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derk drank Japanese Longevity Herbal Tea Blend by Totem Tea

1604 tasting notes

What an incredible herbal tea with half of the listed ingredients being unfamiliar to me.

Job’s tears, sicklepod seeds, dokudami, cat’s whiskers (Orthosiphon aristatus herb), turmeric, guava leaves, biwa (loquat) leaves, and reishi mushroom

Aromatic and flavorful, incredibly rich and dark when simmered, roasty and savory but with a very light mint-but-not-mint-y edge and just enough warm turmeric to peak through without dominating. Almost like a dark soy-based broth, but not? Or barley miso?

Totem Tea describes it with “Notes of unusual roasted herbs, warm brick, and kukicha.” YES. On another website, this is sold as a Grandpa’s blend. YES. I am so confused and so in love. Whatever this is, it’s satisfying for these chilly nights!

Preparation

Boiling 8 min or more 10 g 17 OZ / 500 ML

I Like This

11 likes

3 comments

Martin Bednář
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Interesting blend derk! I Looked for every ingredient what is it and how it looks like. I really liked Orthosiphon aristatus flower, in Czech it could be translated like: trumpet flower.

But that’s not important, the important thing it is satifying for you!

gmathis
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That is an encyclopedia in a mug! Do you feel older and wiser yet? ;)

ashmanra
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Literally half the ingredients are new to me!

People who liked this

Comments

Martin Bednář
Delete

Interesting blend derk! I Looked for every ingredient what is it and how it looks like. I really liked Orthosiphon aristatus flower, in Czech it could be translated like: trumpet flower.

But that’s not important, the important thing it is satifying for you!

gmathis
Delete

That is an encyclopedia in a mug! Do you feel older and wiser yet? ;)

ashmanra
Delete

Literally half the ingredients are new to me!

Profile

Bio

This place, like the rest of the internet, is dead and overrun with bots. Yet I persist.

Eventual tea farmer. If you are a tea grower, want to grow your own plants or are simply curious, please follow me so we can chat.

I most enjoy loose-leaf, unflavored teas and tisanes. Teabags have their place. Some of my favorite teas have a profound effect on mind and body rather than having a specific flavor profile.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Georgia, Japan, and Nepal. While I’m not actively on the hunt, a goal of mine is to try tea from every country that makes it available to the North American market. This is to gain a vague understanding of how Camellia sinensis performs in different climates. I realize that borders are arbitrary and some countries are huge with many climates and tea-growing regions.

I’m convinced European countries make the best herbal teas.

Personal Rating Scale:

100-90: A tea I can lose myself into. Something about it makes me slow down and appreciate not only the tea but all of life or a moment in time. If it’s a bagged or herbal tea, it’s of standout quality in comparison to similar items.

89-80: Fits my profile well enough to buy again.

79-70: Not a preferred tea. I might buy more or try a different harvest. Would gladly have a cup if offered.

69-60: Not necessarily a bad tea but one that I won’t buy again. Would have a cup if offered.

59-1: Lacking several elements, strangely clunky, possesses off flavor/aroma/texture or something about it makes me not want to finish.

Unrated: Haven’t made up my mind or some other reason. If it’s puerh, I likely think it needs more age.

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