Tielka

I was in mood of flavoured oolong today. I have some other oolongs that have last serving left but no, I just had to pick this one. Just had to.

I weighted 4 grams of this wonderful tea; visually as well as the quality of the ingredients. Big pieces of jasmine and lemon myrtle with nice amount of beautiful small balls of oolong. I haven’t checked on the scale the ratio, but I believe it could be 2 grams of oolong + 2 grams of herbs.

I have used, as suggested, 85°C water and steeped for 3-4 minutes; haven’t timed exactly… but it was closer to the 4.
A very nice whiff of lemony scent was coming from my mug and then the floral note took part as well. The scent was heavenly.
After removing the strainer I got a wonderful light clear green coloured liquid that was right something I wanted to drink… but it still too hot.

When sipped for first time, I distinctly noticed the myrtle. Slightly lemony and herbaceous in the same time, accompanied with floral notes of jasmine. In the end of the sip there was a slight mineral aftertaste, probably from the oolong itself.

Honestly I like this tea more than I thoguht. I assume it’s because so unique combination and it works so well. Just keeping the right ratio between base tea and other ingredients seems a bit tricky.

Note: I received Tielka teas, included in this (and following) tasting notes, free of charge in exchange for a tasting note. I will do my best to remain unbiased, but of course, I am very grateful for this opportunity.

Office cleaning day
A sipdown! (M: 5, Y: 67)

At last, a proper sipdown! To be honest I don’t remember much, but not because being so busy. It was hardly any lemon and hardly any gigner tea. I felt it was just plain lemongrass and lemon myrtle. There wasn’t any (zinger) ginger fierness in this mug and honestly I don’t remember it from previous tea sachets at all. Probably the poorest effort from Tielka in their sample box. But it was fun trying them. Just expecting a bit more for the price.

A sipdown! (M: 3, Y: 43)
A minty tea – June Monthly Sipdown Challenge — a little late :D

I hardly get through this challenge. It was great in first months, then I went busy with my finals and work and now I hardly reach any sipdowns too.

Anyway, it’s another sipdown from Tielka and I brewed it today at work because my upset tummy. I have been surprised how fresh and strong in menthol this tea (from Egypt) is. Not only it made my tummy calm, but also refreshed my mind and whole body.
A great peppermint in sachet. Rare thing!

A sipdown! (M: 3, Y: 39)
Not going that well as I have hoped. 39 looks like a nice number, but I would need to double it and no new teas.

Honestly, this is fine pyramid sachet tea. It gives you a nice flavour, not bitter, slightly buttery and grassy taste. If warmer water is used, then you get more vegetals. Simple tea, indeed. Good for newbies in tea. Cheap and relatively tasty. At least it’s not a disaster, you know.

A sipdown! (M: 3, Y: 36)
Another office sipdown; and well, pretty okay-ish tea. It was like a good green tea; fresh tasting — grassy and round; followed by strong floral notes of rose petals (there are lots of them) and it was refreshing too. Hibiscus is quite tamed and makes nice fruity line along with schisandra berries. A bit tart if steeped for longer than recommended 4 minutes.

A sipdown! (M: 2, Y: 35) Prompt: June 9 – National Earl Day: drink an Earl Grey type tea!

Another fast office sipdown. Using dian hong tea as a base for EG is uncommon, but great idea. It’s much less brisk, rather rye bread and chocolate, bergamot level is ok-ish, though. I think I noticed in all three sachets more of the orange peel, which is totally fine, but not sure if it was something I have been expecting.

Good for those who don’t like strong bergamot flavour…

I received an assortment of teas: a pyramid tea bag, some tea in sachets, and loose leaf tea. I chose the pyramid tea bag because I wanted something simple but of good quality. The packaging is identical to what I had before, so I can’t tell the difference between the pyramid tea and the loose leaf visually. However, I assume the tea itself is the same, including the quality of the leaves, so I don’t expect a big difference in taste.

Now, on to the tea itself. It’s a lovely black tea, brisk and robust without being astringent or bitter. The dominant flavor notes are dark malts and rye bread, with the rye bread becoming more prominent as the tea cools.

Definitely a rich and smooth black tea. Perhaps the larger mug I used in the office diluted the tea somewhat. My mug at home is smaller, resulting in a more concentrated brew, which I find preferable.

Note: I received Tielka teas, included in this (and following) tasting notes, free of charge in exchange for a tasting note. I will do my best to remain unbiased, but of course, I am very grateful for this opportunity.

A sipdown! (M: 1, Y: 34)

Well, that was fast. Within a week I finished all three sachets of this I had and brought to the office.

Well, it’s interesting twist to use Dian Hong for breakfast tea and well I liked it actually?! It wasn’t so bitter and brisk; but still filled with caffeine boost needed in the mornings.
It was very malty and quite rye bready. But also very smooth, and there wasn’t any astringency to be noticed in all three mugs.
Lovely, however it was a bit too little? I have been hoping for some longer aftertaste and different flavour profiles during drinking it from hot, through luke-warm, to cold tea?

A sipdown! (M: 1, Y: 47) Prompt: September — Your hardest to reach tea

I have decided for this prompt as it is Aussie tea company and while it was fun getting tea from them, I don’t really think that I will repeat with any order with soon. First of all, shipping was quite expensive. Secondly, I am not sure if their teas are worth it. Yes, Australian grown lemon myrtle is lovely, but worth it? Not that sure.

Anyway, this is indeed lemonade tea and if I had more sachets and had it at home, maybe I would try steeping it cold. It is refreshing and slightly floral, lemongrass was the most prominent ingredient today. Great if you are thirsty and you get this tea lukewarm. Finished my mug in the office within minutes once it was drinkable.

Okay, I bought a box of Tielka pyramid sachets to try them out and… to try shipping tea from Australia I suppose? Weird hobbies. Another intention was getting some new tea bag wrappers to my collection.

I have tried most of their Organic Tea Sampler, but this was so far the best. Very refreshing even hot, rose level is just right and I assume the lemon myrtle is making that wonderful lemonade feel. Not sure if I will ever try it cold brewed or iced; as I have only two tea sachets left, but yes… this screams summer and/or Australia to me (though I haven’t been down under yet).

My boyfriend selected this tea while we were having afternoon tea. The tea shop has an eclectic mix of vintage items, so my teacup was rounder with fall foliage and his was flatter with delicate flowers. We were given the full pot over a lit warmer. We enjoyed tea snacks of finger sandwiches, scones, and miniature desserts. The tea was a nice compliment as it had a slightly sweet aftertaste. The initial taste was vegetal and earth, but the more we drank, the more full-bodied and floral it became. The lovely golden color was a pretty juxtaposition against the porcelain of the cup. As we drank our tea, we noticed an old black and white photograph of an English woman dressed in traditional Japanese garb hanging above us. It made me think about how we are selecting different art for our tea background, and how this was a nice addition to our moment of tea.

Interesting, well-balanced tea

A soothing chai, very nice. I’m addicted.
I get three brews out of this tea

This is my personal favourite Earl Grey rendition.

The cornflower petals and orange zest contribute to a delightful appearance. The aroma promises a full bergamot flavour, which the liquor delivers in company with smooth, rich Yunnan black tea and mellow orange. I have most appreciated this tea with a good novel on a lazy weekend. I imagine anyone fond of Earl Grey would appreciate it, especially given the use of genuine bergamot oil.