Sample sipdown!
Had a headache this morning…opted to try this one over my sample of Good Morning Sunshine, but I think I might save that one for Boxing Day (I work retail).
This assam seemed a bit richer than the Premium Taiwanese Assam, and I think I got more malty and mineral notes. I was pleased that I had very little to no astringency with this one. It did remind me a little of yunnan teas I have had. I think that yunnan and assam are my favourite straight black teas.
I generally like a lot of tea. I do find I have a preference for flavored over unflavoured, but I do love a good straight tea as well.
Likes are too hard, since there are a lot. Dislikes are easier, so here they are…
Hibiscus. Blech. I can tolerate a little, depending on the brew, like Berry Good from Davids and Ruby Pie from Butiki…but in general, it’s too tart and too strong for me.
Licorice. Anything that remotely resembles licorice is out too, so that includes fennel and anise. Yuck, yuck, yuck.
Florals. I’m cool with petals in the tea to make them look pretty (except rose), and I’m cool with teas like oolongs having a floral note, but strong florals can give me migraines. Rose and jasmine are the biggest offenders. This is one where it can vary on the blend, as I can handle Teavivre’s Peach Jasmine Dragon Pearl tea because there is very little jasmine actually detectable in it.
Rooibos is hit or miss. I can do some, but not others. I handle green better than red, and honeybush better than rooibos.
My ratings don’t have a particular scale or method, and may on occasion contradict themselves, but I’m honestly not fussed about that. Sometimes I don’t even rate at all.
Um, I have an extensive wishlist. It is both a list of things I want to get again, and things I want to try. If you are sending me something, and you want to know which is which, I’ll tell you via PM.
Yes, I do trades…usually on request though. See something you want to try in my cupboard? Just shoot me a message and I’ll see what I can do!
Uh, guess that’s it.
Victoria, BC
