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derk drank Self Care Ritual Yaupon + Peppermint, Nettle & Oatstraw by YAYAYA Yaupon

1639 tasting notes

Another box of tea I picked up for work. Normal price at Sprouts is $10.99?? I never bought it because of the price but last week I saw the two YAYAYA yaupon teas they carry were on clearance for $1.99. For such a deal, I chose to buy this one, having never tried yaupon before, the only caffeinated North American plant, which is in the holly family.

Something about the mix of that laced-with-smoke, I-dont’-know-what, kind-of-like-yerba-maté character of yaupon mixed with the peppermint, nettle and oatstraw… It confuses my brain. Like an arthritic finger appearing from the shadows, summoning one to “Come hither.” It feels like a forbidden witch’s brew. Sweet and cool, malty and nutritious. I don’t know what. Really difficult to describe but utterly fascinating. And utterly caffeinating. The coworker who shared his First Street black tea with me, as soon as he opened a packet of this, said something about the scent made his caffeine receptors tingle.

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This place, like the rest of the internet, is dead and overrun with bots. Yet I persist.

Eventual tea farmer. If you are a tea grower, want to grow your own plants or are simply curious, please follow me so we can chat.

I most enjoy loose-leaf, unflavored teas and tisanes. Teabags have their place. Some of my favorite teas have a profound effect on mind and body rather than having a specific flavor profile.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Georgia, Japan, and Nepal. While I’m not actively on the hunt, a goal of mine is to try tea from every country that makes it available to the North American market. This is to gain a vague understanding of how Camellia sinensis performs in different climates. I realize that borders are arbitrary and some countries are huge with many climates and tea-growing regions.

I’m convinced European countries make the best herbal teas.

Personal Rating Scale:

100-90: A tea I can lose myself into. Something about it makes me slow down and appreciate not only the tea but all of life or a moment in time. If it’s a bagged or herbal tea, it’s of standout quality in comparison to similar items.

89-80: Fits my profile well enough to buy again.

79-70: Not a preferred tea. I might buy more or try a different harvest. Would gladly have a cup if offered.

69-60: Not necessarily a bad tea but one that I won’t buy again. Would have a cup if offered.

59-1: Lacking several elements, strangely clunky, possesses off flavor/aroma/texture or something about it makes me not want to finish.

Unrated: Haven’t made up my mind or some other reason. If it’s puerh, I likely think it needs more age.

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