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SIPDOWN 3

A pouch received from subscription; but I have no idea when. Who cares? But I had to cancel the subscription, as getting each envelope through customs is annyoing and slowing things down a lot.

And why this tea today? Well, my train home has broken down. And I had to wait about 20-30 minutes for another, which was fine in matter of time, but the weather outside was frightful. Around -4°C, drizzle, strong wind gusts. And no place to hide. Argh! So, I was craving something quite sweet, but strong, and if possible not fruity. This was a perfect hit. And moreover, sipdown!

I thought I have oversteeped it. I prepared it and went with cup of coffee (for my mum) to the living room. Spilled the coffee. The tea has survived. I put the tea on the coffee table, decided to clean up the floor. Brought coffee again, and spilled again. What? I had to clean the bottom of the glass this time. And during that I spilled it for third time… (and last time)

But back to the tea. This tea, steeped for longer than usual and in my previous attempts, was very dark when I finally reached my cup. I was afraid it went bitter and maybe even awful. I took the fill-your-own-bag out and sipped. It was strong, indeed. Quite bitter. But actually, I felt robust roasted dandelion root which was actually fairly similar to dark hot chocolate. And as there are some nibs and shells in, it was actually pretty good and those gave it some cocoa notes! The dandelion root added some bitterness which wouldn’t be case, if they used only cocoa nibs and shells I think.

The peppermint was fairly hidden in aroma, but present in taste as a refreshing, light menthol taste. As I was hoping for more dark chocolate, than mild one, I was glad it wasn’t too strong… but present.

In conclusion, it is a fine tea, nothing I would have to drink often, but stands up its name well. The dandelion root is interesting ingredient, indeed. But the flavour itself is something I don’t actually need to have recreated as a tea.

Thank you derk and Leafhopper. Received from first one mentioned, with second name on the label.

Steep count 2, both brewed similar.

I guess it is my first GABA oolong? Not sure, but certainly I don’t recall having any before. Who cares? Not me.

Leaves are big and have amazing look even when dry. Steeped western, in big strainer, however even this one is too small maybe?

Nose is saying honey for me, lightly vegetal, baked apples and spices, probably cinnamon.

Taste is great, very smooth, very similar to aroma described above, with some fruity note in the end of sip. In the second steep I notice more of the spices, fruitiness and vegetal notes are a bit stronger too.

I read that GABA should have inhibitory function (I read it after drinking first steep) and I feel I have to agree. I have been pretty much tired after work (long, monotonous job today) and this calmed me down and moreover, I have enjoyed a nice oolong at home. That all counts.

A tea bag I believe from derk. Stupid me I tried to save space in my cupboard and mixed up tea bags from derk and Michelle. Thank you!

Hm, Truly basic, light and refreshing jasmine green. Do not expect much and it is fine. Expect more and you will be disappointed. Luckily it isn’t harsh, jasmine is not overpowering green tea base; but overall rather average.

SIPDOWN 2
A sad sipdown. Thank you Dustin!

I am just glad I have finished another “one last serving” tea. Fruity green tea, a perfect companion to today grey weather.

Gongfu; 5 grams per 125 ml gaiwan

Another tea from Michelle, originally from Rich. Thank you both!

I have to agree with her in all points. First steeps were rich in camphor, later ones were rather creamy and lightly earthy. Certainly not fishy and overall it is nice and smooth tea.

Sadly, I am not able to find any other flavor notes.

I have been craving for something sweet, but it is past 8 pm, so a sweet sounding tea blend it is!

I prepared moreless as suggested; 1 tsp, almost boiling water, pretty much long steep (I think I did 5-6 minutes).

Sadly, it isn’t that sweet as I have been hoping for. Yes, coconut is there. It reminds me a bit one local cookies. There is some banana too, as it cools down. So yeah, I think it can be low-calorie version of the macaroon. Next time I will try a bit shorter steeping. I think the rooibos a bit of overpowering the intended flavour profile.

In conclusion, not a winner for me. I realize I can’t tell much from one steep. Some teas need some tweaks in steeping. I guess this will be one of them. Thank you Michelle for including it in the box for me!

SIPDOWN 1 in 2022

Yees, my first sipdown. I had 7,5 grams remaining and decided to gongfu them. It was a bit too much…

Steeps were around at first, 20 seconds each, later I prolonged them with finishing around one minute long.

It was bold. Heavy. But somehow different than western steeping, which I feel is better steeping method. I think I just overelafed it.

Sadly, all the mellow notes were weak and instead strong malt, honey and a bit of astringency is here. Muscatel remains here, combined with opposite — earthy flavours, lightly nutty ones. Some steeps were a bit bitter.

I see now as well eastkyteaguy note of roasted almonds and I think that is that nutty flavour I have pointed out, however it is not nut in a botanical way. But who cares? Maybe Courtney would? Haha.

Okay. I know this note isn’t saying much about the tea I guess. I am actually as well happy that it is finished and I don’t have another almost empty pouch in my cupboard. Again, a cup of tea that has got quite high rating (90 for western brews), but now I feel I should go lower. I wouldn’t.

I would like get it as a gift again. I would even buy it. But not now.

Here I am! I was for a week on the trip with my best friend in Poland. We were in Torun, Gdansk (Danzig for German speakers) and in the end Poznan.

I will be honest… hotel teas are bad. Worse than I have been expecting.
Here is the list I had this week(tea bags mostly). I won’t make a separate post for each tea tried.

I have started wih Dilmah Earl Grey — I have been expecting better. Quite bitter base tea, bergamot is rather lemon, or I have thought.
Very same day I tried Ceylon Gold by Basilur (I had two cups of tea for breakfast each day in Torun). Even worse flavour. Even more bitter. No other flavours.

Next day… another Dilmah tea; this time flavoured with lemon; and the second wih passion fruit, pomergranate and honeysuckle. First one was probably the worst from my Dilmah experience? The aroma was foul. Very dish soap like, very artificial and it went to flavour very much as well. Ugh, I am trying to recall worse lemon tea! Second one was fruity. Yes, it was black tea with fruity flavours. But can’t find out any of the flavours that should be in. Aroma was so strong, that it made me cough.

I thought it can be better. My expectation in the hotel in Gdansk weren’t met. Actually, it was rapid downhill. Due to Covid-19 we had to order breakfast beforehand, and there was “Tee” in English translation. Breakfast was fine, but “Tee” we got was round tea bag, without any information on it or on the label, because it has got no label! I was trying to find out and they (the staff) only told me it’s black tea. Thank you, I have recognized, based on the brew. It was very earthy, dusty, bitter… probably Tetley or some Polish, worse, tea.

Luckily, during our stay in Gdansk, we have visited local restaurant and there I have ordered a tea. Green tea. Of course, they brought boiling water. The tea was Classic Green from Ronnefeldt company. I know that they are pretty much okay. It’s not top-notch. Probably best bagged tea I had this vacation. It was mild and a bit grassy.
We actually went to the restaurants twice this day. Or it was day before? I don’t know. But once, we have received even a loose-leaf tea. It was some easydrinking Ceylon black tea, but it was so big change of pace. I loved it (in terms of “teas” I have got earlier)

After arriving in Poznan, we needed to eat something. So I have ordered again a tea… but this time it was with ginger, raisins orange, dried morello cherries and honey. I thought it will be some loose tea steeped in and then whole finished drink will be delivered to me.
I was wrong. I have received hot water with all the ingredients and on the top, there was floating a tea bag. An unknown brand (teArtis). It was very fine for me that day.

And at last, Poznan. We were about to get some breakfast at hotel, but because it was New Year, they did not serve any. But we had tea bags in our room so I have tried one. It was Green Tea Peach from Teekanne. Well known company for me, and I was so disappointed. I know I have oversteeped it, but it must be wrong even before. Turned out bitter and hay-like. Maybe it was there for long? Who knows.

So I have decided that we will go to the tea room. I really wanted a good tea. Really good tea. And why not the very last day of the vacation?

I have ordered probably the most expensive tea there? It was Oolong Kaoribi Shibamoto. Yes it is Japanese oolong… I never had any before. It was so good that I have bought 100 grams of it to take home. With it I have took some blend they had there. It is called “Z Perskiego targu” which means “From Persian market”. I haven’t opened it yet, so I have no idea what it is.
The oolong? I just have to say it was awesome. I will write more about it later. If you have any information of this tea, let me know. I have only Polish text that was written there.

And one more pouch I took home. Torun is famous for Gingerbread. And I have seen one little pouch of it in gift shop, so I have decided to take it home. And it is very potent, but it seems to be nice.

Note: I was able to read and like your tasting notes. I was happy that you have been enjoying this week as I was. Sometimes I was even able to write a little comment (during the train ride), but I was never able to write a proper tasting note for each tea. It is so hard to write on my mobile. Sorry if I have missed some.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! ADVENT DAY 24

I won’t lie, I have expected some kind of holiday tea. Some distinctly German. Punch-like maybe? Glühwein?

But anyway! It is wonderful apricot white tea. Today even the base tea complements so well with the fruit. Honeyish → sweet taste of it.

Apricot is fruity and fresh, juicy as wel. Very genuine and sweet as well. One of the winners for me from this Advent.

I think that this Advent calendar shown me some blends I am considering to order one day, as well there were a few dismals. But that’s completely normal. One young man can’t love everything.

I also wish you happy holidays, a better next year and I wish you all being healthy, because that matters the most nowadays.

ADVENT DAY 23

Another repetition. But today I actually don’t mind it, because it is a cup I highly enjoyed. And it is somehow relaxing.

My impressions of this tea won’t change much since day 7. It is very cozy floral cup, honey-ish of linden, not medicinal in any way. It is naturally sweet.

Don’t be sceptical and get it :D It’s pleasant. Very.