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TheLastDodo drank Pistachio Horizon by Butiki Teas

296 tasting notes

If you had told me 6 months ago that I would be going crazy over CTC-graded tea, I would have told you to shove it.

But that was before I knew the secret. The espresso machine at work is not completely useless to me. In fact, these little uniform nuggets of tea are amazing tea latte power houses.

I actually tried this tea three ways today: As a tea latte with whole milk no sweetener and regularly brewed with sugar in the raw and liquid Stevia.
When I made the latte, the flavoring didn’t come through quite as strongly as I have wanted it to. But gall daaang, this was a great latte. Better than the shitty teabags I break open to make the teapresso when in an ‘teamergency.’
I then decided to brew this normally for this type, or as tea people call it, Western-style. The 1 minute steep was perfect. I made sure to watch this steep like a hawk. I took a sip and felt that ‘first sip high,’ where my whole body and mind just took a deep, contented sigh. I felt like there wasn’t enough pistachio flavor to go around and thought to myself, “oh hell, might as well add something to sweeten the deal.” I added about half a packet of sugar in the raw and stirred well. While this was too sweet for me, the heavenly flavor became much more present and delicious.
The next time I brewed this, I tried one drop of liquid Stevia. While this was just the right amount of sweetness, it did not have the same complexity and caramelized flavor quality as the raw sugar.

Man, I have never encountered anyone who has bothered to flavor a CTC before. This is an amazing concept that is quite flawlessly pulled off. Its like having a flavored syrup already built in to a espresso drink. I am so glad I didn’t pass this blend up!

Flavors: Candy, Molasses, Nutty

Preparation

Boiling 1 min, 0 sec 1 tsp 10 OZ / 300 ML

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Bio

I dream in tea.

My name is Maddi. I like to take boiling hot showers and meditate in my closet. I think and talk about tea so much that it has become a punchline of sorts with my family and coworkers. Besides my unhealthy obsession with the drink that gives me life, I do yoga frequently, I make green smoothies out of any vegetables and fruit in the nearest vicinity, I am obsessed with Korean Dramas, I run as a form of moving meditation, and play video games with my easygoing and forgiving boyfriend. I used to cook for a living, and I almost always eat at least one waffle a day.

Favorite types of teas:
Aged Oolongs hold my heart. Sneaking their way in are Korean Greens. Roasted oolongs and I are not on speaking terms as of late. Black teas of all types, but especially Fujian and some Yunnan are nice indulgences more often than not. I know and love Japanese greens more than any kind, while Chinese greens bore me. Certain White teas thrill me, but most have me changing the channel. I love using my Yerba Mate gourd, we have become steadfast amigos. Puerh and I are still getting to know each other, and while sheng is playing hard to get, shou is there to hold my hand when no one is looking. I sometimes make my own functional herbal blends, and if there is a hell, it is filled with Rooibos. Above all else, direct – trade tea is my favorite.

LEAST Favorite Flavors/Flavorings
Hibscus
Lavender
Herbs, if they are out of place (I’m talking to you, thyme)
Strong Bergamot
Berries
Chocolate (added flavorings)
Cloves/strong cinnamon
Nuts

MOST Adored Flavor Profiles
Smokey
Floral
Coconut
Majority of chai
Caramel
Vanilla
Grassy/Vegetal
Earthy
Citrus
Stone fruit/melon

“Tea is naught but this:
First you heat the water.
Then you make the tea.
Then you drink it properly.
That is all you need to know.”
- Sen No Riyku