I need some peace and quiet. Today at work — Starbucks — was extremely busy with not enough staff, and yay the customers were just THRILLED about the inevitable wait times. On days like that I’m mentally DRAINED and I just fall unconcious when I go to bed.
So this seemed like a perfect opportunity to give this tea a try! The reason white tea appeals to me in the first place is that it just gives me this image of utter calm and relaxation: sipping slowly and closing your eyes as each delicate flavor gently washes over your tastebuds. The smell of this tea is very refreshing, so that seems like the perfect combination for what I need right now.
The tea leaves are very beautiful. The white leaves have that fuzzy look that white tea is so known for. There are very pretty pink buds in there as well that I didn’t notice while scooping into the infuser. There are real chunks of pineapple in this. You know we live in a scary artifical chemical world when for a moment you’re thinking “… what are those?” and then being absolutely stunned that there’s actual pineapple in there.
So I want to give Stacy a quick thankyou for your natural teas. It’s impossible to avoid all chemicals in our foods and drinks nowadays, so it’s very comforting knowing that there still are options for some things at least.
Anyway, the smell of the steeped tea is as refreshing as the leaves. Perhaps a little stronger. The liquor is a pleasant yellow, deep but not opaque.
There’s a burst of pineapple taste, that’s both juicy and a little tart, which is perfectly accented by the cilantro that gives it a little punch. It doesn’t taste LIKE cilantro, but it adds a lot of complexity to the flavor; if you somehow had a sip without the cilantro it would be noticed and missed. The pineapple is the first part of the tea that grabs your attention, which is then gently followed by the delicate taste of the Bai Mu Dan which is every bit as soothing as I hoped. At the swallow a pleasantly tart — but not puckering — pineapply taste lingers at the back of your tongue.
I’m impressed at how much this tea is bursting with flavor (I don’t sweeten my white teas mind you) and yet doesn’t assault your tastebuds either. It’s exactly what I needed right now. I think after the second infusion I’ll make up a cup of Cantaloupe and Cream also by Butiki.
From now on after a a busy Sunday, I think I’ll make my first tea upon returning home to be a white. I can feel my frustration and stress being lifted away with each sip.
