La Rose (Loose Tea Tin)

Mega exhausted after work today, so I decided to have a tea once at home, even though I would more normally be likely to have an alcoholic drink. I also needed a bit of raspberry leaf for reasons, and my favorite way to do raspberry leaf is to throw a bag into a cup of rose black tea. I still have this tea at home after picking it up at HomeGoods, so I used it. I had no fear of the raspberry leaf clouding the flavor of this tea, as it is perhaps one of the most intensely scented rose teas I’ve ever come across. That dry leaf is powerful.

I forgot that I have had this one before and enjoyed it. Well, I enjoyed it again. A very rosey, very nice tea, and it makes me really happy.

Couldn’t resist having this again this morning. I’ve been in a rose tea mood today. I was suppose to go to the dentist this morning, but it snowed. Now, normally cities that it snows in can handle these things, but it rarely snows where I live, and it is better to stay inside away from any roads. So I cancelled, took my pooch for a long 2 hour walk and then came home to a nice warm house. I then helped my neighbour make table number displays for her upcoming wedding. I was feeling romantic because I was living vicariously through my neighbour and her soon to be nuptials. There are some DT teas on sale right now with Rose in them, I am tempted… very tempted!!!

I see that Fauchon has a rose and litchi as well as a rose and apple tea! Alas, all that was at Marshall’s was rose. Poor me, right? :)
I was concerned that this tea might have that baby powder flavor that I loathe in some French teas, but I wanted to try it anyways. It is a little powdery, but not overwhelmingly so. It definitely tastes and smells rose like, very floral and I got a smooth cup out of this. I steeped it at 200, a little lower than I normally do blacks at, but I was trying to avoid any bitterness and it worked! It is really nice with a little bit of sugar and tastes lighter and more floral with a little cream. I think I like this one!

This is the first loose tea I’ve ever brewed, and it’s been a wonderful introduction. I’ve been an occasional tea drinker since childhood, learning from my mother and grandmother. Both favor Constant Comment teabags, which I drank exclusively throughout my 4 years of college whenever I felt homesick.
I spotted this tea in the checkout line at Home Goods. My tin looks different than this image, it’s all gold with a pink rose image front and center. It’s really lovely, although I’m afraid this may indicate that my tea is particularly old. My tin reads “Parfume / La Rose / Rose Tea / Fauchon Paris.” Does anyone know what’s behind this golden packaging?
I’m no tea expert of course, but I am a fine fragrance collector. This black rose tea appealed to me because I love rose scented perfumes. I was very satisfied with the subtle rose flavor in this tea. The scent of roses is sweet and very pleasant. It is light and not at all powdery or overpowering. The tea tastes as sweet as it smells, with a comforting hint of rose that doesn’t compete with the black tea. I found it very harmonious and relaxing.
I plan to hold on to this tin even after my tea is gone, because the golden color is very pretty. I will most likely choose another rose tea, recommendations are welcome!