Jason O'Toole Send Message

I’m celebrating ninety days of not drinking beverages other than tea. What better way than to reward myself with a cup of some high quality, custom blended…but what’s this? A stray bag of POW in the cupboard? I can’t recall ever drinking this before (I likely did without taking notice) so I buzz up the kettle.

As the bag steeped, I read some Armenian poetry (in English) and reflected on my life of loss and love. Damn, I’ve forgotten my tea! Although it was brewed a bit too long it was still an enjoyable cup. To my palate it is sweet, like candy. I wouldn’t enjoy it so much without tea biscuits or other food. It’s actually quite smooth (considering I drowned that bag for way too long) and had a slight dusty aftertaste, not to be unexpected with bagged tea.

I liked it and could see buying it to take on camping trips to enjoy with s’mores.

This tea would be great relief for a cold. I’m drinking it now because I have it and need a break from caffeine for a few minutes. It’s a pleasant blend of ginger and turmeric which includes licorice and citrus flavors. The licorice stands out more than the other flavors after a few sips, but that’s not a bad thing.

For a cheap, bagged Earl Grey, this one is in the “not bad at all” range. The bergamot is there, but it’s not too cloying or perfumey. I’d say it’s just right. The tea itself isn’t as strong as I prefer, considering I steeped it for five minutes, but neither is it terribly bitter. I like this brand better than others I have tried and for readily available teas that are probably in your friends’ pantries, this is one I don’t mind drinking. I drank my last cup with a splash of skim milk and no sugar. I usually drink it plain. Hot.

This is the tea my great-aunt from England often drank. When my palate has grown weary of all manner of tea-trickery, I will reach for a bag of Red Rose. A cup will take me back to my childhood as it’s very likely the first tea I ever had. It’s surprisingly a nice, very drinkable tea all these years later.

I found the smell of the tea the most pleasant aspect. It wasn’t overly perfumey like some newer Earl Greys. It had a hint of anise or licorice mixed in with the bergamot. The actual flavor of this tea was serviceable but not as robust as I look for in Earl Grey. It’s not a bad tea at all, just not among the best in a category of tea that has so many contenders.

This is a strong yet smooth cuppa for those who want an uncomplicated, full-flavored tea. Three minutes is more than enough time to produce a dark, rich brew. It has a malty, earthy taste that is never acidic. It’s bouquet is reminiscent of sharpening pencils in school on a cold morning. It simply tastes like quality.

I oversteeped my first cup but immediately noticed that while the bouquet of blueberry (I would describe it as blueberry pie) is strong, the flavor of the black tea was mild and clean. The blueberry did not overpower the tea even though the scent was strong to the very last sip, indeed to the tiniest drop left in the cup. This tea is an enjoyable change of pace for someone who typically drinks Irish breakfast tea in the morning and Earl Grey in the evening…day in and day out. The aftertaste is surprisingly pleasant: not at all bitter and somewhat mood enhancing in and of itself.