Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: White Lion
Tea Description:
Premium black tea paired with a double dose of vanilla to create a creamy, luxurious tea that will win you over even before the first sip. It may be vanilla, but it’s anything but plain.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I absolutely love a cup of vanilla flavored tea, so when I read the description of this Vanilla Dulce Black Tea from White Lion, I knew it was one I wanted to try! A double dose of vanilla? Yes, please!
And this tea delivers exactly what that description promises: a sweet, delicious, creamy vanilla taste! It tastes so smooth and rich and indulgent. And when paired with the robust black tea that is used in this blend, the result is an almost caramel-y undertone with a vanilla high note. Mmm!
The black tea is a bold tasting black tea. The description doesn’t tell me what type of tea is used as the base, but based on the strength of the black tea, I would say that it’s either an Assam or a very high quality Ceylon, because I’m getting lots of malty notes. There is some astringency to the cup as well, it’s slightly dry toward the finish.
It’s a very solid tasting tea, like something I’d want to reach for as that first cup of the day on the days that I want something bracing to get me invigorated but I also want something luxurious and decadent. Like those days when I want dessert for breakfast. This tea would suit that kind of craving perfectly!
I drank this tea hot with no additions and found that it was plenty sweet without adding sugar, so if you are one who typically adds sugar to your tea, you might want to taste this one first to make sure you won’t overwhelm it. If you want to enhance the creamy factor, you can add a splash of milk and go latte – although I found it rather creamy on its own. It tastes as though I’m having a latte without the addition of the dairy, so this tea would be great for those who like a creamy, rich cup of tea but are trying to cut back on their dairy!
A really splendid cup of tea – I’m really happy I had the chance to try it!
Hattialli Golden Lion Assam Tea from Butiki Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Butiki Teas
Tea Description:
Our Hattialli Golden Lion Assam originates from the Hattialli Tea Estate in the Dibrugarh District in the South Bank, Assam region of India. The name Hattialli comes from the words “Hatti Alli”, which means Elephant Road. This name came about because of a nearby elephant camp. The Hattialli Tea Estate is known for golden tippy handpicked teas and the balance of briskness and mellowness of their teas. The golden tips of this tea are longer than the black leaves, which imparts a more golden appearance. This phenomenal malty second flush Assam has baked bread and oak notes. Sweet potato and dried apricot notes are also detectable with fleeting lighter floral notes. There is a fruity sweetness and light astringency present in this truly exceptional second flush Assam.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I find myself in total agreement with the last five words of the above description – this Hattialli Golden Lion Assam Tea from Butiki Teas is indeed a truly exceptional second flush Assam. Wow!
When hot, the flavor is sweet and malty. There is a slight caramel-y note to it, reminding me of the flavor of the warm, caramelized edges of a freshly baked loaf of bread. There are hints of woodsy tones, and it is a very cozy, sort of autumnal taste. The kind of flavors you like to warm up to on a chilly autumn day … but, you still find it perfectly alright to cozy up to these flavors on a warm summer morning too!
As the tea begins to cool (slightly … it’s still hot, just not quite as hot as when I first poured the cup) the flavors of sweet apricot begin to emerge. I’ve tasted quite a few Assam teas in my years as a tea drinker, but, I can’t recall such a distinct apricot flavor from a pure Assam as the taste I’m getting from this cup of Assam. It’s remarkable (and YUMMY!)
The description also suggests notes of sweet potato, and I get those too, but, it isn’t as well-defined as the apricot. To me, the apricot really stands out.
There are a lot of great Assam teas out there, and there are definitely a few that I favor over others … this one definitely deserves to be one of those favorites! It’s really good. I would be very happy to start every day with this tea in my cup!