Dolce Riviera

Refreshing cold brew with a profile that, to me, complemented late summer dry season weather out here in the North Bay, so basically up to the end of October.

Made the very last bit of leaf this morning with hot water from the work dispenser, cooled for 5 or so minutes before steeping.

Smelled just like a peach cobbler. Guessing the peach was coming from the green tea itself as peach is not an added flavor. I couldn’t pin down the base character beyond its alkalinity. It was something like stewed moss with lima beans and seashells?? Togo mentioned mussels in a recent review for another tea and now that’s where my mind is going. Sounds so weird but throw in those soft touches of floral-sweet cinnamon, basil and lime and you have a well rounded and balanced tea. Two good steeps and forgiving of brew time. I’d buy this again!

I was surprised to see that DF was carrying a basil tea. That feels almost a little too out there for a brand as traditional as DF, but I’m a simple tea drinker. I see basil. I buy basil. Out of everything in my recent order, I thought the dry leaf of this tea smelled the best. Really aromatic, strong fresh basil with that almost anise-y spice to it!

There’s cinnamon in this tea too and I find that a little weird with basil. However, it’s such a particular type of cinnamon and a particular type of basil and I think because of that it kind of works!? Like, there’s a very Thai-influence to the flavour profile. I want more basil, but I think I’m probably way more accepting of a strong herbaceous flavour in tea that the average person is – so this is probably a pretty perfect strength to be commercially suited. I love that the slight spice/anise I was getting in the smell comes through in taste too, though!

This one was a sample that came from Derk.
It’s a unique combination of flavors and the combination of basil, lime, and cinnamon is really nice on the smooth green tea base. It’s very balanced like so many of the Dammann Freres teas I’ve tried and I thought I’d already reviewed it otherwise I would have paid more attention.