This evening I’m enjoying a mug of this side to side with DT’s Pistachio Cream – and just doing a sort of comparison between the two. I thought it’d be really fun and interesting because they’re similar blends but also really different. It also puts me closer to a sipdown for each of the blends (I have about two cups of this left, and one of Pistachio Cream).
So for this mug, I get a light creaminess and sense of vanilla; but mostly a borderline vegetal (but mostly in a buttery way) roasted pistachio flavour. I’ve written several notes on this blend before and have likely summarized the flavour experience of this one before in a more eloquent way.
The big thing that I find with this blend is that it’s very consistent and always yields similar, practically identical cups. It also takes milk very well and that helps to enhance the creaminess of it while mellowing the roasted aspect of the pistachio; however today I’m enjoying it straight.
As for the Pistachio Cream from DAVIDsTEA, I’ve only had it once prior to now – and it was sloppily prepared and just a disaster overall – though I didn’t think it tasted too bad despite all that. Preparing it now under my own conditions, I think it’s definitely a more “low maintenance” blend compared to the Pistachio Ice Cream so that’s something in its favour.
Taste wise, this one is MUCH more creamy and it has a naturally thicker mouthfeel to it that exaggerates that quality of it. The pistachio still shines through; but in a sweeter and just slightly less natural way; like “Pistachio Pudding” as opposed to actual pistachios. Does that make sense? I’ve never tried this with milk, so I’m not sure how that would add or detract from this blend.
Also, a major downside to this one is that’s it’s discontinued so if you really fall in love with it then you’re SOL because it’s not that easy to get a hold of anymore.
My personal feelings; I like Pistachio Cream because of it’s thick mouthfeel and creaminess but I have a slightly higher appreciation for Pistachio Ice Cream because it captures a more realistic pistachio, is a green tea I can actually get behind, I know it’s consistent, and I can recreate that creaminess by adding milk.
However, both are good.
I preferred Pistachio Cream personally however you really need to be in the mood to drink it where as this I think is easy to drink when you are feeling meh about the flavor.