Orange Cranberry Black Tea

This came as a free sample from Simpson & Vail and seems very apropos for the autumn weather. This was steeped for 4 minutes in the Beehouse teapot and is a very easy one to drink plain.

I am definitely getting the orange rind as well as a bit of tartness from the cranberry. Compared to other fruit flavored teas I have had, it doesn’t overwhelm you with flavoring but is just about right. I don’t love this particular flavor profile, but if you are a huge orange/cranberry fan you should check it out. Very enjoyable for the afternoon.

This was a sample that they sent with my tea order.
When you smell the dry leaf it reminds me of muffins or cranberry bread.
It has a baked goods odor to it that is very warm and comforting.
Taste is orange, than cranberry than a nice black tea.
Very lovely tea for drinking in autumn or winter.
Has a definite cozy appeal.
I would purchase this tea.

Sipdown! (36 | 72)

This one tastes a bit like bubblegum to me.

I have the same problem with some of Dammann’s orange teas, not sure why that is. It’s not super bubblegum-y, and I do get some deep cranberry notes in the background. But it’s enough that I wouldn’t want to buy this again.

I enjoyed the rooibos version more and didn’t notice any bubblegum notes there, which is interesting. Still interested in trying the tulsi version too…

I am trying to do daily sippings for the month of November and December to go through all my samples, etc., but I am bad about logging daily as I do this.

I did Orange Cranberry a few days ago. I love Orange Black teas and Orange Spice teas but find many of them hit or miss. I enjoyed the cranberry from a black blend from harney and sons, so I figured Orange and Cranberry would be a treat.

I was surprised the top note is more of a spice with this one. It is a sweet, bright smelling tea when dry. Would go well with any foods – breakfast, brunch, dessert evening tea, cookies or sweats, chocolate, breads.

Was going to do 5 minutes but S&V seems to have a good strength to their teas, so I found it better 3.5 to 4 minutes. The taste is good, but not as light and bright as the smell and description hints at. I found it heavier than I figured, which is a surprise.

I then tried it as an iced tea pitcher in a medium sized carafe as I figured it may be better suited cold. Accidentally added too much sugar to the iced tea, but it did make a good and fulfilling iced tea.