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So, normally I would not be drinking black tea at this time of night because of caffeine concerns but I think the number of margaritas that happened tonight will counteract the amount of caffeine in this one cup of tea. Also, my self-imposed ban on my Lupicia order has been lifted and I could not resist! THIS IS MY FIRST LUPICIA TEA AHHHHHHH

Both dry and when steeping this tea smells like Kiwi, which is one of my absolute favorite fruits. The steeping aroma also includes some black tea smell…so far so good. Here’s the thing… I can certainly taste the black tea for a second before the kiwi wave crashes into my mouth and is SO GOOD. So, I’m trying to be a good steepster-ite and describe the black tea in it but as I’m concentrating on the nuances of the black tea taste, the kiwi hits and my tongue/associated brain areas are like “KIWI. ME LIKE KIWI. SIP MORE” I’ll just say it’s blended really well…yes, that’s it. If you like kiwi, drink this tea. You will be happy. As for me, this tea has skyrocketed to a place in my favorite teas :-)

Also I shortened my display name so when people refer to me, they don’t have to type the 1851. Just call me mj :-). My friends do!

I picked this up the last time I was visiting the BF in Maryland. I think it’s new for the summer. First, a gripe about Capital Teas: when shopping in the store, you have to buy 4 oz minimum. Who wants to do that?? My intention when stopping in was to buy a little bit of a few teas to try, but that was not to be. Sigh. I asked if I could buy smaller quantities and was told no because they come with the tin…..but I don’t need a tin, I told them. Blank stare. It looks like online you can buy in 2oz quantities, at least.

Anyway, I had to choose carefully and I am extremely pleased with my choice. This tea is just so extremely pleasant. Dry, the tea smells pretty strong. I was worried that the strawberry flavor was going to be way too much. When you pour the water on, the leaves burst open like they’re spring-loaded and the strawberry scent is unexpectedly delicate. This continues with the taste of the tea. The primary taste is a nice roasty oolong, which I’m learning that I prefer to the greener oolongs (although I’m in love with DT’s vanilla orchid oolong, which is greener but that’s an exception). About halfway through the sip, the strawberry makes an appearance and is so delicate that it’s more like this tea makes my tongue remember what strawberry tastes like rather than my tongue actually tasting it presently. The strawberry taste is more like strawberry jam than fresh strawberries, although it’s not very sweet. I know that seems contradictory but that’s the best way I can think of to describe it.

I went to the opening night of a musical that my friend wrote tonight; it was about a zombie-human love story. So funny! Then we went out for some beers. Now I’m home and NEED TEA. Or tisane. You know what I mean lol. This tea smells DIVINE (translation: like chocolate). At first sip, there is a weird artificial taste that also kind of tastes like nothing. It’s hard to describe. The chocolate only comes out to play after the sip is done. BRB, adding splenda to try to coax the chocolate out sooner. OK, yes that totally turns this around. Now it’s super milk chocolately goodness with no wood chip rooibos taste! Thank you carol who for this and all the other caffeine-free options you sent! That’s an area of my cupboard that I really need to expand.

I decided I had time for one more cup of tea before I have to spend all afternoon working in the hood and I am super glad I threw this in my bag to bring to work with me. Nina’s Paris is batting 1000 with me so far! This tea is just delightful. I like it even better than the Nina’s Japon. The raspberry and the red currant are fantastic together and then caramel and vanilla mellow out the tartness. I’m glad I split my sample in two and risked underleafing it because I definitely want to have this again soon. Thanks for sharing your Nina’s with me, Ost!

I’m having an experience y’all and that experience is Nina’s Japon. This is my first Nina’s tea and also my first tea with crispy rice. It’s so toasty and roasted nutty with a little bit of sweetness with the caramel somehow hitting as I exhale after the sip. To me, this is a really well done, subtle tea that I am loving. It’s scrumptious and comforting. Thanks Ost for hooking me up with my first Nina’s Paris tea!

My Harney & Sons tribute continues with Chocolate Mint. Chocolately, creamy, minty, energizing…mmmmmmm. Such a great tea! And I had a great time drinking it today while dance-cooking around my kitchen in my Star Wars apron while listening to this amazeballs playlist that Cavocorax recommended in one of her tasting notes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKgKmMLH8yk#t=238

So good. So I’m just finishing this tea up while I wait for my creation to cool a bit in the fridge: tequila-lime shrimp quinoa salad. Here’s to you, Mr. Harney and the fabulous company you built.

I’m continuing my Harney & Sons tribute day with one of my all-time favorite teas. This tea just fits me and was the first tea I went all crazy over. It doesn’t get the most love on Steepster, which is fine- more for me! I love how neither the chocolate nor the coconut overpowers the other and the floral aspect is the finishing touch for me. With milk, it is to die for! Mr. Harney has created a great legacy with his tea company, which adds enjoyment to so many lives.

I’m starting my Harney and Sons tribute day with some Hot Cinnamon Sunset- my first H&S tea. This might have actually been my first non-Lipton hot tea. My mom gave it to me for some holiday or other when I was working on my Bachelor’s degree and it was my go-to tea (especially for studying!) for most of undergrad. Good memories :-). I kind of burnt myself out on it, so I haven’t had it in FOREVER and I forgot how delicious it is! This is my kind of cinnamon tea. It’s like “hey, here’s some delicious cinnamon for you to enjoy along with some cloves and oranges” rather than clubbing me over the head while screaming “CINNAMON!” like most cinnamon teas. It’s also a very forgiving tea. I used to abuse it with improper steeping conditions on a regular basis. Here’s to you, Mr. Harney! My condolences to the Harney family.

Friends, it’s finally happened. I got my hands on a sample of Laoshan Black! It came from Miss B ‘s tea sale of awesomeness. Thanks so much Miss B! I was beyond excited when I pulled this out of the package. Anyway, THIS TEA. Amazing! I’ve had other teas that had cocoa notes to them, but this actually tasted like chocolate with a toasty taste mixed in. It almost reminded me of a chocolate croissant, but not quite. This had zero astringency and just a tiny suggestion of tannin. Ugh, just so damn good. I got 5 steeps out of it too! This description is kind of falling flat. I can’t do this tea justice. Verdant, please stock the regular LB before I drive over there and buy the expensive one like a fool. K thx bye

I got this carol who along with some awesome Doctor Who books. Books and tea are a great combination always. The blend is quite fruit heavy-fine by me!- and brews up a deep ruby red. Very pretty! The flavors are well blended and there’s enough tartness with the fruit that it reminds me of a tart fruit punch. Yum. I’m really enjoying floral teas lately and this is a gem. Thanks carol who!