308 Tasting Notes

I purchased this on a whim; it was the last of DT’s permanent mates that I’ve been wanting to try. It is one of few DT blends that is appropriately named, and, given the name, you definitely know what to expect. While it is tart, it has a really nice subtle blackberry flavor that mixes well with the hibiscus. The tea also has an aftertaste that reminds me of unsweetened cranberry juice. It’s not my favorite, but I might consider a repurchase once I’ve worked my way through the rest of the 100 grams.

Flavors: Blackberry, Hibiscus, Tart

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

drank Ruby Red by DAVIDsTEA
308 tasting notes

I purchased 100 grams with a recent order and I’m regretting not trying this tea sooner. Grapefruit is something I had to give up a few years ago due to the fact that it interacts with my high blood pressure meds. While it isn’t a fruit that I crave, I do enjoy the taste of grapefruit.

I was nervous about this tea. It’s called Ruby Red but has no actual grapefruit in it; it couldn’t possibly taste like grapefruit. I was wrong. It’s tart and tangy and the grapefruit flavoring is spot on. I had some, lightly sweetened, over ice this morning with my breakfast. While it’s not as good as freshly squeezed grapefruit juice it’s a nice substitute for those that can no longer have the real thing.

My grandmother also really enjoyed it, so I’ll try to track down a few extra bags since it’s no longer available on the website. I’ve been making mental notes to order LE teas shortly after they’re released to prevent this from happening so frequently in the future.

Flavors: Citrus, Grapefruit, Tangy, Tart

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

drank Jumpy Monkey by DAVIDsTEA
308 tasting notes

I wanted to like this, truly. I purchased it hoping it would be more coffee-like. It smells amazing. Sniffing the contents of the bag reminded me of the experience one has when sniffing freshly ground coffee. So, obviously, I had high hopes. I probably should’ve known better. When I want a hot tea in the morning I usually reach for a black tea, straight or flavored. When I want a cold/iced tea in the morning I reach for a maté or a matcha. I think my brain knew that this would end badly. Initially I tried it iced and I couldn’t even finish the glass. I tried it hot with a dash of non-dairy milk, and, while it tasted infinitely better than the iced version, it left me feeling quite underwhelmed. Despite the list of bold/strong ingredients, I found the tea to be quite mild and bland.

I might give Espresso Yourself a try.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

drank Serenity Now by DAVIDsTEA
308 tasting notes

Against my better judgment, I gave this tea a shot. I decided to give it a try, despite the fact that it contains two ingredients that I loathe in tea (lavender and spearmint).

Hibiscus and strawberries were listed in the ingredients, so it couldn’t be terrible…right?

Wrong.

The hibiscus takes a back seat and, unfortunately, so does the strawberry. I took two sips (one hot and one iced) and was done.

Flavors: Hibiscus, Lavender, Spearmint, Strawberry

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

drank Banana Split by DAVIDsTEA
308 tasting notes

This is one of very few rooibos blends that I can actually drink. I steep (hot) just long enough to melt the chocolate before adding to almond milk to cold-steep for several hours (usually 8+). I enjoy it, but I don’t feel compelled to stock up. I prefer Copabanana because that blend actually tastes like a banana split. This tastes like a chocolate-covered banana.

Flavors: Banana, Chocolate

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

drank Pumpkin Chai by DAVIDsTEA
308 tasting notes

Oh, how I long for a pumpkin-flavored black tea that isn’t overly spiced. I’m kicking myself for missing out on some of these delicious pumpkin blends from Butiki I keep reading about whilst researching pumpkin tea options. If anyone has recommendations let me know.

I tried a sample of this a few months ago as a latte and enjoyed it. I then discovered that I still had my unopened 25 gram bag from the fall 2012 collection. I prefer that blend (the one with the squash) to the newer version. I’ll repurchase it (and stock up on it) when it’s re-released this fall because it’ll probably wind up being my replacement for PSL from Starbucks since I’m really limiting my coffee these days. I also really enjoy pumpkin protein shakes/smoothies in the fall, and Pumpkin Chai steeped in non-dairy milk would probably make a killer base.

Flavors: Cinnamon, Pumpkin

Nichole/CuppaGeek

I actually like Celestial Seasonings Black Pumpkin tea that comes out around the fall time. It takes great with some almond milk.

apieceofquiche

Thanks for the recommendation Nichole! That’s bagged, right? I’ll keep an eye out for it.

Nichole/CuppaGeek

Yes. If you can’t find it let me know. I have a couple boxes of it left.

apieceofquiche

Is it the Sweet Harvest Pumpkin (http://www.celestialseasonings.com/products/holiday-teas/sweet-harvest-pumpkin)? I’m pretty sure I’ve seen it in stores before.

Nichole/CuppaGeek

Yep! That is it. I couldn’t remember its exact name. I just remembered the dude on the tractor. :)

apieceofquiche

LOL! I’ll keep my eyes peeled. I’m sure I’ll see it again this year. :)

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

This isn’t a bad fruity maté blend, but it’s definitely not one of my favorites. I was hoping for more berry and less lemon. I don’t know that I’ll purchase it again, but if I do I’ll also add some unsweetened dried raspberries to the tea as it steeps to ramp up the berry flavor.

Flavors: Berries, Lemon, Raspberry, Strawberry

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

drank Main Squeeze by DAVIDsTEA
308 tasting notes

While it doesn’t hold a candle to my beloved, limited edition Honeydew Maté, this is one of my favorite “permanent” mate blends offered by DT. My other favorite permanent mate is Jungle Ju Ju. After sampling quite a few of DT’s mate teas, I’ve found that, for me, more robust/heavier mate blends are better served hot. Hot tea, however, is something I enjoy very sporadically. I just finished my 2-ounce bag I purchased while on vacation a few months ago. This will become a staple in my tea collection. The flavor profile reminds me of those tropical-flavored orange “juice” blends you find in the supermarket. It’s sweet but not overly so, and the fruity ingredients are grounded quite nicely by the green yerba mate.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

drank Sweet Lime by DAVIDsTEA
308 tasting notes

I was not expecting to fall in love with this tea. I was expecting to just redeem one of my Frequent Steeper rewards and be done with it. I received it in a swap before I could redeem my points, and I drank the ~45 grams in about 2 weeks. This white tea blend is a total surprise because it’s so full of flavor. The lime flavor is a bit artificial and is very prominent, but the tartness of the lime is complemented by the sweet mango and apple. I’m so glad this is a permanent tea because I’d be broke if it was a limited edition tea that I had to run out and stockpile. I love it iced with just a touch of sweetener (I have a killer sweet tooth!).

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

I didn’t care for this herbal tea back in 2012 and I don’t care for it now. This was one of the first teas I tried from DAVIDsTEA. I purchased it in the summer of 2012 because I love all things melon and it was one of most appealing sounding varieties from that summer’s collection. The combination of carrot and watermelon didn’t jive on my palate three years ago and the same holds true now. I just made an iced glass of this tea after swapping for about 25g. I’ll be looking to re-home what I have left because I don’t think I can finish this glass. I was excited to try it again because DT’s recent releases of Melon Drop and Honey I Dew are two of my all-time favorite blends. Maybe I just prefer honeydew melon and rock melon/cantaloupe over watermelon? Or maybe the carrot is just too present in my cuppa and it just lingers on my palate? I’ll be adding carrot to the list of ingredients to avoid when it comes to tea. I should’ve paid more attention back in 2012. I believe Indian Summer also contained carrot AND watermelon, and I loathed that tea when I had such lofty expectations for it. But, I digress…

I’m glad I’m not a fan. It’ll save me from scrambling to stock up on this re-released, but LE, fan favorite. That’s just as well. The new website is a nightmarish labyrinth of glitches and programming errors. They should have enlisted the help of some Frequent Steepers to BETA test the site before launching it.

Flavors: Carrot

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

Profile

Bio

I’m a 30-something Texan and wannabe globetrotter. I like my tea sweet and over ice.

I prefer: tisanes/fruit infusions, breakfast teas, (flavored) black teas, maté blends, dessert teas

Yes: hibiscus, goji berries, sea buckthorn, cantaloupe/rock melon, honeydew melon, berries (particularly cranberry, blackberry, and raspberry), mango, coconut, peach, plum, apricot, citrus, vanilla

No: cherry (on its own), carrot, (overwhelming) warming spices, mint (peppermint, spearmint, etc.), most florals, eucalyptus, sunflower seeds, lapsang

Location

Houston, TX

Website

http://www.instagram.com/apie...

Following These People

Moderator Tools

Mark as Spammer