Tag: Dessert by Deb

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Dessert by Deb’s Peaches & Cream Parfait

Peaches & Cream Parfait by Dessert by Deb
Black Tea / Flavoured

Peaches & Cream Parfait came as part of my bimonthly tea subscription box and is a subscriber exclusive blend.

First Impressions

Peaches & Cream Parfait came in my bimonthly tea subscription box in a light pink metallic pouch that’s sealed and resealable. This is part of the Deb’s Vintage Dessert Diner collection of other like-minded diner inspired treats. The colourful pouch is always a fun part of experiencing a Dessert by Deb blend, especially the colourful label with polka dots.

Peaches & Cream Parfait consists of organic: black tea, natural peach essence, peaches, toasted coconut, and calendula petals. The aroma is strongly of peaches, with hints of coconut in the background. It does remind me of a peach cobbler, or an other type of peach dessert, and definitely has a summer feel to it.

Preparation

Dessert by Deb recommends steeping Peaches & Cream Parfait in 212°F (100°C) water for 4 to 6 minutes. I did an initial steep of Peaches & Cream Parfait for 5 minutes, just going for the middle of the road length of time.

First Taste

Peaches & Cream Parfait steeps to a pretty golden orange colour. It has a strong peaches aroma. The flavour of Peaches & Cream Parfait is primarily peaches, followed by an earthy maltiness that I attribute to the black tea base. The toasted coconut comes through with the roasted notes and a creaminess from the coconut. I do think this might do well as a tea latte, just to add a heightened level of creaminess to the tea.

A Second Cup?

I attempted to resteep Peaches & Cream Parfait, and found that that the resteep with the leaves doesn’t have a strong peach flavour to it. I would recommend Peaches & Cream Parfait for just one steep.

My Overall Impression

I liked Dessert by Deb’s Peaches & Cream Parfait. I found the flavour was enjoyable, and the peaches to be strong. It has a nice balance between the peach essence and the black tea base, as you get that malty flavour from it and earthiness plays well with the peaches. It definitely seems like a tea more suited for warmer weather, because of when peaches go in season, but I find it helps brighten up some rainy days.

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Dessert by Deb’s Hojicha Chocolate Mint Truffles

Hojicha Chocolate Mint Truffles by Dessert by Deb
Green Tea / Flavoured
$6.50 for 25g

First Impressions

Hojicha Chocolate Mint Truffles came as part of my bimonthly subscription box from Dessert by Deb. This particular sample came in a metallic purple pouch that’s resealable with a black and white label across the front and a clear window to see the dry leaf. It appears to be cocoa covered, and I do like a nice chocolate themed tea from time to time – provided it doesn’t result in an oily slick across from melted chocolate or sprinkles.

Hojicha Chocolate Mint Truffles consists of certified organic: roasted green tea, cacao nibs, peppermint, spearmint and cocoa powder. It definitely smells like both chocolate and mint, which is delightful. It reminds me of one of my favourite holiday time chocolates (After Eight), and ice cream (mint chocolate chip).

Preparation

Dessert by Deb recommends steeping Hojicha Chocolate Mint Truffles in 205°F (96°C) water for 5 to 6 minutes. I opted to follow the steeping instructions for the initial steep and allowed the leaves to steep for 5 minutes.

First Taste

Hojicha Chocolate Mint Truffles steeps to a cloudy brown, with just a hint of oils across the surface. It has a strong chocolate and mint aroma. I did take a sip, and found that the mint chocolate flavour is strong. I did add frothed, heated milk into my mug and found that it adds a lovely layer of creaminess to the flavour profile. It reminds me strongly of a mint hot chocolate, as if I had stirred in a candy cane – all it needed was a handful of miniature marshmallows.

A Second Cup?

I attempted to resteep Hojicha Chocolate Mint Truffles, but found that the flavour was lacking in the chocolate department (likely because the cocoa powder was gone).

My Overall Impression

I loved Dessert by Deb’s Hojicha Chocolate Mint Truffles. From start to finish, this hojicha blend reminds me of mint chocolate candy (or ice cream). It has a strong aroma in the dry leaf, followed by a strong flavour. Drinking this as a hot tea latte made it more and more like a cup of hot chocolate with some candy cane mixed in. It’s definitely one that I would recommend to have during the holiday season to get into the holiday mood.

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Dessert by Deb’s Matcha Key Lime Pie

Matcha Key Lime Pie by Dessert by Deb
Green Tea (Matcha) / Flavoured
$6.50 for 25g

First Impressions

When I spotted Matcha Key Lime Pie in my bimonthly subscription box from Dessert by Deb, I was intrigued. I mean – key lime pie? Hello, that’s a delicious dessert any day of the week.  Mix in some matcha and it’s a good day all around! I really do hope that there’s a matcha key lime pie that exists out there in the real world, because I would dig into that for sure. This Matcha Key Lime Pie comes in a metallic pink pouch with a polka dotted label. Matcha Key Lime Pie is from Dessert by Deb’s Japanese & Asian Patisserie collection.

The aroma from the dry leaf is a strong lime aroma that does make me think of key lime pie. I don’t really smell the matcha or the coconut, but lime is such a strong citrus fruit, that it really does make for a strong flavour profile. Matcha Key Lime Pie consists of: green tea, natural lime flavour, lime pieces & peel, toasted coconut, Canadian maple, and ceremonial matcha – where the coconut, maple, and matcha are all certified organic ingredients.

The matcha powder dusts over all of the other ingredients quite easily. The appearance of all of the ingredients is a similar bright spring green that is the matcha. It is beautiful though, and has a great lime aroma to it.

Preparation

Dessert by Deb recommends preparing Matcha Key Lime Pie in 200°F (93°C) water for 5 to 6 minutes, and also recommended to prepare it as a latte. I opted to prepare Matcha Key Lime Pie straight up with an initial steep of 5 minutes, with the plan to have Matcha Key Lime Pie as a latte later.

First Taste

Matcha Key Lime Pie steeps to a bright spring green, with a strong lime aroma. The flavour of the tea is tart – much like a key lime pie. There’s a good amount of lime flavour, with touches of umami throughout. There’s something about the lime that just sort of coats everything – the flavour of it just permeates the whole sip of tea and definitely over powers the coconut, since I don’t taste it. And I also find that the tartness of lime also takes over any sweetness from the maple that might have otherwise been in my cup of tea.

A Second Cup?

Attempting to resteep Matcha Key Lime Pie resulted in a sad cup of tea that was sorely lacking in the lime flavour, so I would recommend just one steep with these leaves.

My Overall Impression

I loved Dessert by Deb’s Matcha Key Lime Pie. I really enjoyed the tartness and strength of the lime flavour in this green tea blend – I do wish that the coconut and maple shone through more, but I still found that it reminded me a lot of key lime pie so I wasn’t put off by it. I do wish that there was more sweetness in my cup, so I would definitely add some sweetener to it to make it even more of a liquid dessert. Still delicious though, and I think it’s certainly a unique blend because I’ve never had anything like it.

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