This is the second sample I ordered from Whispering Pines. After seeing how popular and well-liked it is around these parts, I thought I’d see what all the fuss is about. The dry leaf is a mixture of black and golden leaves. I know there’s vanilla bean in here but I think it’s camouflaged among the black leaves. It smells just like hot chocolate mix to me! Very creamy milk chocolate with vanilla sweetness akin to marshmallows. Oh, and I steeped 1.5 tsp for 3 minutes.
The brewed tea smells delicious! Like deep, sultry vanilla mixed with dark cocoa and notes of caramel sweetness. I can see why everyone loves this tea! There is a very present cocoa taste that hits me first when I take a sip. The vanilla is there but more subdued than I expected (I read in a recent note that the presence of chocolate can cause us to not notice vanilla as much, maybe this is the case). I also taste warm freshly baked bread (maybe a sweet, rich bread like brioche or challah). I never really knew what “malty” meant in tea descriptions, but I think I can taste it in this tea, especially in the aftertaste – sort of a rich almost sourness but in a pleasant way, like yeast dough or dark beer. I would describe it as foamy. :P I drank the second half of this cup with a wee bit of sugar and I thought it helped the vanilla immensely (sorry all you purists). I’m not really sure I’m qualified to rate this tea but it was super delicious, so too bad! Aww, it’s all gone…
Flavors: Baked Bread, Cocoa, Malt, Vanilla
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if you want mustard in your tea and it makes you smile to have it that way, have it that way!! :) Ain’t no wrong or right when it comes to tea…there’s just tradition and non-tradition. I was reading this morning that the Quakers took their tea with butter and salt!!! Maybe it’s good… :)
MUSTARD!?
Memily, it was just an example. :) Although if someone liked it, why not?
Haha I wrote that comment very late at night and was clearly scandalised by the suggestion.
We love this tea,malty in tea to me can be much like a dark porter beer :)
great review!
Thanks Tommy. I think I’ll try their North Winds blend next since it’s the same thing without the vanilla bean. I didn’t get a ton of vanilla from this anyway.
I really loved their North Winds. It was a straightforward and absolutely brilliant blend! I just ordered several ounces of it yesterday!
if you want mustard in your tea and it makes you smile to have it that way, have it that way!! :) Ain’t no wrong or right when it comes to tea…there’s just tradition and non-tradition. I was reading this morning that the Quakers took their tea with butter and salt!!! Maybe it’s good… :)
MUSTARD!?
Memily, it was just an example. :) Although if someone liked it, why not?
Haha I wrote that comment very late at night and was clearly scandalised by the suggestion.
We love this tea,malty in tea to me can be much like a dark porter beer :)
great review!
Thanks Tommy. I think I’ll try their North Winds blend next since it’s the same thing without the vanilla bean. I didn’t get a ton of vanilla from this anyway.
I really loved their North Winds. It was a straightforward and absolutely brilliant blend! I just ordered several ounces of it yesterday!