New Tasting Notes

I’m not really a huge fan of this matcha. It tastes way too buttery to me, like the cheap buttercream of grocery store birthday cakes. But I have a full tin of it, so I’m trying to slowly make my way through it and trick myself into enjoying it more than I do. Well, trick isn’t the right word. Willfully force myself into it!?

Anyway, I made it in a new mug that I really love and I honestly think that just swapping out the teaware into something that made me excited did make a marginal difference in my perfection of this mug. Like, it was fine.

Tea Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/DM3XbFkSH1h/?img_index=1 (7th Pic)

Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv_5cAqBDSg&ab_channel=Bobbing

Iced Latte!

I had a pretty even split of flavoured and unflavoured matchas this past week, but I realized later in the week that basically all of my flavourted choices had been rather decadent instead of fruity, which arguably is a little more summer-y!? So, I made this one up as an iced latte and only realized halfway through drinking it that it basically tasted like a melted banana milkshake which definitely falls more on the decadent side I was kind of trying to avoid versus the more bright and lively fruity matcha flavours. Oops. I guess I was just in a specific sort of mood this week…

Tea Photo: https://www.instagram.com/p/DM3XbFkSH1h/?img_index=1 (6th Pic)

Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm-AJJmFwqg&ab_channel=Madelline-Topic

Steeped this one overnight.

This has a much stronger added flavor than the peach version. The crisp nashi is on point, but very powerful. I do taste a touch of honey as well, thankfully it doesn’t taste like other honey-flavored teas I’ve tried (and not enjoyed). There is an underlying green tea and oolong flavor, it’s quite mild but honestly I don’t mind that for an iced tea. And again, I don’t taste the added sugar at all. So odd, I guess it must be making some difference, or why would they add it?

Anyway, very refreshing and enjoyable! Doesn’t need sweetener at all. I do think they could tone it down just a touch with the flavoring, but still tasty as-is. I saw a recommendation for steeping this in sparkling water too, and that could be fun!

Latte!

This was the only hot matcha latte I made this week. I had it one a day where I’d slept in a bit and breakfast was really more of a brunch, so it just ended up fitting better into my day to have it following that first meal. I paired it with some maple candies as a sweet treat, and sipped on the syrupy, smooth flavour while reading some manga.

I’ve been trying to catch up on Dandadan (since the second season is airing), and I’m pretty close! I think I have three more issues to go, and then I’ll be at the point where I’m reading as they come out.

Tea Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/DM3XbFkSH1h/?img_index=1 (5th Pic)

Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwVRXvweQQk&ab_channel=PeteyUSA

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.

Single teabag from somewhere. The mint is a bit murky, not fresh or bright. I wouldn’t need this particular mint tea again.

One of the many matchas I incorporated into my morning routine this past week. It had the deepest green colour of everything I drank, and I remember thinking while sipping on it how fitting “emerald” was for the name. Taste wise, it’s not as nuanced as some of the other straight matchas that I had but the tasting notes that are present are ones I really, really enjoy. In particular it’s VERY creamy with a rather milky profile that comes off as smooth a velvety. Nice and naturally sweet, as well.

Tea Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/DM3XbFkSH1h/?img_index=1 (4th Pic)

Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOt4kyZmuqI&ab_channel=KoteriVEVO

Iced Latte Sipdown (2990)!

Did it feel weird to pull out the last bit of my eggnog flavoured matcha during what is, essentially, my summer vacation!? Yes, for sure. It has been so hot this past week. However, I got a bunch of Portuguese egg tarts in my grocery delivery box and I just knew this would pair great with them.

It absolutely did, too! Super rich and custard-y tasting with a vanilla creaminess and then subtle notes of spices like nutmeg that broke up some of the decadence while marrying with the buttery, flaky pie crust notes. It was an indulgent breakfast, but such a damn good one! Pretty perfect way to finally finish off this matcha.

Tea Photo: https://www.instagram.com/p/DM3XbFkSH1h/?img_index=1 (3rd Pic)

Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZPjsghAAlE&ab_channel=Maz-Topic

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.

Of the eight different matchas I had this past week, this was the most mellow and delicate tasting with smooth, silky floral notes alongside a dewy, light and fresh green finish. Virtually no bitterness or astringency. Very, very easy going and light feeling! Also, such an absolutely intensely vibrant and beautiful microfoam when all whisked up. Definitely a favourite in my stash.

Tea Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/DM3XbFkSH1h/?img_index=1 (2nd Pic)

Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEJ_9veuPXI&ab_channel=jbrekkieVEVO

I’ve been on vacation for about a week and a half now, and one of the things I ended up doing a few days in was beginning my morning each day with a different matcha. It ended up becoming a really nice little routine.

I drank this plain and hot because I can’t quite bring myself to take matcha this pricey and make it into a latte. This was a particularly nutty tasting bowl of matcha with some upfront umami savory notes before finishing with a more buttery note of toasted macadamia nuts. So smooth, and just a gorgeous colour too.

Tea Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/DM3XbFkSH1h/?img_index=1 (First Pic)

Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dp4MfzobwWw&ab_channel=SauceOnly

The two friends I visited this past week are also huge T&T shoppers, and we often compare and share different purchases with each other. This time around, they gave me some “instant tea” packets they’d bought during their last trip. One was a Thai Iced Tea mix that I’ve yet to try, and the other was these instant Royal Milk Tea stick packs imported from I believe Japan…

They’re honestly HUGE looking. Like, easily three times the size of most of the stick pack products I own (tea or otherwise). So I kind of didn’t believe him when my friend said he found them very weak tasting and recommended I used two for a drink. Well, I shook up one of the packs into a bottle of water yesterday. Visually, it looked like milk tea with that distinct creamy brown colour. Not watery or thin in appearance. Well, taste wise, it was in fact shockingly light given just how much powder had gone into the beverage. Creamy in taste but not in mouthfeel, with a subtle malty and raisin-y sort of flavour.

I probably should have trusted my friend and doubled up the dosing, because it was very, very mid tasting. Just lacking richness, really. But now I know for next time!

One of the teas I brought back from Germany!

I’ve been waiting to try this tea because I wanted to share it with my friend and her partner since they are probably the biggest consumers of milk oolong that I know. They both really enjoy it (flavoured and unflavoured), but he is especially into it and has an ongoing ranking list of the best/worst milk oolong he’s tried.

So, we made a few cups to sip on while catching up and I think we all actually felt kind of the same about it. Very smooth, a little buttery and particularly floral with undertones of sweet pea blossoms, lilacs, and pandan. We thought it was good, but not the best we’ve tried either. Ended up pretty solidly in the middle of the ranking, which I think is pretty fair all things considered.

I spent Friday afternoon hanging out with a friend, her partner, and their ridiculously adorable two month old. I always bring tea whenever I visit since they’re both tea drinkers, but this time around I was a bit more strategic with what I brought since they’ve been really trying to control their caffeine intake a lot more. Understandable.

This is by far one of my favourite teas I’ve discovered this year, and caffeine free because it’s a tisane – so I was excited to bring it for them to try. Thankfully, they also adored it. I knew for sure that her partner would because he’s a huge fan of marzipan and this tea does taste SO MUCH like sweet, nutty marzipan.

We drank it after lunch, and it was just a very perfect digestif.

I’m not feeling sick, but last night I made a very large mug of this tea because I’d basically spent the day snacking on sweet things and was feeling a little sugar overloaded. So, I thought the intense, crisp peppermint and eucalyptus was serve as a sort of “reset” from all that sweetness while also being really soothing and comforting. And it was! I drank this while watching some anime, and it was just cozy. The steam coming off the mug was particularly wonderful, and just inhaling that while I watched my show was phenomenal.

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 Sipdown (2991)!

This is one of those rock oolongs where you can really taste the fire on the leaves right from the first steep. It’s notably astringent, but in a welcome way where that touch of texture adds complexity to each sip. Really roasty, mineral rich notes of charcoal and leather tempered by the warming spice and woodier cinnamon notes it’s named after. Definitely deepens over time with the lush, dense sweetness of orchids, osmanthus, and plums pushing up from the undertones into the mid-sip to dance alongside the spice, grilled peanuts, and barley. At times, there’s a bit of a herbaceous finish that teases cannabis, as if smelling someone smoke a joint from across the street. Even though I drank it very early this morning, the energy this tea carried is that of a laaaatteeee summer evening spent walking the streets after a really lively BBQ or bonfire and a few drinks. Warm and glowy, where you know in the moment that you’re going to look back fondly on this moment in a few years’ time.

Tea Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/DM1AITOSwdg/?img_index=1

Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DERhmibDUFs&ab_channel=RUDECATVEVO

Dang this is another winner for sure! Super unique for a high mountain oolong. Very floral but in a way that is different to any tea I’ve had. I’m so bad with flower smells, but seems like gardenia maybe? Just a (uneducated) guess.

No bitterness, astringency, sweetness. Very smooth. Velvety smell with thick mouthfeel. Good longevity at 7-8+ infusions.

Harvest: May 16, 2025
Cultivar: Qingxin
Location: Tsui Feng, Lishan
Elevation: 1900 m

Part of a Taylors of Harrogate sampler I bought, mostly out of interest in the fruit infusions.

This is a bit odd. The idea of mango and cardamom sounds good, but somehow this ends up tasting oddly herbaceous and savory, like mango and sage? Not sure what is combining to make that flavor, but I’m not a fan ha ha. Will definitely put the rest of these in the rehoming box.

Impulse purchase! So for some reason I was on Amazon, looking at Taylors of Harrogate fruit infusions (I don’t recall why), and saw that Osulloc was having a sale. So I ended up grabbing one of their teabag samplers, and also a set of these cold brew sachets, because why not?

The package claims you only need to steep this for 2-3 minutes, but I’m calling bullshit. I found I had to steep it for a few hours to get any real flavor out of it. Which honestly is fine for me, I’m not a person who needs an “on-the-go” iced tea solution.

Anyway, it’s pleasant. The peach flavor is nice, not too strong or artificial. I do find the actual tea taste to be lacking a bit, it tastes more like a tea flavored water than actual tea. I was a bit nervous when I saw sugar in the ingredients, but the sweetness isn’t really noticeable either.

Nice and refreshing, if a bit light. I think I’ll try steeping it overnight, which is what I normally do for cold brew. Might be worth trying a hot steep as well. Excited to try the honey pear and muscat flavors!