Butiki Teas

First Review. What a pretty tea! I must comment that of all the tea that comes into my kitchen tea cupboard, so far Butiki has probably the loveliest looking tea! This tea has very large golden flowers! If you have a glass pot or gaiwan, it is worth it to watch this brew and give the leaves some steeping room.

I steeped 3.5 min. and noticed there wasn’t a huge burst of fragrance. No big Pear smell announcing a gaudy artificial shout to drink a cup of tea. This is one of those tea’s you have to settle down and think about.
My first sip proved a bit flat. Like a Pear that had not fully ripened. A Bosc Pear with a hint of cinnamon from the skin.
Not fooling around with tasting a whole cup of flat tea, I added sweetening which immediately elevated the taste to ripeness and more delicious Bosc Pear.
I think that the addition of star anise is so subtle in this tea that instead of a licorice taste (which some may find here) the anise is exactly that spicy, dry and just short of bitter skin taste that you get from a Bosc Pear! (One reason I love to eat these pears is the spiciness and they are exceptional with smoked blue cheese! )
The floral note in the tea is faintly reminiscent of wildflower honey.
This is a smooth white tea, nice fruit and spice without being too bold. I would think that this is a good tea for afternoon sipping on a sunny day.

Oh wow, pistachio icecream!!! YUMMY!!!!!
Thank you to Bonnie for sharing some with me!
Now this is a white tea I can enjoy. It tastes just like pistachio icecream, it’s spot on! I even get the creaminess. and nuts, I definitely get alot of nutty cream. Mmmmm.
Now, I am not the biggest fan of pistachio icecream, but I wanted so badly to try this one because all the reviews are so enticing. And you know what… this is actually perfect. Since I don’t really like the real dairy version, and I’m not supposed to have it anyhow… well, this is just as good! so no calories or dairy, and all the flavour! ha!
My only wish is that more of the white tea came through. It’s all but hidden.
So off I go to make my third infusion!
EDIT: third steep is amaaaaaaazing. So delicate and nutty!! boosting the rating a few points.
Thanks again Bonnie, you rock!!!

Thank you to Stacy, owner of Butiki Teas for this Sample!
I have visitors this week! Last night I drove to the Denver Airport and back to pick up my ‘gulp’ 43 year old son Aaron who lives in San Francisco. Getting to bed at 2AM, I haven’t had time to review any new tea’s until this afternoon. This nice bright sample with a large plump blueberry all juicy looking appeared to be a healthy choice. Blueberry=Antioxident! I was in need of rejuvination.
The steeping time was 5minutes at 160F. The liquid pour was light brown with a hint of lavender. I made sure. I held my clear glass cup up to the window and there was a tinge due to the blueberry skin more than likely and not from the purple tea base. You smell heavenly blueberry. It is the same blueberry as breaking open a blueberry muffin all hot and steamy. The flavor straight up is very light, not astringent but a bit creamy and lighter than expected on the blueberry flavor… almost floral. I added a bit of sweetening (not too much) which enhanced the blueberry flavor adding a nectar like taste. Honeysuckle! Truly Honeysuckle Blueberry!

As the tea cools the astringency level increases. Beware. Don’t lose your cup to over cooling.
I think that I would have this again with a piece of toast spread with Creme Fraiche. It would be like having blueberries and cream…with a little bread butteriness.

I’ve been trying to do a review of this tasty tea and the review keeps erasing! That’s the kind of trouble I’ve had with Steepster the past 24 hours! Anyone else?!?

One of the things I love about this spiced Creme Brulee Pumpkin Tea is that it is Organic. The spices, pumpkin and tea are all superior to fake flavoring. You sure can tell the difference. Stacy at Butiki really knows what she’s doing! I have no idea how she has managed to conjour up the brulee illusion without any dairy or vanilla. The creaminess is insane and the spice does not cut into it with a vulgar sharpness. Adding a bit of milk and sweetening the cup is so brilliant that I would not drink this tea any other way. On my next order I want to pick up some of Butiki’s brown sugar amber gems. They would look so beautiful in a little bowl…and I’ll bet some real whipped cream in another little bowl would be delightful with buscuits and this tea some Saturday morning.
I’ve decided to raise my rating on this tea. Worth it!

First Review. I have been impressed with the flavors from Butiki Tea’s and with the customer service. Stacy always adds a handwritten note and has me choose the samples I want to try out. This current tea is not a sample but one that I wanted to try based on reviews from other Steepsters.

I made a PIG of myself FEASTING yesterday for Pascha!
At 3AM there was a light food bash in the Church Hall right after the service…then I went home for a nap.
At 9AM I was 50 miles away at St. Lukes with the grandkids for another feast (Prime Rib) followed by a:
2PM feast of Whole Roast Lamb at St. Spyridon for 350 people…OPA!
Whew! Pant, Pant, I’m not done…at:
5PM Ribs and all the fixings at my daughters home at: UH! I drove about 140 miles and ate more than I should have…BAKLAVA oh YES…and tea before bed!

So, this morning…I decided on NO FOOD…(Wonder why!) and a lighter tea. The Pumpkin Creme Brulee was calling out to me…“Bonnie, you want to try me this morning, you will feel better if you do…” like some kind of a hangover remedy. Ok tea. I’ll try you out and see if you can deliver.

The steep didn’t produce a perfume of Pumpkin that was room filling and magical. It just was mild and ok. I took a sip of the tea and noticed that it was not too overdone. Relief! Hate tea that quickly becomes nauseatingly gaudy. “I AM PUMPKIN HEAR ME ROAR!” Yuk! Not for me folks! I would rather tea like this one, subtle and refined…“Hi there cutie, I am pumpkin and I would like to move in with you. Your cupboard would suit me fine if you are pleased with me.” (I like the addition of the Hi Cutie). There is a peppery bite on the tongue to break up the creaminess. You don’t lose track of the tea…I mean that it does not get lost in the pumpkin flavor. You can sweeten and add milk without this tea becoming a mess. I hate to add milk and you end up with no tea left just milk and sugar and a spice but no tea. This blend laughs at that…ha ha…I can take it all and still be defined as Pumpkin Creme Brulee. This is one that would be good with toast for breakfast. Warm and Soothing tea.

Been a long but wonderful day!
My daughter is officially a college student – enrolled for Fall semester! WOOT
Her books don’t even look too expensive WHEW.
Went to the planetarium with her and hubby – enjoyed that – then pizza at the pizza pub – think of a sub shop where you tell them everything you want on your pizza starting with over 20 kinds of sauces. Now if only they would add peanut sauce to that list!
Anyway – nice day, nice evening, followed by a yummy cup of tea…

Full review on http://sororiteasisters.com/ tomorrow the 12th but here are my snippets:

It’s been a long while since I sampled Pistachio Ice Cream from Butiki Teas but this fine tea was featured in the Amoda Sampler that I split with my SororiTea Sister Anne. I am happy to have some back in my tea stash!

The flavor profile of this tea is lavish, creamy, indulgent, but not excessively sweet, unless you wish to add sweetener, but its not really needed, and just oh so good! The aroma is enticing with that distinct pistachio smell that translates perfectly into the sip.

The lingering result however is the fresh green tea aftertaste which is light but distinct, grassy, nutty, and even a bit buttery.

Just enjoying a fine cup of Pistachio Ice Cream here! LOL if I told my family or a friend that they would say Huhhhhhh?
So very yummy! I think that having let it sit a bit has made the flavors meld more as this is better than the first two times I had it!
There is something to say for revisiting teas that have sit a while!
I am raising the rating on this one due to it being even more delicious than before!

This is a backlog – my first tasting of this tea.

I couldn’t wait to try this one, but I did. I waited for the perfect time to myself to just sit back and enjoy slowly sipping on this tea. The smell was insane, just like pistachio ice cream, I mean how did they do this? There are actual pistachios in the dry tea. I ate one, it was infused with the flavor additives, it was good but pretty strong, I would not necessarily recommend that you do this, but if you want to, go for it.

Now this tea is not overly sweet but it is sweet, I didn’t find the need to add any sugar although I imagine it would be quite nice as a dessert tea – if it is not already – with some sugar and milk although it is already quite creamy, silky even.

This tea is vegan and organic which is extra nice as everyone should get to try as many teas as they can, without dietary exception! Although those who are allergic to nuts will miss out on this one. This tea is so nice that even if the pistachios were taken out it would still be a very good creamy sweet tea!

I must say that this tea is not as good in my opinion as their Cantaloupe & Cream Tea but everyone’s palate is different and to me the Cantaloupe & Cream Tea was supreme, suburb, an in my stash forever and always tea so thats going to be hard to match. Still this is a tea I will enjoy every last bit of and will probably reorder and it is on sale at this time so don’t miss out on that! No reason not to order both!

The organic green tea base is present in the flavor but not strong, this is primarily a tea that is to be enjoyed for its flavor components but I do taste the green base enough to feel as though the blender did a good job complimenting it and not overburdening it.

I am not going to claim to have any idea what the lotus stamens do for this tea in flavor but according to my Google search (yes Google makes us all genius) I have discovered that the lotus stamen has strong astringent qualities as well it is good for the kidneys, so that is a positive. It is also used widely in food to give a sweet yet neutral balance. There was a lot of info on this part of the lotus I found quite interesting and I am a bit impressed to see it used in a tea. The lotus stamen is also known as the poor man’s saffron.

On another note, Stacy of Butiki Teas is wonderful with excellent communication and customer service! When I placed my order I nearly instantly received an email asking me what samples I would like to try. I made several suggestions only expecting one or two but wanting to give her some choices. She not only sent all that I requested but added in another as well! I am looking forward to trying each and every one of them! Since my order I received tracking, and follow up every step of the way. I also like their packaging which is dainty and takes little space on my tea hatch.

This was nice. Not as good (in my opinion) as Cantaloupe & Cream from Butiki Teas but definitely one I will enjoy until the last pot! I would re-order this as well. I did not try with sugar and or milk but I will before it is all gone. I am glad I did order it and the others I have tired have also been excellent. I like Butiki Teas as a vendor as well. As another reviewer stated Stacy of Butiki is amazing with the customer service and free samples!
She sent more than I asked for and I thought I had asked for too many!
I can’t wait to try more of her teas and I must say if you have not heard of her Cantaloupe & Cream be sure to add that to your order (its on sale right now) when you get this one!
This is creamy, nutty, and yummy!
I feel bad for those with nut allergies as it does have actual nuts in it.
It is however organic (made with organic green tea) and vegan!

Backlog from the first time I had this tea:

Yum Yum and YUM!

What an elegant creamy delight! A white tea base that is not over shadowed or muddled down by such amazing flavors!

First of all I have never had any kind of melon with cream. I never would have thought of such a thing! Berries and cream of course but cantaloupe? I would not have purchased this tea had it not been for stunning reviews I read elsewhere but wow I am so happy I did make this purchase and I will say this is going into my all time favorite flavored tea stash! I will have this on hand at all times!

Personally, I did not feel this needed any added sugar but the site suggests it to be added if you want a more dessert like tea. I still like mine better without, but the sugar does not take away from the tea flavors at all. So have it your way as it is a delight regardless!

Now I work with essential oils and Helichrysum is one of my favorite oils for many purposes and while most people probably would not pick out that flavor I could taste it lingering under the surface – how lovely! This is my first tea that had this as a flavor element at least that I could discern in the flavor palate and not just the ingredients.

I also like that it is vegan – a tea THIS divine should be an option for all!

The dry leaf is gorgeous with the Helichrysum flowers making a noticeable appearance on downy white tea leaves! Steeped the leaves puff up quite nicely but I also notice that they appear to easily accept a second steep so that is what I have done, a second delightful steep! While I make my second steep lets look at some info from Butiki Teas…

I brewed as per the above instructions, adding 30 extra seconds to the second steep.
Steep two brought out a creamier mouthfeel and flavor! The cantaloup is still present but I am missing some of the Helichrysum flavor now to my disappointment but hey its still yummy! I am just a huge fan of that flower / flavor! Now it has a very interesting nutty flavor in the after taste which is a nice surprise! This is funny but I actually prefer steep two WITH sugar! I kind of like that though. I can enjoy the first steep in its natural form and the second for a little sugar rush! Both steeps are amazing and this is one tea you simply should not pass up! I love finding obscure tea blenders who do what they do oh so well! There are many who just miss the mark with me but get an E for effort. Butiki knows what they are doing though and I am looking forward to trying more and more blends from them! This specific tea however gets its own honorable place on my china hutch and I am now going to go find its own very special tin! Try it!

NOM NOM NOM OMG NOM! Wow. Okay Cream Cantaloupe what more do you need to know? Its made EXCELLENT – light delicious DIVINE! What an elegant tea!

Thank you Stacy for this sample

It has been several months since I taste tested this tea. I think it’s important to revisit and try tea’s more than once.
Previously, I commented on the preference I have for making mint tea with fresh mint from one growing on my patio with lots of sugar the way it’s done in Lebanon and much of the Middle East. (My friend introduced me to cafe’s in San Francisco that serve tea this way). You are supposed to sit and sip slowly and talk for hours on a hot day.

Putting my prejudices aside, I have learned to appreciate the effort of Stacy to sell only the best organic tea’s with quality flavor that I appreciate. I wanted to give this mint a second taste review.

This morning, I was preparing myself with some Lebanese music and wondering what to wear later to a Hookah Bar? Jeans? Uh, this is close to the University and I’m going with Schey (she’s 18) who’s soooo excited! Every day Schey has been calling “When are we going to the Hookah Bar Grandma?”….gar.! Mint tea was on the list of things to do before going to a Hookah Bar. (I think)

(I’m skipping right to the taste)

The flavor of this tea was surprising. Delicate, smooth, fresh.
The gunpowder tea was so mellow and soft adding a taste almost pastry-like.(I don’t remember any gunpowder tea tasting that way.) There wasn’t any smokiness.
The peppermint was not like a breath mint…nooooo. The peppermint was soft…very, very soft without a bite. I noticed a curious floral fragrance hidden in the mint.
The mouthfeel became creamy. That was unexpected. Creamy peppermint and gunpowder would be insane unless you know how Stacy blends tea. She is a master of creating creamy tea’s.
The ending had a tiny little tannin right at the finish.
This was a delightful tea. I am again Hook-uh-ed (haha dumb pun!)!

Time to put on some more music. Next order Stacy! Moroccan Mint for Me!

http://youtu.be/LUr5uVs73JQ Lebanese Bellydance Music
http://youtu.be/2ScDdxavE4g Moroccan Beautiful Guitar…very nice

Hookah Bar Photo…http://flic.kr/p/ceW845 NOT GOOD!

Thanks to Stacy at Butiki for this sample. I recently tried gunpowder for the first time and asked Stacy for this sample because I was wondering what it would taste like with mint. Who wouldn’t right?! My mind is always combining flavors and thinking about what would go well with what. Anyway, after steeping the sample 3.5 minutes, I could smell lots of mint…fresh and juicy. The tea liquor is very golden and bright. I like mint so much that I grow lots of it…pineapple mint, chocolate mint, apple mint, orange mint, regular mint, banana mint…so I don’t usually buy mint tea since I can make it out of fresh leaves. Blends are more interesting though. The gunpowder toned down this mint flavor a great deal. Instead of a leafy green and bright minty brew this is smoove (yes smoove) and gentle in a laid back, mellow mint cuppa way. Now I do love my in- your- face mint. Zzzzz Yes I Do! But, there is something to be said for groovy and mellow!

The weather report for 8 inches of snow was a joke. Ha ha on Fort Collins again. We got about 1.5 inches which will be melted by Saturday morning. Bah!

The Rocky Mountains act as an umbrella of sorts, with snow falling heavy at higher elevations, then gathering strength as it passes over the Frontrange (where I live)…chugging full steam towards the plains then Eastward to unfurl wings of heavy snow.

Ah well. The dream of every low-land California child I was for snow. We prayed for it! In my lifetime, it snowed twice in the San Francisco Bay Area Streets…so as an adult, that dream of snow still burns and I get excited.

This morning I was sitting with my tea-tray (as I always do) watching the last snow-flakes drift down…more ‘snowkle’ than flakes.

I brewed a pot of tea on the strong side, cream and sweetening to add if needed.

Today, I noticed a strong savory flavor that I missed in earlier tastings. While some Assams are very malty, this one weighs heavier on the savory side and reminds me of a very good Kenyan Tea blended with an Assam.

I’ve tasted the new Assam’s from Butiki, but I like the savory flavor here more that I had remembered and would likely return to this Organic Assam over the newer ones.

Yum, morning tea…reminds me of homemade wheat toast with melted butter!

It’s a beautiful cool rainy day on the Frontrange. This follows a 91F hot day yesterday so you can imagine how happy us mountain people are feeling today!
Last night my granddaughter Megan (16) conducted her school choir in an original composition that she wrote in Latin about the death of Ceasar. It was fantastic! I am so proud of all the kids…but she’s my kindred spirit.
For breakfast I decided on this Butiki Organic Assam. I love the fact that it is Organic and relatively mild. The tea is smooth like velvet…without astringency or heavy raw edged smokiness. I know there are those who want that more assertive type of robust Assam. Something akin to drinking white lightenin. I really do like my black tea’s strong and sexy…don’t get me wrong…but I like them to have some manners too. When it’s all said and done, I want to remember days later that this tea gave me a good time.

And, this tea is a good time!
(It’s my first choice today of a Birthday tea!)

First Review. My First Ever Assam I had to highlight this so I can find it among my reviews since I do go on and on…blah blah blah! Anyway, I was so glad to add this to my recent Butiki order since I keep running into people commenting on how much they love Assam as a staple in their Tea Cupboard or how much they dislike Assam. There seems to be no wishy washy feelings here. It’s a dramatic like or dislike. My vote on the matter was going to be cast. I was going to have to judge an Assam for myself.
I did not read any notes on Assams before tasting just to be fair to my easily influenced sponge brain.
This was my breakfast tea today and it is a very fine misty Frontrange morning.
There is first a fine malty, bready fragrance. I had steeped 4.5 minutes before pouring and added a bit of sweetening (not too much) and some cream. The liquor was nice and dark which I like when adding cream. The flavor is super rich and malty without astringency or sourness which would ruin the homemade bread quality of this tea. My daughter makes bread and the aroma fills the air when baking. Her sourdough is super fine. This tea reminds me of homemade bread but without being too yeasty or sour. I think it’s something about the crust or crumbs that I’m reminded of in the tea. I drank a 24oz pot of tea and was disappointed. Ar…I wanted more. I’m going to make another pot before going to Church later. This will keep me sharp! I am voting a YES on Assam…or at least on this Assam!

Another sample from Stacy at Butiki…Thanks! I have avoided Apricot flavored tea’s. They seem to go all sour and bitter. Is it just me? Have you noticed that too? It takes nerve for me to try this tea and the only way I’m trying it is because it doesn’t say ‘Black Tea’ but Guayusa…so I’ll give it a try.
I had some California Rolls for dinner with WASABI! I really love WASABI with soy sauce and pickled ginger. Oh yeh! I was thinking that the Apricot Guayusa would be a nice after dinner drink which proved to be so true.
This is a Brilliant and restrained version of Apricot Tea. The best Apricot Tea I’ve had or am likely to have. I don’t think I’ll even try any others. No bitter overdone sour fruit here but subtle, mellow and round flavors, almost melon like. There is warmth. If you’ve ever eaten an apricot right off the tree…when it is warm and fuzzy…then you have had this melony creamy flavor that has no acidity. Truth is that some sweetening enhances the apricot flavor and brings the fruit alive in your mouth.
For all those who are Apricot Tea haters, give this a try. I think you will be won over!

Sample from Butiki thanks to owner Stacy. Naturally Purple Tea! Of course I had to try this! For me it’s like going bunjee jumping but less dangerous! Tea Adventure!
Not knowing what to expect when I followed directions for 8oz. steep 4min. 160F. the liquor turned out to be a pale yellowish lavander. The scent isn’t very strong and reminds me of a hint of wine…like someone has left a few drops in the wine glass but my glass pot and the cup have not been used for tea recently and are sterile. My first sip proved a little sweet and astringent in a pleasent way. I didn’t want to make a comparison to my recent tasting of muscat tea but kept coming back to that flavor. It tastes faintly like mulberry and muscat wine. I know, I know…it could be a phantom…but as much as I try to force the flavor away, it comes back as a yes to those flavors. Since this is a new varietal, I hope it is successful and that Butiki continues to carry it. I’d like to try some more!

Sipdown this afternoon.

I still don’t think this tastes much like lemon meringue but I’m enjoying it okay today. Probably will not feel the need to reorder this. I think it needs more lemon!

yesterday afternoon I drank too much tea before I went to the gym and I could NOT sleep so I’m trying to take it easy with the caffeine for the rest of the day…

Backlogging – I’ve had this a few times now, and although it is a nice rooibos blend, slightly on the sweet side, I am not picking up any lemon here whatsoever so that was a bit of a disappointment. I’m picking up more straight rooibos than anything, Perhaps it’s just me since nobody else has remarked on it. I don’t have too much more to say so will just leave it at that. :)