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derk drank Butterfly Garden by Old Barrel Tea Co

1677 tasting notes

Received as a gift from somebody who visited Old Barrel in person!

Cold-brew is my first attempt and it’s a fruity, saturated blueberry brew. Artificial in the sense that it reminds me of the blueberry-scented Strawberry Shortcake doll I had in the late 80s, but I like it in the moment. Some light florality from the oolong and other ingredients. A little bit of lemongrass permeates throughout the main blueberry taste. Purplish-blue from the butterfly pea flowers.

I’ll try it hot, but I think most of this will go cold-brewed since added flavorings tend to hold up better that way.

Flavors: Artificial, Blueberry, Chamomile, Flowers, Fruity, Herbal, Lemongrass

Preparation

Iced 8 min or more 6 g 16 OZ / 473 ML

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3 comments

rosebudmelissa
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I had a strawberry scented version of that doll sometime in the 90’s. I didn’t even remember it existed until you mentioned yours!

derk
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This was too good cold brewed to bother trying hot.

gmathis
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Strawberry Shortcake is coming back! Several of my upper elementary school girls had Shortcake t-shirts this week, and she was on all kind of school supplies at our new Five Below!

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Comments

rosebudmelissa
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I had a strawberry scented version of that doll sometime in the 90’s. I didn’t even remember it existed until you mentioned yours!

derk
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This was too good cold brewed to bother trying hot.

gmathis
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Strawberry Shortcake is coming back! Several of my upper elementary school girls had Shortcake t-shirts this week, and she was on all kind of school supplies at our new Five Below!

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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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