DURIAN! you know, that big spikey fruit thing http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durian
I’ve often ordered durian smoothies at Pho houses (or avocado or jackfruit smoothies – all delicious) and have had fresh durian bubble tea. I haven’t purchased a durian on its own, but no one in my household has ever supported me in this idea (probably for good reason).
When I heard about this tea, I was all over it – fruity tea? check. WEIRD EXOTIC FRUIT? OH HELLS YES!
DRY: sweet durian smell.. without the strong funk making fresh durian banned in airports.
STEEPED: Smells deliciously fruity durian and sweet. No funk.
TASTE: Strong fruity durian flavor up front, naturally slightly sweet, custardy savory like base (bit duriany but also from the green tea), mellow green tea that adds depth. After taste is MOAR durian, sharp and very slight dryness. Full flavor!
RESTEEP: Tea lost its sweetness, with green tea being the front of the party – on the more veg savory flavor, with a durian aftertaste. Kind of uninteresting.
COMMENTS: Man, Lupicia does fruity very well. The flavor is spot on and one can enjoy durian without it’s crazy smell. I’m thinking cold steeped or ice would turn out very well using King of Fruits.
I’d say the downfall in this tea is the price, being one of the more expensive teas there (that I saw), and coming only in 50g is a hefty price to try a more interesting fruity tea. It might do better as a sample size for the curious types to try. I’m unsure if I have any friends who would even try this tea – but whatever, more for me!
The steep times are boil / 45sec – I’d like to mess with this a bit, maybe to reduce the dry aftertaste.
Finally, I’m thinking we need more durian blended tea. I guess the more adventurous tea peeps would try it, but combining durian with creamyness I think would be amazing.
