The Killer’s Vanilla

I tried this because I felt I should. I wrote off guayusa a while ago but I thought to try it again because tastes change. I’ve been waiting for it to cool off for a while and it’s still hot but not burningly hot.

I am not sure how to describe how guayusa tastes to me, but earthy comes up a lot so I’ll use that. The mint really softens it down and makes it somewhat palatable. If I had to drink guayusa, this is a good one so far. It did, however, immediately give me a headache. I didn’t really get any vanilla except perhaps in the smoothness of the brew. It leaves an interesting aftertaste and a bit of a burning feeling in the back of the throat and for some reason behind my eyes.

It’s possible I’m sensitive to this as I am to honeybush so I think I’ll put some time between now and the next trial of this type of tea. If you do like guayusa though, I think this is a really good tea for you.

I knew this wouldn’t be a favorite going into it, since I’m very much not a fan of spearmint. And it isn’t. But I am finding it surprisingly drinkable! The mint dominates, but the other flavors tone it down just enough to make the blend work for me. I can’t really pick out the vanilla, but I do think it’s helping to soften the mint, and to lend the blend a faintly creamy texture. The lavender’s quite weak, but I imagine its presence also goes toward balancing out the mint. I am getting some of that earthy guayusa flavor, but it isn’t as pronounced here as in, say, Butiki’s Cider Guayusa. This is certainly not something I’d buy (or drink again, necessarily), but I’m glad to have had the chance to try it – and to be reminded that spearmint can, occasionally, be okay in small doses. Thanks for the sample, Kaylee!

Another tea from the box Shelley_Lorraine sent. This is definitely a relaxing tea. I drank it this morning for breakfast and promptly felt so tired I took a two hour nap! So much for the caffeine aspect of this tea! :-)

As I drank it, it tasted almost like a mix of seasonings. I kept wonderinng how it would taste in chicken. Dark, leafy, and slightly cooling- I guess I was expecting even more vanilla. I think I would have to drink this one more time to make up my mind. BUT I think I’ll wait until another day so I don’t have another nap.

I’m finding that the more I drink this one, the more I can taste the lavender. Familiarity, maybe? Ordinarily, floral teas aren’t my thing at all. I can make an exception for this one, though, because the vanilla and mint are such a wonderful combination, and because together they make lavender into something I find both palatable and delicious. I also like the caffeine boost I get from this one, particularly at work! My current favourite of the Butiki guayusa blends.

I was sent a sample of this by Kaylee in a tea swap. I just tried it and immediately bought 4 oz. It’s so good. I’m alert and relaxed. Time to read.

Today was a “I’m just gonna hit the snooze one more time” kind of morning. I still feel like a zombie so I’m trying this sample from Stacy.

Ironically this tastes like a relaxing nighttime herbal tea, which actually works cause you can stay in chill out mode while this gently massages you awake. The mint, guayusa and a trace of lavender are all floating together on a creamy vanilla cloud. This is my first try of guayusa, and based on this blend, I like its earthy, kind of “foresty” flavor.

If this successfully wakes me up, it’s going on my next order. It’s yet another delicious blend by Butiki.

I am in the middle of an intense bout of writer’s block. It’s bad. Probably why I am slacking on the tea reviews. But I needed something with a gentle kick in the pants of energy so I figured Killer’s Vanilla would work. It was the perfect jolt of energy with a calming vanilla, minty and lavender accent. I also love the sort of roasty background that the guayusa adds on the finish. I did, however, finish the last of the ounce that I had when I made this iced. So very refreshing especially with spicy food.

This guyasa had a lot to live up to, since I had just tried Tangerine Creamsicle and Good Morning Sunshine, also from Butiki Teas. But I thought it was pretty good! To me, the mint was the featured flavor, and the vanilla just added the right amount of creaminess. I didn’t taste the lavender at all—at least I don’t think I did, which is good, since I’m not that fond of lavender. I would certainly recommend this one for a mint tea lover who wants to try something different.

as i sip i identify tastes for what i know and use metaphor for what i do not.

firstly, this is a very soothing blend, as stated. i like vanilla and mint, but they can taste medicinal and i am not a huge fan of lavender. that said, these three elements are a trio, cleverly bonded and timed by stacy and her team! … … (at least i hope she has a team, otherwise this is a whole lot of work for one person). the flavours hit the tongue in sequence— like notes played on a piano:

vanilla (must have been tumbled in a dryer because it is warm and round)
mint (slight sharp sensation)
lavender (toned down and doesn’t crawl up my nose)
leaves a fresh palate.

now the guayasa is something i am unfamiliar with before this tea (yes i know it may have been wiser to sample my sample of plain guayasa first but that didn’t happen so hush! =0) the guayasa adds a further depth to the piano playing flavours reminiscent of benign roots… not like roasted roots (ie parsnips at thanksgiving) more like an alternate earth smell.

alright, this will sound vaguely nuts but what’s new in my reviews? you know when you’re gardening and you pull up something dangerous, deadly nightshade say, and there is this horrible twang that makes you want to shove tea tree oil up your nose to make it quit? THAT IS NOT THE KIND OF ROOT I MEAN. have you ever pulled up one of those huge wanna-be-a-tree dandelions along with its foot and a half long tap root? it doesn’t smell just like soil… it smells sweet and basic, no astrigency. THAT is the root i mean.

i like this! i think (as usual) i will have to tinker a bit, i want it stronger than the directions recommend. i also am getting used to the entirely different way of disseminating caffeine… i can feel it in my body, but haven’t tasted it on my tongue. i suspect that trying to compare this tea to any other kind of leafed tea will leave you frustrated.

PS: contrary being that i am i prefer an 8 minute steep over the recommended 6. it really is a beautiful and effective tea. two cups this morning served as breakfast and lunch and wake up. no crash, no loss of energy. excellent!

First off this was my first guayusa. I researched it a little and was pleased to learn of it’s caffeine nature being a little more gentle than coffee but providing high alertness and energy.
I know I remember reading it was a vanilla mint tea when I purchased it but I had forgotten and the sweet minty aroma was a nice surprise! At first I taste the mint then the vanilla comes to play and adds a wonderful creaminess. The guayusa base has a nice earthiness that is not overpowering. I think I taste the lavender but I can’t be sure since I have never tried a lavender tea or guayusa before.
I really like the combination of flavors here and although I do enjoy freshly roasted and ground coffee many mornings, The Killer’s Vanilla will be replacing coffee many mornings!
Thanks Stacy for this “killer” tisane!