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When I used to make kombucha, I’d do a second fermentation with freshly juiced pineapple and ginger that turned out so good it was nearly perfect.

GT’s was the only game in town back then

(when they got tagged by one of the ABC government agencies for the alcohol content. All their product was pulled nationwide and now commercial kombucha brewers are subjected to scrutiny. In the U.S. you have to be 21 to buy GT’s “Classic” flavors whose alcohol content might be greater than 0.5%. I don’t know of any other widely available brand in the Bay Area that gets you carded.)

and I always wondered why they never made kombucha with pineapple juice. They do have Golden Pineapple now, but not back in the late 2000s.

That said, Pineapple Tepache is incredible! If you can handle the tiniest bit of heat, try this invigorating blend of pineapple, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger and habanero. For my tastes, it is perfection.

U.S. teabag version not good. Any kind of milky addition added to cover the paper tea bag taste destroys whatever other flavors try to emerge.

Deep and dark malt and oats. Handled eggnog like a champ. Probably the only way I’d drink this Irish Breakfast should it land in my hands in the future.

I loved the rose flavoring here. Saturated and sweet rather than a perfume that goes straight to the head. Worked really well with the leathery-malty base tea which made a very bold but not tannic cup. In my experience, almond milk drowns tea, but here, a good dash of unsweetened vanilla almond milk made it even better! Thanks, g <3

Standard peppermint. Herbaceous with some mustiness.

DF Advent — Day 24

Complex but not so much that it takes away from the comfort and ease of drinking a pineapple upside-down cake soaked in maraschino cherry juice with a splash of orange. Big undertone of tobacco and brisk yet smooth body marry the flavors perfectly to create a festive and indulgent cup.

DF Advent — Day 23

Still not a fan of Happy Dreams due to strong lemongrass but it was much better tasting than 4 years ago. Rich flavor yet soft and sweet with an exotic spice note lended by the star anise that really made this tea pop while overall remaining comforting like lemon fluff. Recommended :)

DF Advent — Day 22

This reads like a classic afternoon tea to me. Clear taste that’s coppery, woody, floral, fruity. Smooth body with light touch of astringency. A nice mix of Darjeeling and Nilgiri leaves. Appreciated the 2 bags of Tea for Two.

DF Advent — Day 21

Clear and fresh, crisp pear was the dominant taste and did it deliver! mixed with the light flavor of chestnut cream. Hay-like and slightly earthy-floral white tea base carried the flavorings beautifully. I generally shy away from nutty teas but this was divine!

DF Advent — Day 20

The theme of this tea is sakura and strawberry, yet the strongest taste was of an umami that tasted like over-fertilized sencha. Sakura and strawberry tasted fake. I poured this one out!