85
drank Black Dragon by Thésaurus Tea
4329 tasting notes

Thésaurus Tea Fandom Advent Calendar 2023 – Day 1

I gotta say, I was not excited for this. Not only does it have butterfly pea flower (sigh), but it’s a mixture of not two, but four different bases. The dry scent was nice though, some kind of deep berry flavor that made me think of elderberry perhaps.

Thankfully, it tastes good. I find it a bit difficult to describe – the main flavor profile is somewhat earthy but not heavy, and it almost reminds me of some sort of root vegetable. There’s a light oat-y/hay note to it that makes me think of oatstraw, but there isn’t any in this blend. The berry is there, a dark and syrupy blueberry or elderberry note. And then there’s anise as well, just a hint but enough for me to pick it out, along with a touch of licorice root sweetness on just the tip of my tongue. Then the finish is quite light again, with that oatstraw-like flavor predominating. Maybe that’s the butterfly pea flower? Not getting any of its usual mustiness.

Anyway, I’m highly impressed. The ingredients list for this sounds overly complicated to me (and maybe it is) but the result is unusual, complex, and very tasty. I don’t really need the gimmick of the black color (which did steep up as advertised) but for once, I think the butterfly pea may be enhancing the overall flavor instead of detracting from it. Can’t wait to try more! :D

Flavors: Anise, Berry, Blueberry, Dry Grass, Earthy, Elderberry, Fruity, Grain, Hay, Herbaceous, Jam, Licorice Root, Light, Mineral, Oats, Roots, Smooth, Sweet, Syrupy, Woody

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 3 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

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Hi, I’m Cameron!

I’m a 30-something software engineer currently living in Austin, Texas with my husband and our two pugs, Gobo and Ume. I tend to cycle between my different hobbies, and they include piano, knitting, video games, board games, miniature painting, planners, bento, Korean skincare, and – of course – TEA! But really, what I’m best at is “collecting” hobby-related things… ;)

~ 2025 SIPDOWN CHALLENGE! ~
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I prefer my tea lukewarm or at room temperature and without milk or sugar. I steep Western style, and fluctuate between using big mugs or small teapots depending on the season.

I am always up for a swap! Just let me know if you’d like to try something in my cupboard.

Tea Preferences:
I enjoy both flavored and unflavored teas in many forms. These days, I drink mostly flavored teas, and I tend to gravitate most toward black, green, oolong, and herbal varieties. I do have a special fondness for straight Japanese green teas, however.

I do not sweeten my teas, and pre-sweetened teas are usually too sweet for me. I also do not enjoy stevia (or monkfruit, etc.).

I tend to reach for fruitier flavors rather than desserty ones these days, but I do have favorites from both categories. Willing to try anything once! There are a few ingredients/flavors that aren’t generally my jam, such as coconut, rose, lavender, and chocolate flavoring. But I also have teas that I love with some of those things, too! :)

Favorite Companies:
3 Leaf
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Dammann Frères
Harney & Sons
Kyoto Obubu Tea Farms
Lupicia
Old Barrel Tea Co
Simpson & Vail
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Tea Rating Scale:
90-100: Outstanding! Permanent cupboard resident
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60-69: It’s decent
50-59: Meh… I may or may not have finished the cup
40-49: Ick. Couldn’t finish it.
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I will sometimes refrain from rating a tea if I feel I’m too biased due to my personal dislikes, or if I suspect the sample has been compromised by age or scent contamination.

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