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I was about to send this to AJRimmer as part of Advent Calendar swap, but I found out I have just a little, something between one and two teaspoons. That was way too little to share, moreover it was mostly dust of ingredients. Sorry!

So I preapred it myself to have SIPDOWN.

It seems there were lots of pea flower as it was turning blue/violet/whatever colour was that very fast.

Again it was quite blueberry mostly in taste, but I noticed hints of peaches as well. Nothing too unique, pretty much straightforward; no flaws, but missing something. Maybe some creamy notes, crumble or something. It’s nice brew for kids, I assume, but nothing what tells me “order me again!”

While I read in newsletter that last year’s sell out fan returns I was quite hyped. But unfortunately, it is bit of dismal.

I sniffed the new pouch, as it is from OCTOBER 2020 subscription and it was quite nice, but not what I have been expecting. It wasn’t much autumnal at all, rather summery and rose was prevailing. Then some hints of cloves and cinnamon, but overall it was rather soapy.

While brewed, and I haven’t used boiling water, it was about 5 minutes after boiling; it was again some green-rose tea like. On the sips, there some spicy notes appear, but very wanly.

Overall, quite sad. I don’t see reason drinking this in the autumn, as it was rather summer blend. The name sounds great, but it didn’t deliver any of expectations I had.

Another tea bag from derk, but tea maybe from White Antlers.
Apparantly, they use some new packaging I haven’t seen before and is is wonderful one.

But it is pretty much average tea. I haven’t expected much of flavour profile, but I expected to taste the base at least! I haven’t noticed rooibos, it was quite savoury. And although there should be many different spices, I noticed almost only ginger and allspice. Maybe some cardamom in the background, but none of nutmeg, cloves, or cinnamon. The rooibos was weak as well!

Not for me…

I get two pieces of those from derk. And as my gaiwan is broken (the lid, but as it is second crack I decided to don’t use it anymore), I brewed grandpa. She wasn’t that much impressed, but me? Let’s see!

Used all 7 grams of one piece per my 300 ml glass. Although it is bit on strong side, it is good (and I have prepared two steeps)

First steep is quite strong… but I knew it before I decided to give it a try; and typical shu notes are there. It was bit woody, earthy and quite dark. Not sure if I noticed any cocoa, but kind of dark chocolate was there I guess. Maybe a little of umami.

The seconds steep is way lighter and more into cocoa! Even quite sweet-side. It is more chocolatey than previous. Still full of flavour. Smooth and coating. Cocoa sweetness and hints of creamy.

Song pairing: Well, Bruce Spingsteen’s new album? Have you noticed? I haven’t till today!
That said, I am not sure if: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQyLEz0qy-g (Letter To You), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzvnEvbL-qs (House Of A Thousand Guitars). That’s it! But all album is, ehm, great.

Both songs make me feel that I should burst out crying, don’t know why. But they are so amazing. Great album. Well, he is “The Boss”!

Won’t rate as I will after preparation gong-fu. This deserves 80+ rating though. I am sad that you weren’t that impressed derk! Maybe it needs the rough preparation?

A remaining amount, bit less than two grams — was used in western brewing again.

SIPDOWN then.

Less leaf woke up some other notes. First of all, it was way more on sweet side, more honeyish taste and lasting for very long. Then sweet potatoes notes and in the end little bit malty and drying qualities.

Quite simple tea, but tasty and well accepted this morning.

What you could find in a tea bag filled with spearmint only?

Yep, it was minty, quite sweet. Easydrinking liquid, no flaws. Probably quite fresh. I prefer peppermint though, when it comes to mints.

Thank you derk for new tea bag to my collection.

How strange that Nature does not knock, and yet does not intrude? — Emily Dickinson

Another attempt; and little bit left. But Queen is Queen for a reason! said by gmathis

Meanwhile in the news: https://english.radio.cz/prymula-called-resign-after-violating-covid-19-measures-visiting-restaurant-8698006

Yep, our Minister of Heath violated his own rules that he declared earlier the same day!

To the tea…
I am incredlibly thankful for ashmanra ’s share. It is wonderful tea blend, and I liked the typical black tea notes. Yep, leather, creamy, smooth, hints of cocoa, red berries.

It was mild even it’s not top-notch quality leaf; not bitter at all, smooth and yet lots of to offer. Mild, but still full-bodied tea. Why exactly this one isn’t distributed by Czech distributor of Harney teas?

Yummy tea. No flaws. Mild, but caffeine boosting. Almost creamy.

Another tea from White Antlers Thank you :)

And same pouch as derk had, she sent the left amount to me. So yeah, June 2014 harvest, best before June 2017. But it still looks pretty well.

Dark green cannon balls, which looks bit more to oolong than actual green tea.

But anyway to the brew. I took around 10 those cannon balls, which were unknown weight, but on the label there is 3-4 balls per cup. I used again the 300 ml cup, so well, maybe it was just right? Steeping was minute and half, maybe two minutes recommended time is 45-60 seconds. I think I maybe used recommended temperature, it is said 75°C/167°F. But I haven’t measured it.

The taste should be good lemon blossom taste. Again, I have no experience tasting lemon blossom, nor smelling it, so I hope… it is correct. I noticed lemony notes, sweet grass, buttery and well others say astringency but I don’t had it at all. Maybe the age mellowed it?
Anyway, pretty tasty, though old. The caffeine boost was somewhere in the middle. Quite smooth and mouthcoating. I look forward to try another brewing methods. Maybe gongfu would work better to unfurl the balls completely.

I had this tea yesterday, but I haven’t got time to write and I don’t even wanted to. Mostly because I felt bit puzzled about this tea.

The aroma is bit buttery (expected) and not sure if rum like. I am not really a rum drinker, though I drank some.

The taste, after 3-4 minutes steep, was quite mellow which I am grateful for. Maybe I have expected some spicy notes, which isn’t much present. It was quite on sweet side and very woody. Oak wood, like a barrel aged beer, or actual rum? I expected some harsh notes and some alcoholic notes, but none of them (luckily?) aren’t there.

It is smooth, which is another quality I haven’t expecting. I don’t mind drinking it, but called it rum-like? I am not that sure. But well, maybe it is actually good blend, just expectations were different.

SIPDOWN
This pouch was hidden in the back of cupboard and I know why. It isn’t great for me; it is drying and tannic black tea without any other notes I am able to find out. Sips are as well quite harsh.

Won’t repurchase this one, but I would like to try another Bihar Doke teas, maybe they are better? This wasn’t good at all, at least for me. I generally enjoy Indian teas, but not this one…