Tabletop Teas

Company’s web site says this tea is being discontinued. No surprise there. I really cannot recommend this tea – no redeeming factors other than it doesn’t taste as bad as it smells? Look at the laundry list of “ingredients” – I think if it has more than 3, it shouldn’t qualify as tea. And, 3 is 2 too many.

The blender’s description starts with “This dark, rich, complex tea is something unexpected.” Yep, dead on the mark. The first thing I notice is that it smells like chocolate; its not sweet chocolate, but the rich, alkaline baking cocoa that you smell. Surprisingly, it doesn’t really taste like chocolate/cocoa. There is a bit of the alkali taste/feel and an undertone of currant (but not an undercurrent :D ), but no strong black tea. The aftertaste brings back the cocoa.

I like a good Earl Grey and am not a big fan of lavendar, but this tea blows away my expectations.

Old Toby – tastes like an old, wet campfire smells. Reminds me of waking up on a cold winter morning on a campout with the Boy Scouts. Maple flavor is just a hint under the smoke.

Wow! I have had other teas that claim “black currant” flavor, but nothing I’ve had in the past compares to this blend. You can actually pick out the dried currants and pomegranat seeds. The flavor comes through strongly and presents a fruity, sweetish taste. Took a long steep to get any color into the brew

This one is an odd duck – it has a flavor that I cannot identify. Looking at the ingredients list, I don’t know what to think. The tea company/blender suggest cinnamon bun and Earl Grey, but I disagree. Nothing on the list stands out as THE flavor. I’m going with woody.
It is okay tea, not great tea. Good enough that I had two.

Quintessential black tea. Has a very very slight smokiness to it. It reminds me of Twinnings 1706 tea, strong and peaty. Very good.