New Tasting Notes
Gongfu!
Right around the start of the month, I got my rather large Black Friday order, so I’ve been enjoying slowly steeping up and exploring all of those teas in between the advent madness. It’s easier some days than others. This one was so lovely, though! Deeply full-bodied with a thick, syrupy liquor. The tasting notes are a mix between dark woods, malt, and leather and punchier, more saturated flavours of waxy red fruits and black cherries. Just a bit of spice that dances on the tip of the tongue and rounds out the finish. If you’re a fan of black teas from Thailand or just looking to try this somewhat lesser-focused on terroir, I think this is a really great tea!
Tea Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/DDe4y0fRYOa/?img_index=1
Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLrQ_A7mVsw&ab_channel=ObongjayarVEVO
Gongfu!
Love the slick, syrupy liquor and coating mouthfeel of this tea. The top notes glaze-like with dark, golden honey flavours that blanket a more dense, malty and cocoa tinged middle sip with undertones of cooked down, darkly sweet stonefruit. However, the tasting note that struck me the most in this session was a rich and nearly constant present taste of graham crackers. Between the malt, honey, and cocoa it was hard not to think of teddy bear graham cookies at different parts of this session which was actually quite nostalgic. I feel like the last time I had those cookies may have even been in school lunches. I have such a craving for them now, and I don’t even know if they’re still made…
Tea Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/DDkC6I7pgJa/?img_index=1
Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7qEPGmpTgU&ab_channel=MICKEYDARLING
Adventageddon Day 14
One of my all time favourite blends from Dammann Freres, so I was excited to see it today! True to expectations it was a nice medium to full bodied cuppa with brisk, malty and floral black tea perfectly suited to the sweet, bright and effervescent notes of ripe red cherries. Those flavours were met with subtly earthy ginger and a bit of a nuttiness along with general spices that almost bleed together into the cherry to give off a little bit of a Cherry Cola kind of vibe. No complaints – this was delish!
Today’s Advent Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/DDkyWWISpLo/?img_index=1
Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAMJECUtBxU&ab_channel=MeagreMartin-Topic
Adventageddon Day 14
I don’t know if this is my favourite tea (well, tisane) from Inoki so far, but it’s definitely high up there. Obviously the lotus blossoms are absolutely stunning to look at in the cup but I thought this was also really educational for me too. I’ve had lotus before in different blends, but I’m pretty sure this is the first time I’ve ever steeped it up on its own and I thought the flavour was very pleasant. Soft and just a little bit sweet with a very clean earthiness to it that made me think a little bit of petrichor and the smell of my grandma’s garden after watering the flowerbeds during summer mornings. However, it also had this sort of pleasantly powdery cocoa note to it that I wasn’t expecting. Very raw/unrefined but quite lovely in its simplicity.
Inoki doesn’t actually sell any of these teas straight yet – I have a sneaking suspicion that might change after the advent depending on what the overall reception is like. This is one of a small handful of things I’ve tried that I would easily purchase again though.
Today’s Advent Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/DDkyWWISpLo/?img_index=1
Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdcbB7KNKYc&ab_channel=JoyAgain-Topic
Adventageddon Day 14
I bowl brewed this one.
I swear that between all these advents I’ve probably had more chrysanthemum in the last two weeks than in the rest of the year combined. Interestingly, I seem to be kind of growing a bit of a taste for it. The more cups I have the more I’m really appreciating that sort of black pepper sort of quality.
That said, I have to say that this one definitely didn’t seem to be as nice a quality as what’s been included by Inoki in their advent, and the goji berries in the little packet basically didn’t contribute jack shit flavour wise. But, I suppose there’s an argument to be made that maybe they have some functional benefits. Maybe.
Today’s Advent Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/DDkyWWISpLo/?img_index=1
Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsqU6n7BJnQ&ab_channel=TeenagePriest
Another great choice from Yunomi! This is such a smooth and delicate matcha. Perfect balance of flavors and wonderfully subtle sweetness with intense creaminess.
Harvest: Spring 2024
Cultivar: Samidori
Location: Wazuka, Kyoto
Flavors: Bitter, Creamy, Grass, Sweet, Umami
Adventageddon Day 14
Was not expecting to pull this one from the advent this morning – I’d totally forgotten we included it this year, and it’s such a sort of “out there” flavour that between all the spiced, decadent, or festively fruity blends it had just fallen off my radar.
I debated making it cold brewed, but I waited too late into the day to start the cold brew so I just had it as a late afternoon hot cuppa instead. It was very nice though! I’ve been really indulging in different sweets and things along with my advent teas, so this was almost a bit like a digestive what with all the tummy-soothing botanicals in the blend. Smooth and just a little bit citrusy with that tonic-like and piney juniper note rounding out the mug. I also tasted a bit of licorice root and a very subtle earthy undertone from the turmeric. Nice and aromatic, too!
Today’s Advent Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/DDkyWWISpLo/?img_index=1
Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ng-YWz1W1iE&ab_channel=AndreaChahayed-Topic
Friendly reminder that I do not numerically rate DAVIDsTEA blends as I’m currently employed there and it would be an obvious conflict of interest. Any blends you see with numerical ratings were rated prior to my employment there. These reviews are a reflection of my personal thoughts and feelings regarding the teas, and not the company’s.
Freshly brewed it’s VERY cinnamon forward, well cinnamon and clove I suppose, that combination that feels like “winter spice”. As it cools you can taste more of the black tea and orange and a slight vegetal note that I think is the moringa. On one sip I got a slight floral note. Overall it’s decent, didn’t really stand out from other similar teas I’ve tried. Can’t really tell the tea is decaffeinated as any flavour change there is completely overwhelmed by the spice, so it’s a good after dinner or bedtime choice.
Flavors: Cinnamon, Clove
Preparation
2024 Holiday tea #9
My holiday tea for today. Next time it will be done and gone. BUT I must say, it just warmed my heart when I walked into my corner store for my usual bagel run and I just happened to see that they had a selection of S&V’s tins for sale! They definitely weren’t on the shelf last time I walked by. It’s a small shop I like supporting another small shop I like and I LOVE that. I have never seen S&V “in the wild” before so I’m very glad of it. I didn’t ever expect S&V would really be available in shops — that really they would only be available for online ordering? So it was great surprise to see. :D
additional notes: Now how am I the only one to write a tasting note for this one? Seven years ago? Hmm. This was quite good! I have almost finished it (samples). I used half of one sample this time around. The first steep was WAY too weak, but that was entirely my fault (cooler water), and the bit of cake was hardly unravelled. The second steep was much richer — bread, coffee, very sweet, almost a mouth numbing or buzzy mouth quality to it (or probably lingering effects of walking in the brisk wind while it’s barely double digit temps…) Steeps two and three, also delicious. NO negative characteristics here. It’s quite a good cake and Teavivre is still selling it, if anyone (other than me!) would like to try it. It’s $56.90 right now for a 357gram cake. Pretty reasonable considering it’s from 2011. Odd that my review is missing from Teavivre’s site though, and there are only four other reviews, so it’s not just a steepster problem low on reviews….
Tried a sample of this little Adagio custom blend: half decalf orange and half honeybush chocolate. As much as I love chocolate and orange together, I expected something swoon-worthy. No swooning, but I was a distracted sipper; multitasking, so it may not have gotten the attention it deserved. Got the orange, got the honeybush, but the chocolate didn’t hold up its leg of the tripod.
ADVENT DAY 14, tea 3/3
This tea stinks when brewed. I can’t describe it well, but it was just foul somehow. But it didn’t made me to spill it out; so I took a sip. Well, not great if you ask me!
But it was cooling down, and in one or two sips I thought it is actually pretty good. Chocolate covered chai — but spices being very, very tamed. Maybe that’s what I disliked the most. It was just a muddled spicy flavour covered in cocoa.
Overall, today wasn’t so great day with the advent teas. I hope it’s only one day :)
Preparation
Advent Calendar 2024 – Day 14
Well this is certainly interesting take on a breakfast blend – Assam, hojicha, and lemon peel. A bit odd really, since hojicha is low caffeine, but sounds intriguing.
Honestly… I don’t think I like lemon with hojicha? It’s a bit of an odd combination, and also brings out the more tannic side of the Assam. It wasn’t a bad cup per se, but each sip kept making my mouth dry which wasn’t the most pleasant thing ha ha. And the roasty, toasty hojicha with the tart lemon… I’m just not sure how I feel about it, they don’t seem to mesh well together.
A fun one to try though, and something I’ve never had before!
Flavors: Astringent, Autumn Leaf Pile, Bright, Brisk, Citrus, Dry Leaves, Drying, Lemon, Roasted, Tangy, Tannic, Tart, Toasty, Woody
Preparation
The third freebie included with the advent calendar.
This was even more headache-inducing than its green tea counterpart Nuit à Versailles. At least the linden gave it nice texture. Didn’t care for the tanginess imparted by the rosehips. It left the vibe out of balance.
Flavors: Floral, Fruity, Perfume, Tangy, Thick
Another freebie with the advent calendar, thank you :)
Nuit à Versailles went straight to my head and not in a good way. I can’t say I enjoyed the bergamot with this floral and fruity profile. The violet was rather strong, so if that’s your thing, maybe give this tea a try. My preference definitely leans toward Jardin du Luxembourg for a flower garden tea.
Flavors: Bergamot, Floral, Fruity, Kiwi, Orange Blossom, Perfume, Stonefruit, Violet
Freebie with the advent calendar, thank you :)
Despite enjoying black coffee, I really don’t like coffee-flavored things, especially if sweet or in a dessert. Objectively (if I can say that), My Tiramisu is a well flavored black tea. It’s moderate in the application of flavoring and I can taste every bit — coffee, biscuit, cream, cinnamon, chocolate and maraschino. It all blends together very well. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this for dessert lovers.
Flavors: Biscuit, Cake, Cinnamon, Coffee, Cream, Dark Chocolate, Maraschino, Sweet, Tea
DF Advent – Day 14
All caught up!
Like 4 years ago, this mostly tastes like cherry Jolly Ranchers on a woody, sparkling light black tea base. At least it’s not overpowering. And again, I swear I taste orange. It might lean a little more gingerbread this year but gosh, I can barely taste it.
Flavors: Candy, Cherry, Orange, Tea, Viscous
DF Advent — Day 13
Not a fan of yerba mate but this was of a gentler spirit than others I’ve had. Tastes like leafy alkaloids and vaguely grassy with some dampened smoke peaking through. I’d rather go for Dammann Frères Mate Cacao Amande, which is equally as gentle with a more pleasing flavor.
Flavors: Grass, Smoke
DF Advent — Day 12
I’m not sure what rhubarb is supposed to taste like but I enjoyed this oolong. It was softly viscous, a bit tangy, lightly floral and? I don’t know I’d say elderflower and apricot but Souffle d’Été was easy to drink and made me happy in the moment. Would gladly try again especially in late spring!
Flavors: Floral, Soft, Tangy, Viscous
DF Advent — Day 11
Rooibos Oriental has a really smooth red rooibos taste that doesn’t come across as medicinal to me. It’s more like cedar with black currant. Woody yet smooth. The flavorings are supposed to be passionfruit, bush peach and strawberry. Dammann Frères has a great passionfruit flavoring but I don’t taste it here. What makes itself known, however muddled the fruitiness presents, is the peach and strawberry combination. This tastes like the 1980s to me, which has happened with another fruity rooibos from August Uncommon whose name I can’t recall. Rooibos Oriental is fine enough but nothing I’d want to keep on hand, considering I prefer unflavored rooibos.
Flavors: Black Currant, Cedar, Fruity, Peach, Rooibos, Smooth, Strawberry, Woody
Advent Calendar 2024 – Day 14
This was not what I expected at all, ha ha… I guess I didn’t notice the hibiscus, because I was surprised at how tangy it is. Definitely more tangy raspberry/pomegranate than chocolate, though I do get a hint of dark chocolate as well. The base is very woody/earthy and almost musty, which I admit is a bit weird with the tart fruit.
Very different than what I expected (a mostly chocolate tea), but not sure if it’s an improvement ha ha.
The jam today was Mango-Raspberry-Lime Spread. Even tasting it plain, it was mostly raspberry. And once it was on toast, I couldn’t really tell there was mango in it, and certainly couldn’t taste the lime. It was a bit like a jam with the texture of strawberry but the flavor of raspberry ha ha. Tasty, if a bit disappointing.
Flavors: Cocoa, Dark Chocolate, Earthy, Hibiscus, Musty, Raspberry, Tangy, Tart, Woody
Preparation
DF Advent — Day 9
I enjoyed Christmas Tea Vert the first time I had it several years ago. Back then, I noted that it tasted strongly of bubblegum (I actually enjoyed that!). This year it wasn’t playing that way, which doesn’t bother me, but I feel that this year’s iteration probably tastes more true to the desired outcome. It was a mix of softly blended cinnamon, almond, vanilla, apple skins and orange oil on a dry grass-toasty Chinese sencha base. Real easy-going tea for my palate. Wouldn’t mind having this around next year.
Flavors: Almond, Apple Skins, Cinnamon, Dry Grass, Orange, Orange Zest, Toast, Vanilla, Vegetal
For the 1st Tea of Christmas . . .
Before I get into my tasting notes for this tea, I want to address my tardiness in getting out this year’s box & sincerely apologize to all of my loyal customers who have been there for me. I am sorry that I wasn’t able to get the box out as early as I would have liked to. I have been dealing with a chronic case of cellulitis on both legs which has been extraordinarily painful – thus making it nearly impossible for me to stand for prolonged periods of time, which is absolutely essential when I’m working! If I can’t stand at the table & blend & package the tea – I’m pretty much – well, I probably shouldn’t use that word.
So, that’s what I’ve been dealing with for the past 5 months or so & it’s gotten worse as time passed. Many doctor visits, emergency room visits & many bottles of various medications & pain meds later – I do see the light at the end of the tunnel with this – but I’m still very limited with the amount of time that I can spend working at the job I love so much. It will get better, but as my doctor tells me, it will take a lot of time. This isn’t something that a magical pill or shot can cure, time & proper management is key & part of that management includes getting the rest when my pain demands it.
So I sincerely apologize to all of you who expected to receive the box so much earlier than you did. I am relieved that all of my US customers managed to receive the box prior to the countdown date of today, and to my Canadian customers, I do apologize – I did not get the information about the Canadian postal service strike until a day or two after I had sent off the packages to you guys & I don’t know the status of your shipments as the tracking system has not updated since the end of November. I don’t know if this is because things on the Canadian side just haven’t been updating or if it’s because the Canadian postal service just hasn’t accepted the packages from the USPS due to the strike activity. If I had been aware of the postal strike, I would have instead shipped using an alternative shipping service, but, as I said, I didn’t receive notice of the strike until after the packages were already in the custody of the USPS. My heartfelt apologies for that.
NOW! On to this tea . . .
I was actually quite surprised by not only the request to add this tea onto the poll this year, but also that it won by an astronomical number of votes! Not that I disliked this tea when Frank originally blended it way back in 2013 (in the summer of 2013 at that!) but just that it was one that had not been requested ever before in the near 10 years that I’ve been doing this thing!
Wow, can you believe that? It’s nearly 10 years now since I took over!
Anyway – this tea is really quite lovely. Since it has been more than 11 years since I last tried this tea, I can’t offer you a very accurate comparison of the two teas, since all I have is my previous tasting note/review of this tea. What I can say is that in my SororiTEA Sisters review of this tea, I mentioned that I liked this one better than the Gingerbread Chai – which says A LOT to me because I really LOVED the Gingerbread Chai & I can comfortably say that it was one of my top 5 chai blends from Frank’s era.
I loved the way this recreation of that tea turned out. It’s pleasantly sweet yet warmly spiced. Beautifully buttery & cake-y, just like you want from a cinnamon-y coffeecake with just the right note of ginger. It really is a perfect way to kick off this countdown! (And thanks to those of you who voted for this one!)
I apologize for this rather lengthy tasting note with my status update – I just wanted to let you guys know that I haven’t just been shirking off my duties as a Mad Tea Artist . . . & if you’re still reading this after all that ^ – thanks for hanging in there with me! Have a great weekend!
Also – the BUY NOW button will not take you to this tea, but to a “similar” tea from Adagio (which probably isn’t all that similar to me at all, except that they both have ‘GINGERBREAD’ in the title.) There are more quantities of this tea available & they will be made available to those that ordered the 12 Teas of Christmas box after the 25th & to everyone on the website after the 28th of December. Thanks again!
Rest is so important! Glad you can see some light at the end of the tunnel; that sounds so painful!
Thanks! It’s been very painful.
Oof, chronic health issues suuuuuck. Glad you’re getting the medical care you need – I hope you continue to improve and recover! It must have taken a lot of effort to get these out at all! Can confirm that so far they’re delicious :)
Thanks Kaylee! I appreciate your kind words. I’m so happy you’re enjoying the teas! It was a lot of work to get them out and I was so sad that it took me so long! I hate being so behind!
Just wanted to chime in as one of the Canadians: even if packages had been shipped out at their regular time they unfortunately wouldn’t have made it on time due to the strike. That’s also why there’s been no tracking updates – anything that wasn’t already in the CP system at the time of the strike is basically just in limbo waiting to be entered into the CP system.
…and even if that weren’t the case I’m much, much happier that you prioritized your own well being. Tea is a luxury that can be consumed at any time – it won’t make or break my holiday not having it in hand “on time” but pushing past your body’s limits could have broken you! Besides, I’m sure that by the time it lands there’ll still be plenty of snow ;) It is Canada after all.
@Roswell Strange – thanks! I appreciate your understanding so much more than I can ever convey here. It was heartbreaking for me when I learned of the strike – I wish my shipping system would have informed me of this before I shipped those packages so that I could have chosen a different option for shipping.
I do appreciate your understanding, and you’re right, you’ll probably still have plenty of snow there for tea enjoyment. (Tea is always so nice when there’s snow outside!)
Wishing you some better health and pain relief!
Wow, I don’t even remember this tea… sounds tasty. Happy ten years and many more!
Thank you, @tea-sipper – I appreciate it! Yeah, I hadn’t thought about this tea for years, but I really did love it when it was released way back when. I guess that comes of things when you are running a company that blends at least 52 different teas a year!
This is certainly an interesting fruity herbal, though I don’t know if this is dragonfruit. It’s not like that’s a flavor I have often. The hibiscus is evident, and I get mostly apple and strawberry. There’s something else there that isn’t as clear. I do think it’s tasty and suspect it could be excellent iced (but I made it all at once hot so I can’t test that this time).
Plum Deluxe no caffeine advent day 5
