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I definitely overelafed this tea. It’s broken leaves and I used all the sample without checking its weight beforehand. I suppose I should split it in half. Well, too late.

As I wrote, there are many broken leaves in this blend and it is actually like some kind a breakfast tea, as it is really strong after my 2-3 minutes steeping. I know, I used lots of tea.

Anyway, even overleafed it wasn’t bitter or astringent at all, just very strong. But still with lovely flavour nuances of red fruits and slight herbal notes. A little drying. The aroma was different though, it was kind of grassy, I suppose a flax seed (as common for Georgian teas, right derk?), meadow. It wasn’t much like a black tea at all.

In conclusion, great tea — and a free sample (as I bought almost all other teas in sample sizes), so thank you Teaoria! I expect buying more tea from them in the future, as their teas are lovely and fresh and shipping from Poland is easier than from Georgia itself.

A sipdown! (M: 4, Y: 40)

Gongfu, 7 grams, 125 ml.

Yay, another sipdown!
Several steeps of 15-30 seconds. Did not count, no exact timing. Temperature roughly 70°C. One fast rinse.

Round, grass seed and hints of vegetables in taste. Aroma was floral, mostly gardenia in my opinion, followed with other floral notes, even hints of jasmine here.
Exciting mouthfeel, long aftertaste, relaxing and refreshing properities. A little astringency if steeped for longer; but dismishes quickly and keeps grass seed note on the tongue. Surprisingly, no hay here.

A duplicate spotted!

This is one of the teas I have received as a birthday gift from my co-workers. I have 7 or how many more boxes of Basilur teas and I am slowly drinking them there, as tea bags are perfect for work teas. You know, just a little time for preparations, not much time for contemplation about the tea and such. Convenience of tea bag is the key there.

Prepared hour before lunch as I had absolutely no time before.

It is a great tea — mellow orange flavouring, nice floral notes of passion fruit with nice, smooth base. Easy drinking and not bitter, rather smooth and a touch of creamy. But a little bit complexity it those flavours would be welcomed. Yes, it is distinctly orange and passion fruit, but nothing else. Though, I think this will be finished first.

A sipdown! (M: 3, Y: 39)
Not going that well as I have hoped. 39 looks like a nice number, but I would need to double it and no new teas.

Honestly, this is fine pyramid sachet tea. It gives you a nice flavour, not bitter, slightly buttery and grassy taste. If warmer water is used, then you get more vegetals. Simple tea, indeed. Good for newbies in tea. Cheap and relatively tasty. At least it’s not a disaster, you know.

Actually, I didn’t wanted to buy any tea during my stay in Germany last, a bit pro-longed weekend. But you know; sometimes you just can’t resist. And I found out that white teas are perfect for hot days and I almost have none.

So, when I was just a few metro stations from this place, which I actually wanted to visit last year too, I just went in.

Sourced directly from India, owner/shop assistant was chatty and helpful and I bought two teas and got one for free.

Wel, I have to say I wasn’t paying much attention to this tea, which it certainly deserves. Because it has got nice fruity notes, among with sweet vanilla wafers, which resembles me 2020 Winter Darjeeling White tea by Ketlee I got from derk and reviewed back in February. Maybe it is very same plantation?
Flavor continues with muscat notes, white wine and lemon zest, which is… werid as I said I wasn’t paying too much attention.

Also, steeped with almost boiling water was, surprisingly, not a bad experience and leaves very nice, large tea leaves in the strainer. They claim that it can be steeped twice, but maybe next time… with the rating.

Another tea bag from lovely Canadian Postcrossing member. I had a mood for black tea, although hot afternoon says that some light tea would suit the weather better.

Well, this tea is strong. Steeped for recommneded 2 minutes in 300 ml cup. I got a bitter (not astringent) cup full of tobacco. Not a fan!

So, after my short Germany trip, Bruce Springsteen concert in Hamburg stadium being the most important reason, I came home with two new teas I have bought. I got one sample free of charge, but this tea isn’t any I have bought. Instead, when I came home, a thick envelope from Canada landed on my desk; saying “Happy Postcrossing!” so it is a tea from Canadian Postcrossing member.

There were actually 5 different tea bag wrappers and I took this one today, looking for something simple — but flavoured.

There is a text on the wrapper saying: “This bright green tea blend has a kick from ginger & a sweet note of pear.” That caught my attention, moreover seeing no pear in the ingredients list on the other side. On the other side there is also a lovely typo saying that you should use 80°F (175°C) water, but trust me, I haven’t prepared it in the steam, but used 80°C water instead.

Honestly, there is no ginger kick, but there is the pear along with lemongrass in the flavour. Green tea was mild, but also a weak in flavour, but yep, it was refreshing and non-offensive. But I don’t need getting and trying it again.

A sipdown! (M: 2, Y: 38)
Eh. The first note? Have I ever shared this tea with someone or I drank it all alone? I don’t remember!

Anyway, last year FF Darjeeling. Probably a good timing to sip it down, as I have some 2023 FF too.

A funny story behind buying this tea. I have put it in to shopping basket in the webshop, reading it is my favorite Mokalbari, placed the order along with other teas; and then I have read in the invoice saying Makaibari. I went back to the tea shop and it was clearly marketed as Makaibari. I just read it wrong!

But decided to try it anyway, as back then I didn’t had any FF tea. And afterall, why not trying another tea garden.
In fact, I never loved this tea. It was quite highly astringent all the times, proper steeping parameters were working once, twice and then I had to change them again; it was fine and non-offensive tea, but it doesn’t gave me any particular impression. No fruity notes, no florals; just somehow astringent and sometimes even bitter tea.

Well, until today; when using last 4 grams and steeped for 3 minutes and it was round flavour with hints (but only hints!) of tropical fruits and again that creeping and, even for me, too high astringency.

A sipdown! (M: 1, Y: 37)
I would rather get a proper, ice-cold mojito. But this tea was refreshing nevertheless!

At first, a Wrigley Spearmint gum notes appeared. Nothing “great”, but then it developed into much more interesting notes; as lime has appeared somehow and in the end I get a nice and quite refreshing hot tea.

Mojito? Well, not absolutely, but certainly I see their attempt as a success.

Another sample from teaoria I took today morning. It is crushed black tea, pretty much similar to Classic Black Tea by Georgian Tea 1847, and to be honest, I think it is very same tea. Used only half of tea sample… 3 grams, so maybe a little weaker than used to, but it was still great.

Very robust after recommended 4-5 minutes steep, very rich and brisk. A little earthy, malty and such. They also call it “extra breakfast” and as a breakfast tea it suited it so well, I have no further comments. I will focus a bit more on the flavours next time.