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What you could find in a tea bag filled with spearmint only?

Yep, it was minty, quite sweet. Easydrinking liquid, no flaws. Probably quite fresh. I prefer peppermint though, when it comes to mints.

Thank you derk for new tea bag to my collection.

How strange that Nature does not knock, and yet does not intrude? — Emily Dickinson

Another attempt; and little bit left. But Queen is Queen for a reason! said by gmathis

Meanwhile in the news: https://english.radio.cz/prymula-called-resign-after-violating-covid-19-measures-visiting-restaurant-8698006

Yep, our Minister of Heath violated his own rules that he declared earlier the same day!

To the tea…
I am incredlibly thankful for ashmanra ’s share. It is wonderful tea blend, and I liked the typical black tea notes. Yep, leather, creamy, smooth, hints of cocoa, red berries.

It was mild even it’s not top-notch quality leaf; not bitter at all, smooth and yet lots of to offer. Mild, but still full-bodied tea. Why exactly this one isn’t distributed by Czech distributor of Harney teas?

Yummy tea. No flaws. Mild, but caffeine boosting. Almost creamy.

Another tea from White Antlers Thank you :)

And same pouch as derk had, she sent the left amount to me. So yeah, June 2014 harvest, best before June 2017. But it still looks pretty well.

Dark green cannon balls, which looks bit more to oolong than actual green tea.

But anyway to the brew. I took around 10 those cannon balls, which were unknown weight, but on the label there is 3-4 balls per cup. I used again the 300 ml cup, so well, maybe it was just right? Steeping was minute and half, maybe two minutes recommended time is 45-60 seconds. I think I maybe used recommended temperature, it is said 75°C/167°F. But I haven’t measured it.

The taste should be good lemon blossom taste. Again, I have no experience tasting lemon blossom, nor smelling it, so I hope… it is correct. I noticed lemony notes, sweet grass, buttery and well others say astringency but I don’t had it at all. Maybe the age mellowed it?
Anyway, pretty tasty, though old. The caffeine boost was somewhere in the middle. Quite smooth and mouthcoating. I look forward to try another brewing methods. Maybe gongfu would work better to unfurl the balls completely.

I had this tea yesterday, but I haven’t got time to write and I don’t even wanted to. Mostly because I felt bit puzzled about this tea.

The aroma is bit buttery (expected) and not sure if rum like. I am not really a rum drinker, though I drank some.

The taste, after 3-4 minutes steep, was quite mellow which I am grateful for. Maybe I have expected some spicy notes, which isn’t much present. It was quite on sweet side and very woody. Oak wood, like a barrel aged beer, or actual rum? I expected some harsh notes and some alcoholic notes, but none of them (luckily?) aren’t there.

It is smooth, which is another quality I haven’t expecting. I don’t mind drinking it, but called it rum-like? I am not that sure. But well, maybe it is actually good blend, just expectations were different.

SIPDOWN
This pouch was hidden in the back of cupboard and I know why. It isn’t great for me; it is drying and tannic black tea without any other notes I am able to find out. Sips are as well quite harsh.

Won’t repurchase this one, but I would like to try another Bihar Doke teas, maybe they are better? This wasn’t good at all, at least for me. I generally enjoy Indian teas, but not this one…

Another tea from postcrossing, from same person as yesterday one, Berry Gelato. While previous one was black-fruit blend, now I will try typical Russian herbal. Fireweed or rosebay willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium), also known as Ivan’s tea in Russia, is herb from northern hemisphere, but using it as a tea is typical for Russians only.

I have no steeping parameters for this tea, as I got typical white tea bag with name and QR code on other side. The QR code is a link to their website, I will do my best, around 5 minutes steeping and boiling

My brew is turning from light green-yellow to brown, copper colour. It stays clear. Aroma is rather on sweet, honey-like side. I don’t notice much of the herbaceous notes, it is rather bit like some black tea; with hints of muscatel as well.

The taste (oh, it’s still very hot) is again like a black tea; although much less body of it. Honey-ish taste and hints of muscatel. Although it’s herbal, there aren’t any notes of herbs in taste. Taste as I said, it is like a black tea, though weak one a bit. Some may say it is as well caramel like, which a little in aftertaste.

Off I go, I have lecture from Probability and Statistics in 5 minutes.

Weird tea. I like it, but not for lemon nor lavender. Thank you derk, or White Antlers.

It is pretty nice, but lemon — I would expect more sour taste. But okay, at least it’s not terribly strong note. I don’t have sour face after drinking. It’s rather on sweet side. And lavender? Well, I don’t note that much. I notice way more lemongrass as of herbals, and apples as of fruits.

While it don’t have bad notes, I am rather sad about this tea. Adding fresh lavender would help for sure (gladly we still have some in the garden); but maybe few drops of lemon would be helpful as well. Certainly lots to improve!

I have received this tea from postcrossing in the end of September. It is limited edition and I am afraid I will be only one who writes few lines on this site. This tea is overall well accpeted and reviews were saying it’s nice. Let’s see what thinks non-russian citizen.

It is flavoured black tea. When I took a sniff on pyramid sachet, a blueberry hit my nose. The leaf is broken, but nice size, not a fannings nor dust. Brew after 5 minutes (recommended time) is clear and copper colour.

The aroma of tea (brewed) is way more berry-like; raspberry and black currant. Taste is more mediocre. it is berry, but quite muted and only little of mint — rather just some cooling effect.

Overall, I have expected more fruity notes, especially when the aroma of pyramid sachet was so nice and pleasant; but it doesn’t transfer much to taste. The tea is probably Ceylon (as usual in Russian teas) because it is bit citrusy base, quite light and certainly there are no malty and robust flavours.

This is another amazing old tea. From White Antlers.

I am on the same boat as derk, trying this tea fresh would be so awesome. I used two teaspoons in a mug, but I assume gong-fu would be much better.

The dry tea was visually almost perfect, small, like spuce long needles and even it looks pretty much same. Or maybe larch needles? Just they are dark green → black instead of green fresh colour. But if it is 7-8 years old, it’s no surprise.

It was mild, sweet grass. It was even quite thick, mouthcoating and little mineral and citrusy.

I have again prepared this wonderful tea, and although it is year and half old, it is still one of the most perfect orthodox tea I had and still have something left. I guess next year, if availbable, I will order another.

It’s mild, but still the black tea notes are present. The maltiness, some of citrusy notes (I finally noticed them). And some stonefruits. I really like that even preparation grandpa isn’t bad thing for this tea, as it just remains mild and never bitter. Not even the end of the cuppa!

I see I had this tea, when I was writing tasting note 200. Now I am on 760 (my house number, what a coincidence) and I just… I just don’t care about the number. I just like seeing the “likes” and some comments now and then.