865 Tasting Notes
Decided to try Usucha with this. I’m not sure what 1/2 a chashaku scoop of match is (it calls for 1 1/2), so I went w/ the weight they list (even though it’s much more than 1 1/2 chashaku scoops) and added the ~75ml water (I had closer to 70ml). The result was an extremely thick bowla that foamed slightly with less sweetness and more bitterness and green-ness. Thank God it was smooth in texture and mouth feel and not chalky, but the bitterness was to the point of almost being too much for me. I’m hoping the extra caffeine will kick my headachey/spacey feeling.
Preparation
Holy dust! I cut a bag of this open and combined it w/ Mayan Chocolate Chai (already steeped once). I’ve NEVER seen such fine baggage contents… there was something in there that looked like very tiny purple-ish grey gravel. The cocoa nibs? Anyway steeped it for 7 min in 3oz water then added 5oz Smart Balance Fat free milk. Of course, the cayenne clogged the filter on my tea pot cover so I ended up w/ a lot in my cuppa. The result was a VERY (almost too) hot but also VERY chocolatey cuppa. Yum!
Preparation
Ugh… my last serving… well, actually 1/2 serving since I normally drink this 12oz at a time. I’m glad I didn’t run out of this any earlier as I just bought a half gallon of smart balance milk and I only drink it in chai and espresso lattes/mistos.
Mayan Chocoalte Chip Creme Brulee Chai Smart Balance Misto:
1tsp Mayan Chocolate Chai (not the heaping teaspoon I’m used to…)
3oz just below boiling water
3oz Fat Free Smart Balance Milk
1TB Creme Brulee coffee creamer
Whoa… um yeah… ok… this is gonna be hot. Not only did the last tsp contain a lot of cayenne, I was having problems w/ the top to my glass tea pot- the tea wasn’t pouring so I had to lift it up letting a lot of the cayenne in my cuppa.
Yep. Definitely hot. But the chocolate and tea base definitely stand up to the oh so rich, creamy, thick decadence of the Smart Balance milk. YUM!
… sigh… well… that’s it… it’s gone… I’m REALLY hoping manteas has a sale on this for Cinco de Mayo! PLEASE, PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE Frank?!
Preparation
Pu Erh Sampler 1 (Sheng): Tea #1
Aaaahhh… I have sheng again! I just couldn’t resist when Gingko graciously offered to throw in a free pu erh knife w/ a pu erh purchase and decided to get this because it allowed me to try 4 different shengs at (what I think to be) a very inexpensive cost. I also got my order extremely fast. Just 1 1/2 hrs after I placed my order on Fri. it was shipped and I recieved my order on Monday! By far the fastest service I’ve gotten- especially considering the distance (MA to WI).
Preparation:
3g sheng rinsed in 3oz just below boiling water for 15sec, then discarded
1st steep 20 sec.
The aroma of the raw leaf (raw raw pu erh? lol) is complex and vegetal yet sweet. The rinse is darker than the only other pu erh I’ve had before.
The liquor of the 1st infusion is also darker than my 1st sheng experience. It is still not nearly as dark as a shu, but a lovely golden color.
The flavor is smooth and complex with notes of sweetness, nut, and pepper that makes Yunnan teas so distinguishable.
Preparation
2nd infusion, 20sec: The liquor is just a bit lighter which is surprising and the peppery notes are gone (a yay for me) and are replaced by extra sweetness.
3rd infusion, 20sec: The liquor is a bit darker than the last, with gorgeous pinkish tones. The flavor is also stronger, but just as sweet.
Decided to make this all to myself!
The aroma is quite strong, and a great balance of all 3 flavor components although the cucumber is the strongest. The liquor is a translucent greenish yellow typical of chinese senchas.
I’m not getting as much melon as I am in the 2nd infusion- more sweet. The cucumber and sencha base are solid though… like a cup of cucumber and spinach juice w/ a tinge of vinegar. Um… uh oh… Crap. As it cools it’s becoming quite bitter. :( Down goes the rating.
Preparation
After days of gorgeous weather I’m freezing in the house w/ a sweatshirt on. This is just want I need to warm up. Thicker than last time- 1 large scoop and 3oz of water. Very strong vegetal aroma, less sweet tasting as well… more of that vegetal wonderfulness that is matcha!
