This is yet another tea from my swap with OMGsrsly – they’re all just too tempting to leave them alone!
I eyed this tea last time I was in a Teavana, but since I promised my husband I would only leave the store with one tea (and only as much as would fit in the tin I was refilling) this one lost out to the White Chocolate Peppermint Rooibos. I’ve been curious about it ever since, so I was happy to get my hands on a sample.
Teaware: 16oz ForLife glass mug and infuser
Measured dry: 3 teaspoons
Temperature: 195º F
Steeping Time: 3 minutes
Additives: 3tsp raw sugar
Like most Teavana teas, the dry blend is very chunky but the pieces are somewhat smaller than the others I’ve tried. Looking at it right now, I am a little surprised it’s listed as an oolong, because the small pieces of leaves I can make out look more like a chopped black.
When I poured in the water, I was a little surprised to see a slight brown foam forming on the sides of the infuser. I don’t know what that was, but when I removed the infuser it went away. I think it may have become part of the cloudiness in the cup, or the oily film on top. There are a lot of little particulates in the bottom and throughout the cup, but I’m not worried about it, because it seems to be part and parcel of the Teavana experience.
The actual flavor of the tea does evoke the memory if not the experience of a pumpkin dessert. I’m not getting the brûlée aspect of caramelized sugar, but there is a certain creaminess to it and a sweet little kick of spice in the aftertaste. I’m glad I got to try it!
