Category: Tea

Animal Tea Bags by OCEAN-TEABAG

From Colossal – An Everyday Ritual Becomes a Zoological Tour with a Japanese Company’s Animal Tea Bags: OCEAN-TEABAG

Pythia Ritual Jasmine Tea by The Witches Moon

Dry leaf aroma:  Jasmine with a faint hint of anise.
Wet leaf aroma: Floral and slightly sweet.
Preparation: Brewed entire package western style in a 12oz ceramic infuser mug.

First steeping: 3 minutes at 165 degrees.
Pythia is lovely yet simple with a delicate green tea base and a predominate essence of jasmine. Freshly brewed, this tea has a strong jasmine aroma, but as the liquor cools there is a subtle undertone of citrus. The flavor profile is much the same as the aroma – while hot, jasmine is the main note, but as the tea cools a mild lemony tang comes to the forefront.

Second steeping: 3 minutes 30 seconds at 170 degrees.
The second steeping of Pythia maintains the lemony tang with a slight jasmine and grassy green aftertaste.

Notes: This tea would hold up to at least three infusions, however I stopped at two. It is a shame that the sample of Pythia Ritual Jasmine Tea was not larger. I am not sure where this loose leaf was sourced from but I would gladly purchase more.

Flavors: Jasmine, Lemon, Green Tea

Bitaco Black Colombian Tea

Dry leaf aroma: Malt with hints of cherry.
Wet leaf aroma: Stone fruit and a crisp tartness.
Preparation: 1 tsp in 10 ounces of water. Initial quick rinse with prepared water, then brewed western style in a ceramic infuser mug.

First/only steeping: 4 minutes at 212 degrees.
Freshly brewed, brisk tannin and malty notes are most prevalent, with a stone fruit aftertaste. A creamy mouthfeel is present at the end of the sip. As the cup cools a vibrant cherry note comes to the forefront and the creamy mouthfeel is more prominent in the aftertaste. I let this cup cool completely, after which the cherry essence truly came out and lingered pleasantly for quite a while after the sip.

Flavors: Cherry, Malt, Tannic