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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!

A sachet found in my boxes buried somewhere on the bottom. It’s from ashmanra for sure, based on the small pouch; but label I lost somewhere. Thank you! And it must be this one, because it is only one I haven’t logged yet.

It has to be this one, as it is only tea with rose from Harney I have (where are the other two I have no idea). Maybe already drank, but not removed from cupboard? Even that is possible.

I prepared it, expecting nothing but rose black tea and it seems it is that. Not sure what was wrong, but I could not notice nothing but peppery rose. There wasn’t any base noticeable which made me a bit sad.

Apparently, it is custom blend and not a bad one… just I have been expecting more from tea itself. So, unfortunately, no choco notes from Keemun aka Queen Catherine. But it was good nevertheless as I wrote already. It’s good. It just needs a bit less of rose. Maybe the base isn’t the strongest already as well.

I remember trying rose tea for first time. This was flat compared to it. But rose blacks are something I have to try more often.

Single session of this tea from derk (thank you!), but so pleasant with first snow outside the window. I mean… it is a first snow and it even stays. I guess we have about two inches of fresh snow. Usually it snows, but melts afterwards. Not this year. And I did not even fell down on the first snow. It’s something!

I came home today and when I was travelling home, I thought about another gongfu session. Something, that will calm me down, warm me up, and keep it simple and cozy.

This tea delivers it. It’s simple and relaxing. I completely get calming and muscle relaxing ability. Weird that tea (and only tea, not a blend) can do it, while other can wake us up and make us buzz. I got several nice steeps, lightly vegetal — green peppers and beans, a bit of grassy and now and then mild astringency. Not sure if I noticed astringency in first sessions (I need to start a steep diary), but for sure, the minerality was there.

As derk said, great for beginners, as it is mellow and it is not hard to steep. On the other hand it can be quite complex for first time pu-erh drinkers and can bring more curiosity to try more and more teas. I do not consider myself as a experienced drinker, but I really liked it for its easy steeping.

Happy Thanksgiving fellow Steepster people who celebrate it. We do not.

But why not to be thankful one day. But why only one day. I am thankful for every single day.

But the tea… gets same rating as their Perfect Day. It was great as well. I got nice and quite strong base, with caramel sweetness from it. Vanilla smoothness and little of its flavour. Vanilla creamyness. Delish. And in the end of sip I noticed orange flesh. It wasn’t peel flavour (which should be in), but the inside of the citrus. Great. I couldn’t notice much of chocolate which should be in, but maybe next time. I have two tea bags left.

Single steep (although two are possible, according to them).

Tea that I have received from derk, originally apparently from ashmanra, with prolonged California stroring, one month in Czech customs warehouse and now with me… for a week or so.

Derk noticed, it is very bitter. That discouraged me, so I took only three grams (from 7) and prepared gongfu. Quick rinse that I tossed out.

Several — rapid, short, longer, long steeps. I haven’t counted time nor number of steeps. I started about 10 seconds and ended up with 5 minutes maybe.

Honestly, it doesn’t deliver much. It starts with forest floor, quite dry one. Then there is some bitterness, but not overpowering, not in a single steep. But alas, it doesn’t deliver much more. It is rather boring. There is, again borrowing words, this time from Tea-ass, pekoe aroma (and taste). Light, unharmful tea. Last steeps are rather vegetal and the astringency arises, but not upsetting my stomach.

Ok, it seems this is a winner for the four teas I have tried from Paper & Tea. However, one (and last from sampler) is about to come this afternoon. EDIT 8 hours later: it did not. I sipped down Jin Xuan Jasmine oolong instead.

It is very light base, but very nice — mouthcoating and supersmooth. It has got white tea qualities, athough I am not able to describe the flavour profile of it. It was quite sweet and lightly fruity — mostly the apricots I have noticed and a little of apples. It says there should be mango, but I am glad I haven’t noticed it as I think it would overpower the mellow, fruity and fresh apricot flavour I got.

I have been to the dentist today, preparation for a crown. So next visit will be costly.

That said, my tasting buds may be off. And I am so numb all day. Slight headache for second day. Uhh, I want a cup of tea.

So here it is.
Single steep.

Decent tea, with nice strawberry note, although not fresh and juicy berry flavour. It wasn’t a flaw though, as I think I wouldn’t enjoy it. The base wasn’t much strong with this tea. But it complements the flavour profile. Weirdly, instead of basil, I noticed rather rose. I expected more basil rough taste, but nada. It was fine though and all together working fine. Maybe my smell isn’t great with a bit stuffy nose. Overall, nice and light tea… hopefully with more fruitiness next time.