3016 Tasting Notes
I have been having reflux issues big time lately so no night snacking for a while for me. I knew the reflux was going to make me hoarse, and sure enough Alexa asked me to confirm who I was this morning when I added something to the shopping list.
I don’t really like red rooibos but I decided to try this since I have had a couple of flavored ones that were okay. (I love flavored green rooibos.) surely Dammann would do a good job.
I think they did, too. I would not go out and buy this, but if I didn’t have anything else caffeine free to drink, I wouldn’t be crushed. The cherry cough syrup, woody red rooibos flavor is there, but the type of citrus flavors they put with it slide in there and make them more palatable. It is fresh and bright and would probably be pretty good iced.
I am glad I tried it, even if I wouldn’t seek it out!
I can not believe this was listed in my cupboard. I was so proud of getting a sipdown this morning and now I had to add a tea that I have literally owned for years.
For some reason I bought a one pound bag of this many years ago. I tend to avoid mint teas so why I did that is anyone’s guess. Maybe I thought I would make a habit of drinking it at night, or I just wanted to make mouse deterrent bags.
Anyway, here we are years later and still a big bag. I decided to try it as a syrup to add to Perrier for fizzy lunch drinks. I think we will knock it out this way this summer. It was really good even though it is old. I did add just a touch of vanilla to make it a little more interesting but it was fine as it was, too.
Now to work on the one pound bag of lavender that I bought around the same time. That one is half empty, though, because I enjoy making lavender syrup for lavender sodas!
Next time around, I will buy the small tin.
A sipdown!
I have been having this for breakfast, and it is great with pretty much any breakfast food. Today I drank a small pot all by myself and I am feeling the caffeine!
Almond and amaretto are such marvelous flavors. Dammann Freres didn’t mess them up!
My best friend loves white tea. She doesn’t love strong flavors most of the time, although her favorite teas are Blueberry Green from Harney, Hot Cinnamon Spice from Harney, and Chocolate Strawberry Puerh from Lupicia.
Other than these, she drinks milder teas. I got the email for the release of this tea from Harney and informed her right away. It was listed as sold out. I signed up to be notified when it was back in stock so she could try it and very shortly got an email that it was. I let her know and clicked the link. BOOM. Sold out. I signed up again. That night I tried to order it again and it was in stock! I got her tin and decided to revisit the site the next day. Sold out again.
I guess the combination of flavors sounds very appealing to a lot of people or the cocktail recipe I caused in the description must sound really good. I hope this means that they will come wider making this available in loose leaf.
The flavors are apricot, lemon, lavender, honey and vanilla. What I taste is the mildest apricot that I have experienced from Harney teas, with zero lavender, a hint of lemon, and a hint of vanilla. I tried making a second steep and combining the two as a sweet tea for Ashman but it was so mild that I threw some fruit and ice in it and made him an “Icee.”
For my friend and myself, I made it hot and we both enjoyed it. After she left I tried to resteep the bags and it was drinkable a light but even milder than the first time around.
Maybe I need to play with it a bit more to make the flavors stronger. Based on how strong their other apricot and peach teas are, I am surprised this is so mild.
It is quite good and I would love to buy it loose leaf if they make that happen, but be aware that it is mildly flavored. No punch you in the face fruit here. I am going to experiment because these flavors sounds awesome for iced tea, but it wasn’t strong enough for Ashman imo.
June Sipdown Prompt – A true sipdown
I am using this one for my true sipdown because sometimes we have a sipdown but we are planning to re-order the tea right away or another tin is waiting in the wings. This one can’t be re-ordered as it was a limited edition tea, thus it is a true sipdown that will not be coming back on shelf.
The tin is so classically handsome that I plan to keep it for holding sample sachets. In fact, I have already filled it as soon as the last sachet came out this morning.
This was a very classic black tea blend with a little extra pizzazz from the Ceylon Silver Tips. Both Ashman and I liked it plain, and there are not many plain black teas that he takes with no milk or sugar.
June Sipdown Prompt – drink a tea with milk!
I actually had two lattes today – Birthday Cake Matcha in the afternoon and this one as “dessert.” I made a paste of the powder and sugar, divided it between two glasses, added milk and frothed it, and topped it with a little whipped cream and some sprinkles that ChelseaR gave me.
The banana flavor is so mild but really perfect for me. This one is almost gone and I believe it will be a repurchase one day when the cupboard is under control.
I was given a single sachet sample of this, but I would definitely buy it one day if I were placing a Dammann Freres order. I really get burned out on chamomile in the evening pretty easily, so the discovery of green rooibos base teas was a thrill. And now here is a tea with mostly lemongrass base that smells so good in the pouch that you want to eat it like candy. This is sweet a d citrusy with a hont of vanilla and a little licorice scent.
I can’t see any star anise in my sachet but I definitely smell it. I wouldn’t mind the anise being stronger, but this is still so good. I had it with a Fortnum and Mason Raspberry and Rose Florentine because I had a bad case of snackies tonight. I am well satisfied.
Tried this tonight with Superanna. This was so fresh and grassy, vibrant tasting, with salty seaweed aroma and lovely smooth seaweed flavor. One person tasted it and said it smelled like cooked eggs, but I mostly think of brothy and the briny aspect of seaweed.
The resteep is nice and full of flavor as well. Both steeps had a rich, broth-like appearance as well. You can almost feel the antioxidants coursing through your veins…
A sipdown!
I am drinking a huge pot of this tea this morning as clouds and cool breezes have moved in, the windchimes are singing, and all is still.
The Keemun is raspy like cocoa on the tongue, just as it should be, although this one is not particularly chocolate-y in flavor. The maple flavor was so good with breakfast which included waffles with maple syrup. This is one of the few times I pair like with like. I guess the contrast of the toasty, raspy Keemun makes it work.
I don’t think I would like the pairing if I sweetened this tea and added milk, as that would indeed be too little contrast, but as a stand alone cup that might be good for a desserty, satisfying treat for a sweet tooth attack.
For me, this is perfect just as it is when paired with food.
