Cassis & Blueberry

I had just finished my 3 free samples from my first order and I got my Kumquat order today and so I got another 3 more free samples. :D

Hmm. Cassis and blueberries. I had to look up cassis as I had no idea what it is… Cassis is blackcurrant. Ah, that one I know. So, it is another of their teas that they state it “has a mature flavor”. There is a little bitterness so maybe my hypothesis that “mature taste” meant bitter is correct (my Lupicia Grapefruit green tea review for reference). Maybe, maybe not. hehe Either way, there was a slight bitterness in the finish and is a slightly astringent tea.

The tea bag smelled good, like blueberry pie, blueberry muffins, a rich berry smell along with the blackcurrant. I followed their directions and used 150ml of boiling water, steeped for 3m. Their teas are very mild in flavor so I am now opting for the longest time period of their recommendation. Still mild but maybe I’m still thinking “juice” flavor when I try these teas as I am new to flavored teas. Maybe they aren’t mild but normal when it comes to flavored teas. Time will tell as I keep trying them.^^ I like this one because it’s not really sweet, it’s just a nice blueberry-blackcurrant taste.

June Wedding! This something blue is a sampler I snagged in April in a Lupicia mottainai sale (a Japanese term meaning “too good” or “wasteful”… basically, “buy this tea cheap because it is too good to go to waste!” because it is close to the best by date, out of season, over stock, etc.) This was in an old Christmas sampler, actually, but I was all too happy for the opportunity to try out more Lupicia flavors! This tea is a blend of Indian and Vietnamese black tea with dried blueberries and black currant flavoring.

My sampler came as a single-serve sachet (yay for sachet, I never have taste issues with those like I do with paper bags!). The leaf certainly has a very fruity aroma, with a very blueberry scent, and unlike other blueberry teas I’ve tried that smelled very sweet and more like blueberry pancake syrup, this is definitely reminding me more of fruit from the initial sniff.

I steeped the tea in boiling water for three minutes, and the tea was a nice copper color with a very pleasing dark berry aroma. This is really nice. It’s naturally sweet, but doesn’t feel overbearingly so. There is a very nice, distinct blueberry flavor, but I’m still able to taste the base tea as well, and it’s very smooth. The currant is coming out a bit closer to the grape side, but it is present, and I get a slightly honeyed quality to the tea as well. I think this edges out TeaSource’s Blueberry Fields for me as my favorite blueberry tea I’ve tried so far, though it is quite close.

This tea doesn’t have a a CTC base like the Orange Ginger blend that I tried from this company, but the leaves appear to still be quite small and fine. Having learned my lesson from the Orange Ginger I didn’t bother trying to drink it plain and added milk. I’m glad that I did, it mellowed the tea right out and brought a nice, lightly sweet berry flavour to the fore.

Home – 1:00 PM

This used to be one of my favorites from Lupicia, but I haven’t had a cup for a little while, so I figured I’d try it again before ordering more.

The base here is made up of small, flaky leaves. I would guess it’s at least partially Chinese in origin, as it has strong earthy notes. Otherwise it’s malty with a touch of astringency at the end of the sip. The cassis is definitely the dominant flavor here, and it overpowers the blueberry a bit too much. I’m not sure I would know the blueberry was present at all if it wasn’t in the name of the tea!

So it’s a very tasty cassis tea, but I really want more blueberry from it. And for that reason I’m okay with letting it go. :)

Sipdown! It seems that with newer teas, my policy is often Last In, First Out, especially if it comes in a relatively small quantity. The teas that I’ve had for a while are the ones I’m reluctant to part with, even if there’s only a little bit left.

Anyway, I took a good look at the sachet this time, and found a few round, dark berries in it. Might be the blueberries or cassis, they were quite dessicated so it was difficult to tell. But it’s nice to see there are actual fruit in this blend. As always, the flavor of this tea is very crisp and light. I think it will be fine to drink this late in the evening…

Yum! Berries! I love love love cassis. Why aren’t more things in that flavor around here?
Thanks to Ashmanra, I get to experience this delicious cup of juicy sweet nectar. Love the supportive base that just allows the flavors to shine. Lupicia does such a great job with fruit flavors.
I need to get these cassis berries planted somewhere. And juneberries. That’s my plan.

I actually really enjoyed this. The blueberry flavor was very genuine and complemented the black base well. It was very aromatic and overall a very refreshing tea, it’s a great pick if you are looking for teas that are great iced.

omg look I’m drinking AND logging a tea! a tea that jump62359 gave me. waaaaaay back in April 2014.
it’s berry and fresh tasting. and goes great with the cinnamon raisin oatmeal breakfast.
I’ll remember it when I get around to placing a Lupica order.

Ever since Twinings discontinued their Blackcurrant tea, this has been a staple of my breakfast every morning. I can’t wake up without it.

The sharper notes of the blackcurrant shock the mind awake, while the lighter flavours of the blueberry float in afterwards, soothing the mind after the sudden jolt a moment ago. This is such a beautiful tea, it is absolute heaven.