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derk drank Bella Blanca by Dammann Frères

1629 tasting notes

Good morning. Got a lot of backlogs to work my way through. I bought a Dammann Frères advent calendar for both myself and Kiki, but since I don’t live with her anymore, it’s been difficult to coordinate drinking the teas together. Hoping in January I can spend some time making tea for her and logging her reactions.

For now, these are mine and many are gonna be short.

DF Advent — Day 1

If you’ve been disappointed by mango-flavored teas and are still pining for an accurate presentation, Bella Blanca might be what you’re looking for. Full-bodied and viscous with a potentially earthy, white tea hay taste. Bergamot rings the high note. The mango is lovely, sitting comfortably in the midtone with it’s sweet, fruity notes and faint edge of pine. An almond cookie flavor softens everything and ties it all together. Don’t steep it too hot or too long, though, as it can get bitter and very strong. Maybe go less than the recommended steep time.

Flavors: Almond, Bergamot, Cookie, Earthy, Fruity, Hay, Mango, Pine, Tropical, Viscous

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tea-sipper
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Looking forward to Kiki’s and your notes on these DF teas!

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tea-sipper
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Looking forward to Kiki’s and your notes on these DF teas!

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This place, like the rest of the internet, is dead and overrun with bots. Yet I persist.

Eventual tea farmer. If you are a tea grower, want to grow your own plants or are simply curious, please follow me so we can chat.

I most enjoy loose-leaf, unflavored teas and tisanes. Teabags have their place. Some of my favorite teas have a profound effect on mind and body rather than having a specific flavor profile.

Favorite teas generally come from China (all provinces), Taiwan, India (Nilgiri and Manipur). Frequently enjoyed though less sipped are teas from Georgia, Japan, and Nepal. While I’m not actively on the hunt, a goal of mine is to try tea from every country that makes it available to the North American market. This is to gain a vague understanding of how Camellia sinensis performs in different climates. I realize that borders are arbitrary and some countries are huge with many climates and tea-growing regions.

I’m convinced European countries make the best herbal teas.

Personal Rating Scale:

100-90: A tea I can lose myself into. Something about it makes me slow down and appreciate not only the tea but all of life or a moment in time. If it’s a bagged or herbal tea, it’s of standout quality in comparison to similar items.

89-80: Fits my profile well enough to buy again.

79-70: Not a preferred tea. I might buy more or try a different harvest. Would gladly have a cup if offered.

69-60: Not necessarily a bad tea but one that I won’t buy again. Would have a cup if offered.

59-1: Lacking several elements, strangely clunky, possesses off flavor/aroma/texture or something about it makes me not want to finish.

Unrated: Haven’t made up my mind or some other reason. If it’s puerh, I likely think it needs more age.

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