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derk drank Sympa-Tea by Kikoko

1644 tasting notes

This tisane was a San Francisco tea fest freebie from Kikoko, a vendor who makes cannabis infused teas. I didn’t stop by their table since I don’t use cannabis or CBD but they were offering cannabis-free tea tastings. This packaged sample is also cannabis-free for obvious legal reasons. From their website, it looks like Kikoko’s products are available in several dozen San Francisco Bay Area dispensaries.

This Sympa-Tea blend is basically a turmeric ginger chai. The sachet contains very fresh and potent-smelling chunks and granules of roots and spices including ginger, turmeric, orange peel, black pepper, star anise, cinnamon and licorice root. It also contains evaporated cane juice and gum arabic. The aroma and taste are very spicy and bright. I can pick up on every ingredient with ginger, turmeric and black pepper being the most prominent and star anise and cinnamon in the background. The orange peel brings out a bright note and the licorice is subtle on the swallow which is spicy hot! Definitely don’t give this a try if you’re spice averse.

For those that love the spice, Kikoko really nailed the blend and if I didn’t respond adversely to THC, I’d be all over their normal cannabis infused version. Not leaving a formal rating but I give this cannabis-free sample a 90+.

Preparation

Boiling 5 min, 0 sec 8 OZ / 236 ML

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2 comments

Mastress Alita
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Hmm, I will definitely be making my sample of this as a latte to combat the spice, then! I’m a bonified spice-wuss.

derk
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Good call

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Comments

Mastress Alita
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Hmm, I will definitely be making my sample of this as a latte to combat the spice, then! I’m a bonified spice-wuss.

derk
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Good call

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Bio

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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