I wasn’t expecting much from this tea, particularly with a description that starts with “slightly bitter”, but actually, I’m really loving it. I drank it once yesterday, attempted to drink it a second time (but it picked up travel mug taste and wasn’t so great), and I’m starting off with it again this morning.
The dry leaf is small, dark curls with a smattering of golden tips. It has a faintly malty smell, but nothing too distinctive.
Steeped, the leaf smells rich and malty. The tea soup is a lovely, clear mahogany, and smells of rich fruits and malt.
The flavour is excellent. If there’s any bitterness it only a hint, and there’s notes of malt, strawberries, raspberries and stone fruits. This has a medium body and just a touch of astringency, which lends a pleasant depth. A sweet potato note develops on the finish, with a whisper of cinnamon.
I’m not entirely sure why this tea stands out to me, but it does. It’s a really great morning cup, and I could see myself drinking it often. I’m going to be through my sample pretty quick and I think I will reorder.
Flavors: Cinnamon, Malt, Raspberry, Stonefruit, Strawberry, Sweet Potatoes
Usually teas that have the bitter descriptor are also not my favorites, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised a few times.
Analina, I’m with you on this one….I ADORE it. Review to come later, but it’s one of the few teas that I ordered 100g of from Teabox and I’ve tasted almost all their teas. I get no bitter from it at all…just a lovely light fruity tea. Hooray for unexpected surprises!