1764 Tasting Notes
I can’t recall if this was the matcha I ordered this morning, though I think it was? My free cup for not reaching 100 points. Serendipity, considering a matcha cup costs more than just a regular tea. Yay.
I added a bit of milk and honey, since I’m sick and though I tend not to sweeten my matcha, it does pair nicely with the bee goodness. The cuppa was really good. Super creamy and just yummy. It reminds me of a really well crafted piece of chocolate. Yanno the ones that are $5 for two bites. I’d want to grab some for home but I have so much already that it would be a waste. Bah.
Anyhow. I’m faring tons better today despite having only 5 hours sleep. I guess I’m kicking this cold! or maybe the chlorophyll tea feels are ramping me up haha.
I’m wondering if it is because I was “close” to 100 points. Maybe you need 90 – 100. I can’t see them giving out matcha for just 10 points or less. Not sure what the threshold would be
Free TOTD if you have 1-49 points, free tea of your choice if you have 50-99. This is after each 100pts is converted into 50g tea. :)
I had a seriously awful day yesterday. Today, while not much better, is calmer and less chaotic.
The rant – I’ve been weathering the flu, my new boss started working on Tuesday, and we were short staffed. Students poured through the door en masse, meetings were booked in our rooms improperly and faculty weren’t happy with us. The dividing wall in our presentation space is broken so being down a room meant we were double booked in some cases. and then a complaint was submitted by who I assume is a student at the school, after they deemed us unfit public servants having witnessed us attempting to navigate the winds. It was so busy that I didn’t have an opportunity to eat lunch until 4pm, and even then it was while I discussed updates with a colleague and my interim boss(not new boss). Sighs.
Honestly, we are extremely short staffed or else I would have been at home clinging to my bed. What a great way to make a fabulous first impression on the guy who decides whether my contract is renewed in April. Ha!
When I arrived home, my driveway had frozen over like a skating rink. and I had a blowout argument with a friend over text. She’s on vacation out of country or else I’d have called to sort it out. She’s a colleague who I’ll see on a daily basis in a few weeks.
Ugh. Ok. I’m done.
This tea? I needed something cleansing and healthy. and caffeine free. On my way home from work. Just what I needed to keep my company during the train ride.
In terms of a rating, I really have no opinion on it. It tasted rather herbaceous with a nice punch of licorice. A mild background of mint, which I had hoped would be stronger. It could be that this sickness of mine muted things. The cinnamon was there as well, neither good nor bad in that moment. Some honey was added as well. I figured this hack cough of mine needed some.
I’m not in a rush to run out and buy this one based on taste. If I knew that the probiotics contained within were of a useful variety, then perhaps I’d be more excited.
It’s ok. I’m glad to have tried a cup and that it was there for me in my hour of need!
Truly the day from hell. Good on you for going in anyway. You deserve a medal for that and other high accolades. Hope you feel much much better soon.
@Rosehips and @Evol VIng Ness
Thank you! I generally get a last wind right about this time. So at the moment I feel pretty ok! Will pay for not already being asleep tomorrow methinks…
Sipdown!
I’m still not sure what this tea was supposed to taste like. It did a lot better in gong fu steeping but other than a lot of mineral notes and very light vegetal notes, I’m not sure what to think. In my fourth infusion, there is a slight oceanic or seaweed influence.
Throughout the infusions I also had moments when I thought some sort of stone fruit was hanging about, though it never felt like any stone fruit I could identify, or rather it was more of a combination of stone fruits. I’d say apricot married with plum, perhaps. And the vegetal aspect? My best guess is watercress. But don’t take my word for it. I’ve been down with the flu so it could be that my palate is still off a tad.
Anyhow. Merry Christmas to all the Orthodox tea lovers out there! <3
A friend gave this to me for Christmas. It smells like perfume, though not in an unpleasant way. Kindof intense. so much that the fruit seems to be overtaken by the floral aspect. Sadly, I’m not a big fan of the way the floral translates into taste. I might try underleafing it next time. Or steeping for less time. Witholding a rating for now. I have a ton of this. As well, over time I know the scent will dissipate so I’m sure it will mellow out!
Definitely vegetal with a nice soft yet delicate base. Not as crisp as white peony, but there is a slight clear mineralish tinge that I really enjoy. Definitely a mood tea. I quite enjoyed this. Only two infusions and I forgot to write down my notes.
Also, the leaves were made dragonwell style, super flat and long. Very pretty!
I don’t think this is where I posted my original sample note (can’t find it but then Steepster eats my notes often. I hope they’re tasty).
So I have a ton of this left over, and had promised my friends a tea mocktail. It was easy enough to do! Matcha, OJ, and some fizzy water. Perrier, but I used no-name last time, at home, and it was fine.
I was worried that they would all hate it. But to my surprise, everyone asked for more!
My friend’s boyfriend is Japanese, and knows matcha well enough to offer a true critique… I was most concerned about his opinion haha.
In the end, he delivered kindof a compliment. Apparently the tea was how you would expect OJ and Matcha to taste, only far better. Hey, I’ll take that as a win :D
This was a brunch event, so a few people added prosecco, and they said it was pretty good. I added some bluberry wine and that was a great pairing as well, though the berryness dominated the blend somewhat.
Ahhhh. Tea shared makes for a happy day!!
Also? I now have a giant tea thermos courtesy of the gift steal. Oh and my gift caused the recipient to literally squeal, which made me pretty gleeful heheeee (a micro drone. $25 at walmart!!)
:) indeed you did. I bet the BF was happy! Matcha is hard to prepare.
@mrmopar, it was definitely a pain to make so many small bowls of it and pour it into the jug. Or maybe I just need a bigger whisk :D
