New Tasting Notes
After dropping a few backlogged reviews this morning (I’ve 14 more to go. Lol), I decided to top this tea off from last, after playing with friends in a few games of pickleball. They requested something “relaxing and good iced,” and since this was one of the few new teas I’ve acquired yesterday, I decided to brew some up. Let me note that having green and black tea mixed it doesn’t mean you won’t get heavily sedated and need a nap shortly after sipping. Ha-ha.
Despite the lemon grass & lemon balm added into the blend, the only two flavors that stand out are the peppermint and chamomile. I dig those flavors, but I wanted to get a hit in face with lemon flavors, too.
get a hit in face with lemon flavors, too.
Sipdown (2924)!
I don’t really need more jasmine green teas in my collection since I have a shockingly large amount of them for someone who doesn’t like green tea and is pretty picky about jasmine teas. So, probably good to be finishing one off. However, this was definitely a more unique one, with a very smooth and lush feeling flavour that balanced the sweetness of green grapes with the fresh, Spring-like taste and aroma of floral jasmine. It was also personally quite satisfying seeing these flavours together as someone who usually tastes undertones of grapes when I drink jasmine tea.
Maybe my path will cross with this tea someday in the future, and I think I will be pretty happy if or when that happens.
Tea Pop!
I don’t know when the last time B&B carried this matcha was, but I feel like it was such a hidden gem in their assortment. Not only is the combination of bright lime, sweet ripe pears, and soothing floral lavender very fresh, elevated feeling, and delicious but it does such a splendidly fantastic job of covering the unpleasant taste of spirulina and nettle to that point where I’d actually totally forgotten they were in the blend.
Like, that is SO impressive since neither are exactly tasty ingredients and you can’t really tell that they’ve been included based on gritty texture either. It’s just smooth, effervescent fruity florals that feel more like something I’d get at a really trendy and higher end cafe or bohemian sorta- leaning restaurant. It works well!
A perfectly lovely Earl Grey with a bit of a brighter, almost coppery and autumnal sort of top note before settling into brisk black tea, malt, and the familiar heady citrus of the bergamot. What was missing, of course, was the pandan. I smelled it as I brought the mug towards my face for each sip, albeit delicately. A little of the coconut-like softness. But the taste just wasn’t there – and I even made sure to get lots of the pandan leaves into my mug too.
Cold Brew!
Really, really juicy sweet lime flavour with a pleasantly tart and sour pucked/bite and just a bit of salinity on the backend of the sip. It nails the margarita vibe so completely, but I just find myself devastatingly disappointed about the last of heat. I want more from a spicy marg…
4.5g, 90 ml. another session with more choppy/broken leaf bits from my cake.
1. pretty smoky, berry forward and some fruit. Fills mouth and extends into throat and is fairly satisfying strong brew
2. stronger more forward smoke, woody. TCM medicinal, slight sweetness
3. still very smoky. Trailing underlying bitterness mostly dissolves into goji berry taste
4. berry forward lingers.
5. sweet, turning into stewed leaf taste
Overall felt more rough on stomach today, though I’ve been fairly weak and really sensitive to caffeine in general lately so really taking it easy these days.
This is something that I’ve absolutely tasted with other orange and spice blends and it’s such a weird phenomena, but as I was drinking this tea the sweet orange and the slightly numbing clove and other spice notes sort of melted together into something very, very bubblegum-like in flavour. Definitely still enjoyed the cup, but it was certainly a little different than what I’d had in mind because of that strange combo effect.
This is one of two brand new additions to DAVIDsTEA’s Superfood Powder line up – both of which are actually superfood iced tea powders instead of the latte ones we’ve been releasing the last couple years!
The other has mushrooms in it (and I’m allergic) and I’ve yet to do my usual “sip and spit” taste test like I have in the past for other teas I’m allergic to – so deep dive on that one will have to wait. This one, however, I’m excited to finally talk about!
It whisks up such an absolutely gorgeous and rich deep purple colour and, although there’s some butterfly pea flower in the blend to support that enchanting hue, most of that colour is driven by the inclusion of different berries and hibiscus. Obviously maqui is the big one and, if you’re unfamiliar, it’s a very anti-oxidant rich purple berry with a darker, juicy flavour a bit like blueberry or currant with a bit of tartness. There is also blueberry powder in the blend, which of course compliments the similar tasting maqui but adds a touch more nuance and deepens this sort of rich mixed berry flavour of the blend.
The mojito part of the name comes primarily from the inclusion of peppermint! It’s probably a bit of a stronger mint flavour than an actual mojito, but those really crisp and cooling elements are so instantly refreshing. It’s a huge part of why I love this tea as a very easy to whisk up iced bevvie for the summer – you take a few sips during a heat wave or when it’s really humid out and you just immediately feel cooled down, refreshed, and more comfortable. Very hydrating, too!
Other things that are cool about this blend is that it’s totally sugar and sweetener free, so great if you want iced tea but less of that sweet feeling. On the flip side, starting with something sugar free means it’s super adaptable – we’ve been having a lot of fun in the office making different cocktail/mocktails with this blend and adding our own simple syrups or liqeuers. You can also add a bit like a shot to a lemonade and make a fun purple or layered berry-inspired refresher that way. Also so good as a tea pop with the powder whisked into a concentrate and then topped with sparkling water or club soda! Highly flexible!
I guess the one way I wouldn’t recommend drinking this one is with milk or dairy. The acidity from some of the ingredients like the hibiscus powder definitely cause some curdling, even if I wouldn’t describe this as a particularly tart tasting drink. You can make it hot, and that does bring out a little more tartness – though this was absolutely formulated specifically with the intent it would be consumed cold so I personally think that’s how it tastes best.
Friendly reminder that I do not numerically rate DAVIDsTEA blends as I’m currently employed there and it would be an obvious conflict of interest. Any blends you see with numerical ratings were rated prior to my employment there. These reviews are a reflection of my personal thoughts and feelings regarding the teas, and not the company’s.
Cold Brew!
So the flavour of this tea was actually revealed several months back, so I guess I can now officially share here for anyone who missed the announcement that…
It’s strawberries & cream and kiwi!!
A lot of people guess the strawberry flavour, and cream was pretty common too though sometimes more described as vanilla or yogurt. Actually, to that point, so many people said this tea tasted like those strawberry & cream Campino or “Creme Saver” candies from the 90s/2000s and I totally see it! Kiwi, however, was definitely the harder flavour for people to nail down – though over the coarse of the campaign I did see about two people get it spot on, and one person in our office also figured it out without any hints/background on the development.
This cold brew was definitely pretty black tea forward, but still so smooth and creamy with exactly that strawberry yogurt candy kind of vibe to it and just a kiss of the kiwi at the end of the sip.
Friendly reminder that I do not numerically rate DAVIDsTEA blends as I’m currently employed there and it would be an obvious conflict of interest. Any blends you see with numerical ratings were rated prior to my employment there. These reviews are a reflection of my personal thoughts and feelings regarding the teas, and not the company’s.
Pulled this one out because I was craving a more smooth, buttery coconut tea but also wanted what ever I made to not feel too thin or light. So the dense, heavier body and slight earthiness of the pu’erh with the stronger notes of cinnamon, anise, and allspice here were the exact right addition to really lean into those kind of crepe-like cookie and coconut flavours while still having a substantial feeling cuppa.
Friendly reminder that I do not numerically rate DAVIDsTEA blends as I’m currently employed there and it would be an obvious conflict of interest. Any blends you see with numerical ratings were rated prior to my employment there. These reviews are a reflection of my personal thoughts and feelings regarding the teas, and not the company’s.
Smooth, bold, and fruity with hints of apricot and heat. The leaves smell sweet and earthy, and the tea pairs well with all sorts of food. I enjoy this tea very much and have purchased the full cake for everyday drinking. For me, the best flavor brews out in the gaiwan, but grandpa style or thermos brewing also yields good results.
Flavors: Apricot, Earthy, Fruity, Sweet
Preparation
Cold Brew!
I had such a strong lychee craving the other day so I pulled this blend out because I knew that (even though it’s older) it would majorly deliver on the intense, punchy and sweet lychee flavour I was seeking. It’s very strongly flavoured but also that just makes it even juicier and more mouth-watering. Perfectly fit what I was looking for.
Friendly reminder that I do not numerically rate DAVIDsTEA blends as I’m currently employed there and it would be an obvious conflict of interest. Any blends you see with numerical ratings were rated prior to my employment there. These reviews are a reflection of my personal thoughts and feelings regarding the teas, and not the company’s.
More early morning mate! Even though I think Guayaki’s Classic Gold is my current favourite in my rotation, this is a fairly close second. One thing that’s very clear is that I definitely have a preference for Mateina’s sparkling flavours. This one is just so much fresher and more juicy tasting than their other options, and doesn’t have the metallic/brassy note that kind of erks me.
Bright and sweet, with hints of hay and tobacco. The sweetness leads into a slightly bitter and complex earthy aftertaste. The mini is a bit compressed, but after two ~5min steeps it starts to open up.
Flavors: Bright, Earthy, Hay, Sweet, Tobacco
Preparation
As I mentioned relatively recently, I’ve been drinking a lot of yerba mate based RTDs as part of my morning commute the last few weeks. This is one that I really loved the last time I had it, so I made sure to buy a few more last time I was at the grocery store. It’s such a refreshingly different flavour with a very strong balance of the smokier, grassy taste of the mate itself and a sweet, bright and almost cola gummy candy type of flavour. Lighter and less intense than a regular coke, though.
A wee bit of tartness to the top notes, but mostly a very sweet and candy or soda-like strawberry flavour. In fact, I recently bought a case of Strawberry Fanta and the juicy flavour of this blend was pretty spot on for that style of strawberry. Almost grenadine like, in a way. It did a great job of introducing a little brightness with an air of indulgence for a mid afternoon cuppa!
Gongfu!
Enjoyed this session with a few blackberries snacked on in between the steeps. Though not quite as intense and full-bodied as expected, this was still a rich session with a smooth and more forest-y leaning flavour. Woody with that brothy and more umami sort of undertone that I see so commonly described as mushroom-like. Also just a bit creamy, but more in the sense of cooking cream and less a sweet, custardy creaminess. Probably because it is woodier in profile with some pine-y element, but I did taste rosemary and juniper at different points. The finish and aftertaste of infusions are where this tea is at its sweetest. Many years ago, a coworker gifted me a bunch of ouzo flavoured hard candies because she knew how much I enjoy the taste of black licorice, and the notes I’m picking up here are reminding me heavily of them: very anise and even absinthe-like.
I wanted to try this tea because of BLT’s description of it as more herbal and licorice-like (spot on!), and I feel like it really didn’t register to me that this was a twenty-four year old tea until halfway through this morning’s session. That’s wild. If this tea was a person, it would have hit all the big milestones: getting its license, voting, legal drinking age. What an incredible treat and luxury it is to get to enjoy aged teas like this one!!
Tea Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJpgo0UStjb/?img_index=1
Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFRJCKVhwJs&ab_channel=OliverMalcolm-Topic
Sipped this in the evening while enjoying a little sun in the park! It’s probably a little late in the day for a matcha, but that’s not really stopping me from enjoying this super frothy throwback from a past DT summer collection. I’m usually picky when it comes to mint flavoured matchas, but this is one of my favourites. It’s sweet and cooling with a crisp spearmint-like flavour, just a hint of rum and a slight citrusy lime brightness. Good iced or with sparkling water, but I actually most like it as usucha like I’m drinking right now. Complex for a flavoured matcha, but ultimately, it is really well balanced!
Tea Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJsNM5TSyC1/?img_index=1
Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM3kubPX41c&ab_channel=DavidDeanBurkhart
Friendly reminder that I do not numerically rate DAVIDsTEA blends as I’m currently employed there and it would be an obvious conflict of interest. Any blends you see with numerical ratings were rated prior to my employment there. These reviews are a reflection of my personal thoughts and feelings regarding the teas, and not the company’s.
Gongfu!
It’s the incredibly thick but smooth mouthfeel that really catches my attention with this one, and that’s saying something because I’m usually a flavour first and foremost kind of tea drinker. Not in terms of taste, but this viscous black tea liquor really does make me think of hot cocoa made from scratch on the stovetop. Velvety, warm goodness! The infusions are warm and cozy, though, but more a combination of malt, fresh-out-of-the-oven brioche breads, and a softer oaky woodiness. Very rosey and floral in the finish with the lingering sweetness of something like a parma violet hardcandy. Loving the complexity balanced with this snuggly feeling!
Tea Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJunPrByaFv/?img_index=1
Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbVKF5yjTSM&ab_channel=CaravanPalace-Topic
Gongfu!
Enjoying this tea with some muscat grapes this morning and rereading some earlier volumes of Dandadan while I impatiently wait for the second season of the anime!! This is a really, really cozy and warming black tea with such a bold body and pleasantly light bite of astringency at the top of the sip. Very strong spice notes led by cinnamon and allspice, which lean in perfectly to the more starchy and grain-like mid sip notes of baked yams, baker’s chocolate, mugicha, and freshly baked rolls. The undertones are a bit fruity in a more dense, darkly sweet, or “brown tasting” way – think raisins or dates.
It’s absolutely pouring today with some seriously intense thunder, so this is tea so reminiscent of fresh raisin bread or hot cross buns straight out of the oven is absolutely the perfect tea to hunker down with while staying snuggly inside with something good to read!
Tea Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJwkpFstcrr/?img_index=1
And it really never stops being both challenging and hilarious to explain the plot of this manga/anime to other people, as evidenced by the last few slides here…
Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVIWIbUG9Qw&ab_channel=B%C3%98RNS
Bought this for I think $5.99 buy one, get one free at Sprouts.
Another TCM herbal tea I’m using to support my unruly cycle. Drank several days prior to that time of the month and for the first few days. It produces a concentrated, oily yellow brew that could be used as a dye. Tastes densely of celery which I don’t like to eat, however I find myself sipping the warm tea with ease. Mildly sweet. Feels nourishing.
Flavors: Celery, Oily, Roots
Picked this up at the Korean market for $7.99. Seems expensive.
Detox is a touchy term in the already touchy world of wellness which is full of arbitrary claims. So why did I buy this?
The past few years has seen me landing pretty dang squarely in Middle Age. A few years’ worth of going crazy due to hormonal fluctuations has led me into trying different things to relieve symptoms. Naturally, with my affinity for many things Chinese, I’ve wandered into TCM. It’s a vast subject and rife with contradictions to my education in the sciences but I have nevertheless been drawn in. A lot of it makes sense within my limited understanding of Chinese culture.
All I can say is this herbal tea is very tasty and seems to relieve, via mild diuresis, some of the water retention I experience. It does feel cleansing in a sense. I like the way I feel after drinking a concentrated cup (2 bags to 8-10oz) first thing in the morning and/or later in the evening on an empty stomach. It’s not something I want everyday, but I do reach for it several times per week. The taste is definitely in line with dandelion and various roots with a soft cassia balance (there must not be much in there as it is often overpowering). Besides those, there is a whole mix of herbs in this blend.
Flavors: Burdock, Cinnamon, Dandelion, Mineral, Roots
Captain’s Backlog 3 May 2025
Spring 2023 harvest
Made a better bowl tea than gongfu. Dong Dingy but not nutty, thankfully. Mid-toned mellow sweet roast, rich florals settled yet heady, bamboo shoot in a bed of squeaky young grass. Very clean. Would try again. It looks to be machine-harvested; not the prettiest unfurled leaf.
$6.87 / 15g
Flavors: Balanced, Bamboo, Caramelized Sugar, Clean, Creamy, Floral, Grass, Mineral, Rich, Roasty, Sweet
