36 Tasting Notes
This tea is very sweet and fragrant—something I really like about teas in general. It really does smell like grape juice, and tastes very fruity and refreshing. I made a big potful, as the plan was to save it for iced tea. It was good hot, but a little strong; I like my hot teas to be more subtle. Diluted with ice it’s just right.
Doesn’t really need to be sweetened—I think sugar would make this TOO sweet.
This was the first Kusmi tea I tried from my order. I was really impressed. I’d never really had a tea with licorice root before, so I wasn’t expecting that sweet aftertaste, and was pleasantly surprised when I swallowed and the sweetness lingered in my mouth. With vanilla soymilk, or even just milk to bring out the sweetness of this tea, there’s no need to add sugar. It’s dessert all on its own. I think the name, Sweet Love, fits it extremely well.
The tea itself is really beautiful was well. Colorful bits and pieces all mixed together. It’s a very festive-looking tea. The tin is beautiful. I love the little drawing on the side.
Preparation
This tea is the perfect night-time drink. Sometimes when it’s cold at night I have mad cravings for tea, but can’t drink any because I don’t buy decaf and haven’t really acquired the taste for most herbal/rooibos teas. Enter: barley tea! It’s nutty and rich, with a bittersweet aftertaste that’s actually rather pleasing. I can’t explain.
It brews dark, so one tea spoon actually produces a brew that looks a lot like coffee. I have this hot, with some milk/soy creamer, and one or two cubes of sugar. The strawberry flavor is stronger when it’s dry, and melts into the barley flavor when it’s brewed, which is quite nice. Best dessert/midnight snack tea ever.
I’ve also brewed it very lightly sweetened in cold water. It makes a great iced tea, very refreshing. Really sad that it’s supposed to be a limited edition. I hope the Lupicia in town doesn’t run out!
Preparation
Got this tea as part of Kusmi’s Russian Teas sampler. It came in a cute little tin.
I’ve got to say: this tea is hands down my favorite tea from Kusmi that I’ve tried. It’s got a warm, candy-like aroma that just permeates the air—I can smell this tea steeping from the opposite side of my living room. For me, the fruity flavor isn’t as overwhelming as it can sometimes be in other flavored teas. It’s got caramel, but not in a cloying way. Most caramel teas require milk and sugar for me, but this one is delicious plain, sweetened, or as a soy latte.