Tea Thoughts

Adventageddon Day 2 – Tea 4/4

This was the last tea I drank today, as a little treat for myself after going and doing a giant grocery store haul. I decided to make it in a tea for one pot instead of gongfu, which is how I would probably usually brew this. I didn’t feel switching it up since there were actually two of these oolong coins today – I’ll have the change the try it gongfu in the future.

Visually the coins themselves are really interesting looking – I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a ball rolled style of oolong pressed into coins or really any other shape before. Because it’s ball rolled the coin itself breaks apart super easily which is actually a bit of a plus since sometimes coins can be so tightly compressed that it takes ages for the leaves to seperate and fully open up.

The liquor is a warm caramel-like brown that seems to appropriately mirror the smooth, sweeter flavour of this tea. Honey is pretty spot on. It’s just very pleasant and golden tasting with a very, very gentle roast and grain note to what is otherwise a bit more of a fruitier berry-like mid sip. Round on the palate with a clean finish. I’m glad that Nazanin included two coins because this is definitely something I’m going to want to revisit. Maybe, if I’m lucky, they’ll eventually make their way to her store. I’d totally buy more.

Today’s Advent Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/C0Xf_rYOG6Y/?img_index=2

Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLKX-dPV2jE

Gongfu!

This was a morning before heading in to work! I was initially caught a smidge off guard by this tea as the white tea is quite a bit more naturally herbaceous and savory than Inhad expected; I got so many notes of both fresh and dried rosemary and oregano in addition to the more expected hay and floral profile. The orange peel is well incorporated, and the little strips of chenpi are so flipping cute! They reminded me of Bitterleaf’s Orangeo & Shuliet minis, which have the similar strips throughout. Very aromatic and zesty, with a lightly medicinal pith note offset by a natural sweetness!

Tea Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/CwBNbrQu-ww/?img_index=1

Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1m0nLG7Ics

So glad I added these tea cakes to my last order. I never tried white tea with dried orange peel. It is very good. I used half a cake and brewed it gung fu style. I enjoyed four steeps out of it. I probably could have gotten more. It was good plain but adding a little bit of orange blossom honey made it taste even better.

So glad I ordered this tea with my Countdown to Summer box. I have wanted to try her teas too. I thought the ingredients were interesting. Never tried borage and dried lime. The borage is a very striking blue when wet. The rose buds are pretty. Very unique flavor. I like the flavor of the dried lime. I like it with raw honey. I am looking forward to trying all the Countdown to Summer Box starting June 15th. Hope I can wait a week to unwrap each day. It has been a few years since I ordered a box and I’m so glad I did!

Brought this one with me because I thought my mom might enjoy it since she’s a huge EG drinker. I made us both a mug yesterday morning, and it was pleasantly calm and relaxing. She was hesitant since she’s not very into sweet cinnamon teas, but the cinnamon notes of this blend are more subtle and warming without the red hot candy flavour, and it works with the bergamot and rose to create a highly aromatic, complex and still relaxing cup.

Right before I left for vacation my recent orders from W2T and Tea Thoughts arrived. I managed to sneak in a cup of Nazanin’s first tea blend, Deltangam, in my new W2T teacup before leaving; it was so rich and aromatic with cozy, warming notes of cinnamon alongside heady rose and a very floral-leaning bergamot!! The rest of the haul will have to wait until I get back to be explored, though of course it’ll be competing for my attention with all the tea and teaware I’ve accumulated while here in Vancouver and Victoria…

Tea Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/CswV3u1J_Ik/

Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=480o6a8SBgY

Definitely the least “Halloween themed” tea I had today, but I just wanted something really light and delicate as a bit of a palate cleanser between other teas. Also a caffeine break. Not everything I drank today was caffeinated, but a lot of them were and I did cram everything into a pretty tight time frame.

This was soft and subtle, with the most distinct note being a really bright, zesty fresh squeezed lime note. In fact, it didn’t really taste like much else aside from the lime. Genuinely made me think of just drinking hot water with real lime in it. Very simple, authentic, and fresh.

Tea Photo: https://www.instagram.com/p/CzE927Gulv0/?img_index=1 (6th Pic)

Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgiC_sdPVdg

Got this is a recent Tea Thoughts order!

I’ve been so curious about Nazanin’s tea blends, so I’m happy to finally have ordered them. This one just looks so beautiful. The borage in particular, with it’s deep sapphire blue hue, is such a visually striking colour and it makes those lime segments pop so much!

I thought the taste was pretty soft, but looking at the ingredients list that’s to be expected and I think it also works with the idea behind the blend itself, which is to be calming and introspective. I mean, the whole tagline on the front of the bag is “a tea to bring you stillness” and as I sipped on the delicate floral and lime notes of this soft bodied blend I felt that was very apt for how it was making me feel emotionally.

I am going to want to revisit this a few more times and really sit with how it makes me feel in addition to the taste, but snap impression so far was positive!