1759 Tasting Notes
Uhhhhm ok so this tea? so good. So so so freakin good!
The first steep was wonderful. Even after it had cooled a bit, I found the flavour to have an essence of warmness about it. Like sitting by a fire, but not too close.
Something creamy in there as well. I found that there were fleeting hints of cocoa as well, but never for long enough for me to grasp it.
The second steep was good too, more like the traditional high quality keemums I first fell in love with and then couldn’t find again, years ago. Not quite as warming or dark, with definite emerging cocoa notes this time, and an edge of creaminess. Finally, I noticed a lingering honey like sweetness in the aftertaste.
It’s been a long time since I was excited about a third steep, so fingers crossed it delivers!
So I made this seeing that it was a green, and didn’t think to check ingredients. Oops!
I was finished more than half my cup before making it upstairs to see that the eeeeevil blerg plagued this blend. Welps. That isn’t good.
Well, kindof. I’ve been meaning to test the waters and see if I’m still sensitive. After all, I seem to be ok with vanilla and jasmine now. Of course, I always had the strongest reaction to Blerg (and lavender oil).
Anyhow. I had noticed that my tongue was a tad numb, but I’ve experienced something similar before with minty teas so simply assumed that was why.
I also didn’t notice any citrus at all, either in the dry/brewed scent or the taste.
Sighs. Inconclusive!
Anyhow, asides from the numbness, I found this cuppa nice but not mindblowing. I’m glad to have tried it, and hey I didn’t die!! yay. Sorry, my sense of humour has swung to the dark side today :P
Thank you MissB for the sample, and Sil for the distribution!
I can’t believe I have some of this left in my cupboard! Eeeesh. I really did fall off the herbals bandwagon. They just aren’t my thing anymore, not the way they were back in the day. I still have a cuppa once in awhile but there was a time when that was every single night. Oh well.
I’m glad this was still around though, as I wanted something spicier to mix with some eggnog, and since it was late I thought caffeine free would be good. And I was right, it was durn good! Now reading my earlier reviews I wish I’d added a touch of mint. Oh well. Live and learn :)
Also, I just noticed that on on the David’s Tea website under Green’s, they have both Dragonwell and Lung Ching listed. I get that one is likely higher quality than the other… but still, having two teas with the same name is a bit redundant. SMH.
Hmph. Instructions said 4-7 min so I went for 4, and it was a bit bitter. Too much for me, so I added milk and a touch of sugar.
Made that way, it was pleasant enough. A bit malty, smoky, and not very astringent.
I’m looking forward to trying this at three minutes!
I am really curious about this tea, but wow is that pricey. I might pick up 20g if my work gets extended through next week. :)
Have you ever had mulled wine? I’ve only tried it with red wine. Can you make white mulled wine? This tea reminds me of what I imagine mulled white wine would taste like.
When hot, I found it quite tasty, and was kinda cursing DT for making a tea that I may have to stock in my cupboard. But then as it cooled, well it pops a bit less and takes on a sort of bubblegummy note. I noticed it in the dry scent as well.
The flavours do meld together quite well though. Hey! Actually, you know what it reminds me of? Mulled beer! I had some at the Christmas Market last weekend. Yep. Forget what I said earlier about white wine!! Either way, I’m ok with it. Just not in love. Maybe I’m in like?
So while I may buy a tiny bit more for the cupboard at some point, if they have any in stock, I won’t be rushing to the store or anything.
I like it!!
Thank you Sil & MissB :)
Pear is a flavour I really do enjoy when done right, and I find that this tea has a great balance. A little sweet, a bit tart, and the chocolate accent really pairs well. Adding just a bit of sugar cuts down on the tart and brings out more of a caramelized pear note.
So yeah. Compared to the other tea I just tried, this is a welcome cuppa heaven!
Stevia. Bad. Bad bad bad! Ick.
Yeah this totally reminds me of hot chocolate, but the diabetic one my Grandfather used to have when I was a kid. The type that leaves a nasty burning sensation on my tongue for quite some time afterwards. Blegh.
First I tried this sans milk and found it horribly astringent and super sweet. In a no good terrible way. With milk, I can probably finish my cup.
Actually, I noticed that if I sip at it while doing something else, like checking emails etc, I can get by without really focusing on the taste. But tea is a relaxing, happy zen kinda experience for me. So if the only way I can drink a blend is by not being present, in the moment…. well count me out. No thanks.
Also, David’s Tea I have a bone to pick with you! The website says nothing about artificial ingredients, yet the label in store does. So which is it?
Omnomnomnoms. So good.
This smells incredible! Like freshly cut grapefruit. I’m in love!
The taste is less impressive, but still quite nice. Not as powerful, but then I did expect that. The green base is ok but I think it might have been paired with a “fresher” more grassy green tea. Mum loved it as well, but her doc says she can’t have green tea so only a tiny cup for her.
I love that the bitterness of the grapefruit actually flows through to the taste. The best part, I think! I do adore grapefruit when it isn’t TOO bitter. Sometimes you get one that is just too much. But this tea? yeah, perfect balance!
Again, the only thing I would change is the base, but even then it’s not so bad, just not perfect is all. Thanks for the sample bag Sil or was it VariaTea?
Anyhow, if I can get my hands on more of this I’ll be a very happy girl :)
Fruity Lupicia teas do really well when cold steeped in the fridge. Something to think about if you get more of this tea. :)
Mmmm yeah I’d definitely give that a shot! Do you use a hot water starter or just cold water all the way?
Usually room temperature water, put in in a mason jar with the tea and stick it in the fridge overnight. Sometimes I add sugar when I put it all together depending on my mood and the tea.
I usually start mine off with just a little bit of hot (tea appropriate) water and then top it off with room temp. But that also depends on how much time I have, as usually I’m in a rush when I remember to cold brew! :P
I personally liked it better. The grapefruit is more intense, I got barely any flavour from the Butiki one myself!
The first steep of this was amazing. Very vegetal, buttery, and mildly floral. I really don’t like florals at all and barely noticed it so that was fine by me!
The buttery part does lend itself to “popcorn” but I would never have picked out that descriptor without looking at the notes above. I consider Genmaicha to be closer, but in a different way of course. If you could combine the two, you’d definitely have a great snack alternative. And since popcorn IS my fave indulgence, well I’d be in heaven.
Also, first steep was rather drying. The second was less so, but then I found it to be more flowery, so not as tasty IMO. Even still, I really enjoyed it overall. Very tasty! Too bad I only had a sample. I may see if they have any next time I’m at the shop.