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Craving something simple but bracing while I wrap up some schoolwork this bright and brilliant Saturday morning, and Melbourne Breakfast fits the bill. I’m glad I picked up these teabags during the T2 sale, because sometimes you just need something straightforward and convenient that doesn’t require much attention.

The vanilla definitely tends toward the artificial, but in a pleasant way. It’s kinda creamy and marshmallowy. I do find myself wishing the base tea were a bit bolder and maltier, because the vanilla can be a bit overwhelming.

I’ve never been to Australia but it’s on my list… maybe I’ll have to indulge in some travel daydreaming after I finish my schoolwork! And on that note, back to reading I go.

I sometimes forget about my Harney teas because they’re in tins and are sort of “displayed” on a cabinet in my dining room (rather than stashed inside a cupboard with all the externally boring bagged teas). I’ve had a stomachache all afternoon and ginger was calling to me — glad I remembered this tea! A friend gifted it to me two years ago around this time, right when I was starting chemo. Luckily I didn’t have terrible nausea with my regimen, but it was still good for those days when I wasn’t feeling up to eating or drinking much.

It’s definitely a kick-you-in-the-teeth sort of ginger, but in a good way! It’s gingery, it’s lemony, it’s peppery, and it gets the job done. It’s pretty close to drinking a homemade ginger tisane with fresh ginger root, all things considered. Sometimes it tends toward bitterness, so you’ve got to be careful.

Oookay, this one is SOCLOSE to being SOGOOD. It’s got a surprisingly rich and heavy mouthfeel, with loads of spicy-sweet-bready-cakey goodness. I definitely understand the carrot cake inspiration in the sense that carrot cake is often kind of dense and nutty and sweet, and those are the vibes I’m getting here. It’s definitely a dessert tea — there’s sugar in the pineapple bits and the hazelnut brittle, but I think the sweetness works to balance out the strong notes of cinnamon and clove (?) and to evoke sweet icing. I rarely purchase or drink tea with added sugar, but it makes sense here, I think.

Unfortunately, the whole effect is diminished by a burst of surprising tartness, probably from the orange slices and/or orange essence (and maaaybe the pineapple bits, but I doubt it because they’re sweetened). Don’t get me wrong; orange zest/juice in carrot cake is lovely and really complements the earthiness of carrots, but here it’s just far too strong! “Tart” should not be a main descriptor of carrot cake, IMHO.

On the plus side, the second steep is far less tart, so that’s something. And I think you could pick the orange slices out of the blend pretty easily. But still, it’s unfortunate.

Ashmanra’s Sipdown Challenge | February 2023 | An afternoon tea

I’m drinking this tea in the afternoon, therefore it is an afternoon tea! Faultless logic! XD

This is one of those days that is not REALLY cold at all, but because it’s grey and damp, the mid-40s temperature just feels kind of nasty. I’ve been chilled all day long!

This was today’s afternoon green tea of choice. I’m enjoying it alongside some dried (unsweetened) mango slices, which I consider the food of the gods. It’s a pleasant pairing.

I stand by my comments and rating from last time!

2023 sipdown count: 19/75

I love alllll the flavors in the rich, sticky date/toffee category, so I had to purchase this one! And although it’s not exactly what I expected, I like it quite a lot. The rooibos is thankfully not at all medicinal or syrupy; it’s just a slightly sweet woody base. I actually don’t get much straight-up date flavor. Instead I’m picking up on warm toffee baked good vibes, with a bit of fig or date at the back of the sip. I dunno exactly what’s going on, but it’s definitely working for me… especially when I use two tea bags and keep ’em in for the duration of the cuppa! :D

Having never ordered from T2 in the past, I scooped up a few teas before they stop selling in the U.S. (I’m a sucker for 50% off!). This one is very appealing to me in concept and it smells delightful, but there’s something discordant about the flavors! I get a little milk chocolate, yes, and maaaybe a smidge of orange, but also something kind of earthy that doesn’t quite work (probably the pu’erh).

For me, a chocolate-orange blend needs to be really bold and vibrant in flavor, and maybe even a bit sweet. This one is none of the above. I’ll have to try significantly overleafing it.

I will say that it stands up to a bit of nondairy milk quite well. Maybe I’ll try it as a latte.

Lately I’ve been a bit disenchanted with genmaicha. Something about the way it smells has become off-putting to me. Not enough to not drink it, but enough so that I find myself not reaaalllyyyy enjoying it when I do.

So I was a little apprehensive about this one. Plus, cherry-almond can go so wrong so quickly. Happily, though, the cherry and almond are both pretty subtle (yet distinct!) and they end up cutting some of the whateverness about genmaicha that’s been rubbing me the wrong way. And then the toasted rice prevents the cherry and almond from becoming cloying or overwhelming. So it’s a nice balance, all things considered!

Ashmanra’s Sipdown Challenge | February 2023 | It’s Groundhog Day! Drink the same tea (or type) twice!

Part two of today’s Groundhog Day-inspired August Uncommon green tea sipdown! This particular cup is over-steeped and over-leafed and a smidge bitter, but it’s all my fault. I was distracted while making it. I think I’ll cold-brew it instead of doing a second steep tonight; I bet it’ll be very refreshing!

2023 sipdown count: 18/75

Ashmanra’s Sipdown Challenge | February 2023 | It’s Groundhog Day! Drink the same tea (or type) twice!

Yay, a new month and a new sipdown challenge! Thanks, Ashmanra! This is part one of today’s sipdown; later, I’ll finish a different August Uncommon green tea.

I am probably not doing this one justice by drinking it alongside a very aggressively flavored snack: Medjool dates with peanut butter and chocolate chips. Even an AU blend doesn’t stand a chance against those flavors! Not great planning on my part.

Anyway, I’m leaving my rating the same. This is still a very pleasant cuppa, even if there is a certain something in the scent of the brewed cup that’s just a tiny bit off-putting to me. I’m not getting much cardamom at all today; it’s just eggy vanilla custard all the way down. (Of course, I say that having not had eggs for over a decade, haha!) Actually, what I am noticing is a very mild numbing effect. Hmm!

2023 sipdown count: 17/75

This is such a smart blend — the roasty toasty hojicha really complements the sweet maple-pumpkin flavors. It’s kind of like a sophisticated pumpkin pie! Such a smooth and comforting blend.

2023 sipdown count: 16/75