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Not Recommended

derk drank Mascarpone & Sour Cherry by Bird & Blend Tea Co.

1546 tasting notes

The smell in the bag was ahhhhh. Subtle sweet creaminess. I smiled and my shoulders relaxed.

It smelled pretty good brewed up, with that same subtleness but also light tanginess that accurately captured mascarpone. A vegetal/cooked green quality was present from the oolong (cheap and/or old tieguanyin or milk oolong?). The taste was strange and weak. The cherry came through with a 3 minute steep time but sampled with a longer 5 minute steep, the flavor was more watery, generic hibiscus sour. The light vegetal taste from the oolong didn’t complement the intended flavor profile. In desperation to get some of that creamy taste, I inhaled through my nose while taking a sip. Nada. I think the mascarpone and sour cherry combination would be awesome but the aroma and tastes didn’t integrate well enough for me to consider this a cohesive brew. Still enjoyable but not recommended.

Preparation

195 °F / 90 °C 5 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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3 comments

derk
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I see now in the description that the oolong is tieguanyin. I’d like to see this re-blended with an exceptionally creamy milk oolong!

Martin Bednář
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Oh, if I will have nothing to do, I will try write them your suggestion. Indeed milk oolong will be (hopefully) better than “just” TGY. If they reply, I will share it.

derk
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Comments

derk
Delete

I see now in the description that the oolong is tieguanyin. I’d like to see this re-blended with an exceptionally creamy milk oolong!

Martin Bednář
Delete

Oh, if I will have nothing to do, I will try write them your suggestion. Indeed milk oolong will be (hopefully) better than “just” TGY. If they reply, I will share it.

derk
Delete

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Bio

This place, like the rest of the internet, is dead and overrun with bots. And thus I step away.

Eventual tea farmer. If you are a tea grower, want to grow your own plants or are simply curious, please follow me so we can chat.

I most enjoy loose-leaf, unflavored teas and tisanes. Teabags have their place. Some of my favorite teas have a profound effect on mind and body rather than having a specific flavor profile. Terpene fiend.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Georgia, Japan, Nepal and Darjeeling. While I’m not actively on the hunt, a goal of mine is to try tea from every country that makes it available to the North American market. This is to gain a vague understanding of how Camellia sinensis performs in different climates. I realize that borders are arbitrary and some countries are huge with many climates and tea-growing regions.

I’m convinced European countries make the best herbal teas.

Personal Rating Scale:

100-90: A tea I can lose myself into. Something about it makes me slow down and appreciate not only the tea but all of life or a moment in time. If it’s a bagged or herbal tea, it’s of standout quality in comparison to similar items.

89-80: Fits my profile well enough to buy again.

79-70: Not a preferred tea. I might buy more or try a different harvest. Would gladly have a cup if offered.

69-60: Not necessarily a bad tea but one that I won’t buy again. Would have a cup if offered.

59-1: Lacking several elements, strangely clunky, possess off flavors/aroma/texture or something about it makes me not want to finish.

Unrated: Haven’t made up my mind or some other reason. If it’s pu’er, I likely think it needs more age.

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