Dec 19
Laura’s Teaview Snapshot
 | "I found myself drawn to this in an addictive way. That delicious vanilla cream soda flavor kept bringing me back for more."
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9/10
"For years, we worked to develop this tea, and we are proud to offer it to you now as our very first “Special Reserve” blend. It is a full, rich balance of steamed Japanese bancha and three types of hand-cut vanilla beans from Madagascar, Tahiti and Indonesia. Extreme notes of caramel richness, vanilla bean, vanilla-infused cream and dulce de leche are set off by bancha’s mellower flavors of roasted chestnut, almond and vegetal sweetness. The aftertaste is, not surprisingly, one of pure vanilla bean. This tea is a fantastically decadent “dessert blend” on its own. It also makes the best green tea latte we’ve ever tasted. Special Reserve Extreme Vanilla is a must for all vanilla lovers!" ---American Tea Room website.While Jamie's review may not have been the highest score that this blend received, there was something in it that made this a must-try for me and that is the comment that the flavor reminded of cream soda. Cream soda is one of my favorite things in the world though I seldom drink it due to calories (and diet cream soda just doesn't cut it). My sample of this contains the bancha tea base, which looks very much like grass clippings, and lots of pieces of different varieties of vanilla beans as indicated. The aroma is of a pleasant, natural vanilla flavor.
I prepared my cup using water brought just to steaming and infused the leaves for 3 min. The cup is of light green color and the vanilla is noticeable in the aroma. The tea base is rather mild and quite smooth. It is largely a quiet backdrop for the vanilla. This is called Extreme Vanilla, and it does have a full vanilla flavor profile, but it is a very well done, natural tasting vanilla. The vanilla flavor is creamy and reminds of vanilla extract and cream soda. It has none of that fake, artificial flavor that some vanilla flavored teas have. I did try this with a splash of soy and found it to be quite tasty as well. I was also able to get a satisfying second infusion out of the leaves and the vanilla was still delicious and very present. Eventually, I tried this iced and found that it was pretty good that way too. I can't help but wonder what it might taste like with a splash of actual vanilla cream soda added to it?
I am going to pay this blend a tall compliment. After initially sampling this blend, I found myself wanting to drink if for several days in a row and drinking two infusions at each sitting. That may not sound like that big of a deal to some as I am sure that a number of people drink tea in such fashion all the time. However, I happen to have an extensive personal tea collection as well as access to a lot of tea through Teaviews and from various tea companies. I seldom drink the same blend more than twice in the same week, and rarely prepare a second infusion unless I am drinking oolong. However, I found myself drawn to this in an addictive way. That delicious vanilla cream soda flavor kept bringing me back for more. While this blend is a bit of a splurge, I think this is a must-try for those that really love vanilla. Further, the ability to get a satisfying second infusion contributes to making this a better value. I personally enjoyed this blend very much and this one is going on a short list of blends that I will likely buy next time I place an order with American Tea Room.
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