Dinosara Send Message

And just like that, my cupboard is back up to 195. A swap, some samples from Steep City, and there are more swaps on the way. Now it becomes how fast can I sip things down before the rest come so I can stay under 200.

The good reviews for Steep City’s teas, along with their unique blends, made me really curious about trying them out, but not quite enough to put in an order (I am trying to cut back, after all). But then David at Steep City offered a few free samples deep within a discussion thread, and I jumped on it. I was disappointed that they couldn’t ship any white tea samples (the packaging would apparently crush the tea) because I really wanted to try Coconut Grove, but I am pleased to get the samples that I did, this being one of them!

I like the look of these tea leaves, which are fairly long and wirely. No chopped up base here. The dry leaf smelled delicious, like candied almonds with a hint of floral rose. Steeped, it still smells mouth-wateringly like candied nuts, and I can totally see the baklava resemblance that Alphakitty noted. There is a sweetness here from the apple pieces, but they manage to not make the tea taste appley or fruity at all. No it’s just nutty, honeyed, pastry, and the barest hint of floral rose. Normally I might want more rose, but all these flavors blend so well together, this time I don’t. I can’t definitively make out any notes that are just coming from the base tea, but it works so well and is so integrated I am sure that it is adding to these pastry-like flavors. It’s full and rich and not just a boring background note, even if it isn’t completely distinct on its own. Impressive first showing from this company.