381 Tasting Notes
April backlog and sip down
Steeping method: Western. 195F @ 3-minutes.
Tasting Notes: The honeybush takes the lead in the cup; however, it helps elevate the chocolate notes as it cools down. There’s a slight hint of the chocolate oranges I’d get in my stocking for Christmas when I was little. Very nostalgic.
Flavors: Chocolate, Orange
Preparation
April backlog and sip down
I had made this as an iced tea to top off when we had a friend over. I usually will bring out strange teas for others, particularly one friend of mine, that will drink anything. I had sipped on this on and off during work but knew that this friend was to stop by later, so I had them throw in their tasting notes (they’re slowing getting into tea with my help and I like to test their palate and have them suggest tasting notes). I had generic notes, “Sunflowers & nutty,” but when they tasted the tea, they said, “It reminds me of Cheese Itz without the cheese.” That tasting note blew my mind because I knew what they meant. There was that salty and savory note like a cracker, yet it was a cracker trying to taste like cheese and slightly missing the goal to taste anything like cheese. Ha-Ha.
Flavors: Cheese, Cracker, Nutty, Salty, Savory, Sunflower Seed
After dropping a few backlogged reviews this morning (I’ve 14 more to go. Lol), I decided to top this tea off from last, after playing with friends in a few games of pickleball. They requested something “relaxing and good iced,” and since this was one of the few new teas I’ve acquired yesterday, I decided to brew some up. Let me note that having green and black tea mixed it doesn’t mean you won’t get heavily sedated and need a nap shortly after sipping. Ha-ha.
Despite the lemon grass & lemon balm added into the blend, the only two flavors that stand out are the peppermint and chamomile. I dig those flavors, but I wanted to get a hit in face with lemon flavors, too.
get a hit in face with lemon flavors, too.
April backlog and sip down
I’m thankful to my past self—likely drinking tea and working—for making one single note and rating on the package. 90% of the time I’m drinking tea is while working, and the other 10% is when I allow myself the time over the weekend.
Tasting Notes: Cinnamon stick
I found myself in the same situation starting a few years ago. I kinda miss sitting down with a tea during the week. It is what it is, I guess.
My main issue is not making time for it over the weekend either. I’ll get a session in now and then, but it’s mostly due to having been working from home all week, that I want to get out of the house. Lol.
April backlog and sip down
I couldn’t pull this one on their website, so I believe it was a club offering. Unfortunately, I must’ve misplaced the letter or accidentally thrown it away (oops) and I can’t verify if this is an oolong or black tea.
Aroma: Sweet, nutty, perfume, & soap.
Texture: Tongue numbing & mouth drying.
Tasting Notes: Bright, cantaloupe, floral, lavender, perfume, nutty, & sweet.
Additional Notes: This has the classic charm of Darjeeling, but it is less bold than what I’ve had from other vendors and grocery store offerings. I thought that it worked well both western and gongfu’d, however, I was able to get more (6) infusions from the gongfu’d than from the western sessions.
Flavors: Bright, Cantaloupe, Floral, Lavender, Nutty, Perfume, Soap, Sweet
April backlog and sip down
I left this sample unopened for nearly two years since I’ve acquired tea from Verdant’s monthly club. Perhaps I grew too weary of the tea stash growing or green tea. However, I’m glad I finally got back around to sampling it!
Aroma: Nutty
Tasting Notes: Sweeter than expected, nutty, creamy, and umami.
Flavors: Creamy, Nutty, Umami
April backlog & sip down
My misfortune is that I had only purchased a sample of this tea in 2024 and found it too late to sip through the sample. No biggie, I suppose, but without any new purchases planned for a long while, I can add this tea to my “Teas I’ve enjoyed and will always think about it” list.
Aroma: Green tea, clean sheng smell, fresh, & a cool day in the woods (Magical, right?).
Texture: Soupy & thick.
Tasting Notes: Clean, smooth, & crisp.
Flavors: Clean, Crisp, Smooth
April backlog and sip down
Aroma: Charcoal, manure, sour, & nutty
No texture
Color: Reddish-orange
Tasting Notes: Heavy mineral, nutty, roasted nuts, & bedrock.
Additional Notes: This would be good tea for a cold winter day. It warmed the body with each sip [insert tea sweats here].
Flavors: Charcoal, Mineral, Nutty, Roasted, Sour
MadHatterTeaReview- I believe there may be a misspelling of the tea name? You can probably edit the tea name, once you decide whether it is Artemesia or Artemisia. In any event, the description in the listing states it’s a mugwort, so the actual plant being infused is probably Artemisia argyi or A. vulgaris. It would be nice if the vendor specified, as there may be important medicinal differences. Mugworts are related to wormwood, of course, and other plant species as well, and readers may find the Wikipedia article on the genus interesting. I would caution folks to steep with care, as there may be toxicities (or medicinal effects, depending upon ones perspective). I recall learning in grad school of some of the compounds having abortifacient properties, for example. And the relatively benign Absinthe is legendary— some of its reputation may be owing to poor identification of the exact plant species being infused.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemisia_(plant)
Per their site, it’s “Artemisia.” Good to know! Thank you for the detailed information.