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I roasted a couple sessions’ worth of Teavivre’s Taiwan Monkey Picked Tieguanyin a little further a few days ago, just because. Here’s session #1; #2 will be in a couple months to compare after it’s rested a bit.
In the first few infusions, the nuttiness of this tea is definitely intensified by the roasting, but it also changed from a more generic roasty, nutty flavor to a specific almond note. There’s something almost Dancong-like in this that I can’t identify. While the tea wasn’t spicy at all before, there’s now a hint of spice in the finish. It’s not strong enough to tell what it is. There’s also a mild sweet potato note. The creamy mouthfeel doesn’t seem to have changed.
It seems to lose flavor sooner, which is the opposite of what i expected. Brewing for at least a minute produces a cup of creamy sweetness with little flavor except roast by the fifth infusion. Hopefully as the new roast settles this will improve.
Flavors: Almond, Plum, Roasted, Spices, Sweet Potatoes
I got an ounce of some generically named “Darjeeling” (so probably a blend of estates and flushes) at a coffee shop yesterday and I’ve been drinking it all day trying to figure out how to get more flavor out of it. It’s very mild and I think it’s getting stale, but the flavor it does have I’d describe as fruity, woody, and mildly spicy (I’ve been noticing this in a lot of tea lately). It has a pretty typical Darjeeling character. There’s nothing unusual in body, astringency, etc. It probably would have been pretty good a year ago, but now it’s a bit bland.
Flavors: Fruity, Spices, Wood
For some reason, I got an ounce of an Assam from the Mangalam Estate a few months ago at a tea shop. I rarely drink Assam because I generally prefer to make Chinese black tea in my gaiwan. I finished the Keemun I got at the same time a while ago (I really need more Keemun), while I still have enough left for a few cups of this.
This is different from what I think of as the typical Assam. I brewed it quite strongly, but it lacks the tannic bite I expect from Assam, despite being a broken grade. Instead, the texture reminds me of a smooth, full-bodied Ceylon, like something from the Kenilworth Estate. It has notes of caramel, sweet potatoes, malt, and cinnamon, and finishes with enough different spices that adding milk and sugar would probably taste like masala chai. I’ve never had such a spicy unflavored tea. It’s not just the slight peppery sharpness at the back of your throat that so many other teas have. This tea literally tastes like I added spices while I was brewing it, like I started making masala chai and then quit halfway through. This works much better than it seems like it should, and I actually really enjoy it. The spiciness lingers for a few minutes after the last sip.
Flavors: Caramel, Cinnamon, Malt, Spices, Sweet Potatoes
Thinking about abandoning my account here.
Fake accounts have messed up the rankings and the discussion boards.
We haven’t had a quality of life update in six or seven years.
Several features are broken and I don’t think they’ll ever be fixed.
I’ve been here for ten years and have watched this site slowly decline. It has fallen behind the times pretty terribly. I dunno. I just have no motivation to keep going.
I know several of us have been discussing a lot of the issues with the site for some time now and how frustrating it is that they are all going unaddressed. I don’t know what has happened to the site’s owners and developers as no one has had any contact with anyone on the admin team in at least a month and prior communication has revealed a lack of willingness to expand moderator duties, bring in new admins, or update the site in any way. No one understands why they (I say they, but I think it’s just Jason at this point) won’t allow the more active community members to take on a larger role in the maintenance and management of the site if they are unwilling to give up ownership. I, myself, am thinking about abandoning my account here as well. I’m going to be spending some time this weekend backing up my reviews just in case I do bounce sooner rather than later. Are there any other communities or platforms like Steepster out there? I’ve thought about starting my own blog and have been encouraged to do so, but I have heard from several other people that it is hard to attract readers and less rewarding than contributing to a dedicated community. I have also heard that activity on TeaForum is starting to pick up, so I may create an account there. Is there anywhere out there that you would recommend trying? I’m very open to suggestions.
I wish I knew where to go. I’ll definitely check out TeaForum. Maybe we can all migrate or something. But I know it won’t be the same.
Steepster definitely has its issues, but I’d be sad if everyone left. Most social media platforms are all about the pictures and don’t lead to much discussion. I like having a text-based forum.
I’d be sad to see you leave. As much as there are definite issues with the platform and the decay is certainly noticeable, I still find a lot of value in the community that is still present. Without greater moderator ability there isn’t a lot that we can actively try to fix – but community engagement and presence is something that is well within our power! I know I’ve been trying to make a more conscious effort this week to comment and interact with people in their tasting notes and on the discussion board. I may not being to fix the spam problem, or change the rating gaming that happens – but being a part of the active community of people here is something I have full control over.
Absolutely! I’m glad to have a place to post reviews without the work of creating a blog, and I appreciate interacting with other Steepsters. Also, maybe if the owners see that we’re engaged, they’ll do something about the spam.
I was just telling tea-sipper that I haven’t been able to update my profile for months nor can I post in the forums for months. I get a time-out error. Definitely frustrating.
Oh, you aren’t alone, Tabby. Have you not been reading the “State of Steepster” thread in the forums? I feel all these things. I’ve been trying just to get the ability to help delete the damn spam with absolutely no help at all from Jason for a month now, despite getting e-mails back saying this would happen. It makes me feel like no one at all cares about this site. And it makes me feel bitter and upset, since I was trying to help out.
I already started out on a blog and moved off of there to Steepster, and already know that didn’t work out for me. I like the community here, but I see this as a sinking ship. I wish there was another platform like this to move to that was being maintained and updated and haven’t been able to find anything like it. TeaForum is just a forum, not a platform for reviews/logging and networking with tea friends. RateTea has the reviewing/journaling aspect, but still doesn’t let you “friend” people and easily read what they are drinking and follow their tea journeys. I feel all the other options are very disjointed. I already have all my data backed up since I already write my reviews off-site and copy/paste them in, so if I knew of a place all my tea-friends were migrating to, I’d happily move along with them. I’m not happy with the lack of love to the site, I’m only here because I love the people using it.
It breaks my heart a little to see posts like this, though of course I understand the feeling! I just think Steepster has so very many positive memories for me that I’ll be kind of crushed if it dies. Just know that there are people reading (and enjoying!) your reviews, and still writing about a fair number of teas. At least, for now!
I am sad that I have joined this website in time when it is in agony. I have same problem as Kawaii433. Can´t do anything. I would like to admin it at least a bit, at least deleting those spam posts.
r/Tea is good, but hey, sometimes bit toxic.
I feel here it is just great. Everybody speaks with everybody, there are swaps between members, it is not overwhelmed with biased reviews and so on. I really like that you can add your tea easily and don´t have to wait till some admin accepts it.
I will stay – at least I will try. It is sad story though.
This is the best of all the forums I am in. I would hate to see anyone leave here. I have made more online friends here than anywhere else.
This community is as much about the people as it is the tea. That’s what makes it unique and why I encourage folks to continue communicating!
For now, Steepster seems to be reviving. I had over twenty notes on my dashboard when I checked it this afternoon! I hope we can keep it up!
I hope you stay, Tabby! I’ll be one of the last that sticks with Steepster, until I’m the last in a dusty vast internet wasteland. But if everyone migrates, I hope someone tells me. :D
I use this to keep track of all the teas I’ve tried, hopefully it’ll stick around.
Things always get slack in the summer … my dashboard has been pretty brisk since this fall!
I totally concur! I was very disheartened to have discovered that this site is basically the same with no improvements since nearly 7 years ago when I went on a hiatus… I was surely expecting a mobile app given that one was rumored to be in the works so long ago…
Finishing up Heavenly Tea Leaves’s Lemon Twist. I had one teaspoon left. It wasn’t a good tea to begin with, so I just drowned it in Pinky Up’s Coconut Creme. I can vaguely taste it haunting the background, but only if I feel for it.
Sipdowns in 2019: 26 <—- Halfway to my goal of one sipdown per week for the year!
Knocking out Harney & Sons’ Chocolate Chai Supreme. Didn’t have enough for a full tumbler, so this is about half H&S, half Nepali Breakfast by Nepal Tea. The weird fake chocolate dominates the higher quality chai’s flavors, unfortunately. But it’s fine to get me through my Friday.
Sipdowns in 2019: 25
It’s warming up here. Spring is beginning. So, around the house at least, I’ve made the switch to iced tea. It’s still chilly in the mornings, though, so I’m still bringing hot tea to work.
Over the weekend I made a pretty good amount of tea. Twice I’ve made an iced concoction that is 2 parts Lupicia’s Golden Honey Dew, one part Pinky Up’s Coconut Creme, and one part Tazo’s Cucumber White. It’s very refreshing, but the coconut adds a desserty, cakey note that doesn’t quite work with the cucumber. After two big glasses of this, I think I’ll leave it out of the next one.
Finished up Yaupon Brothers’ Lavender Coconut today! I used three parts of that plus one part Pinky Up’s Coconut Creme. Just wanted a little more coconut flavor in my last tumbler of the yaupon.
I also wanted to get this out of my collection because the container was kinda bulky. I had a bad day on Monday and placed a small spring order with Harney & Sons. So I need the space, haha.
Sipdowns in 2019: 20
Finished up the Constant Comment! Goodbye, winter tea. I used my last bag with three tsp of Joy’s Teaspoon’s Spicy Pear. It’s… not very good. The cinnamon is so fake and bitter. It’s tolerable, though. Joy’s Teaspoon just wasn’t that great, I have to say. I see why it went under when we have so many better choices. I’ll make Spicy Pear one more time, and if I don’t like it, I’ll probably pitch it.
Sipdowns in 2019: 19
Decided to blend myself a sweet dessert tea for breakfast. It’s Friday and I deserve a treat. I took 1 part Pinky Up’s Coconut Creme with Flowers and one part Kusmi’s Caramel.
It’s wonderful. A creamy, coconutty, sweet and savory caramel tea. The caramel aroma sits in my nose and reminds me of Werther’s Originals. I hate that I keep coming up with these delicious blends with discontinued teas, though! I can make this maybe two more times and then it’s gone forever.
Finished up my sample of Harney & Son’s Diamond Jubilee this morning by mixing it half and half with Earl Grey Supreme. I swear there’s something restorative about these earl greys. It’s like I can feel myself recharging. (It’s probably just the caffeine.)
Oh boy… I’ve gotten my collection down to one page again. Temptation to buy more tea rising…
EDIT: Nevermind, my Sips by box came. It’s two pages again.
Sipdowns in 2019: 15
Double sipdown!! That’s what’s up!
Finished up Fortnum & Mason’s Ceylon Orange Pekoe and Darjeeling. I’ve reviewed this combination twice before this entry, so I’ll spare you all, but… yeah! I’m done with these super strong teas and now it’s on to more fun stuff!
Sipdowns in 2019: 10
Oops. I didn’t have enough of Heirloom Tea Company’s Formosa Fame for a daily work tea. So, I went a little crazy with this one. Three teaspoons of Formosa Fame and three teaspoons of Joy’s Teaspoon’s Plum Crazy. Mmm, plum oolong. It came out a little tart and very fruity, but with the warm, toasty oolong notes. It’s like a baked plum dessert. This is really pleasant and satisfying. Experiment gone right for sure.
Sipdowns In 2019: 8
Preparation
Daily work tea. Two parts Fortnum & Mason’s Orange Pekoe, one part Darjeeling. Again, this is a dark, hearty, and strong cup.
If I make this again this week, it’ll be another double sipdown. There are still two black teas from this sampler I haven’t even tried, but I’ll probably just make one cup of each to review. A lapsang and a Russian caravan. I’ve kind of fallen out of love with smoky teas, so I’m not sure what I’ll do with the rest. I suppose I could give them away to one of you guys, if anybody’s interested.
Double sipdown! I used the last of Harney & Sons’ Golden Monkey and RMS Titanic Blend. It worked out to be perfectly half and half. The resulting tea is well balanced and smooth. Hearty and malty with savory notes of bread. And of course the Golden Monkey lends notes of natural cocoa. That Fujian cocoa taste that I crave. This is another Random Steepings that I would love to revisit.
Sipdowns in 2019: 4
Preparation
Been using my Fortnum & Mason sampler at least once a week so I can move on to other teas. Today I picked two bags of Darjeeling and one bag of Ceylon Orange Pekoe.
Went with a short steep time and as usual, it still came out dark and full-bodied. The two teas go well together. Fresher, wilder notes from the darjeeling, but hearty and malty notes from the ceylon. Just a touch of bitterness. Hmm. Maybe I’ll make this one twice this week.
Really counting on the caffeine today…
Preparation
Finishing up Lupicia’s Momo Oolong Super Grade. I only had one teaspoon left, so I blended it with three teaspoons of Joy’s Teaspoon’s Plum Crazy. I figured I’d have a fruity start to my half-week.
The result is a little more light and tart than I expected. I probably should have used more Plum Crazy. The peach notes don’t come through very strongly, but they’re there, so this has a kind of generic stonefruit punch flavor. It’s not bad, but it’s not stellar.
Finishing up Nepal Tea’s Nepali Breakfast, but I only had enough for half a pot. Substituted Joy’s Teaspoon’s Cinnamon Roll to make up the rest.
This came out mildly astringent and a little weak when it comes to spice. It’ll do, though.
Preparation
Finishing up Kusmi’s Troika by blending it with Harney & Sons’ Earl Grey Supreme.
Troika obviously got buried by the Supreme, but I’m ok with that. I love the way it turned out strong with bergamot, but also with a malty, bready flavor supporting the fruitiness. Kind of like marmalade on toast.
Again, I know he’ll never see this, but I’m sorry, Marcus! :<
Preparation
Didn’t have enough of Friday Afternoon Tea’s Courtesan Blend for a second pot, so I used what I had left and blended in Constant Comment for the rest, 2:1 ratio.
This is a huge improvement. Sorry, Friday Afternoon. The orange peel just makes it so much better.
Preparation
Finishing up my sample of Harney & Sons’ Cranberry Autumn. Didn’t have enough for my daily work tea, so I used Joy’s Teaspoon’s Plum Crazy to fill in the gap. It was about half and half, I’d say.
The result is predominately plum in the scent and taste. The cranberry does come through, as does that raspberry leaf flavor, with the faintest whisper of orange peel. Even with 4 tsp at 3:45, this comes out kind of weak. I need to remember that I have to make Joy’s Teaspoon teas like Early 20’s Tabby would, who always overleafed and oversteeped.
Preparation
Finishing up Harney & Sons’ disappointing Chocolate. I had almost enough for my daily work tea, but I filled in the remaining gap with Joy’s Teaspoon’s Cinnamon Roll. Sort of a 3:1 ratio.
The cinnamon doesn’t really show up. This is still a tea that tastes like chocolate alcohol. Good riddance.
Finishing up Fortnum & Mason’s Assam Superb, but I didn’t have enough, so it’s 2 parts Assam, 1 part Darjeeling. Still working on whittling the sampler down.
This is an improvement from the plain assam, I think. I can’t really taste the darjeeling’s muscatel flavors, but it keeps the assam from being so dang strong.
How did you roast the tea?
Oven at 200 (as low as mine goes) with the door slightly open to keep it from getting too hot and burning the tea. I can’t remember how long I roasted it, I paid more attention to how roasted it smelled and looked than time.
I haven’t had the desire to re/roast any tea until I read your review. I might have to give it a try next time I’m in the woods for a few weeks. Cast iron wok over a low heat, low smoke fire.
What are you planning on roasting? I’m finding that 200 degrees works well, and leaving the door open was unnecessary. 200 for 40 minutes has become my standard roast for this tea and especially Teavivre’s Huang Guanyin, which became exactly what I wanted after the roast. That’s how I’ll do the rest of what I roast of those two. I tried roasting some of the Huang Guanyin for an hour and a half and it was too roasted and mostly lost the chocolate. I don’t know how any of this information would translate to your method and whatever you want to roast (obviously it depends on how roasted it is to begin with and how roasted you want it to be), but hopefully this helps some.