Thai Temple

Latte!

Made this today as just a hot latte using oat milk. I’ve definitely had a lot of iced lattes lately, and hot matcha lattes but I think it’s been a moment since I made a hot latte using loose leaf tea. I’ve just been on just a large iced beverage streak…

I adore the dry leaf smell of this. It’s very, very anise forward in that sweet but heavy/dense molasses and black licorice sort of way. On top of that there’s a nice hint of clove, but otherwise in aroma I’d call this a bit of a licorice bomb.

Steeped with the added oat milk the colour is actually pretty close to the more intense orange/brown of a traditional “Thai Tea” (like, the bubble tea) but just a more natural hue. Like the smell, it’s a black licorice/anise forward profile but with a whole lot of body and maltiness from the base tea, as well as a more earthy spice undertone. I’d wager this is probably pretty darn polarizing given how mixed opinions on anise and clove can be, but I quite enjoyed it as a latte today. In fact, it was probably the best tea I had all day. I feel like it does a nice job nodding to its inspiration while still being its own distinct thing!

I’ve resisted having this one, but I’ve been craving for it straight without any additives despite saving it for sweet and condensed milk again. I tried some, and it definitely works for the blend iced, but it’s more comforting hot. Granted, I like hot tea over iced tea most of the time anyway even in hot months, but the way the anise melts into the clove and creamy vanilla always sits right with me, especially amidst the puerh and softer black tea bases. It’s actually very soothing on my stomach and my throat, and I was a trigger away from getting more of this one in my next order if it weren’t for the fall flavor sampler going on discount, especially with an oolong I’m gunning for.

I’m back in a phase of wanting to try no teas and limited editions in addition to bulking my staples. So stupid of me. Then again, there’s What-Cha and other sites adding really cool experimental teas more within my tasting range too, but I haven’t bought from in a while and I keep going towards blends with occasional pure teas. Now, you have back to school angst coming in, and now I’m planning on my work rotation for the dealing with the Youth.

Going back to this one, it’s soothing and grounding while tasting like Eggnog. It definitely has a Thai tea tasting profile, yet it’s way more mild compared to the spice punch from the Tamarind you get. I can’t decide to rate it. I know I’ve stood in my 80-90 comfort zone lately, and me wanting to keep coming back to this tea is throwing off my rating a little bit. It rebrews pretty well, scores points for being forgiving and easy to drink on its own, and is versatile, so that’s at least above a 70%, + 10% for the balance of flavors, and then the soothing nature of the tea that keeps me coming back to it pushing it near 90 for me. Sometimes, it’s a little too mild and I wish there was a little bit more of a spice kick, and other times I want the mild nature of this tea. It’s roughly $11 for an oz of this, and I think it’s $33 for roughly 4 oz of it, though I think I’m partly wrong.

I think this is an easy tea for beginners for sure, and I think more experienced drinkers would want more kick and richness for this one to justify the price perhaps. I also see people who really don’t like Pu-Erh yet want to like Pu-Erh enjoying this one, and I’d hate to say it, it kinda reminds me of the few Butiki blends I’ve gotten to try. Simple and soothing and …basic.