70

266/365

Another from the Magic Potions sampler, and another confusing name. Draught of Peace, to me, would absolutely have to be a caffeine free blend – probably something with valerian, or chamomile at least. This one’s on a black base, which is never going to put me into a deep – or irreversible – sleep…or any kind of sleep at all, if we’re honest. I like the flavour idea – apricot, cream, vanilla – but surely there’s a more appropriate name to be found somewhere in the HP universe?

I’m drinking today’s cup hot, although I think this would potentially be excellent either iced or cold brewed – something to try when I finally get around to sipping down some of these challenge teas, rather than accumulating!

I tried Adagio’s Cream ages ago, and didn’t much like it – I found it too cloying and heavy for my tastes. In a blend with other flavours, though, it’s pretty magical. This one is rich, and super-desserty, and I wouldn’t necessarily want a huge cup. The combination of cream and vanilla is very sweet and decadent, with a definite dairy quality. It reminds me a little of melted ice cream, although obviously without the texture/temperature differential. The “apricot” is a little more muted than I expected, although what’s there tastes more to me like peach. Either way, it makes for a nice stone-fruity pairing with the other flavours, although I wish it were more prominent. My one complaint is that it doesn’t add much in the way of contrast – all of the flavours here are sweet, and together they’re almost OTT.

As with many of the flavoured black blends from Adagio, the base tea here becomes a little bitter/astringent, even with a relatively short steep time. It’s more noticable to me when it’s piping hot, but it seems to settle down a bit as it starts to cool. I’m wondering whether milk would help here, or whether it would drown the apricot/peach completely – something else to try, I guess!

I like this one, although the mismatched name irritates me. Surely someone creating fandom teas – which likely arises from a passion for the thing itself – would have more concern for something like that? Why bother, otherwise? Setting that aside, though, this is a decent flavoured tea and one I’ll doubtless return to for future experiments.

Preparation
Boiling 3 min, 0 sec 1 tsp

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Bio

Hi :) I’m Sarah, and I live in Norfolk in the UK. My tea obsession began when a friend introduced me to Teapigs a good few years ago now. Since then, I’ve been insatiable. Steepster introduced me to a world of tea I never knew existed, and my goal is now to TRY ALL THE TEAS. Or most of them, anyway.

I still have a deep rooted (and probably life-long) preference for black tea. My all-time favourite is Assam, but Ceylon and Darjeeling also occupy a place in my heart. Flavoured black tea can be a beautiful thing, and I like a good chai latte in the winter.

I also drink a lot of rooibos/honeybush tea, particularly on an evening. Sometimes they’re the best dessert replacements, too. White teas are a staple in summer — their lightness and delicate nature is something I can always appreciate on a hot day.

I’m still warming up to green teas and oolongs. I don’t think they’ll ever be my favourites, with a few rare exceptions, but I don’t hate them anymore. My experience of these teas is still very much a work-in-progress. I’m also beginning to explore pu’erh, both ripened and raw. That’s my latest challenge!

I’m still searching for the perfect fruit tea. One without hibiscus. That actually tastes of fruit.

You’ve probably had enough of me now, so I’m going to shut up. Needless to say, though, I really love tea. Long may the journey continue!

My rating system:

91-100: The Holy Grail. Flawless teas I will never forget.

81-90: Outstanding. Pretty much perfection, and happiness in a cup.

71-80: Amazing. A tea to savour, and one I’ll keep coming back to.

61-70: Very good. The majority of things are as they should be. A pleasing cup.

51-60: Good. Not outstanding, but has merit.

41-50: Average. It’s not horrible, but I’ve definitely had better. There’s probably still something about it I’m not keen on.

31-40: Almost enjoyable, but something about it is not for me.

11-30: Pretty bad. It probably makes me screw my face up when I take a sip, but it’s not completely undrinkable.

0-10: Ugh. No. Never again. To me, undrinkable.

Location

Norfolk, UK

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