Sipdown (133)! This is actually my first time drinking it though, so I guess that’s kind of sad? Well, I guess we’ll see if it’s sad depending on whether I like it or not…
I received a one cup sample size from Janelle when I purchased a bunch of tea samples from her. I had sent her an initial list of what I was interested in and halfway through working things out she asked if I wanted anything else, and on a whim I added this to the list. I’ll be honest, I was a little disappointed that the sample amount I received didn’t actually have any jellybeans in it. I feel like they probably would have been large flavour contributors.
Also, it amuses me slightly that I ended up having a strawberry tea in order to make room in a teaball for this tea, which also happens to be a strawberry tea. After a day of not trying anything new though, I figured I had better at least get a sipdown in. Turns out that out of what I have set aside in my sample drawer (the rest is in the closet, in storage) this is the only thing in a small enough size for a sipdown – and it happens to be new as well (well, new in that I’ve never had it before).
I’m not really sure what steeping parameters I should be using, but I’m just going to go with the sample amount sent to me in a 10 oz. mug of boiling water – since herbals typically go with boiling water – for however many minutes feels right. Turns out that worked out to about five minutes.
The smell of the tea is sweet strawberry candy with a kind of tangy, hibiscus undertone. There’s very much a candy quality to it. In so far as the taste, the first thing I noticed was hibiscus, and not in a pleasant way. Even though it only lasted for a split second or two before fading into a much more pleasant taste, I was hit was an extreme pulse of puckering sour strawberry – like strawberry kool aid before it’s been sweetened or those sour Warhead candies. But like I said, it was only for a split second or two and then I was met with a much more calm but still candy sweet strawberry flavour that was, true to the name, much like a strawberry jellybean.
But that said, I’ve tried and own much better strawberry type teas (just today I had some of DAVIDsTEA’s Sweet Strawberry which is like strawberry candy). And, I’m not overcome with a need to keep sipping at my mug because each time I go to take a sip I have to mentally prepare myself for the unpleasant wave of sour about to come my way. Despite being “rewarded” with a nice finish to each sip, I still don’t think it’s worth it.
Not disappointed this is a sipdown, and this is definitely not something I’d get again. I am happy I got to try it, though. If I hadn’t I think I’d still be nursing a nagging sense of curiosity about it.
