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I had hoped to sipdown quite a few more of my samples before my Black Friday tea splurges started arriving…no such luck, my Tavalon order was sitting on my front porch when I got home! To celebrate, I brewed up a couple bags of this that Rachel sent my way. I couldn’t decide between a 5 or 10 minute steep, so I went 5.

It’s not the strongest chai out there, nor the sweetest. It’s not quite up to the level of Adagio’s Thai Chai (which I really, really love), but would be a good substitute if you had a Thai Chai craving but didn’t want the caffeine. The spices are there, the black tea is there (and I can’t taste that it’s decaf), the coconut is there but could be stronger, and the rooibos is definitely there as well. And I’m certainly slurping it down!!

Thanks, Rachel, for sending this my way!!

I had one bag of this left. I decided to experiment. Brewed it for 3 minutes, and brewed a bag of Alpine Berry for 10 minutes along with it.

Turned out kinda meh. I can finish this cup, but I’m not happy about it.

This has been so very comforting to have at work in the afternoons…am a little sad to see it go, but it’s nice to be decupboarding it!!

Swung by Cuppa for a latte before heading out to visit one of my schools…it’s such a yucky, rainy day that you just have to stop for a good cup of tea. I didn’t want any of the lattes that they have on the menu, so I asked Lisa to create a new one with this tea.

Winter’s Night latte: Starry Night black tea, 2% milk, and caramel, white chocolate, and vanilla syrups.

I’ve only got three words for you: Nom, nom, nom!!!!

(Not rating this one right now, since it’s been a while since I’ve had just Starry Night by itself. But it’s awesome, too, if memory serves.)

I can’t believe it’s been so long since I’ve had this tea. It’s one of my favorites. I was in a bit of a hurry today, and only steeped for 3 minutes. I think I prefer 5; at that steep, it’s a thicker, richer cup. At 3, it’s very light and delicate with apple being very prominent, and the cinnamon a barely-there note. Both ways are yummy!

Yes, this tea was meant for a longer steep! There’s still notes of honeysuckle, but it’s not cloyingly sweet now. It’s dark but rather delicate, and slightly astringent, but that adds to the tea rather than detracts. It’s got earthy undertones as well. Not something I’ll invest in again, I don’t think, but nonetheless a unique tea that I’m happy to have tried.