No one in my family is a serious baker (my maternal grandmother casts a long shadow). Once in blue moon cookies may happen. When they do, they come with a warning from my mom: “don’t overuse the vanilla. Don’t try to taste the vanilla extract straight up. You will regret it.”
Judging by the profile of this tea, no one ever offered similar advice to Mariage Frères.
The vanilla flavour is intense. Some might say too intense. It’s bold, sharp, vaguely alcoholic, and a stark reminder that vanilla does derive from an orchid and that the orchid in question probably hates you.
It’s just a lot, and there’s nothing to really balance it out. The black tea base isn’t naturally sweet or rich enough to make it feel like a finished dessert bake; it’s malty and astringent, with maybe a hint of something starchy and velvety.
I think the recommended steeping parameters of 95C for 5 minutes are the best bet for this tea. Some milk can help too, as does skipping straight to the second steep. A dab of maple syrup, or the right honey, may also be a welcome addition. Then you arguably have a breakfast raw pancake mix tea. Otherwise, this tea is a bit like eating the raw ingredients sans sugar. It’s like drinking vanilla extract.
Do Not Recommend. But, also – does anyone want this?
Flavors: Astringent, Bread Dough, Brisk, Floral, Malt, Orchid, Silky, Vanilla, Woody
Bizarre that the company calls it a delicately scented cup and the only,two notes on it on Steepster attest to just the opposite. A friend loved Vanille Des Iles. How did this one go so wrong?