Duck Dinah's Tea

I gave this a try a few days ago and didn’t get around to logging it.

I was one of the lucky ones that got a free sample of this from Columbia Kate a few weeks ago… she was very generous to also send along her Almond Orange Rooibos.. Um… Yum… & I didn’t think I’d like orange as a main flavor in tea. If you like anything orange in tea, read the tasting notes and go order you some… It’s amazing!

On with the review…

Dry it smells light, green, and maybe a hint of floral.

Being new to loose leaf, I’m into dessert teas and a few blacks right now, and haven’t had a chance to try much else. I thought I’d give this one a go since Columbia Kate was so gracious to send a sample.

I found this one just ok. At first I wasn’t sure what I was tasting, but not sure I’ve had gunpowder in anything yet. Maybe that is what is throwing the taste off for me on this one. I want to like it, but there is a bit of a smokey flavor that just doesn’t sit well with me and I’m guessing it’s the gunpowder. I was looking for the spicy in this blend and didn’t find it, but I tend to like spicy, so it just may be too weak for my palet. Maybe after a little more experience with smokey teas, I could come to enjoy this because I do like the rest of the flavor profile. I will hold on to the rest of the sample awhile and come back to it after I’ve had a little more experience with tea flavors.

Sampled Duck Dinah’s blend this evening. A very interesting tea! One would think that chamomile and lemongrass combined with gunpowder green and cinnamon might be at odds in a tea — kinda like having someone gently rub your temples while kicking you in the butt! Somehow it works, though.

Very little dry scent, but there was much to taste. Each sip seemed to highlight one of the flavors in turn, which tells me that this is a near-perfect blending of ingredients. Don’t let the chamomile fool you; when it says “contains caffeine” they’re not kidding. It’s 4 a.m. and I’m still wide awake. I’m calm, though — very calm.

Looking forward to a second steep.

I enjoyed a sample of this lovely blend this evening.

Dry:
Smells faintly like a prairie in fall. Very light in color, a mixture of dried blossoms, lemongrass and green rooibos.

Steep:
1 heaping teaspoon for 8 oz. 1st steep I did was fairly short, only about 2-3 minutes. Light caramel in color. Medium body with the chamomile taking center stage. Vague hints of smokiness and spice hangs on the edges of the tongue as a final note. Smoother than I expected. I was sad I finished this so quickly.

2nd infusion was for 4 minutes and was as strong in flavor as the 1st, but now more of the rooibos and cinnamon stand out alongside the chamomile without being overbearing. My tongue feels a tad dry if I wait too long between sips, which wasn’t noticeable on the 1st infusion. Still a pleasant, complex and subtle experience.

Overall, very lovely. I recommend for anyone who enjoys a good chamomile tea. I’m glad I have enough to make another cup of this.

EDIT: Overall I got a total of 4 infusions. The 3rd and 4th were mostly chamomile, but smooth with no hint of bitterness.