I see why this is the best seller. Honestly, this tea was what I imagined Golden Orchid tasting like, but was sorely disappointed when I had that Whispering Pines tea. This one did not disappointment me at all. The vanilla is smooth and sweet, but compliments the natural cocoa, nutmeg, and yam notes of the Dianhong. There’s no bitterness, no astringency, and no to little dehydrating effect for me. The entire tea is naturally sweet, it’s perfect straight. I was also able to steep it four times (I used the entire pearl. It was best in the first two steeps and still great in the last two, going up to boiling in the latter.
It’s one of Liquid Proust Tea’s more expensive selections, but considering that the quality of the Dian Hong is comparable to some of the higher end ones I’ve had, this is worth it. I almost bought some of the Imperial Bud from Whispering Pines for my morning routine at school instead, but this is close yet unique and beyond good enough for me to have. My mornings are now infinitely better.
Like a few other people have said, I’m not getting the bread notes from the Dianhong too much and not sure French Toast is the right name. Random ideas that popped in my head were Vanilla Pearl, Liquid Dessert, Pearl Dessert, or The Black Pearl, which are probably throw outs. (Though Black Pearl partially makes sense if Captain Jack Sparrow decided to trade some vanilla from Tahiti or Madagascar, or if the base was mixed with a woodier tea that makes you think of a boat). I smell the toast in the dry leaf and see how it’s close with the vanilla and nutmeg notes. I don’t think that’s a bad thing that it does not have the bread notes, and it wouldn’t be bad with them either. I think that this tea on its own serves as a desert tea which also serves my diabetic needs.
Flavors: Chocolate, Malt, Nutmeg, Smooth, Sweet, Vanilla, Yams
