I really wanted to love this one, but I had a hard time with it. I’m a libra rising and was excited about the pistachio rose dessert flavor direction.
Trying it out straight, it was actually soapy and astringent. There are numerous people raving on the site, but my tea was very off balance, even with 30 second steeps and no more than a teaspoon. I actually had to add sugar to cut back on the white astringency and cloying, heady flavor.
I haven’t decided on the rating yet, but it’s overpowering compared to the other blends so far. It definitely taps into the fake niceties of the sign, but I feel like I’m missing something. Again, I love the idea and the ingredients in the blend-especially the use of white pearls for the base. However, I taste pistachio paste sitting in a soapy rosed up milk bath. White tea is also a common ingredient in soaps, so….the tea could be adding to the soapy taste too. Is it the cake flavor throwing me off if there is one?
Sugar cut back the astringency and balanced the pistachio and rose together, giving more middle eastern dessert vibes. I really liked it, though again, too cloying for frequent drinking. Anyway, I might change my mind on it. I think I’m using too much leaf, but we’ll see.
Flavors: Artificial, Astringent, Bitter, Floral, Nuts, Pecan, Pistachio, Rose, Soap, Sweet
How’d you brew this one? I found it to be particularly tricky to brew.
About three or four pearls in a 16oz mug, along with a few of the petals and a hunk of pistachio. About 90C water, and like 5 or so minutes to steep? Maybe longer? I didn’t time the infusion.
Okay, I’ve done 4 pearls for 8 oz and it’s overpowering. So lowering ratio is a must then!