Pumpkin Milkshake 2.0

I don’t know if it’s me, but this was totally undrinkable for me today. I was careful to keep the temp low, but it was pretty bitter & I ended up dumping it, something I almost never do.

Backlog from yesterday.
I am not sure how this differs from the original version and one day I will have to do a comparison. This was delicious though. It was a little spicy which I wasn’t really expecting but I didn’t mind it. The vanilla adds a nice, smooth creaminess. The pumpkin is light, and I wish it was a little stronger. But, I didn’t add sweetener which would bring out the pumpkin more. Next time, I will add sweetener.
The oolong is nice and smooth. So comforting on a overcast cold day.

Nothing new to see here, just relocating the note that was hanging out with the non 2.0 version.

I was distracted while preparing this tea and I didn’t use the recommended 170F water. Oh well. It still smelled delicious! I went all out and ate Keebler rainbow cookies with it and got their crumbs all in the tea. . .hey its my birthday!, I’ll do what I want :D (being healthy is not on my list of things to do ;) )

despite the too-hot water and the Keebler additions, this is an enjoyable cup of tea. It’s a little tiny bit bitter, which Im sure is the water’s fault. I’ll do it right next time, I promise. I’ll be finishing this bag off myself, but I think that the Pumpkin Creme Brulee will be my prefered choice next time I order. I like the spiciness of it more than the creaminess of this one, but it’s a close competition.

Dry: Twisty oolong leaves with some silver tips. A nice pumpkin-spice fragrance. It actually smells very similar to Butiki’s Pumpkin Creme Brulee straight from the bag. Maybe a touch less bold?

Steeped: Clear amber liquor. I used slightly more than 1.5 tsp to 8oz water. Smells sweet and vaguely like pumpkin with those same subtle spice notes from the dry aroma.

Taste: I held off on reviewing this until I had tried it several times. I’ve discovered that this is a truly subtle tea. I’ve found tends to become creamier and more flavorful as it cools. Initially, there is a soft squash-meets-cinnamon flavor and a creamy background emerges later on with the lower temperature. I am not getting much in the way of vanilla or caramel and the base is very mild and pleasant. While I do enjoy playing with this one and I’m glad I was able to try it, I’ll stick with some of my other Butiki favorites.

Yes it does taste like pumpkin…not sweet pumpkin, but like literal pumpkin. Add some brown sugar and then it is a sweet tasting sweet ;)

This just wasn’t for me. I don’t know why but I was having problems steeping this. I believe my teaspoon is larger than what is needed for this tea because all the times I have steeped this tea it has come out very strong. So strong that my stomach gets upset at me for even thinking of ingesting this. I ran out before I could try to work out how to steep this so I don’t know if I’d order this again. I tend to not like oolong teas but I loved pumpkin so I had high hopes for this.

I wasn’t really enjoying this and I wasn’t sure why but now that I see that it’s an oolong, it all makes sense. Oolongs are not something I’ve ever managed to develop a taste for. Also the cinnamon is kind of strong for me in this brew. Perhaps I should pass it along.

I thought this was a black tea base instead of oolong. I’m really glad I read the brewing instructions before pouring boiling water over the leaves! Anyway, the dry leaf aroma is certainly pumpkin-y. I’m looking forward to trying this one!

First sip sans additions…velvety, creamy, pumpkin dream tea! YUM! Why did I only buy one ounce of this? And of course it’s already sold out. :( Boo! I added a little Truvia to the rest of the cup and now this is the perfect pumpkin tea. Perfect, I tell you! Better than any other pumpkin drink I’ve had. And that’s saying something because I’ve tried a lot of different pumpkin drinks looking for the best one. Well, the search is over! At least for as long as this ounce holds out. :P

I really like how played up the vanilla is in this tea. I think that’s what takes it from great to stellar. The spices are blended well and complement the main flavor by mostly staying in the background. Pumpkin, cream, and vanilla are in the forefront. Mmm, sooo yummy! I will enjoy every last little bit of this tea. Happy Cyber Monday, everyone!

Marco Polo TTB

Saw this in the box and had to try some! I just got a wee 3g sample :)
Dude. I’m so lost without my tea scale. Last time I remember seeing it, is when I got the Marco Polo box. Now it’s nowhere to be found? Aww I’m so sad. I’ll find it eventually? Hopefully?

But it’s almost christmastime and I’m so excited for the holidays! This one smells like wonderful pumpkin pie. I think my water may have been a bit too hot because it’s on the slight bitter side, but at least I do taste the pumpkin! I’ve been meaning to place a Butiki order, but I have SO much tea. Hopefully they’ll still be open when I lessen my tea stash? I’ve had plenty of their teas and I’ve fallen in love with so many of them, but I need to lessen my tea stash and save up before I can get more!

This tasted pretty similar to the Pumpkin Creme Brulee, only with more spice to it. I expected a lot more creaminess with it being a ‘milkshake’ flavor. It was good overall, but not good enough to replace the love I have for Pumpkin Creme Brulee.