First impression…this has a a strong fruity scent and large pieces of dried fruit scattered throughout. A very tropical vibe from the start.
I am also somewhat sentimental about this particular tea as I drank it many mornings while waking up and looking at the sunrise over O’ahu.
It brews up to a rich color, the black tea base is a little malty but mellow overall- just watch the steeping time since I suspect this one will turn undrinkable quickly. I find some Lupicia blacks are prone to being unforgiving if steeped even 30 seconds too long.
Flavour is strong in the brewed cup too- I get a lot of mango and general “tropical fruit” notes. It’s not artificial tasting. The balance is lovely- the tropical fruit notes are dominant over the tea, but that’s what I look for in a tea that’s supposed to evoke a sense of place like this one. If you like a subtle hint of flavour, this one is probably not for you. If you want a fruity black blend that immediately says “HAWAII,” you can’t go wrong with this one.
Flavors: Mango, Papaya, Pineapple, Tropical Fruit