3141 Tasting Notes
Thanks so much for the try on this one, AJ Rimmer! Can’t say I’m a fan though.. it might be the nightmare Hawaii tea rather than “dreamy” because there is SO MUCH HIBISCUS HERE. And I can’t say I want coconut with my hibiscus? Luckily there isn’t much coconut here. It’s a couple pieces of other fruit with hibiscus, and the bright red cup just tastes like sour hibiscus. The description doesn’t even mention hibiscus, only roselle. The photo shows much less roselle/hibiscus than my sample contained, so maybe it’s just my sample. I guess I don’t need to stock up on so many of these Teavivre herbals if so many of them are mostly hibiscus. Without the roselle, I would have liked this blend. I did notice that Teavivre has a new hibiscus-less fruit blend though.
Steep #1 // 1 1/2 teaspoons for full mug // 15 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Steep #2 // just boiled // 3 minute steep
2020 sipdowns: 68 (What-cha – Anxi Tie Guan Yin)
Flavors: Hibiscus
A sample from the sale! This is as FULL of a pouch as their 20gram size pouches can get. Wow! You’d think all these full raspberries and rosebuds would weigh a ton. OR whomever put the sample together was just filling the pouch? I probably should have weighed the pouch first. I was craving raspberry, so luckily I had this on hand. This is a no-caff blend consisting of raspberries, some of them full bright fuchsia raspberries, rosebuds, strawberry bits, rose petals and raspberry leaf. I tried to use much more leaf than usual — over two teaspoons because a raspberry takes up an entire teaspoon. Sadly, I didn’t have any fresh raspberries this year (my favorite) so this tea will have to do. It’s good! I would say the resulting flavor is more rose than tangy berry, but that is to be expected. The second steep isn’t as strong, even with a fifteen minute steep. The raspberries sure were drained of color though! I’m surprised there isn’t some sort of champagne flavor here. But I like this anyway.
Steep #1 // 2 teaspoons + 1 full raspberry for full mug // 12 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Steep #2 // 2 minutes after boiling // 15 minute steep
Thanks so much, Meowster! The name is certainly intriguing, the bundles of oolong are certainly huge. I don’t see any actual osmanthus blooms mixed in with the oolong in my small sample — not sure if there should be? This is missing from the shop, at this point. Maybe the name is just lovely and isn’t actually intended to taste like osmanthus? I can’t say it really did taste like osmanthus. But it IS a very tasty oolong anyway. Very thick and syrupy, very smooth. A bit of a roast. I was hoping my oolong tasting buds were more refined by now after some weird tasting oolong months, but no, the flavor details are still a bit foggy. But I can tell this is a high quality oolong, regardless of few details that I can pick apart.
Steep #1 // 1 1/2 teaspoons for full mug // 21 minutes after boiling // rinse // 1 minute steep
Steep #2 // 11 minutes after boiling // 1 1/2 minute steep
Steep #3 // just boiled // 2 min
I recently noticed Mastress Alita said she finished this one and I knew I still hadn’t written a tasting note for it, so here it is! Thank you, Mastress Alita! This is one I definitely wanted to try the most. A darker small bundled oolong with the fragrance of a custardy creamy rhubarb and the occasional rhubarb piece and rose petal. I love the aroma, but it seems the aroma is stronger than the flavor. But the flavor is there! It was probably stronger before. The flavor is what I had wished for in general though. The oolong doesn’t get astringent and I like the choice of a slightly darker green oolong to pair with this flavor. Though it doesn’t taste roasted which is a good thing. Very consistent flavor. I don’t taste rose, but I would rather it just stay with the rhubarb custard anyway. Though the third steep is more sweet than custard or rhubarb. It’s a great oolong base too – I’d love to try it without the flavoring. I really like it! It reminds me of the glory days of the older Bird & Blend Rhubarb and Custard flavoring but on a lovely oolong.
Steep #1 // 1 heaping teaspoon for full mug // 22 minutes after boiling // rinse // 1 1/2 minute steep
Steep #2 // 22 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Steep #3 // 2 minutes after boiling // 2 min
Got an e-mail from them today: Use code SUMMERTEA83 to get $10 off any $30 purchase at teasource.com! Valid online & in-store. One use per customer. Expires 8-31-20.
I’m tempted to buy some of this one! But I won’t for now.
It’s a really unique flavor; my stock was rather old so I used it up making cold brew jars of iced tea, and this tea makes a really nice and refreshing cold brew! I think the rose adds natural sweetness more than a distinct flavor. Smelling the dry leaf, it sort of has a chocolately smell to the leaf that I really like. I’d be curious to know what oolong is used in the base, too!
Well, I will enjoy the little I have remaining! Thanks again. :D
Another note I had saved from the Freeze. Thanks very much, AJRimmer! A great concept here that doesn’t fail to remind me of my beloved ‘Berried Treasure’. Both blends are fairly similar — simply replace bergamot with sarsparilla. but this one isn’t distinctly berry or rootbeer to me, and hardly even has noticeable marshmallow root (though Berried Treasure has a ton more marshmallow root, which I love). My tastebuds are simply demanding MORE berry and rootbeer. This blend isn’t very old yet, so it’s a bit disappointing… next time it will be a sipdown. I always appreciate trying things though!
Steep #1 // 1 1/2 teaspoons for full mug // 18 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Steep #2 // just boiled // 4 minute steep
2020 Sipdowns: 67 (oldest sample of Tiesta – I Gotta Colada)
I thought I would try this herbal blend with my last order. S&V has quite a few Yoga blends which is a fun name, because I would never do yoga, especially publicly (I shudder to think at how this appeals to anyone — but to each their own!) I don’t think this is the Yoga that S&V means anyway. The nine Yoga blends focus on certain Chakras. ‘Shanti’ means ‘peace’. In my mind, “peace” means this blend should be calming and peaceful and reduce anxiety. It seems I need it now more than ever, especially for anxiety, especially for these times. A large mix of ingredients here (copied from the description): Birch Bark, Rosehips, Organic Cinnamon Bark, Orange Peel, Organic Cacao Nibs, Eleuthero Root, Damiana Leaf, Pau d’arco, Organic Spearmint Leaf, Cloves, Sarsaparilla, Organic Ginger & Organic Peppermint. It seems like a bunch of earthy ingredients, but the flavor is fairly pleasant. Mostly I’m tasting the sarsaparilla, with hints of mint, cloves and cinnamon. A fifteen minute second steep results in a depth flavor similar to the first steep, surprisingly none stronger. It seems like a thoughtful mix of ingredients. Did the tea bring me peace? I’m not sure if anything can. I try. Maybe if I mix all nine of the Chakra blends together and drink them at the same time? I’ll drink this blend anyway — maybe it helps some. Wishing everyone health and happiness.
Steep #1 // 1 1/2 teaspoons for full mug // 17 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Steep #2 // just boiled // 15 minute steep
It sounds earthy, warming, slightly stimulating and a bit astringent in the body. Grounding, not necessarily peaceful. May I interest you in a homemade blend? Health and happiness to you as well, tea-sipper.
I scoffed at doing yoga for the better part of my life. When I finally tried it, I spent the first 30 minutes of the class annoyed with intense inner chatter going on like a brass band. Then that chatter stopped and it was all I could do to just breathe and hold a pose. As someone with severe ADD/dyslexia (don’t ask me to tell left from right!), it was wonderful to be able to be mentally present and in the moment for a good part of the class. So-not pushing you to try yoga at all, just putting in my 2 cents.
My husband and I started with Healing Yoga for Aches and Pains from Amazon. It was free with prime and another by the same couple called Yoga for Common Conditions could be rented. We eventually learned the harder versions of each pose as well as some additional ones and now we go through streaks of doing it regularly. I need to get back to it. Yoga with a pot of tea on a warmer , sipped between sets while soothing music plays, is so peaceful and really helps me.
White Antlers – no ADHD here that I know of, but I have controlled mirror dysgraphia! I started out writing everything in a mirror image but learned to do it the normal way. I am a lefty and it happens to us more due to random lateralization. I can get really confused if I write backward “for fun” much.
ashmanra-That is so interesting! And what a unique talent! I was born a lefty but in that era, kids were leaned on very hard to use their right hands. We were told back then by parents and teachers that ‘life is very hard for left handed people.’ WHAT?!
No one ever addressed learning disabilities like dyslexia then, either. I was humiliated often by my teachers for not being able to do math (dyscalculia) and for my poor fine (writing) and gross motor skills. My handwriting is dreadful to the point where sometimes I can’t even read it after I’ve taken down a note or phone number. When I was in my 50s, I sought pharmaceutical treatment for the ADD but can’t tolerate stimulants like Ritalin and the off label stuff was completely useless. Yoga really does calm my mind and allow me to focus-at least while I’m doing it. Right now, it’s way too hot but I am looking forward to getting back into my practice come cooler weather.
White Antlers – I was very fortunate. There was no kindergarten here when I was growing up, except for private school which we couldn’t afford. My first grade teacher was fresh out of college and ready to tackle her class with modern methods. I was allowed to continue using my left hand. She told my mother to watch me write and gently remind me to go in the other direction. Since I did both without preference, it just became natural.
Now my cursive backward looks like a child learning cursive because I never really practiced it, but my manuscript writing backward is fine.
I am divided hand-wise. My fine motor skills are all left, and my major motor skills are right. I bowl and bat right handed – not that I ever bowl or bat – I play guitar right handed. I paint a wall right handed but paint a picture lefthanded.
I am sorry you did not have a good school experience.That is so disheartening for a child when it should be utterly magical!
Look how awesome you turned out!
WHOA, I’m loving this conversation. Learning all about mirror dysgraphia and math dyslexia, which cripe, I probably have math dyslexia. :X
White Antlers and Ashmanra – Thank you for your experience with yoga. I figured some around these parts probably practiced yoga. I do like hearing about previous expectations and opinions being flipped around anyway, Antlers. :D
DERK – This blend isn’t astringent at all, even with a 15 minute steep! Thank you for the well wishes and the offer of the homemade blend! I would love to try it, but I feel like the package you sent me is still very recent! Maybe we will remember the blend for a later package?
I’m very glad I haven’t gotten sick of flavored teas yet. I don’t think I ever will. Flavored teas just mean a billion more options. I can’t imagine halving my options and only drinking straight teas. This is a fun blend I nabbed primarily because it was on sale. I don’t hate it – definitely don’t hate the flamingo sprinkles. The flavor is sweet and even though the cup is definitely flamingo pink, I’m not tasting an overabundance of hibiscus. To be honest, it does taste a little bit like Flintstones vitamins, but only slightly, and if I can get past that, the flavor is fruity enough. I paired this one with Teavivre’s lychee black and it was a great pairing. I’m usually sipping two different teas side-by-side with caffeine throughout the day, then the re-steeps in the afternoon and one no-caff herbal at night, so it’s really lovely when my two daytime choices actually complement each other!
Steep #1 // 1 1/2 teaspoons for full mug // 40 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Steep #2 // 20 minutes after boiling // 3 minute steep
I drank this during The Freeze. I’ve tried it many times. I’ve tried, really tried. The pouch is almost gone. But all I can taste is PICKLES. DILL PICKLES. Is this because of age? I’m not sure, but I think that is always what I was tasting. What the heck, Snow Chrysanthemum Buds? Not an extensive note, because you know, PICKLES. (I do notice someone added ‘dill’ to the flavor list so it’s not just me.) At least they look pretty.
Ugh. Chrysanthemum teas I have tried taste like lawn mulch. Your description just underscores the fact I can live without them!
I was first introduced to chrysanthemum tea by an acupuncturist who was treating me for chronic pain. My initial reaction to it was ‘OMG-wet toilet paper!’ I told him it was unpalatable. He recommended adding bee pollen to it so I wound up with honey-ish flavored wet toilet paper. Pardon the horrid pun but so NOT my cup of tea. : P
haha.. well, chrysanthemum teas weren’t THIS bad before, if I recall. I don’t like bee pollen so I doubt that would help. :D
It’s traditionally (in traditional Chinese medicine) not a beverage for pleasure. It’s used in TCM to reduce high blood pressure, calm the nerves and cool inflammation, ward off the early stages of a cold and as a cooling agent for excessively hot chi. To me, things like this, valerian, chamomile, licorice, oat straw, uva ursi and other herbs are good for what ails you but not things I’d want to drink if I didn’t strictly need or have to.
Ah okay thanks, good to know all those health benefits, White Antlers.
Oh how tastebuds differ! I get a whiff of dill but that doesn’t stifle my love for these buds. Lawn mulch and wet toilet paper are apt descriptors for my relationship with the common yellow chrysanthemum flowers. Hard pass on those.
This might be the first from Teakruthi that I did not enjoy. I guess I blindly went for samples of their fruity black teas, hoping the fruit would be similar to their lovely Emerald Green. So I was ignoring the fact that these fruity black teas had hibiscus. And there is a lot of hibiscus here. The first time I steeped it normally, and I was mainly tasting an earthy tart hibiscus. I didn’t love it, but re-steeped the leaves anyway. Much of the same flavor. I don’t like it. Then I thought to steep up fresh leaves but take out most of the hibiscus. I tried, though there was still a lot of hibiscus. I guess the flavor was mostly the same, just muted. Very tart. Somehow the hibiscus in the blend also looks close to the black tea. I was expecting much more from this blend, as there are so many great fruits here: mango, pineapple, papaya, banana. But it’s like all of those were missing and I was drowning in hibiscus. Please remove the hibiscus from this, Teakruthi! The other fruits can stand on their own.
(Also I was thinking Mastress Alita would be the perfect person to send this to, but then remembered there is banana in it… or supposedly banana here anyway. So I won’t try to send it.)
Flavors: Hibiscus
If anyone has any teakruthi teas in their cupboard, please read my new tasting note I just posted about this one.
Banana is a firm no for me, ’tis true. But I think the bugs would be an even firmer no. :-) But I appreciate the thought, I do love rescuing unloved hibi teas!
Yeah, I’m very glad I didn’t just hurry up and mail this to you. lordy. So now I’m very glad I realized there was banana in it.
Yeah I had a few Teavivre herbals on my wish list, but after trying a bunch and only liking 1-2 of them, I decided that I don’t want to try more.
I wish their herbals were better!