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Ok, this stuff is just weird. I didn’t expect jasmine from an oolong black blend, nor did I from the smell. When I think Christmas, joyful teas (the ones I’ve had in England, anyway) they were all spiced, like a gingerbread or plum pudding or something along those lines. Warm, earthy, comforting, like you’re sitting in front of the fire sipping cozily once the gifts are wrapped and the kids in bed. Y’know?

This tea… this is just weird. Why I’d think jasmine… why would anyone? I dunno. Not my cup of tea. There’s nothing really special or even multifaceted to it… it’s a floral jasmine, and surprisingly light for a black (it looks like more black than oolong in the tin, but what do I know).

Yes, yes, oh my goodness, yes. I love this tea. I’m drinking it every day. Every morning actually. It’s earthy yet chocolatey, yummy and rich, it does need a bit of sweetener to make things pop, but … yes… I love this. Is it hot chocolate-like? Well, I’m assuming more so if you add some sort of creamy milkishness to it? I don’t. I like it just the way it is. 50g will not be nearly enough for this puerh lover.

I should note I don’t drink this at boiling temperate. It’s richer, I find, at a touch before boiling.

I drink this whenever I’m at a local French patisserie, which sells it both loose and in a tin. It’s lovely – as long as you don’t oversteep it. More than three or four minutes, and it’s just plain ick. Grassy, astringent, tart, bitter… no. But when it’s lightly steeped, with a less-than boiling temperature, I quite love it. Light, somewhat fruity, vanilla soft, and a touch of creaminess to it.

My last pot of tea, usually, every night. It’s not amazing, but it sure does get me to sleep. I find it soothing, and well, inexpensive, plus comforting.

Yes, this is still an exceptional tea. Really, truly. Yes, I still love it, and get it every possible chance when I go to one of the local French bakeries that serves it. Today, I had it blended with butter (Bulletproof-style), andi t was amazing. Truly. A life changing experience.

This was a bit off for me this time around, not sure why. Still malty, a touch astringent, deep, rich, and yet… off. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it just wasn’t what I wanted. Boo.

Still a soft and gentle, creamy bergamot/earl grey sort of concoction. It’s not a LOVE LOVE, but it is a really nice, soothing, lovely tea that I can dig into. For whatever reason I hoard it though – I really just need to drink and enjoy it. :)

Silly B, you bought this (around) this time last year while in Montreal, yet never drank it!? Oh yes, because you couldn’t – you sent it back to yourself from Montreal, to Vancouver, before you headed off to Europe. Yes, of course. Still! :)

So, finally trying this tea. The leaves were stunning, and smelled deliciously chocolately, with long spindles and great art to each one – I spent some time just enjoying them as I tried to make them fit into my teaspoon. They didn’t.

Saw a few rose petals and cardamom in the mix, not sure what else. It is a beautiful, subtle, very French chai though, one that I’ll savor a long, long time. It’s creamy and malty, a touch sweet, lightly spiced and with a hint of chocolate. It’s very, very good… I may have to give Chandernagor a taste today to compare. I think this one might win…

Somehow, I steeped this for 16 minutes – and it’s still really tasty if a bit astringent. I feel icky that I didn’t give it the love and attention it deserves. In my defense, I was working on something creative that had me instantly focused and in the zone. Still, it’s no excuse, I need to be more present, and that includes (especially) with steeping my tea.

Regardless, this is a chai-like, chocolate-y aroma-d, subtle vanilla-y tea. It’s nuanced, although again, likely not the best description or depiction based on my ridiculous oversight.

A surprisingly similar Ginger Beer flavor, even without the fizz (although i could see it being eery if it was made as a tea pop). I liked it, but didn’t LOVE it, perhaps it was just a bit too sweet and apple-y for me, which I’ve learned I’m not much of a fan of in my teas or juices.