1691 Tasting Notes
A sipdown from long ago. A tea for which I can’t find any written notes. My memory of it is almost exactly as described by Thés du Japon. Sublime aroma and aftertaste that was intensely honeyed, floral and fruity. Rivals, and I’d say exceeds, any 2nd flush Darjelling I’ve tried. An afternoon tea I wouldn’t hesitate to buy again.
June 24th 2021 harvest
To my surprise, I drank this 4 years ago. Reading that note, I feel the same now as I finish a box purchased a few months ago. This is surprisingly smooth given the combination of hibiscus and schisandra. I do wish I tasted more of the fantastical zing of schisandra, the “five flavor fruit”. I like the combination of red tastes with the nutritious leafy green of nettle. Don’t go over 8oz water to 1 bag or else it will be watery.
Flavors: Berry, Earthy, Herbaceous, Hibiscus, Smooth, Tangy, Traditional Chinese Medicine
Preparation
This can expired 9 May 2025 but there’s nothing in here that would spoil. MCT oil lasts forever.
Less offensive to my palate than the plain nitro cold brew, however, still much too overwhelming. Took only 3 small sips of this one, too, before pouring out.
Fun fact, the nutrition facts show 24g (86% daily value) of dietary fiber. Between the caffeine and the fiber content, I’d be afraid for my britches if I were to drink a whole can!
Flavors: Ash, Caramelized Sugar, Dry Leaves, Milky, Roasted, Silky, Smoke, Swamp, Sweet, Vanilla
Preparation
Gift earlier this year from one of our customers who invested in Katú, a yerba mate company. Sipping on a can of this cold-brewed roasted yerba mate on 15 Oct 2025 that was best before 28 Feb 2025. It tastes exactly the same as when we received it. And it is so strong and so smokey I can’t finish it. It is absolutely overwhelming, as it was before, a real bruiser in taste and caffeine.
Comments from several coworkers in the office include:
“swamp water”,
“ash tray”,
“OMG WTF”,
“fuck no”,
“hm not bad”.
Mr. “hm not bad” eventually went back to the mini-fridge for another can but the stock has remained untouched since earlier this year. I should probably drain the cans today and make room for tastier things. Ugh, 3 sips and I feel sick like last time, not due to the expiration date, but because my body just can’t handle strong yerba mate.
Flavors: Ash, Caramelized Sugar, Roasted, Smoke, Smooth, Swamp
Preparation
That sounds dreadful! I think I had Yerba mate years ago but I am not sure.
Are these things supposed to be healthy? That’s the only explanation I can come up with for why people would be willing to drink something that tastes so awful.
Haha, I really like yerba mate personally – something about that smoky yet lush and grassy rainforest taste really appeals to me, and I definitely find the “focus enhancing” qualities very helpful for keeping me productive in the mornings.
However, I’ll definitely admit that when a yerba mate is bad it’s really bad. Definitely feels a bit like navigating a minefield flavour-wise.
Ah, so it’s an acquired taste like puerh. (There are some terrible puerhs out there as well.)
I had a loose Yerba Mate just once. It was from Muud company, a Czech brand. Definitely interesting and tasty blend – it was with raspberries and coconut.
I may bought some from them, but 200g seems to much for me alone.
Others are for instance with tulsi, cola nuts & pineapple, ginseng…
Nice! Visiting that shop would be dangerous for my wallet. I look forward to reading your notes.
I’d love to visit his shop someday. Great guy!