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ADVENT DAY 8

In the Mood for Love and jasmine tea? I would expect rather rose than jasmine. But let’s try it!

It is indeed delicate green tea, naturally scented as they write on the outer wrapping. The scent was very natural and pleasant and green tea base was delicate and flavorful as well. Slightly hay and grassy. The jasmine was wonderful and not overpowering; even I say, like Roswell Strange, even a bit of fruity notes. I wouldn’t call it grape, but not sure what is it — maybe rather hints of muscatel to me.

We had fire alarm test at noon today at work. As every Wednesday. Awful sound.
But that means I can brew this tea! I have received it from my brother, who received it from his colleague. And I received it because of tea bag, not because of tea.

But decided to brew it anyway and the speed of steeping scared me a bit. Not a bit. Actually a lot. And suggested 3-5 minutes steeping time was crazy long. Or I have thought so. I sadly had to solve something with my co-worker and I forgot about time. But… it was about 4 minutes.

Hey it was strong. A really strong black tea. I was afraid of super bitter cup, with no flavour and whatsoever bad.

First steeps were bitter. But it was really hot, so there weren’t much noticeable notes. As it cooled down it went into more complex flavours. The bitterness was there all the time, but some maltiness was there. And in the end of sip there were earthy, like weak pu-erh notes.

I would like to re-try with shorter steeping time, but sadly, it was only one tea bag I had.

ADVENT DAY 7

Won’t lie, Linden tea is welcomed today. Although, this tea would be lovely with cold symptoms.

It’s a very tasty tea, with notes of linden and elderflowers, which both are my favourite in taste as well as in aroma. Obviously it’s indeed floral, and both those ingredients were quite fresh. Of course, the flowers were crushed, which is shame espicially for linden, but ces’t la vie and not all teas can be like http://steepster.com/teas/aalia/95296-lipovy-kvet-ze-svojetic.

The apple pieces added some depth of flavour and added sweetness for those who don’t like those flower notes that much. I should notice… it’s written on the backside of the outer wrapping… sunflowers. Nah, I wasn’t able to. Not sure if it just hid under the others, or it is not so distinctive (I think rather the latter), or what was wrong.

A good tea, indeed.

A tea from derk, originally (for sure) from mrmopar. Thank you both!

Today afternoon I was in a mood for gongfu, especially after shoveling in greenhouse while outside being zero centigrade. I hit my little finger which hurts even 5 hours later. Luckily, it’s left hand and I am being right-handed. But it is unpleasant, won’t lie.

I did again quite a random steepings, because somehow I can’t focus on time while steeping. My mind can’t calm down somehow recently.

But, anyway I have to decided to try. I have started with rinse, which brought out mostly floral notes of lily of the valley, violets and fruit tree flowers. It wasn’t overpowering, rather I noticed there as well notes of vegetables, hay and a bit of herbaceous notes.

Steeps were, as I wrote, rather random. While I started, with 5 seconds, I have tried my best doing some common increments and first few steeps I was able to. Then, something happened and I lose my counts.

The first steeps were actually quite enjoyable and smooth, mouthcoating and without any astringency. I even can call it sweet, which is quite uncommon descriptor for me. Later, I have noticed stronger vegetal notes — somewhere between peas and green beans. Okay, it is weird, isn’t it?

With longer steeps I feel it is rather more harsh, but not bitter nor astringent. The aftertaste is long, even with shorter steeps.

This tea, brought me a mood for writing, that’s why is this note a bit longer… and overall brought me warmness all over the body. My mind stopped overthinking as well, which is certainly a good thing and overall, I feel quite relaxed.

This tea is unoffensive, easy-drinking pu. However, it does not up to my tastes. It seems even a bit flat to me? I know I know… I wrote lots of descriptors. Weridly, I haven’t noticed any tobacco from it. Haven’t expecting much, and it is not crazy of flavours, but well, something IS missing there. I can’t say what… but nah, I would not necessary get more of it.

Thank you derk for sending though and maybe, it wasn’t just a correct time for this tea. Maybe early spring would be better than a day with white stuff outside.

ADVENT DAY 6

Well, another tea I had already. But I have been kinda expecting it will happen. Luckily it is a decent cup.

Again it was a very pleasant, apricot tea with white tea base. It was truly great, although in winter, a bit uncommon. But for summer, it is a delish and iced it can be wonderful I bet.

So smooth, so mouthcoating, so…. I don’t know, so well blended.

ADVENT DAY 5

Classic Chai. So true! I mean, it was a delicate black tea base, bold and full flavoured, malty and highly enjoyable on itself. Quite ginger forward cup, but not overpowering the other spices as cloves and cinnamon. I tend to like more cinnamon chais. Cardamom was present as well, though, again, I would prefer more of it than the ginger.

I do plain chais, so no milk nor honey, but in milk it could be better. More smooth. Better pronounced weaker spices.

Something is missing in this cup.

ADVENT DAY 4

Generally, I am not fan of Ayurvedic tisanes, especially when only herbal or spices. But somehow… it woke me up well although it should be caffeine-free.

It’s not bad, very warming up tisane with warm clove note and cinnamon, light ginger note and quite sweet. It reminds me a bit gingerbread (its Czech version, naturally) and overall it is quite well done. Easydrinking spicy tea without any tongue burns because too strong notes.

But overall, it isn’t a cup I would return to. It’s not bad, but the base is clearly missing and I would really like it with black tea base. Then it would be chai, I know.

ADVENT DAY 3

A second-flush Darjeeling? I am a bit afraid… considering it is a sachet (thankfuly not a tea bag, however, some are fine… El Puente)

It’s more complex than I have been expecting. First steep had a deep body, with notes of raisins, red fruits, a hint of malt and floral aftertaste. Very pleasant with slight astringency of black tea. Quite complex and I am glad it is!

Second steep prepared in the same way, maybe with a wee colder water was very similar — like it doesn’t lose any flavour from it. The astringency arose a bit, but maybe it is because I am drinking it rather cold now. I notice more lemon rind, or any citrus rind aftertaste.

This sounds like a cup for me. Not only because two steeps, but as well so complex and with my favourite flavour profile. A very decent Darjeeling for me and I am, actually, considering ordering a loose leaf pouch (or maybe even a tin? :) ).

Ah. Nothing new to me. I had it just two weeks ago, okay?!

ADVENT DAY 2

But what’s wrong trying it again. This time, my sachet had more juniper berreis in. And I crushed them before brewing the tea. And used a bit colder water. Great combo!

I was surprised that Roswell Strange had this as a DAY 1, but I agree with her… a very nice EG with floral qualities and now even with nice piney (but more please) aftertaste. Smooth, honeyish base which was bold and flavourful.

More enjoyable for me this time, so I am raising the rating.

ADVENT SEASON has started! Surpringly, I start with it again. And only Advent calendar I have this year, because being busy in work, is from Paper & Tea. I have bought it mostly as a sampler to try 24 different teas from them. And if combined with Advent calendar, what can go wrong?

This tea I had to add into database and I just couldn’t pick the best picture they have there… so I do hope that the picture is selling it a bit to you guys.

Okay, now to the tea itself. Honestly, I would like rather something with caffeine (tired after work), but whatever. Fruit notes writtten on backside were a bit… boring. It says: “forest berries, blueberry, cherry, hibiscus” .

Nothing wrong with those flavours, but a bit too standard, don’t you think? Well. It is standard, but not bad. It was fruity, like a fruit punch I can say. Tartness comes from elderberries which are the most present in taste (of berries) and as it cools down I noticed a bit of blueberry. Sadly, I could not notice much of cherries and honestly, behind “forest berries” I miss raspberries and forest strawberries. Maybe I am used to drink more fruity fruit teas… as Czech producers usually are using lots of flavourings. This one was mild — and thus nice, don’t get me wrong.

So yeah, pretty nice starting tea, although it could be better!