TakeT

Trivia: Jyväskylä, a place where TakeT is located, is also a location of Finland rally.

As a little fan of motorsports, I decided to buy a sample of this. But I am much a bigger fan of salted licorice — which are in!

Okay, it is, bold and fairly storng black tea (sadly I do not notice smoky lapsang), and salty licorice. There is not much else to add. It’s salty, it is kind of sweet — licorice, and it’s black tea base.

Honestly, while it contains my favourite “candy”, I am somehow puzzled if I like it in hot tea.

I received this tea, along with so many others (!), from Courtney last week. This one in particular was originally sent to her by Martin. Thank you both! After going through all the teas in the box, I knew I wanted to try this one first. Not only did it smell amazing, I had read Courtney’s note about it a couple of weeks ago and it sounded like something I would like. And I do!

I’m not all that familiar with currants as a flavor, but I’m going to find some so that I can try them and get a feel for what they taste like on their own. That said, to me this smells like dark, juicy grapes. I don’t get any smokiness which is too bad because I was looking forward to that, but it’s still a delicious cup without it.

March sipdown promopt, so, a month later — March 25 – The end of American Chocolate week

I was surprised how fast I finished this tea in the office.

Lovely chocolate tea. Chocolate tea base + cocoa nibs; a little smoky to add some complexity and now it’s gone.

Will I reorder this one? Actually, I am not that sure about it. It is indeed lovely, however not sure if I need to grab it often. I think I finished it that fast because I was craving something else than EG in the morning.

Boys’ sauna is my new office tea, though I had it for a little while (but tried once at home only).

Oh well, this one is good! Sadly not for everyone, as it seems that TakeT uses for sauna teas smoky teas. But the base is probably some Chinese (Keemun) tea, as notice lovely choco notes? Also it is lightly smoky… not sure if from one tea, or it is a blend of base teas; and slighlty malty.

The flavour note is obviously also cocoa, as there are cocoa shells too. I don’t know which aroma they have used (sadly they say only aroma, without more description); but it wasn’t overpowered with any notes.

It was like a hot chocolate, with smoky twist.

A sipdown! (M: 5, Y: 45)
Now it is actual sipdown! Used remaining 5.5 grams; which was kind of heavy-handed apparently, but it’s a sipdown and that counts.

In January I described it as a robust tea with flavours “wood, sweet, maybe a honey” and “very malty”. I have to agree with that as it doesn’t lose anything from that during 8 months.

Although it is great tea, I am happy it’s gone… I need to reduce my cupboard. Who cares that I have 3 new teas on the way, right? Haha.

Not yet a sipdown (and probably won’t be in January); but Jan. 1 a tea I love prompt by ashmanra’s sipdown progress thread.

I really loved this tea by What-cha; afterall look here: http://steepster.com/teas/what-cha/90931-india-assam-mokalbari-ftgfop-1-tippy-black-tea and I have been searching something similar, or if possible very same. Of course, different harvests are different harvests, so maybe 2019 was so good and 2022 wasn’t that great. I even bought a tea at Siam Tee Shop, which I thought is this one, while realising in last second it is Makaibari and not Mokalbari, but decided to place order with that anyway.

I have digressed from this tea from Finland; sorry.
This tea could be considered to be added in prompt A malty tea, but I already have there Virunga Sunrise. It is indeed very malty, but also notes of wood, sweet, maybe a honey; and very robust. I used two teaspoons in my basket strainer in my 300 ml cup.

Certainly it smells lovely, both dry and wet, including brewed tea itself. At first it is some basic tannic notes, but then florals appear, again the malt and some other notes I am not able to identify now. But I have plenty left, so I will try. Maybe gongfu would work for that better.

In conclusion, as I said, it is not so good as What-cha’s version, but maybe it’s different harvest or different, less quality tea, but still very good one.

So Martin sent this to me without realising it was smoky, but I appreciate it nonetheless!

I was prepping some teas to send out this evening and figured I could send this on to someone who enjoyed smoky teas, but thought I should at least try one cup. I had no sooner poured the water in my mug to steep when the smokiest scent started wafting across the kitchen. I immediately felt nauseated. I ran to the still-steeping tea, dumped it down the sink. So sorry Martin — you were absolutely right about me and this tea, but hopefully the remaining 1-2 cups will be enjoyed by someone else!

2023 sipdown no. 2

Thank you Martin for sharing this with me!

This one smells really lovely. Blueberry and fruity without being cloying or fake. The taste itself has a musky kind of fruitiness that I would say is reminiscent of blueberry. I just noticed there is also meant to be a champagne flavour — that could be the muskiness here.

2023 sipdown no. 1

A sample from Martin!

This smells really lovely! Very currant-y, fruity. The base is unassuming here, but I’m not bothered because the flavour really shines. There’s a lovely sweetness here that appears to come from fruit as it doesn’t have that cloying stevia or blackberry leaf excess flavour. There’s also the subtlest hint of chokecherry sourness on the end of the sip that’s almost imperceptible. I’m so happy to have been able to try this tea.

A sipdown! (M: 7, Y: 15)
A little bit sad one. I had last 5 grams left, so I have used them all, steeped western and for a little longer time and I just get a black currant jam in tea. Maybe I caught more of the berries right now.

It was quite tart, but blackcurrant is, actually, it had that stewed flavour of fruits, and overall, it was much better than I have hoped. So, shaking well the pouch next time seems to be a key.

I am not so sure, if I would take it next time when ordering, but certainly something to consider :) Raising the rating a bit.

Another tea I am focusing recently (I consider myself good in that in past weeks/months, to drink one tea till it’s gone).

I had better expectations from this tea, but it doesn’t matter it’s bad. The base tea is quite flat and somehow metallic, maybe Ceylon tea was used? It is also actually quite herbal, as there is quite big amount of black currant leaf. As I have just read, it is good against cold and as I had those symptoms today morning, it won’t hurt for sure. It is also slightly bitter, but not sure if it is not berries and tea itself.

Now I will move to the berry flavour. Well, that’s it. It is absolutely the weakest point. I have been expecting strong black currant flavour with tart jammy notes but they aren’t in the cup. Indeed a shame, especially when it contains berries itself! But they ratio — 2 per cent, is sadly too low or it’s overpowered by other ingredients.

But, in pouch it smells good enough. Maybe I should use less than two tea spoons of blend?

I am drinking this lately and it is delight to drink it. Okay, do not expect citrus fruit bomb with loads of aroma and freshly cut grapefruit taste, but it is very good nevertheless.

Actually I like the base, green tea and white tea is good combination as both require a bit colder water than boiling, yet they can stand hotter than usual 80°C. I am trying to use prefered 90°C and it seems it suits this tea best. It releases most of the flavour, which is mild, slightly grassy, hay, but floral as well and very smooth and mouthcoating. The grapefruit flavour is, as I have written good one, though it is not fresh cut grapefruit, rather it reminds me some grapefruit flavoured soda, a little powder-y taste is there as well. It tingles the tongue a bit, but that does real fruit as well to me.

If there would be more citrusy flavour, it would just a plus. But overall, it’s not a bad tea and after craving the grapefruit flavoured tea, it is good one.

SIPDOWN
And it’s gone. The last cup was flavourful and little smoky, but just exact level of it.
Will be in next order for sure.

Well yes… I love sauna. Dry and hot Finnish sauna. I miss it so much so I bought two teas with sauna in name and opened this one first. I bought 50 grams of it and I am nearly _finnish_ed with it. It is a bit of cheat, as I sent a bit to Courtney, while not realising she doesn’t like smoked teas at all. Sorry once more, and who will be new owner of that pouch is unknown to me, but I hope they will like it as I do.

As I was going through this tea, I was able to found more and more from it. At first it was plain, smoky tea, not even sure if lapsang, as it was flat, but smoky. The blue cornflowers do not add anything to flavour I suppose. Later, I was able to notice more. First of all, it wasn’t just some common smoke, but I believe it was pine/birch wood used. It wasn’t meat-y as some smoked teas are. Rather woody.
And as I was in the middle of the pouch, I started to feel fruits in a cup. It says it contains “aromas” and “currant leaves” and I believe, it has got indeed black currant berry flavour/aroma. Not sure if it is the “aroma” or what started to be berry like, but those cups were my highly-favorite and maybe a reason for such a fast sipping down.

I also offered it once to my family members, as they wanted any tea to be brewed. So I took this one, while I told them I am not sure if they will like it. And they have drank it without any complaints and said it is perfect for colder days as it reminds them being next to the fireplace, covered with blanket and drinking hot tea.

So, a winner at all points I suppose.

SIPDOWN no… I don’t know again!
Anyway, pistachio tea. I had Mint Pistachio from B&B, and now this one.

First attempt was 3 minute long with one whole pistachio nut in. Nope, it wasn’t good. It was like plain black tea.

Second attempt with the rest I had today, with longer steeping, was better. I have steeped it for 5 minutes (at least) and steeped western with strainer instead of fill-your-own-bag.

Yes, it was slightly nutty, smooth and round, lightly flowery and that’s it. I am not that sure about pistachio itself. Comparing it to the British tea I mentioned above, it is certainly less pistachio like.
Sadly, not a re-order for me :/

A little backstory to this tea. Skip it if you want to read about the tea. It’s down there.

Today City of Lights festival starts in Jyväskylä in Central Finland. This tea shop is from that city and I have been studying there, oh it flies, 6 years ago. I was there for four months only, but it since then Finland is inscribed into my heart. And Jyväskylä as well. I never wanted to live in a big city (considering Czech city sizes). How it looks this year you can see here: https://valonkaupunki.jyvaskyla.fi/en — back then it was for a few days only if I am not mistaken. It was great event with lots of fun, art in public, and good mood all around. Though I did not understood any single Finnish word, I really enjoyed it. Also, I took some photos, in 2016 and they are available on my Flickr here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/152410333@N04/albums/72177720302465091

As it is held in September, it goes dark quite early there. So, that said, there are lots of children and some events are dedicated to them as well. It was held on Kirkkopuisto (Church square), but apparently it has grown in size and it is held in whole city nowadays. Honestly, if I get the opportunity I would return there in time of City of Lights event.

To the tea:
Based on their description, it should be glühwein (mulled wine) flavoured black tea. With some star sprinkles and nuts. I have ordered only sample package, as I wasn’t sure if it suits my taste… sometimes they use too much hibiscus and it’s only tart, sometimes it is too boozy (even with no alcohol in)… I just think that make good mulled-wine tea is hard.

This one, from two sessions I was able to make from that small sample pouch was a bit different story. I did not had Finnish glühwein, only some Glöggi bought in Alko (state-owned shop with alcohol), so I am not really sure what is common for Finns.

Anyway, first session was a pear-vanilla cup with very nice and round taste, but the vanilla was confusing as it shouldn’t be in. Later it was a bit spicy, but it was very pleasant experience.

Second session from today was more mulled wine like. It was fruitier, mostly prunes and certainly more spicy. However the black tea base didn’t made the mark there, unlike the first session.

I am sure it is very hard to put everything in small sample pouches, so maybe it caused some flavour issues. I may try it again in bigger pouch to make sure that I get expected flavour profile.

In conclusion, I am happy with this tea (though I may be affected by nostalgia) and also for the idea. Now, I will move, at least virtually, to Jyväskylä, brew some tea (sadly not this one) and imagine I have it in a paper cup and walking through the city.

And very last tea today, also a sipdown! (M: 3, Y: 11)

I had only last serving left, and it was so delicious today afternoon. Currants were certainly present, sadly the reason-berry I bought it for (juniper) wasn’t present. A very nice fruity taste, a little tart, a little sweet.

I believe it can be tasty when cold-brewed or iced!

Magic of the forest in Finnish style.

I will start with weakest point of this (and sadly other TakeT) tea. The base is bland and boring. It works only as a background. It doesn’t have much of flavour, it is very flat too.

But luckily, the fruits deliver the flavour. It is quite tart (I assume I had lots of chokeberry in), there are certainly both currants. A bit sweet, but also tart red one, and tart and a little chalky black one. Sadly, I haven’t noticed much of juniper, so I will try to crush the berries next time to get pine-y flavour of it. It is also a little bit floral, I guess because the rose.

It isn’t a tea I would call: must-have, but it is interesting change of pace and different point of view of blending teas.

At first, I thought that Lakumelli is a Finnish kind of sweets that I haven’t tried. Then, after some Google research it seems it is somehow true, but also it seems it is play with Finnish words for licorice and toffee (butterscotch)… so honestly I do not know where the truth is.

But, when I was choosing a tea for this afternoon, I have decided for this one. To be honest, I prepared myself Dhara Green by Siam Tee Shop and even I have filled my mug with water (and used 4 grams from 20 g amount) when I found out that my mother used an agent against scale and told noone. So, I had to toss it out. So sad…

Anyway, this tea is interesting. The base seems weak, and not much flavourful, then some caramel notes appear (I have noticed two caramel cubes in my strainer) and some flavours of salted licorice (common for Finland and my favorite), so in conclusion it tastes a bit like salted caramel tea. I am a little bit sad about the base, however, I have only a sample and something is telling me that if I place another order, I may get more.

Why I always order teas that are weird? Uncommon? Why I can get a common, simple, lemon black tea and I want to try something new/unique/weird?

Advent Calendar from TakeT: Day 4

Well, a tea I had before! What have changed? Luckily, it seems nothing. Or nothing much; it is still pleasant green oolong with blueberries and blueberry (no, you won’t learn me using bilberry) flavour. I think I haven’t noticed the champagne today, but maybe another ratio between blueberries and oolong itself there, or they used a bit less of it.

Still tasty nevertheless. Sadly, I haven’t picked it up on 6th December, it would be a nice happenstance — as that day Finland celebrates independence.

Finnish company who made tea for 100 years of Finnish independence that was in 1917. But it seeems it is a popular tea which stays in their offer… as it will be 105 years this December.

But I was craving a fruity tea and for some reason I took this one, blueberry flavoured oolong. I never heard of blueberry oolong before… so tell me friends, if it is across the pond available or it is actually a weird combination.

Moreover, they claim it is with champagne (maybe only flavouring)…

From my experience it is very aromatic when dry after blueberries. A little bit chalky and sweet. But when brewed, when hot, mostly green oolong flavours apperar — mineral, a little vegetal too and as it cools down, the other flavours take their part, sweet blueberries combined with little boozy flavour. Can’t tell it’s champagne as I never had any. But it was a bit of that wine flavour somehow.

Filled my craving very well!

A sipdown! (M: 2, Y: 25)
Yep, finally I have finished the remaining 2.4 grams of this of this sample, which was two sessions worth. I lowered the vessel volume (200 ml), prepared with boiling water (it’s green tea!), and steeped for long (close to 8 minutes as recommended).

Drank lukewarm; and boy this is herbaceous at first place. Rosemary, parsley, closely followed with fruit notes, mostly the orange for me, tart, because sea buckthorn, but all it was somehow working together. If only, there was more raspberry, but it can be more prominent, if I got better mix.

Well, next time I will get 20 grams pouch. For sure; hoping I will get more raspberry.