4326 Tasting Notes
additional notes: Now how am I the only one to write a tasting note for this one? Seven years ago? Hmm. This was quite good! I have almost finished it (samples). I used half of one sample this time around. The first steep was WAY too weak, but that was entirely my fault (cooler water), and the bit of cake was hardly unravelled. The second steep was much richer — bread, coffee, very sweet, almost a mouth numbing or buzzy mouth quality to it (or probably lingering effects of walking in the brisk wind while it’s barely double digit temps…) Steeps two and three, also delicious. NO negative characteristics here. It’s quite a good cake and Teavivre is still selling it, if anyone (other than me!) would like to try it. It’s $56.90 right now for a 357gram cake. Pretty reasonable considering it’s from 2011. Odd that my review is missing from Teavivre’s site though, and there are only four other reviews, so it’s not just a steepster problem low on reviews….
2024 Holiday tea #8
The holiday tea for the day! There is already a hint of an offputting scent to this… probably the aging pecans, is the only thing I could guess. The flavor is still doing okay though. So many sweeteners in this blend though! Still mostly boozy flavored…was hoping a bit of that would dissipate by now…
Ashmanra’s sipdown challenge – December 2024 Tea #3 – Your favorite winter tea
This tea was specifically the reason I was looking to do an S&V order. I can’t possibly run out of this one! Delicious, of course. Paired with apple fritters/ egg breakfast. I also hope those taking part in the advent get to try this one!
2024 Holiday tea #6
I always thought this tea was only “okay” but it landed in my cart so I must like it more than I think! I had to look up what chestnuts taste like and the internet told me “bitter”… that is, until they are roasted chestnuts and then they are “sweet”. So in that case, I think this tea is 100% accurate. It’s very sweet, almost like caramel, with a hint of something nutty. However, I do think that the previous iteration of this blend I had was a little bit more noticeably nutty and not mostly sweet. That nutty note was why I thought it was unique, so it’s lost a bit of that. I do crave it sometimes, so I’m glad to restock it. Maybe it will appear in the advent for some of you to try?
additional notes: I had a more enjoyable than usual steep session with this one… probably just means I overleafed it WAY more than usual if it’s getting the deeper notes I like shou to have. Usually this one is very mellow. Possibly it’s aging really well? It IS 11 years old now… This time around it almost has hints of cherry cola.
2024 Holiday tea #5
Just a note to include this in my holiday tea lineup. Licorice root is more noticeable today. ick… I hope it isn’t aging to take over the blend. I really enjoyed it before today. Hopefully it was just because more licorice root than usual ended up in the mug…
Another from Cameron B — thanks yet again! I was thrilled I was able to try this. I will say short and sweet: this very much tastes like a berry flavored chocolate truffle. Nothing else from this ingredients list really intervenes. I can’t even taste the guayusa. The flavor combo most reminds me of a Lupicia blend, but that one is probably better just because of the black tea base. This one is fine to have around for this particular craving though.
Steep #1 // 1 1/3 teaspoons for a full mug // 20 minutes after boiling // 1-2 minute steep
Steep #2 // just boiled // 2-3 minute steep
Flavors: Berry, Chocolate
I super enjoyed… more than usual… which is a lot… my leftover slice of pumpkin pie for breakfast this morning, so I thought I’d follow that delicious pie with some of this. From Cameron B! Thanks so much! I always think I over"leaf" matcha. This is a little harsh… murky green in color. I like that this matcha calls itself “pumpkin spice” rather than “pumpkin pie” because I’m certainly noticing the spice. The pouch says there should be vanilla bean here, but I don’t notice that at all in the flavor. If there are spices chopped into the matcha as the description suggests, I don’t SEE anything other than matcha really. I don’t have much matcha at the moment, so I will appreciate having this around. Nothing can compare to actual pie though. FYI: Hannaford’s pumpkin pie is acceptably delicious for grocery store pie.
I have the 2008 and have enjoyed it!