right now. Hopefully soon!

Managed to write two pages of my thesis to the time I am writing this tasting note, I am going to write at least one more! Yay, and damn you procrastination!