319 Tasting Notes
Another sipdown from the past week! My nephew and sister stayed with us for a bit, and I made a big pot of this tea to finish off the packet (which I got from a TTB). My sister loves rooibos but doesn’t like fruity or floral flavors, and my nephew loves chai, so this was the perfect choice for all of us. I still maintain that this is basically liquefied red cinnamon candy hearts rather than chai, but still — it’s a fun one! Very kid-friendly, as long as the kid in question enjoys cinnamon.
Sharing tea with loved ones brings me great joy, so it was delightful to finish off this tea alongside family. :)
2024 sipdown count: 16
Flavors: Candy, Cinnamon, Sweet
2024 Sipdown Challenge | April | A tea from a swap or a sample
Yikes, I haven’t written a tasting note in two months! I’ve been distracted by some life transitions — all planned, intended, and positive, but still, I’ve been working to rediscover my rhythm and balance. That leaves less time for internet stuff and more time for real-world stuff… which includes drinking tea, but not necessarily logging it!
Aaanyway, I finished this one a few days ago after grabbing it from a TTB last year. The first few cups had a lovely (if understated) cherry cola vibe laced with a bit of peach, but the final two cups were a bit lacking on the cherry flavor. Still yum.
2024 sipdown count: 15
Flavors: Cherry, Cola, Peach
2024 Sipdown Challenge | February | A tea that energizes you
Upping my rating on this one because I’ve consistently loved it every time I’ve had it, and I’m verrry sad to see it go! I’m a sucker for toffee and caramel, and I also love chestnut-flavored teas, sooo… yeah.
I had difficulty choosing between this prompt and the “extra cozy” prompt—somehow this tea does both for me!
2024 sipdown count: 10
2024 Sipdown Challenge | January | A winter-inspired blend
Candy canes are wintery, right?! Plus, this came in my 12 Days of Christmas box. So it’s wintery by default. (Southern hemisphere, look away…!)
Anyway, my last cup was light on the candy cane, which is sad. I must’ve exhausted all the peppermint pieces in my first cuppa. I’ll leave my rating the same anyway.
2024 sipdown count: 6
2024 Sipdown Challenge | January | A blend made in another country
German tea to fulfill this sipdown prompt! I wholeheartedly endorse my original review: It’s a perfectly pleasant peach tea. :) This cup is slightly overleafed because I wanted to use up the entirety of my sample (from Courtney, I believe!) so it’s on the strong side. Perfect for a Monday morning!
2024 sipdown count: 5
Hmm, I’m surprised I haven’t reviewed this one. The first few times I drank it, I enjoyed it: The rose was mild but present, just a gentle whisper. But I’m drinking it today and it’s not jiving with my tastes — there’s an unctuous, slippery, almost cloying sugary rose note that’s turning me off. It’s probably coming from the artificial flavors… I’ll need to find a rose congou that’s scented with petals but doesn’t have additional flavors. :(
Flavors: Artificial, Rose, Sweet
2024 Sipdown Challenge | January | A blend made in your home country
Logging for the sipdown! I love this blend. The blueberry flavor is so fresh and juicy, and the soft, pillowy marshmallow is a wonderful foil to the lemony sharpness. It all just works together so well for a truly enjoyable cuppa.
2024 sipdown count: 3
Flavors: Blueberry, Juicy, Lemon, Marshmallow, Soft
A belated pull from Arby’s homemade advent! I was craving a straight black tea but didn’t want anything too malty or strong… this really fits the bill! Not sure what year my sample is from, but it’s pleasant: Light and just a little bit tart, with no big flavor notes except something faintly floral. There’s a tiiiny smidge of soapiness toward the end.
Now back to rereading Jane Eyre. :)
Flavors: Floral, Soap, Tart
2024 Sipdown Challenge | January | A small business blend
I completely fell off Steepster over the holidays… we were at my parents’ house for a week, and it was just SO busy! I finished my advents but didn’t document them here, alas. I came back on to a truly staggering number of missed posts and notifications… yeesh.
Anyway, this is my first sipdown of 2024! I’ll leave the rating the same from when I first drank it. It’s cozy and unctuous yet not at all heavy, and I’m enjoying it on a very cold, crisp winter day as I work on employee reviews for my direct reports. Fun stuff! XD
Happy new year, all!
2024 sipdown count: 1!
My favorite tea lately is a Lychee Congou. I’ll have to add this one to my next S&V order.