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I really enjoyed this one. It has the cooling wet-stone feeling that I’m coming to really enjoy in dark oolongs, but also a lot of sweet honey flavor. It starts soft, but opens up on the tongue, then lingers after the sip. Overall, it’s really smooth and quite pleasant.

I don’t know if I’d purchase this particular one myself, but it’s a good example of this type of oolong, and I’d definitely drink it again.

I think I’ll be icing the rest of this, and not because it’s a bad tea. It just tastes so, so much like the lychee juice I pick up in the Asian grocer that it’s super weird to drink warm.

Incredibly juicy, and even a little thick on the tongue. Pretty much lychee perfection.

Not that I expected any differently, but this is a really nice chocolate orange tea.

The orange flavor is more on the orange rind side of things, but not in a bad way. It’s a bittersweet candied type flavor, and makes the whole cup remind me of our local chocolatier’s version of chocolate covered oranges (candied orange rind, and dark chocolate. Mmmmmmm!)

The chocolate flavor is more of a milk chocolate, and the nuttiness from the Zhen Qu adds a depth to it I wasn’t initally expecting. I didn’t pick up much from the marshmallow on this cup, other than a bit of fluffy sweetness kind of just chilling there and keeping me from even coming close to wanting to sweeten my cup.

So, I’ve been really bad at reviewing tea lately because I’ve been crazy addicted to Dark Souls. And Fiance is horribly seductive with his offers of playing it co-op with me sometimes. (Bless him for helping me through the Anor Londo archers.)

It’s also almost felt like spring for us lately, so I’ve spent way more time outside. And then tomorrow and Friday are supposed to be a rain/snow mixture. Sigh.

I made an unsweetened pitcher of this, because I honestly think it’s sweet enough on it’s own. It’s a definite solid candy-like watermelon flavor. It’s also not so overwhelming that you feel like you’re chewing Bubble Yum (which I actually like, but know it’s not for everyone). This reminds me of a dialed back version of the Watermelon Mint from Republic of Tea.

Definitely another tasty tea!

I got this is a swap with CharlotteZero! So, thank you so much!

There’s a lot of smoke and leather in the aroma of the brewed cup, but it doesn’t transfer into the flavor as strongly as I’d feared (though it definitely does). It’s actually slightly winey, with a tart fruit note in the back of the sip and a little bit of sweetness is present as well. It has a cooling sensation in my mouth, despite being piping hot.

Overall, this is a pretty good cup. I’m just unsure if it’s something I could see keeping on hand.

I found this to be more watermelon than green apple, with both flavors being a bit candy-like and artificial (but still good). The sweetness of the watermelon is in the front, and lifts a bit at the end into a tart Jolly Rancher-like apple. The base is green tasting and slightly vegetal, and pairs well with both flavors.

When chilled, it seems the flavors reverse potency and suddenly the tart green apple is in the front and sweetens into watermelon at the end. I’m finding the apple less artificial in the iced cup as well.

Either way, I think this is a pretty fair cup. It isn’t something I see myself reaching for frequently, but I can see the appeal.

Thanks for this one too Eva!

Definitely not a grassy, but a fuller vegetal type flavor that’s more akin to spinach or another dark green veggie. It has the same brothy, smooth heft that is most common in Dragonwell, though it lacks any nutty notes, and it more quenching and bright.

This has kind of an understated elegance to it. It doesn’t seem complicated and is really easy and comforting to drink, and would work well when the focus on something else, but if you take the time and really focus on the cup, other green and buttery levels seems to emerge.

Thanks a lot for this one Eva!

Oh. My. God.

Guilt free cheesecake.

Where have you been all my life?

This absolutely needs milk and a sweetener to bring out the smooth, creamy, tangy goodness that is the flavor of cheesecake. But once it’s right it’s really right. Though, even in chilled latte mode, the greenness of the matcha comes through (which I like, but probably couldn’t say the same for everyone).

The only thing it’s missing is the buttery, insanely decadent flavors that also typically come with cheesecake. I don’t feel like I should hit the gym after drinking this, though.

I’m not usually a fan of blooming teas, but I can’t say I’d ever had a blooming black tea before. I can definitely say I would again now though! It’s beautiful from the presentation standpoint, but I was more thrilled with how it delivered in flavor.

These little flowers are incredibly rich and malty, with sweet caramel and honey notes. And two cones at 4 minutes makes a surprisingly flavorful cup. I could definitely see myself pick up more of these.

This is pretty tasty. The raspberry flavor seems to be better than the normal Adagio raspberry, and I’m not sure if that’s because of the addition of the raspberry leaves, or perhaps the rose hips lift the flavor, or because it’s tempered by the hazelnut and chocolate flavors. But it seems more juicy and natural.

The chocolate flavor doesn’t come through as strongly as I have feared (because let’s be honest, Adagio’s chocolate flavors aren’t the best), but add kind of a subtle milk chocolate layer that hides behind the roasty hazelnut.

I think this is the first chocolate-raspberry combination I’ve had made from Adagio teas and really liked (Ripe for Romance was a little lackluster and plastic-y).

I’m so, so excited that Shadowfall was awesome enough to pick this sampler up for me. I’ve quite liked the three I’ve tried so far. People on Steepster are so amazing.