What The Fluff?

Past sipdown – I enjoyed this but have nothing to comment on at this point… accordingly to invoices I should have a large bag of this kicking around somewhere, once I locate it, so will have to write more at that time. I’m generally a fan of all of 52teas’ vanilla-themed blacks, though, to varying degrees. Tentative 80 rating.

Cold Brew Sipdown (1537)!

I really thought this tea was going to be super well suited to being cold brewed and even though it was tasty it wasn’t quite as nice as I expected. The vanilla and creaminess were there but I think what pulled me out of it a little was that something about the black tea base was a little metallic and mineral and it shifted focus away from that really lovely vanilla flavouring that Anne uses. I think I need to really try and remember that so that in the future I can be more mindful with cold brewing any of the other similar teas like this from 52Teas.

This tea made it to my final battle of my sipdown tournament inspired by Mastress Alita! It got this far because it’s a lovely tea and this cup is no different . I don’t think I have much new to say that I haven’t said already. It’s a solid black tea with a nice marshmallow note throughout. Simple and thus easy to have again and again. However, as much as I love this one, Cereal Milk by Dessert by Deb took the win. Check out my tasting note for that tea here: https://steepster.com/rachel12610/posts/416670

Sipdown! I have been drinking a lot of tea but haven’t written a lot lately. I’m having a burnout issues between work and covid so i barely want to do anything except watch tv/sleep/read when i have 5 seconds to myself. Kiddo’s been more full of beans than ever these days so i can’t imagine what she’s going to be like when she hits 2! Some of our regions are back on lockdown, which doesn’t really change things for us but it’s disheartening to hear.

This tea however? Delicious! Sad that i missed out on the last 52 teas advent…i really thought orders had to be in, but i’ll live vicariously through variaTEA again this year lol.

A bit of astringency. There is a bit of a coconut flavor to the vanilla, so it’s not my favorite vanilla black blend.

May 2020 Blend

I haven’t had the chocolatey goodness of Laoshan Black in ages! Mmm..

The two other black teas that make up this blend add a thin brown sweetness and a kind of bright oompf that’s hard for me to pinpoint or describe.

The Vanilla note on my second steep is slightly reminiscent of Comptoir Sud Pacifique’s Vanille Coco Perfume.. so a kind of creamy floral coconut vanilla (but thankfully far less overpowering)! I’m pretty sure there is no coconut in this blend, or brown sugar, or banana, or cream, but the brain is weird and the sweet vanilla finish is taking it on a spectacular journey. Second steep is good. Also, name of tea is accurate.