1996 Tasting Notes
Mastress Alita’s Monthly Sipdown Challenge
December 2022 → A pear tea
This is truly awful. I was already having my doubts from the smell of it. The taste isn’t nearly as strong, thank goodness, but there’s something off about it. It has a woody sort of flavor with the honeybush that I don’t particularly love, but also the flavorings are really strong and taste unnatural. My last note said this one turned out okay, but I’ve got to disagree with myself here. This is nearly undrinkable.
Flavors: Woody
Preparation
ashmanra’s monthly sipdown challenge
January 2023 → a tea I truly love
I haven’t finished my December sipdown prompts from Mastress Alita yet, but I didn’t want to miss out on today’s brand new prompt for the new year. This is a comforting old favorite. I don’t know much about it, not the company or even the type of tea, but someone told me it looks like Jin Jun Mei so I’m going with that. It’s later in the afternoon than I would normally like to have caffeine, but I’d already planned to make a cup so I didn’t change it.
I can tell that it’s finally starting to lose some of its flavor (this one is a little over six years old, time flies!), but it’s still really enjoyable. A bit of astringency, some malt, and a minerality I hadn’t noticed before. For those who enjoy Jin Jun Mei, do you have any recommendations I could check into once I run out of this one?
Flavors: Astringent, Dark Chocolate, Malt, Mineral
Preparation
Upton has a nice Jin Jun Mei that is cheaper than Yunnan Sourcings JJM.
https://steepster.com/teas/upton-tea-imports/96853-seasons-pick-jin-jun-mei-zk100
Thank you! Added to my list.
This seemed like a good choice for the frigid temperatures we’re experiencing. I know it’s much colder further north, but goodness I’m not used to temperatures in the teens. Currently sitting under my heated blanket with a cup of this tea. I remember when I first tried this one, I was disappointed that it wasn’t smokier than it is. Today, it’s delicious. Th smoke is there, but it doesn’t overpower the tea. I’m going to finish this cup, shut my laptop, and go right to bed for a nap. It’s the perfect weekend for hunkering down. Stay warm, friends!
Flavors: Smoke, Tannic
Preparation
Same here Shae ha ha, it was 12 here when I took the doggos out this morning. o.o
We northerners like poke fun at our southern neighbors when they have to deal with cold. But honestly, not only are we used to it, but our roads, houses and infrastructures are built to withstand it. We have entirely different wardrobes for summer and winter. And don’t let anyone fool you. When it gets cold we complain too!
Second what Maddy Barone said! When weather goes this off the rails respective of a region’s climate normals, people, infrastructure, animals, plants, etc. go haywire!
I hope you stay warm too! Smoky teas are perfect on frigid days; I think I’ll emulate you and crack open the Caravan tin :)
Agreed! People here like to make fun of northern states during heatwaves but ignore the fact that they may not be as prepared for those high temperatures as we are. I imagine it is sort of comical though when we shut down completely any time there are snow flurries. :)
I hope you enjoyed your Caravan too, CrowKettle!
