218 Tasting Notes
My order arrived yesterday! I say my order, but in all honesty I’ve been sharing the DT love with others that 7 over people went in on it with me. Pretty impressive stuff from the other side of the planet.
But on to checkmate! I got is one based on the description and people’s reviews, it sounded pretty tasty. I had my first cup last night, steeped for around 5 minutes at 90oC. Was really quite yummy, I could taste a prominent malt flavour, with a slight aftertaste of chocolate. I can also still identify the white and black teas, both of which are very nice to drink. Was an enjoyable first cup.
Resteeped the leaves this morning at boiling for around the same time. The coconut is more prominent on the nose at the higher temperature. The flavours are actually more subtle at the higher temp.
I quite like this one. Not a mind blowing experience, but still very tasty. Will enjoy finishing my 50g bag.
And now, for the hot rating. I had this one at 100oC, Steeped for around5 minutes in a DT perfect mug to keep all the goodness in. A small dollop of honey was added. I’ve upped the rating for the hot tea.
So yesterday was the coldest day of the year thus far in SE Australia. Combined with my currently woefully insulated house, I spent the entire day blowing my nose. As in literally the entire day, I could get about a one minute break before needing another tissue. Not the way I’d intended spending Easter Monday. By about dinner time, I’d gotten so sick of the nose blowing I ended up taking some cold and flu tablets to stop the dribbling. By 10 pm I was actually able the get to sleep, which was a huge improvement (though I had that drug induced blocked dry nose. At least waking up very few hours for more water was better than not being able to sleep due to the runny nose). Anywho, by the time I woke up this morning the congestion had left my sinuses and move to my chest. Ick.
But then, my newly cleared head remembered the previously cold steeped Strawberry Ginger on my teashelf! Perhaps the ginger with a hit of strawberry and honey would be beneficial.
1st steep: the scent of the hot brew is fantastic! The tea smelled less tart than when iced, the strawberry and ginger were more prominent. The colour, just as when iced, is a deep magenta. The taste is much more a strawberry ginger blend rather than the tarter tea I tasted when iced. The strawberry and ginger are both easily identified, and are a tasty combination. The bit of honey I added made the tea extra tasty. I can feel the ginger doing lovely things to my throat. Very enjoyable.
2nd steep: a paler pink, and the ginger is more prominent in the smell and taste. Still very tasty.
Overall: I think I’ve enjoyed this one more hot than iced, and have upped the rating accordingly. Definitely worth a try hot for anyone wondering, and quite good on my sniffles!
I had this one yesterday after returning from the weekend market in my city. It had unexpectedly warmed up (oh March/April in Tasmania, so unpredictable!), so the boyfriend and I decided iced tea was the way to go. I did his Pink Flamingo in the steeper, so I made mine in a cocktail shaker (so easy, the best lazy iced tea option – just chuck everything in, water, ice tea sweetner etc, shake to mix and leave to steep for the required time then pour!). It was pretty warm yesterday, so I ended up having almost three different steeps in one brew!
I poured my first one after 5 minutes. The flavour in the first steep was a bit mild, almost like a gentle green. I could taste the tartness, as well as a bit of sweetness (not sure if it was the strawberry or the agave I added…). The colour was a mild pink, almost a salmon pink. I topped up the glass at 8 and 12 minutes with the remainder of the shaker contents. The colour and flavour became increasingly strong, the tartness and sweetness were more pronounced and the tea became tastier. I enjoyed all the flavour levels, but think the stronger one was best.
Overall opinion? Tasty as an iced tea (will have to try hot), especially when left (or forgotten!) to steep. Not as good as Pink Flamingo, and while I enjoyed it I don’t think I’d order some (not worth the international shipping), though I’d probably grab a cup or two if I lived closer to a DT!
Preparation
I had a bit of a sad day yesterday, so I hoped my first cup of jolly jellybean would bring some happiness. I put the recommended 2 scoops into the steeper, and had 3 jelly beans hiding in the scoops! Yay for getting a good bag! It smelled fantastic as it was brewing, a nice sweet jelly bean smell. The tea streamed out of the steeper and into my double walled tea glass (the best way to use the steeper is with glass, it makes it that much more enjoyable, promise!), and the tea was a nice earthy orange. So expectations were high.
After the whole glass, I was a left a bit wanting. It tastes nice, but I had that first glass naked and I think it could really benefit from a good dollop of agave. Will try again sweetened before rating.
I quite enjoy a bit of tartness in teas (I love Elf Help!), so I was looking forward to this one (after everyone else’s negative comments about the tartness!). I’ve iced this one to have with dinner as per the general recommendation, and am really enjoying it! Though I think the little bit of agave I added to the steeper is taking away from the tartness. Will try it virgin next time. All in all, I found it easy to drink, and quite sweet.
Preparation
Was intrigued by the description of this one when I read it here, I’ve never had mulberries before. So glad this was a surprise inclusion – had my first cup this afternoon. So tasty! I like caramel, and this is such a nice flavour! I like the coconut in it too, gives the caramel from the mulberries a nice twist. I have to agree that the white tea component isn’t overly strong or noticeable, but I still really enjoy the other flavours in this one. Now I just have to figure out how to hide it from the boyfriend…
Preparation
My DT order arrived yesterday, so its time for another round of tastings for new teas. First up was Daydreamer. I made iced tea for my timolino and my other half’s thermos this morning – our 28oc autumn day called for the iced option! I was really excited to try this one after reading the description too, I love both sencha and mango.
We both really enjoyed it! I do a nice subtle green blend, where the base tea is still taste-able, and the mango was a good match for the sencha. Very light and refreshing after walking through town to my office in the warmth. I did give mine a bit of a longer steep than recommended, I find sencha can cope with it as long as the water is cool enough. I find it helps bring out the accompanying fruit flavour.
All in all, I enjoyed this one. I’ll agree with others in that its not remarkable, or a instant must have (like the first time I tried Chocolate Rocket, for example), but still very enjoyable and refreshing.
