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Scheherazade drank Inscape: A NOS4A2 inspired blend by 52teas

2238 tasting notes

It’s definitely a yerba mate week. I’m at work, it’s nearly 11.00 in the morning, and I’m not even convinced I’m awake yet. What happened to the weekend? Anyway, this blend is one of very few yerba mate teas I have in my cupboard at the moment, so it was chosen pretty much my default this morning. It helps that it’s one of my older 52 Teas, and I really should be getting to it anyway. This one is described as “mostly like a rich vanilla/maple mate with a whisper of licorice and peppermint–like the ghost of Christmas, unexpected and strangely haunting.” Intriguing, no? I used 1 tsp of leaf for my cup, and gave it approximately 3 minutes in boiling water. It smells delicious – the whole kitchen filled with sweet marshmallow root and mint.

I have to admit, I wasn’t sure about the flavour after my first sip. It seemed pretty smoky, although successive sips have made me think that’s maybe just the yerba. It’s earthy, really, and no so much smoky after all. The main flavour, to me, is marshmallow root, closely followed by peppermint. I’m actually reminded a little of Graveyard Mist, which I’ve also got open at the moment. It’s just not as sweet. I can taste a touch of maple, and there’s just a hint of black liquorice in the aftertaste. It’s quite a layered, complex tea – the initially sweet flavours give way to something darker, and the earthiness of the yerba gives it a stormy, brooding sort of quality. Pretty fitting, given the inspiration.

I’m enjoying my cup, and I think it’s definitely helping to sharpen me up a little. I feel a tiny bit brighter and more awake now than I did. This might just be my morning go-to for the next couple of weeks!

Preparation

Boiling 3 min, 0 sec 1 tsp

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Hi :) I’m Sarah, and I live in Norfolk in the UK. My tea obsession began when a friend introduced me to Teapigs a good few years ago now. Since then, I’ve been insatiable. Steepster introduced me to a world of tea I never knew existed, and my goal is now to TRY ALL THE TEAS. Or most of them, anyway.

I still have a deep rooted (and probably life-long) preference for black tea. My all-time favourite is Assam, but Ceylon and Darjeeling also occupy a place in my heart. Flavoured black tea can be a beautiful thing, and I like a good chai latte in the winter.

I also drink a lot of rooibos/honeybush tea, particularly on an evening. Sometimes they’re the best dessert replacements, too. White teas are a staple in summer — their lightness and delicate nature is something I can always appreciate on a hot day.

I’m still warming up to green teas and oolongs. I don’t think they’ll ever be my favourites, with a few rare exceptions, but I don’t hate them anymore. My experience of these teas is still very much a work-in-progress. I’m also beginning to explore pu’erh, both ripened and raw. That’s my latest challenge!

I’m still searching for the perfect fruit tea. One without hibiscus. That actually tastes of fruit.

You’ve probably had enough of me now, so I’m going to shut up. Needless to say, though, I really love tea. Long may the journey continue!

My rating system:

91-100: The Holy Grail. Flawless teas I will never forget.

81-90: Outstanding. Pretty much perfection, and happiness in a cup.

71-80: Amazing. A tea to savour, and one I’ll keep coming back to.

61-70: Very good. The majority of things are as they should be. A pleasing cup.

51-60: Good. Not outstanding, but has merit.

41-50: Average. It’s not horrible, but I’ve definitely had better. There’s probably still something about it I’m not keen on.

31-40: Almost enjoyable, but something about it is not for me.

11-30: Pretty bad. It probably makes me screw my face up when I take a sip, but it’s not completely undrinkable.

0-10: Ugh. No. Never again. To me, undrinkable.