1433 Tasting Notes
I drank a lot of this today. Like two different sessions for 5 cups. The first two cups were creamy vanilla caramel delight. This session has a bit more of an edge – brandy-like as advertised. Both smell like dulce de leche and they fill up the room with it (I can still smell things despite being super congested, hurrah!). I wish I had churros to pair but this tea is also a whole dessert in itself.
Flavors: Brandy, Bread, Caramel, Coconut, Cream, Malt, Smooth, Vanilla
Preparation
This was included as a free sample in my last order. It was also part of the advent but I’m not sad to drink it again. This spice blend is fantastic latte material.
Evol Ving Ness suggested tea and honey, and nothing goes better with honey than spicy turmeric and ginger! I steamed some milk, made some pretty foam, steeped the tea bag in the milk, and added a generous amount of honey. All is good (mostly). My only complaint is I wish the baggy contained more so I could really overdo the heat; I crave intense ginger burn right now. Hopefully sleep will do the rest tonight!
Flavors: Cinnamon, Earthy, Ginger, Spices, Turmeric
Preparation
On paper, I think this tea sounds like it should be as delectable as chewing on toothpaste. In reality I love this creamy spearmint tea; it’s also a 52Teas classic with an apt name. I’m so grateful that it’s part of “D’s Teas”, and that I picked up a little pouch with my last order; my throat is thankful too. It’s always a comfort during trying times.
Going through my past tasting notes, I noticed they’re almost entirely for Frank’s run (minus one from six years ago.. that may be Anne’s reblend). Time to switch that up! I do love going back and seeing how my feelings towards this tea morphed from skepticism to love and “security blanket-like” affection though. 9+ years of this tea in my life.. it’s been with me through dismal rentals and ailing grandmothers and I appreciate it to bits.
Flavors: Creamy, Earthy, Grass, Herbaceous, Marshmallow, Smooth, Spearmint, Vanilla, Vegetal
Preparation
Ugh, my throat is so sore. I love my sister, niece and nephew, but every time I see them this happens (they are adorable little plagues, and now I’m a not so adorable big plague and must act accordingly. sigh).
This tea has citric snap from assorted berries and citrus (and maybe the bright black base), with a hint of indulgent pepper and vanilla. It tastes great with or without milk, despite having what I suspect is a bergamot inclination.
There’s a lot going on here but it’s pleasingly well-balanced and round; it also feels like a “everyday” drinker, despite the pretenses it gives off. Unlike some teas from this company, I fell in love with it right away too. I’m trying to savour my 100g because I don’t know when I’d order from Mariage Freres again, but it’s likely in vain. I reach for this one a lot.
Flavors: Bergamot, Berries, Black Currant, Blackberry, Citrus, Fruity, Malt, Pepper, Tart, Vanilla
Preparation
I referred to my nephews as germ incubators this week, but I think adorable little plagues sounds much better. I hope you feel yourself again soon!!
*Feel like yourself again soon. Oops…
lol, I totally didn’t catch that typo the first read-through,
Thank you for the well wishes, as well as the unintentional laugh XD
Hope this throat thing is dispatched quickly. Good excuse for tea with honey. Or just tea. This tea sounds quite lovely.
Ahh, the same thing happens when we visit with our nephews. Tiny plague vectors! Hope you feel better soon.
Thanks everyone :)
Mastress Alita’s sipdown challenge Sunday, December 26th: National Candy Cane Day Tea
Ok, ok.. I won’t hoard my last serving! Goodbye delicious Peppermint Candy Genmaicha.
This is my 10th mug of tea this evening, so I should probably call it quits (but new teas are too good).
Flavors: Candy, Creamy, Herbaceous, Mint, Peppermint, Toasted Rice, Vanilla, Vegetal
Preparation
Hahaha, ten cups…
Hope they are small cups.
Where’s your nephew when you need him?
Erm.. they were all 16oz/473ml each? I should start recording my measurements on here..
Erm.. they were all 16oz/473ml each? I should start recording my measurements on here..My nephew is probably recovering from the over-indulgences of yesterday XD
Ten hours have passed. Are you still up?
Ten? Have mercy! (Holding my peace and not making any middle-aged bladder jokes here…)
I totally conked out around 1am, which is quite good for me! Miraculous.
And, yes – I was good friend’s with the washroom yesterday. Whoops…
Hahaha, you two…
This tea is straightforward but delicious. The fruity mangosteen and bright malty base end on a perfumed cream-like note that makes my tongue melt (I also have “Mango Lassi” and it has the same cream-like quality. It’s so good). I initially felt bad that I forwent the Passion Fruit with the Black Tea base for this, but when I see a rarity like mangosteen I don’t walk, I run!
There’s no mangosteen on Steepster’s flavour list, but Dammann Frères’ descriptor of “peach-pear-passion fruit” more than suffices. That’s essentially what this round, dark purple-ish red fruit with white flesh tastes like if you’re lucky enough to find a bruised and battered one in a specialty market around here (they sadly don’t travel well). The tea nailed it and my fruit-loving heart is happy! Now, if only this company did a “tamarind pop” tea.
Steep Count: 2
Flavors: Cream, Floral, Fruity, Malt, Passion Fruit, Peach, Smooth, Tangy, Tropical Fruit
Preparation
Oooo—mangosteen! Wow. Well done, you!
I find mangosteen and passionfruit overlap in flavour.
Yep! That’s why I felt it would be a safe choice, given how much I adore this company’s passion fruit flavour. I only picked up tropical fruit teas, and there are so many I eventually want to try..
Also, bonus – when I finally get down to the post office, all these 100gs of tea “share” well. Just a warning..
Did you ever get a chance to try a “fresher” mangosteen when you worked in China? I sadly forgot to prioritize that when I did some travelling around Southeast Asia (Bangkok, Vietnam, Singapore). One of my deepest regrets, that :P
Hahaha, with the post office. :)
I had a fresh fruit hut/shop close to my apartment and I was there every couple of days. Mangosteen was either in season or always available because I was buying it all the time.
I don’t recall much, if any, exposure to it in Thailand or Vietnam. (But i don’t recall fruit shops there either.). Most of my fruit-gobbling was done at the fruit carving carts—pineapple and mango mostly. I do remember jackfruit and durian there, but I can’t recall when I got it.
Haven’t been to Singapore yet.
My big regret is not having been into or knowledgeable about tea when I was in Yunnan. Of course, all over China too, but especially when I was in Yunnan.
Ooh, I’ve never had mangosteen, but now I’m intrigued to add this to my cart!
Sweet – you will be in a good position to assess this “mangosteen” tea then! The only fresh fruit that I can recall trying was durian (I’d love to see that as a flavoured tea hehe). I didn’t spend very long in Singapore, Vietnam, etc and would love to go back. So much food and tea. :)
That’s such a cool experience! I’d love to explore Yunnan one day(and everywhere).. and I’ve similar feelings re- spending nearly a month in Japan with an unlimited train pass, and not checking out various green tea spots… Because I’d yet to realize how much I love their green teas. Regrets, always.
@Courtney – if you like passion fruit (especially DF’s treatment of it) or fruit in general you may enjoy this one.
I adore passionfruit, so I have already gone and added this one haha!
I remember one company which do only tea bags having mangosteen tea. I think it was combined with black currant.
I never had it on my own and oh, this tea sounds delicious.
Ooooh, black currant and mangosteen sounds like a winning combo if it’s done properly. Thank you for mentioning that, Martin. It’s made my morning just that much better.
CrowKettle, I was only in Yunnan province for about two weeks. Not nearly enough time to see the things and places I wanted to see. I loved it though.
And yes, I’d love to explore everywhere too. To see and eat all the things.
@Martin Bednář, mangosteen + black currant sounds like it could be so good! Even if only the black currant came through I’d be happy haha.
I had a Mangosteen Matcha a million years ago. It was pleasant but wasn’t accurate.
Has anyone made a truly great black currant black tea?
Erm, There was a local company in Vancouver (Steam Tea House?) that had a basic one. I don’t see it or their maple on the site anymore though.. Bulk Barn’s wasn’t terrible either? (lolol)I think EG-esque “Thé de Lune” has notes of black currant (which is why I like it) – but it’s MF so it tastes like various different things to different people, with no consensus.
Long story short: no, I can’t think of any definite showstoppers.
Thank you for mulling this over aloud. Too bad. One of my favourite flavours.
—goes to check what the deal is with black currant and DF.
I’m going to sit on this one before giving it a rating – although it’s pretty tasty!
The passion fruit is a little lighter than in other Dammann Frères teas but there are a host of fruits and flavours it shares the stage with – some as yet to be determined (but I have 100g so lots of time to figure it out)! I think this green oolong is on the lightly roasted side – with darker gold broth. My brain translates this to the usual “ice cream cone” malt flavour of all roasted oolong teas; because of the flavouring though, that roast shifts and supports something interesting – lychee! As it cools, I get more mango too – the dried candied kind, I think. It’s neat.
Steep Count: 3
Flavors: Floral, Fruity, Lychee, Malt, Mango, Mineral, Passion Fruit, Roasted, Smooth, Vegetal
Preparation
I caved and ordered teas mid-advent (Day 7 – when I realized this wasn’t part of it). I think the parcel arrived (incredibly fast) around the time I was a food poisoned blob; my family members then intercepted the parcel at the post office on my behalf, and discretely wrapped up the individual teas as my Christmas presents. Thanks, guys.
After the opening (shock, gasp), I steeped this up yesterday (a little too hot at 200F) and was so enamoured with it I took my open ceramic mug in the car with me for the Christmas Dinner (no travel mug for this tea). And now I’m having yet another cup, but steeped cooler and for less time.
I’m in passion fruit/jasmine paradise right now (two of my big “yes” flavours btw). All of those who predicted I’d love this, in spite of the green/black base, are so very correct. It is a little tart but it compliments the kind of tropical and citrus fruits included in the profile. Currently, I’m successfully pretending I’m on vacation somewhere much warmer (goodbye snow).
Steep Count: 2
Flavors: Bergamot, Citrus, Floral, Fruity, Jasmine, Mango, Passion Fruit, Pineapple, Sour, Tart, Tropical Fruit
Preparation
Oooh, this one is in my cart — so excited!
:)
I got a little tin of it, which I predict shall be filled again when it runs out next year. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Jasmine/Passion fruit tea before.
I am SO pleased that you adore this. Absolutely fab.
This one is Amazing!
Dammann Frères Advent 2021 – Day 23
Better late than never! This simple herbal has one job and I believe it does it well. If unsweetened dark chocolate oranges were my kryptonite this tisane would be a lovely caffeine and calorie-free alternative. As it is, I enjoy it as an on point festive advent selection but wouldn’t buy any for myself.
And that wraps up my advent from Dammann Frères! Despite not loving teas with apples, cherries, and Christmas “potpourri” in general – I enjoyed this festive advent so much. It also led to the discovery of excellent passion fruit, lemon, and ginger flavouring that I want more of. Price-wise, it was also relatively affordable (and I already ordered more passion fruit teas, so this advent won the war).
Flavors: Cocoa, Orange
Preparation
I’m so excited to see (hear) your thoughts on more passionfruit teas!
Also, did you have My Panettone in the advent by any chance?
I didn’t. There were so many teas not included in the advent, including all the “Noels” I wanted to try. Depending on the line-up next year, I’d do this one again.
Aw, such a shame! I have it in my cart, but was hoping for a few reviews (there is one from Evol Ving Ness at least!).
We enjoyed the calendar so much last year! We’re getting it again this year (we do it in February for Lexa’s birthday), but I have a bunch in my cart as well to make the most of the shipping cost haha!
Yeah, I’ve no clue! Maybe Evol Ving Ness can weigh in more. Almond tea isn’t really a go-to for me (unless Marzipan/Amaretto), so I wouldn’t be the best of judges anyways :P
I kind of wish I’d grabbed a bunch from both French companies when I bought the advents but I didn’t know what to expect so only bought one additional 100g tea each. If I do advents next year I’ll be wiser like you :)
Haha! Well, in fairness I only got the advent last year and replacements of teas I already knew I loved. I wasn’t brave enough to venture any further haha!
Twelve Days of Tea 2021 – Day Ten
I was planning to savour this a little longer, but then my EG fiend of a sister came over, took one sniff and proclaimed “that one”! The bag got dumped into the biggest pot I have, and even my 1 1/2 year old nephew managed to gulp down large quantities of a lukewarm cup and loudly exclaim “TEA! TEA!” (He likes to come over and sniff all my tea. While we try not to actually give him anything caffeinated, sometimes when we aren’t looking he acts lightening fast…).
This is simply a hit. Enough said.
Flavors: Bergamot, Citrus, Coconut, Creamy, Malt, Vanilla
Preparation
I pulled one of my old 2019 packets out to have this one this morning as well. Had a hankering.
Haha, even your one and a half year old nephew is a convert! Well done!
Work friend of mine has a two-year-old grandson who already asks for his own cup of “peppa tea” when Grandma makes one.
yes – seemed like the perfect day to pull out the Foggy Coconut.
@gmathis, That’s beyond adorable!I thought that some hojicha or “Forever Nuts” would be good starters for him; peppermint would be good too! He already seems to have a taste for EG though.. D:
Sounds like your tastebuds are functioning: another good sign. YAY!