Troika

I love revisiting older teas that I haven’t had in a while. It’s amazing how much better my palate has gotten, and it’s especially evident to me with these Russian Blends. Now they taste so different from one another, when before I struggled to discern flavors in them. Yay, progress! I also feel now that they deserve higher ratings than I initially gave, as the flavoring is that lovely French variant that tastes somewhat subtle and natural as opposed to the Della Terra, David’s, etc. variant that I almost can’t stomach anymore.

As much as I’m enjoying this tea, I can’t justify keeping it around when I’m already going to be keeping both St. Petersburg and Prince Vladimir. Two bergamot teas are enough! I think Bouquet of Flowers way have to wiggle its way into the rehoming box, blah floral!

T&C TTB Tea #3 Backlog May 23

I had this tea on my must-try list for a while, because I really like St. Petersburg.

I didn’t much care for this, however.

All I got out of it was a citrusy black tea, that was somewhat astringent and not terribly flavorful.

I didn’t bother keeping the sample of this from the TTB, I actually didn’t even finish the cup, it was hurting my teeth. I really need a creamy note to make a lemony tea enjoyable for me.

This was….icky.

(Steeped 4 min at 185 degrees.)

This is nice, it’s got a light citrus kick. Thanks to Nicole, for the tea! Definitely a relief from the tea I tried earlier, tasted yuck. This is a good one to have with snackies :) I’m trying to figure out what to eat…. I’m watching Man v Food and really want like 5 grilled cheese sandwiches. Even though the guy looks like he’s not going to make it, the gooey cheese looks sooooo good. My town needs a grilled cheese truck too…

OK I freely admit that I bought this tea because it had a little mustachioed Bolshevik on the tin. They have since ditched that packaging, I see. I drank the tea, never really wanted any more of it, but kept the tin with the bolshevik. I remember it reminding me of Constant Comment. Like really expensive Constant Comment with ace packaging. Actually I quite like constant comment in a nostalgic sort of way and I’m sure at Christmas this year my mom will serve it with krumbkakka and it’ll be like the 70s all up in there.

3rd Russian Blend from NYC friends.

Smoky Mandarin, mildly floral, black tea! A little bit astringent, might have to cut the time down to 2m 30s next time.

Decadent yet light and airy. Could use a little more punch but overall enjoyed this black. Was perfect for a spring morning while settling into the day. I like some of the other Kusmi tea’s better but this is still a great tea.

Not as assertive as some of Kusmi’s other great teas, and probably the least interesting of its Earl Grey variations, but a very pleasant, light, and drinkable afternoon blend.

Really delicious, like all of the Kusmi teas that I have tried. These folks know how to flavor tea.