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Smoky, dark, regal. The dry leaf is all about the orange. But brewed it’s all ancient fireplace. If you love serious, intense smoky teas, this one probably isn’t enough. But for someone who only dabbles occasionally in smoky teas, this is just right.

Another good herbal from Teavana. I agree with whoever wrote that Teavana’s herbal blends are a bit like fruit juice. They’re like stews of fruit, packed with flavor, heavy in the bag, good for more than one long infusion.

This one has a holiday feel to it, the feel of fruit cake or lightly spiced cookies. Not overtly spicy. Just that feel. An even balance between the plum and the almond. Warming, comforting (not refreshing or invigorating). A nice late-night, just-before-bed cup.

A very refreshing post-yoga tea last night. Citrus is prominent, toned down a little by the sage. I get no lavender at all. Makes me feel like I’m at a nice spa.

Very chocolate, like those 85% cacao dark chocolate bars. The mate gives it a quirky little zing, sort of grassy, sort of medicinal, making me think of angelica or juniper. Not sure why I’ve turned into a bit of a snob about Teavana teas. This is actually one of the better mate teas I’ve tried.

Light, more sweet than buttery, more floral than vegetal. The second steep is more floral than the first. I’ve neglected this sample for about a year, but it’s still good.

Many impulse buys at Teavana today. I popped in to buy a clear mug for blooming tea. Next thing I know, I’m surrounded by giant hatbox tins of tea, the saleswoman using the lid as a sort of fan to waft the dry leaf aroma at me. This Fig Rose is nice. Tart, creamy, naturally sweet. The almond is noticeable; the rose not at all. It’s fruity without having that weak-cocktail-on-a-cruise-ship feel. Not sure I’ll always have to have this in the tea stash, but I’m enjoying it. A fine herbal tea for any time of year.

Wow, nutmeg! Dark brew, all three steeps. A natural sweetness. This does remind me of something you’d drink out of a snifter at the end of a nice dinner party.

When it comes to oolongs, so far I prefer the green ones to the dark ones. But I like the quirkiness of this one. Will have to play more with the steeping times and temperatures.

A fun tea, and a portable way to have the flavors of a Thai chai blend I enjoy. Exactly the right balance of coconut, ginger, and vanilla. This is a happy, playful, afternoon-pick-me-up tea. I got a nice first steep, but the water may have been hotter than the recommended temp, because the second steep was nothing much.

The best tea I’ve had all week. I want to drink this every day. Jasmine teas have never worked for me before. They all made me think of cheap shampoo. But this one is lovely. It feels elegant, refined, transporting me to a fine Chinese tea house. Nice, warm base, and just the right amount of jasmine.