379 Tasting Notes

90

Having a tough month caring for my Pachinko kitty. She looks so healthy… Her fur is still so silky soft and she continues to groom herself but I know that she isn’t feeling well. So hard to believe that a vibrant healthy cat has cancer spread all over her body in a matter of months. :( The oncologist told me recently to let her have her little quality time left before putting her down since she is still eating and drinking well. It’s a difficult time for me as I am closer to my pets than people. I think it’ll be some time this month. The second that her palliative meds aren’t working, I’ll call an At Home euthanisia so she doesn’t have to be scared in an unfamiliar place and then I’ll send her to be with my other kitty Fushi who I lose 2 years ago. Thank you again for all your supportive words.

I really liked this tea. Warm, comforting. Cocoa, almonds, very slightly grassy for a yerba mate. I drank it with one of my bombilla sets. So kinda like grandpa style, using 170F (my typical temperature when I drink Yerba Mate) and filled it up all day, no timing… Etc. Many yerba mate have a very strong flavor but not this one. I felt the cocoa and almonds shined in this one. Highly recommended. Thank you Derk!! :D

Flavors: Almond, Cocoa, Dark Chocolate, Grassy, Nutty, Roasted Nuts

Preparation
170 °F / 76 °C 2 tsp 6 OZ / 177 ML
Shae

Oh goodness, I am so sorry you’re both going through this. I’m closer to my cats than most people too. Can’t imagine how you must be feeling. Sending big hugs.

ashmanra

I am so sorry. I wish I could do something to make it better. I offer hugs from afar and love.

Courtney

I’m sending hugs your way as well. We’re also closer to our pets than most people and losing one is always unimaginably difficult. I’ll be keeping you and your little one in my thoughts.

mrmopar

So sorry. This is a rough thing to have happen. Prayers for you.

Cameron B.

I also love my furbabies more than people, I’m so sorry and I hope you’re doing well. Miss you!

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66

I don’t know. Sometimes certain tea actually tastes like paint thinner. I don’t know why but this is one of them, unfortunately.

Forgive me for not being around the past 8 days. I found out that my beautiful kitty Pachinko, a siamese longhair mix, looks so healthy. but had a little cough, so I brought her in to see the vet. The X-rays saw something scary in her lungs. A few days later, she had a full-body CT scan. She has cancer that has metastasized in her limbs, shoulders, back, and lungs. The oncologist told me that the prognosis is very poor despite her chubby and healthful appearance. I’m giving her daily steroid shots, and medicine to add palliative care. Once she shows ANY sign of pain, I will send her to cat heaven where she can be with my beloved Fushi who died 2 years ago. I can’t tell you how devasted I am. I am not even over Fushi’s death.

And so it goes…

:(((((

Flavors: Grassy, Metallic, Rice

ashmanra

I am so, so sorry, Kawaii433. I remember how hard it was with Fushi. Love and hugs to you and Pachinko. I hope for many good days for you together.

tea-sipper

I know Pachinko has the best human! I’m so sorry.

Crowkettle

I’m so sorry, Kawaii433. You’re doing everything you can for Pachinko <3

AJRimmer

<3 That’s so hard, I’m so sorry!

Martin Bednář

Those are news you never want to hear :/ I´m so sorry!

mrmopar

Gosh so hard when we lose a loved one person or pet. We just know we love them and would do anything for them.

Mastress Alita

I’m so sorry, Kawaii. I get it, my fur-child is my world. Remember you are doing the best thing for her by not allowing her to feel pain or suffer.

Kawaii433

You are all so wonderful. Thank you.

LuckyMe

So sorry to hear the news. Pachinko is lucky to have someone who cares for her like you.

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98

So I love buckwheat tea. Always buying all kinds. This company makes one with cocoa grist so I decided to try it. Let’s just start that the aroma is utterly intoxicating. The chocolate aroma is similar to someone is baking cookies. I can’t get enough of the aroma. The taste is equally as good and it isn’t sweet. It’s chocolately. I mean, real chocolate notes not an “Am I just fabricating the taste in my mind?” type of chocolate tea. The cocoa goes so well with buckwheat.

I tried to find other makers of a similar combination but the only one is this one and it is from Russia. I have bought 3 or 4 bags of it because I always want it around. The kicker is… I don’t even like desserts but this is so good, so comforting to me and it is good for me.

Flavors: Chocolate, Cookie, Roasted Barley, Wheat

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 3 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML
derk

If you don’t like desserts and I’m not so much a fan either, this sounds like something I have to try!

gmathis

Wow. Yum!

Kawaii433

Yeah guys, it’s incredible… At least to me. lol

ashmanra

Where did you find this?

Kawaii433

I get it on Amazon.

Martin Bednář

Seems to be Russian company! Interesting.

hawkband1

That sounds good.

ashmanra

Kawaii433: Thanks! I saw it there but wanted to make sure it was a good source!

Kawaii433

Yes, it is a good source. I think it’s the only source too hehe. I looked for other places, but found only one other who sold it. And @Martin Yes, Russian. I love the people, just not their leader >.< lol

Martin Bednář

Same here Kawaii433.

ashmanra

Ordered!

Kawaii433

Ashmanra, let me know what you think. hehe It is really good for our tummies too, the cocoa and buckwheat are soothing.

hawkband1

I ended up purchasing this and I really like it. Great chocolate flavor! Thanks for pointing it out!

Kawaii433

Yay. I know taste is subjective so that is great news. hehe

ashmanra

Ashman, eldest daughter Superanna, and I all liked it! My pouch is almost half gone and I haven’t made a latte with it yet, something I really want to try. Also, I sent you a message on FB messenger!

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88

I like ginger teas and this one tastes exceptionally good. Ginger notes are present but definitely not overwhelming. Sliiiightly spicy, sliiightyly tangy. I brewed it over a slice of TeaVivre dried lemon. I thought it had a great balance with the citrus notes but since I like things sourer I prepare it this way now. It is a refreshing drink and energy lifting. I bet it would be great as an ice tea.

Flavors: Citrusy, Ginger, Lemon, Spices, Spicy

Preparation
160 °F / 71 °C 3 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 6 OZ / 177 ML

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90

After the banana fudge, I tried this one. Now this one is a winner. Can clearly taste the apple, slightly tangy too, with cinnamon, sweetness (but not sickenly sweet at all, tasted more natural type of flavoring), and yummy caramel notes. This one is a keeper.

Flavors: Apple, Apple Skins, Caramel, Cinnamon, Spices

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76

Like Dustin, I’ve tried to coax the flavors out of this. I do taste the banana but it’s extremely light. Not sure if it was my imagination lol. I tried boiling water and cold brew overnight. I do not taste a hint of fudge. :(

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 0 sec

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90

Added thoughts. Having this today. This one is far better, in my humble opinion than the Yunnan Sourcing one. It is so citrusy, fresh, clear taste, unlike others there is barely any earth notes though if that’s your thing… Blahblahblah. :P I already wrote about it twice before I believe.

Having it grandpa style, with a slice of TeaVivre’s dried lemon in it. Yummy.

Flavors: Citrus Fruits, Citrusy, Dried Fruit, Tangerine

Preparation
Boiling
ashmanra

I was thinking I need to place an order soon. Glad I saw this before I do so. I have not had a chenpi in sooooo long.

Kawaii433

@Ashmanra <3 I knew I should’ve ordered more when I got my refill of their buckwheat tea. I will order this next time I make an order with TeaVivre too. If I had more, I would have gladly sent some!

ashmanra

No worries! I had my last sample packet of Lu Shan Yun Wu and I really need to place an order for some fresh greens, anyway! Of course, I got distracted looking at all the pretty teaware…

Kawaii433

@ashmanra The pretty teaware gets me every.single.time. lol

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80

No funky taste. Citrusy, mushroom, earthy, fruity, and citrus rind notes. Bought this years ago so it’s longer than 4 years aged ripe by now :P. I don’t like camphor but this one has very mild notes of it so it is nice. It is slightly sweet, a little bittersweet. Super dark reddish liquor with a mixture of tangerine and earthy aroma. Having it grandpa style. I put it in a glass mug, rinsed it with boiling water, and have been drinking it today. Sometimes these types of teas taste a little too medicinal for me, but this one does not. It’s very mellow. ^^

Flavors: Bittersweet, Citrus Zest, Citrusy, Earthy, Fruity, Mushrooms, Sweet, Tangerine, Tangy

Preparation
6 OZ / 177 ML

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84

After the last few days of drinking gyokuro, I wanted to switch to something more mellow. Mandala Tea sent me this sample (2021 Silver Strand) and it is one of their few teas that I haven’t got to try.

Prepared it in a 150ml silver gaiwan with 160F water. I put the entire bag in (maybe 6 grams?), after a 10s rinse, I did 5 infusions total beginning with 15s infusions and adding 15s to each subsequent infusion.

I really loved the way the wet leaves smelled after the rinse. There was a tart, tangy smell of artichokes, asparagus, maybe melon. The liquor was transparent light yellow. The smell of the liquor was about the same but just very light compared to the wet leaves.

The taste was very pleasant. A pleasant sweetness, and creaminess to it. As I went through the infusions, there was a very slight bitterness towards the end but not much, it stayed a good cup till the end. It has a soft mouthfeel, so creamy on the palate and ends with a little bit of a dry tongue. Super delicate umami, vegetal notes. Fruity melon notes every now and then, light mineral notes. Flavorrs of tangy artichokes, asparagus throughout.

Not disappointed. I drank those 5 infusions so fast. :D

Man, it sure feels good to be able to drink any type of tea again and not worry about my tummy. lol ^^

Flavors: Artichoke, Asparagus, Creamy, Fruity, Melon, Spinach, Umami, Vegetal

Preparation
160 °F / 71 °C 0 min, 15 sec 6 g 5 OZ / 150 ML
derk

I happy you can enjoy again what you love <3

Did this have an aged taste to it given its age?

Kawaii433

Derk, thank you. I am happy too! The sample they sent me was the Silverstrand 2021. I’ll go put that in my note hehe. Thanks.

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90
drank Gyokuro "Yame" by Lupicia
379 tasting notes

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Profile

Bio

Longtime casual tea drinker. In the past, mainly Matcha, Gyokuro, Sencha, Genmaicha… Etc. I like all teas: Green, oolong, black & pu’erh (prefer ripe over raw).

Chanoyu (for matcha prep) and Gongfu cha (for other types of tea) are the main ways I prepare my tea (Gaiwan, Yixing teapot, Kyusu). I drink all tea… Usually unflavored. This past year, I’ve tried many flavored now because of all of you lol. As long as there aren’t artificial sweeteners, it’s all good.

Favorite stores: TeaVivre, What-Cha, Mandala Tea, 52Teas, Whispering Pines, Bird & Blend, Yunnan sourcing, White2Tea, Lupicia.

The flavors I dislike: Artificial sweetener, lavender, violet, any strong floral-perfumey tea; cantaloupe, papaya, honeydew, rose, licorice, anise, jasmine, any mints, leather.

Favorite flavors: Citrus fruits (especially grapefruit & tangerines), granny smith apple, bananas, guava, mango, tamarind, watermelon, stonefruits, chocolate, caramel, vanilla, milk, cinnamon, creme, bread/pastry, nuts, toasted, roasted.

I generally don’t add anything to my teas unless they are flavored, then I may add a splash of milk.

As I explore, my ratings may shift. 90+ generally means I’ll keep it on my shelf.

Location

USA

Website

https://www.facebook.com/kawa...

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