Pulled this one out today after seeing a note from amandastory516 for a similar tea. I admit to not having the highest of hopes, due to this being somewhat old, though it turns out it’s only two years old which I wouldn’t consider to be that bad…
This tea always makes me chuckle a little bit when I’m scooping it into the steeping basket, because it literally looks like I picked up whatever was on the forest floor and put it into my cup. There are giant cedar tips and big twigs, along with juniper berries. The black tea seems a small volume by comparison, so I used more tea than I generally would for my 12-ounce mug.
I am so happily surprised to find that this still has plenty of flavor left, and a very pleasing woodsy flavor at that. The base tea is a little bit astringent, and I think it’s likely an Assam based on the flavor profile. But mostly here it provides body and a nice base for the added ingredients. I get the light roasty autumn leaf note from the twig kukicha. The cedar tips have such a nice evergreen flavor, but also a light aromatic woody note like one would expect from cedar or sandalwood. I’m not sure whether I get juniper? It’s hard to say since it has a bit of a piney flavor to it as well. There’s a lovely cooling sensation as I exhale.
So happy this is still viable, especially given the price… But honestly I would order it again because it’s such a unique tea. And it’s perfect for autumn and winter with its lovely, slightly toasty woodsy notes! This is one of the few teas that really takes me away to a different place as I sip.
Flavors: Astringent, Autumn Leaf Pile, Bitter, Earth, Forest Floor, Malt, Mineral, Pine, Resin, Roasted, Tannic, Tobacco, Wood
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This one sounds super interesting! And no smoke! Yay!
I don’t get smoke, but some others did report it, so no promises. ;)
Even so, adding it to the wishlist for now!
I’ll be sure to send you some so you can do a “smoke test”… (har har har)
Hahah! I find smoke in teas that nobody else does. Sometimes I think my body manufactures it somehow XD.
This one has long intrigued me. I will probably try it someday. Bellocq prices aren’t TOO bad unless you get the tin!
@ashmanra – I don’t mind sharing the wealth! At $9 per ounce, I think of it as being Whispering Pines equivalent in terms of price.
It jumped to my wishlist as well. I wish having some Czech vendors doing those “crazy” blends. Maybe I shall pick up my dream of owning a tea house again? Haha!
Cameron – Oof! That is a bit steep, isn’t it? I guess I have some of the cheaper ones from Bellocq, or just didn’t remember the price. I got some as a Christmas gift two years ago, too, so I really don’t know how much those were.
I have purchased a few things like the Sanctuary Candle, the brass strainer basket…I love those. I do always wait for a really good coupon! Almost Black Friday!
I would love a sample sometime but no rush! Stay safe!
This one sounds super interesting! And no smoke! Yay!
I don’t get smoke, but some others did report it, so no promises. ;)
Even so, adding it to the wishlist for now!
I’ll be sure to send you some so you can do a “smoke test”… (har har har)
Hahah! I find smoke in teas that nobody else does. Sometimes I think my body manufactures it somehow XD.
This one has long intrigued me. I will probably try it someday. Bellocq prices aren’t TOO bad unless you get the tin!
@ashmanra – I don’t mind sharing the wealth! At $9 per ounce, I think of it as being Whispering Pines equivalent in terms of price.
It jumped to my wishlist as well. I wish having some Czech vendors doing those “crazy” blends. Maybe I shall pick up my dream of owning a tea house again? Haha!
Cameron – Oof! That is a bit steep, isn’t it? I guess I have some of the cheaper ones from Bellocq, or just didn’t remember the price. I got some as a Christmas gift two years ago, too, so I really don’t know how much those were.
I have purchased a few things like the Sanctuary Candle, the brass strainer basket…I love those. I do always wait for a really good coupon! Almost Black Friday!
I would love a sample sometime but no rush! Stay safe!