Tea Review: Vanilla Bean Dream Machine (Intergalactic Tea)

Vanilla Bean Dream Machine
Intergalactic Tea
Type: Flavored Puerh
Origin: Not provided
Product Description:

The tea had a really strong vanilla aroma. I’m not sure how that happened. I haven’t any tea that comes anywhere close.

I decided to add vanilla beans to shu, have it pressed and see what happens. I had a hard time finding anyone willing to do it. I can’t blame them. We were eventually able to find a solution. The first try at this has a mild vanilla flavor that plays a supporting roll.

The second try is pretty strong vanilla wise and the flavor lasts a few steeps before moving to the background. It will leave tiny vanilla beans in your gaiwan. I think it’s fantastic. Both versions are for sale in 100g cakes.

Both versions use the same shu that has a cocoa and caramel notes.

Temperature: 208° F
Amount: 3 grams
Steeping Time: 2-3 minutes

The dry leaves have an aroma of vanilla bean, earth, and moss.

The dark reddish-brown liquor has a rich aroma with notes of vanilla, moss, earth, and wood.  The taste is rich, earthy, and surprisingly smooth with prominent vanilla bean notes.

I never thought I would appreciate a flavored puerh outside of the variety that is aged inside citrus, but this really won me over.  The broth was surprisingly smooth and the flavor and aroma were somewhat reminiscent of a rich dark chocolate cake.  The best flavor was in the first two infusions with the vanilla moving to the back by the third.

This tea was received as a gift from a third party.