85
drank Violet Black Tea by Simpson & Vail
735 tasting notes

EDIT: I have contacted S&V and they are replacing my entire order – this time double-bagging and ziplocking. I feel a little sad that they had to do this, but I’m glad I contacted them. Thank you, Nichole and TeaBrat for encouraging me to say something. I have trouble standing up for myself sometimes.
-—————
I am facing a tea tragedy. Violet teas are one of my absolute favorites. I basically convinced myself to place my most recent order on the fact that Simpson & Vail makes a violet tea.

However, S&V sent their teas to me in rolled up paper bags, like the ones you get coffee beans in. They were by NO means airtight. I knew when I received the box that they had poorly packaged my order because I could smell it through the cardboard. Sadly, one tea in particular, Strawberry Cupcake, had contaminated basically the whole box. It absolutely reeked of Tootsie Roll chocolate.

So, I can tell this is good underneath it all! The black tea base isn’t too bitter or astringent. The violet is mild, but very much present. It doesn’t taste like I’m drinking soap or old lady perfume. And the little purple flowers mixed in are just lovely. But! There’s also a very distracting and unwanted chocolate taste. Thus, my tea tragedy. :(

Rating based on what I could taste beyond the contamination.

Flavors: Floral, Flowers, Violet

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 4 min, 0 sec 2 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML
Nichole/CuppaGeek

Sad! I wonder why they sent the teas in rolled up bags. That doesn’t seem right. Have you sent them an email about that?

Tabby

I’m definitely considering it. I don’t mind getting those kinds of bags when I go to tea shops, but they’re really bad to ship with!

kieblera5

You drank my cat! :P (her name is violet)

TeaBrat

they have always used those bags to ship everything, I am not sure why. It was never a problem for me but in this case, I think you should say something.

Tabby

I did and have already heard back. I’ll be editing my post when I get a second.

TeaBrat

I’m glad they are replacing the order for you. :)

Orphia

Yeah, I love S&V’s teas for the most part, but they’re the reason why I keep plenty of tea tins on-hand. Those paper bags just don’t cut it, especially if you’ve got a strongly scented tea.

Guess I was lucky; I had Strawberry Cupcake and Violet in an order together and I didn’t have any issues with cross-contamination. Might be because I’m close enough that I get my order the next day? I don’t know.

John Grebe

Very glad to hear the tea company went out of its way to address the problem. Personally a vendor being very quick to fix a mistake/problem causes me to think even more highly of them than had they just always gotten it right the first time.

tea-sipper

I know this is a four year old post, but just to note, Simpson and Vail has changed the packaging on their teas and they are much more scent friendly and resealable.

Tabby

Oh, that’s great to know for the future! I love how huge their selection is.

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Comments

Nichole/CuppaGeek

Sad! I wonder why they sent the teas in rolled up bags. That doesn’t seem right. Have you sent them an email about that?

Tabby

I’m definitely considering it. I don’t mind getting those kinds of bags when I go to tea shops, but they’re really bad to ship with!

kieblera5

You drank my cat! :P (her name is violet)

TeaBrat

they have always used those bags to ship everything, I am not sure why. It was never a problem for me but in this case, I think you should say something.

Tabby

I did and have already heard back. I’ll be editing my post when I get a second.

TeaBrat

I’m glad they are replacing the order for you. :)

Orphia

Yeah, I love S&V’s teas for the most part, but they’re the reason why I keep plenty of tea tins on-hand. Those paper bags just don’t cut it, especially if you’ve got a strongly scented tea.

Guess I was lucky; I had Strawberry Cupcake and Violet in an order together and I didn’t have any issues with cross-contamination. Might be because I’m close enough that I get my order the next day? I don’t know.

John Grebe

Very glad to hear the tea company went out of its way to address the problem. Personally a vendor being very quick to fix a mistake/problem causes me to think even more highly of them than had they just always gotten it right the first time.

tea-sipper

I know this is a four year old post, but just to note, Simpson and Vail has changed the packaging on their teas and they are much more scent friendly and resealable.

Tabby

Oh, that’s great to know for the future! I love how huge their selection is.

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Bio

Quiet, strange, and in love with the world of tea. Living just outside of Atlanta. Cat lover, electronic music geek, balcony gardener, and collector of fossils. On the hunt for the perfect tea in each of my favorite categories.

After 10 years on Steepster, I have given up. The lack of maintenance, updates, and mobile compatibility have finally discouraged me. I still use my Cupboard and add teas to the database, but I won’t be logging teas anymore.

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