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2023 Spring Harvest

While I’m trying (and failing) to avoid buying or accumulating new teas right now, it’s been years since I had one my absolute favourite types of tea: Jasmine Pearls (also Dragon Well). And, so, a short while ago I caved suddenly and all at once – buying both.

Green Jasmine Pearls always remind me of late winter turning into early spring. It’s probably the combination of clean and warm notes of grass, honeysuckle, melon, squash, stonefruit, and fresh evergreen. Jasmine is also pleasantly banana-ish to my brain – creamy, vanilla bean-like, and sugar-rum sweet. It’s such a decadent floral flavour.

I can’t get enough of it, although I’m not super picky about where I get it (What-Cha is a reliable go to when I’m craving it though… or Teavivre; I’m surprised I’ve never written up a note for this or the other varieties What-Cha carries! Oh, well). This is also one of my mom’s favourite teas so I should try and do a better job at keeping some around… Such a hardship given how much I love this tea :P

Steep Count: 4 (first steep @ 2min; last steep @ 5min)

There is a glorious sweet spot to this tea. If steeped at just the right (mysterious) parameters, it smells and tastes a little like brioche, wheatgrass, and osmanthus (edit: originally mixed up my flowers here). It’s mildly sweet, verging on buttery, as well as slightly nutty and honey-infused. It’s thick feeling — even rich at times. It reminds me of the sweet-smelling grasses and vegetation in Hawaii (also, the sweetgrass in my own region). It’s such a joyful flavour/aroma profile.

I’m not sure if this is characteristic of this tea or because it’s oxidized overtime to the point that black tea characteristics are now present (it’s a 2021 harvest). I love it though! (OK, looking up the website’s description, sounds like this is just what this tea is like. Amazing).

In other steeps, I sometimes get a slightly bitter and sour vegetal-wood note (think asparagus and pine notes) in addition to the above-mentioned characteristics, That also is an enjoyable cup; the nippier quality of this profile mellows and diversifies out as it cools too. The general complexity and richness makes it a dynamic multi-steeper and a rewarding tea to commit to.

Steep Count: 4

Sipdown!

I’m going to miss this because it’s an awesome, full-bodied smoky tea that I’m particularly drawn to on cold, dark mornings. Added bonus is it resteeps well, up to 3-4 times. Black Leopard has your typical smoked wood profile – with hints of florals. Also present are fruity notes, like jammy dates and guava – but they’re very subtle.

This may be a re-order down the road (and in a tin if they have it)! Lapsang Souchong and similar styled teas are an easy staple for me – and not one that I’m particularly picky about – but this one has something that pops compared to the few others I’ve tried.

Dammann Frères Advent Calendar – Day 18

Serviceable, but I can’t help but compare it unfavourably to my favourite chocolate mint tisane (that one contained anise and vanilla and I miss it dearly). This kind of of tea makes an enjoyable evening aperitif; I appreciate how it’s not sweet too.

52teas 12 Teas of Christmas 2023 – Day 11

Lemon Meringue Chai was one of my favourite’s from old 52teas but it’s been ages (11 years) since I’ve tried it – and tastes change, right?

I made this up as a latte, with frothy milk – and, at first sip, I thought this wasn’t going to do it for me anymore. But, noooo, the sweet, tangy lemon zest absolutely builds with each sip and as it cools. There’s my meringue dimensions! Mmm… It’s completely captured the magic of first trying this delightfully unique chai.

52teas 12 Teas of Christmas 2023 – Day 9

First steep is a bit more robust and malty, layered with thick nut butter and sweet red berry jam/jelly. Second steep was less bold and more creamy sweet. It’s the perfect wake-me-up breakfast tea.

52teas 12 Teas of Christmas 2023 – Day 10

Again, not loving rooibos much lately, but Anne does a lovely soda tea. It’s convincingly effervescent, tangy-sweet, and crisp. Not too sweet though – more like an Italian soda, or tonic water with a dash of citrus. This blend is pleasant iced or cold steeped.

Mariage Frères Advent Calendar – Day 23

Bumping my old rating up a notch. This year it lives up to its “sublime” namesake. I was choked when I finally resteeped it to the point of death this morning. Can’t recalled the last time I had such a smooth, silky, creamy flavoured green tea that manages to convincingly play the role of a rich, fruity dessert – without tasting artificial and heavy-handed.

Dammann Frères Advent Calendar – Day 23

I’ve never heard of this dessert but this flavoured rooibos makes me want to try it! This caffeine-free beverage tastes like nougat or a marzipan candy – with bits of melon and orange. It’s unique, round, and works surprisingly well enough with the base that it almost tempts me to give rooibos blends another shot at life in my stash. I can actually envision myself drinking this in the evening…

Dammann Frères Advent Calendar – Day 24

Annnnd… this wraps up my Dammann Frères advent (and I’m now all caught up with my notes)! While I’m more familiar with this company’s teas than I was three years ago, this advent continues to please me with its offerings of mostly flavoured teas. It’s a lovely balance of familiar and new-to-me samples.

In no particular order, some of my favourites this year’s advent: Blanc d’Oranger, My Tiramasu, Oolong Châtaigne, Noël à Pékin (always), Oolong Passion de Fleurs, and Canissoun. Coming as no surprise, oolong and fruity teas are my typical favourites, but loving the coffee dessert blend was a shocker.

Anyways, this tea… While I initially didn’t care for this cherry-flavoured Christmas tea overly much, with repetition comes that welcome familiarity. It’s like fruit cake in more ways than one. I shared a pot with my mom and she particularly enjoyed it.