1024 Tasting Notes
This reminds me a bit of Scullery Made’s Alabaster, but it’s got more zesty citrus notes compared to Alabaster’s savoury herbal notes. I don’t notice the oolong much, to be honest, but as oolongs are great with re-steeps I’m going back in for a second round with these leaves to see what washes out.
Flavors: Lemon Zest
I am a fiend for comparisons when they’re presented to me, and having samples of both this blend and Bluebird Tea Co’s Love Potion in the house was too good to pass up an evening of fierce competition. I’ve been waiting for ages for the right moment; tonight seemed perfect, a reward after a killer home-cooked steak and scotch main course.
I can’t help it, Love Tea #7’s got me. I gave the Bluebird blend a decent shot at it but its lovely floral notes couldn’t defeat the siren song of chocolate and berries that dominate in #7.
There’s also the fact that I can drink this tea any way (straight, sweetened, milky, or sweetened and milky) and be taken with it every time.
I am a fiend for comparisons when they’re presented to me, and having samples of both this blend and DAVIDsTEA’s Love Tea #7 in the house was too good to pass up an evening of fierce competition. I’ve been waiting for ages for the right moment; tonight seemed perfect, a reward after a killer home-cooked steak and scotch main course.
Sometimes I don’t like awarding the victory to the big guy but in this case I can’t help it, Love Tea #7’s got me. Despite very similar ingredients, I don’t find enough OOMPH in Bluebird’s lovely take. It’s very clear to me when tasting them side by side that this tea shines in the floral compared to David’s chocolate and berry notes… and in these stakes, chocolate and berry win my love.
Still, this is a lovely tea. I think it’s best served black with a touch of sugar to bring out those sweet, sweet florals. Thanks to Scheherazade for the sample!
Ooooh it’s a deep burn. Ohhhhhhh. This was a bonus treat from Scheherazade in our swap, so thank you! Woo! I don’t often go for chocs or chais and I did end up regifting most of this sample to a friend who is a fan of such things, but I couldn’t resist taking just enough for myself to sample the once.
And then I did my wonderful work trick of forgetting about my still-steeping tea, and this oversteeped—for around 15mins. So it’s got a KICK to it, son! SHEESH. I tamed the beast with a teaspoon of sugar and a dollop of milk, and now I’m getting that creamy chocolatey taste and the chilli isn’t knocking me on my ass. Ooh, this would be good on a cold winter night (and they’re not too far around the corner for me).
Good job with this blend! And thanks again to Sarah for forcing me to try things I wouldn’t otherwise gravitate toward. The joy of tea strikes again!
Flavors: Chocolate, Cream, Honey
Preparation
First I oversteeped today’s brew a little and then I overcompensated with a liberal application of sugar—I don’t even think it was required, in hindsight. A couple of extra minutes of steeping hasn’t destroyed this tea at all. I’m so happy with it. Delicious black flavoured tea. I would never have approached this if it weren’t in my Monstrositea March box. Hooray for subscriptions!
Preparation
I’m actually a bit sad that I left the last of my sample of this from my Monstrositea March box to play around with, because it turns out I don’t like it spliced with mint as much as I like it on its own. Oh well. That’s what experiments are for, aren’t they? I’d probably stock this again once I’m out of other Ayurvedic blends, because this definitely was enjoyable and I honestly smashed through my sample of it. An easy go-to for a herbal brew at any time of day.
Back to a favourite tonight just to pop in and say hello (and up my rating; I can’t help it, I’m obsessed). The glorious ashleyelizabeth was kind enough to do a Davids run as part of our tea swap and basically doubled my Fantasy Island stocks, as I was already getting a little desolate about my dwindling supply.
Had just a small cup with a dash of milk and sugar each tonight, and boy did my mouth sing. Also had a small huffing session. Cannot ever get enough of the dry scent of this tea. And the tea itself. And everything.
I think I have to call it, you guys. Fantasy Island is my DAVIDsTEA. I think a lot of their blends are good, but much like Wes Anderson films, you always have a favourite. One that’s yours. For me, it’s Moonrise Kingdom and Fantasy Island. I guess I’m just whimsical as shit that way.
This one never worked for me, but Dolce Vita from RiverTea is my raspberry coconut delight that I can’t get enough of. :)
Well now that’s got to go on my wish list!
Hehe :P It is awesome! And if I remember correctly, RiverTea is a German company so it may be easier to get it in Australia. Or we could always figure out a swap at some point. :)
I was just about to say, I’ll sweet-talk you into a swap one of these days ;)
All my swaps have arrived successfully so far! And as it turns out a lot of companies will send to Australia, just freight can sometimes add up so I’d want to be sure of my purchases before committing to them.
Plus there’s the fact that I still have close to a hundred teas loitering around :|
Yay! I’ve sent a few things to Australia before (not tea) and I’ve never had problems either. That’s understandable haha. Shipping costs are the worst!
I’m happy to swap to Australia as well – I know the last time, I was just careful not to put fruits and seed teas in because of customs.
Ahh thanks ladies! I’ll come at you both for swaps when my current cupboard looks a little leaner ;)
Sil—I’ve had some fruit teas come through in my recent swaps, I think it can be a little hit and miss with Customs checks! Better for me in any case ;)
