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Ashmanra’s sipdown challenge – November 2023 Tea #9 -A nutty tea

I thought I didn’t have a tea suiting this prompt around here at the moment — BUT IT’S IN THE NAME.  I think I treat these prompts too literal most of the time.  I don’t really think of this tea as “nutty” anyway.  But it’s always a solid steep.  And not like any other blend I have tried in my tea life.

Ashmanra’s sipdown challenge – November 2023 Tea #8 -An herbal tisane

I’d like to think this is one of the more unique tasting blends from 52Teas!  Not many of these ingredients are used very often, as far as I know.  It’s on odd sendoff as this last bit somehow tastes different, and it has been one of the blends I have focused on lately, so have had a couple of times recently (and is fresh in my memory!).  Just the shuffle of the ingredients, I guess.  This time it’s more spring time meadow than heavy on the licorice. 
2023 sipdowns: 97

Ashmanra’s sipdown challenge – November 2023 Tea #7 – An oolong tea

Getting VERY few and far between on these sipdowns.  Almost only one month to go to catch up!  I’m enjoying what I drink anyway, and that is what is important.  This was such a classy, CLASSIC oolong.  Going strong after probably eight years.  Was delicious then, still delicious now.  I’m sure the flavors are more muted by now.  But I’m glad it isn’t a great oolong that will sit around waiting to be steeped up any longer. Also, I managed to not buy ANY teas for black friday this year! YEAH. Also, still 34 pages behind on reading tasting notes. I was hoping to get caught up by the time you guys had the avalanche of advents!
2023 sipdowns: 96

Ashmanra’s sipdown challenge – November 2023 Tea #6 -Nov 21 – National Gingerbread Cookie Day

I had this one a day late, as it was the closest thing I had to this prompt.  But then, I slapped my forehead as I am at this very moment drinking B&B’s Gingerbread Chai and didn’t realize it fit the prompt much better!  doh.  Anyway, Mince Pie will be fitting tomorrow for a second steep.   I like BOTH teas. I hope all who celebrate have a lovely Thanksgiving tomorrow.

Ashmanra’s sipdown challenge – November 2023 Tea #5 – A bold tea

This was certainly one of Zen’s “finest” teas, not like that is what the name actually means, and also most of Zen’s teas were teas I wanted to keep steeping!  I’d say I was a repeat buyer of most of the teas I tried from Zen. The crew at Zen had good tea tastes, which is why I’m extra sad they stopped selling tea.  I have never bought any teaware from them, as I don’t really buy any teaware at all.  The tea leaves are vast around here but the teaware is few. haha.  Though I do admire when some of you have the perfect vessels for teas or occasions for drinking them!  Anyway, this is certainly a very flavorful tea, even after all these years, I’m impressed.  Rich with that classic CLASSIC Keemun flavor I can never describe — maybe like lychee mixed with bittersweet/dark chocolate?    Definitely a classic keemun.  I will miss this tea.  No back up pouches!
2023 sipdowns: 95

Ashmanra’s sipdown challenge – November 2023 Tea #4 – A tea that makes you feel cozy

A sipdown of a sampler size and yet I’m already panicking as updating my stock list, I see that I’m already down to only SIX sample pouches left! Oh no.  I consider this a cupboard staple as it really does make me feel cozy, especially in summer.  It’s also a very consistently brewed blend.  Tiesta’s current teas really don’t inspire me to buy at this point.  I wish they still had this one available.  It’s a genius blend.  But I’m GRATEFUL I was able to try this blend at all (because of Steepster of course — a swap with Ost) and then doubly grateful when I noticed it was being discontinued soon enough to buy it.
2023 sipdowns: 94

Ashmanra’s sipdown challenge – November 2023 Tea #3 – A smoky tea

It’s in the name!  There was an awkward amount of leaf left, and I’d rather have a too strong cup of chai rather than two steep sessions that are disappointingly weak.  So into the infuser it all went.  I do not regret it!  I probably should have been using more leaf the entire lifetime of the tea.  It’s much better stronger.  It’s slightly smoky while having a sweet aspect to it.  A decent amount of spices and then I can also tell there is some of the honeybush flavor peeking through.  I just noticed there was also vanilla bean in this one and somehow I always miss tasting vanilla in all 52Teas blends. I think I will raise the rating from an 82 because this is a well balanced blend (and again, I bet the overleafing usually improves a tea IMO.) I am extremely behind on my sipdown goal, which is a given, as I’m still away from the majority of my tea collection.   
2023 sipdowns: 93

Huh, I haven’t written a note for this one yet?? It’s a damn decent fruity herbal! Bolder with a many minute steep, syrupy. Many fruits here but the flavor that does mostly take center stage is “guava”. I like it! A deep fuchsia brew but NOT tart. Not hibiscus tart. I wouldn’t have even guessed there was hibiscus here. But… maybe the hibiscus has faded with age?!?! I would normally say all the other flavors fade with age and somehow hibiscus gets stronger, but not here. It’s good stuff! I only have a little remaining now…

This is from Cameron B this summer — THANKS as I finally get to try Lemon Loaf which so many of you are always raving about. It is quite a delicious Tazo blend. And looking at these ingredients, I have no idea how most of them are even resulting in this flavor. Ginger? Apple? Licorice? Rose? Chamomile? ALL of these ingredients should result in the opposite of what I’m tasting — which is a lovely lemony dessert, also with the perfect level of sweetness. It’s such a great balance of sweet lemon, with a touch of tart lemon rind, and cream. It’s lovely all around.

Ashmanra’s sipdown challenge – November 2023 Tea #2 – Nov 4 – National Candy Day

I just happened to have a Crunch bar with this tea while waiting for my laptop to start up to post this note!  It’s also a candy cane tea, so I get double points for this prompt.  Still a solid peppermint, no caff blend.    The stevia is acceptable here!  (A sentence I never thought I would write.)