18307 Tasting Notes
Celestial Seasonings exploration continues with this blueberry blend!
The dry leaf within the teabag smells very sweet and almost candy-like. Makes me think of these blueberry fruit jellies that are sugared on the outside that I get from a local market sometimes. Steeped the aroma is almost intoxicating. Super jammy in a way that really reads like the filling of a blueberry pie fresh out of the over. Definitely had my mouth watering…
The taste is okay. It’s definitely tart, and the hibiscus in the blend leads the sip pretty strongly. However, that jammy sweet blueberry note is still there underneath all of the hibiscus twang and acidity. I wish it were sweeter, and more “round” feeling on the palate instead of sharp. However, I think maybe a lighter steep time or added sugar could help get it there. I also think that the more bright/tart and juicy blueberry flavour would translate really well to iced tea. I just definitely wasn’t in that mindset while drinking this one after smelling that pie-like steeping aroma.
Cold Brew Sipdown (3133)!
Literally taking the last sips of this cold brew as I type, and it’s definitely one that is simultaneously satisfying to finish off but also a touch bittersweet. It’s a simple infusion of just Korean Yuzu peel but the tea it produces is so lovely and surprisingly complex. Bright, aromatic and zesty with some natural sweetness but also just a touch pithy with a peppery sort of spice to the undertones and finish. I find it so refreshing!
I’m sure if I put effort into looking for another way to purchase this I could probably find comparable from another company. Since this was from a wholesaler based in Korea, and I only was able to pick up a sample via World Tea Expo I probably won’t be getting this exact yuzu peel again. If ever.
Sipdown (3134)!
Probably one of my favourite of these more simple and mono-flavoured oolong teas from Seven Teahouse. It’s such a fresh, juicy and tropical pineapple notes but really well balanced and elevated by those floral undertones. I’ve had similar in the past. Butiki’s Flowery Pineapple Oolong of course comes to mind. Hopefully I’ll have similar in the future too. It’s a style I enjoy a lot.
Had a mug of this one at work a few days ago and really enjoyed the simplicity of what is essentially a sweet butterscotch flavoured genmaicha. Very rich in the top notes and bleeding into the mid sip, but then closes out all cozy with those brown rice notes. Yum!
Sipped down a small little tin of this from when the blend was still called Christmas Morning Blend, so definitely a touch on the older side. Even still, this is such a beautifully smooth and pleasant tasting vanilla blend. Aromatic, and just sweet enough with that authentic vanilla taste meshing so well with the brisk, malty and light red fruit notes of the black tea.
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.
In anticipation of Toronto Tea Festival this weekend I decided to pull out one of the more unique teas I picked up last year. This was thermos brewed and then sipped on outdoors…
This Quebec-grown tisane is processed like Camellia Sinensis tea leaves, but with age has developed its own uniquely funky flavour profile! The most standout tasting note for me is mustard. Both the more pungent and peppery spice of greens and as well as something like a honey mustard dipping sauce with more tang and sweetness. I can also see comparisons of apple cider vinegar, salted plums, and dashi or kimchi. It’s so strange, and not something I’d recommend to just anyone. However, for fans of fermented foods or teas like Awa Bancha or Goisicha I think this is a must try tasting experience!!
Tea Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/DUB-em4Evlk/?img_index=1
Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFMNrv0Ryp4
Grandpa Style!
This is a very thick and creamy tea, in both taste and mouthfeel. Though anchored by a balance of earthy and woodsy forest-like flavours, this incredibly bold and full-bodied tea leads with sweetness. Dense, bordering or caramelized and very molasses-rich with hints of fig cookies. W2T describes it as being more of a “workhorse,” and I couldn’t agree more. It was very pleasant, approachable, and flavourful enough while not needing attentiveness to be the PERFECT tea choice for a busier day. I’m very happy with the value of this one!!
Tea Photo: https://www.instagram.com/p/DUGSFD8jbO5/
Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okA1z0SmxYo
Gongfu!
I’ve obviously been in a fermented kinda mood the last little while, so this funky little Japanese tea was the perfect pick to steep up. The gnarly looking (in a more literal sense) tea leaves pack a punch, with tart and tangy top notes that evoke flavours of both white and the more traditional red hibiscus, crisp green apples, and umeboshi while the undertones are much more briney with distinct notes of kelp, pickle juice, and salted seaweed snacks. Funky in the best way, with a widespread of flavours that range between bright, fruity and floral to deeply umami/savory and riddled with salinity. Makes your mouth salivate in the way that popping a malic acid coated hard candy does!
Tea Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/DUHRD9NCfZu/?img_index=1
Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOWkCsLOd2M
Unfortunately I didn’t notice until I went to remove the strainer, but I guess for the last five or six minutes I’ve been “steeping” my tea in water that was just barely above being lukewarm. The tea doesn’t taste bad, but is clearly a poor representation of how it should properly taste. Notes of vanilla/woodruff and something fruitier that remind me of some kind of banana or berry gummy candy from my childhood. I see how this could be very nice, so I’m definitely reserving all judgement until I can rebrew this…
Usually I drink this matcha with milk, but today I had it straight as usucha. Definitely a touch more bitterness and astringency in a way that I could see being a little abrasive for some. It’s those qualities and the bolder flavour that contribute to why it shines so much in a latte, though! Still very rich and nutty, with notes of peanut butter and sesame paste.
