269 Tasting Notes
The background story on Simpson & Vail’s website about George the customer, and the inspiration for this tea, was heartwarming. As usual, Simpson and Vail has a good hand with blending their teas and for a good price. It’s a nice brisk breakfast or afternoon blend with black tea and oolong. There is a touch of fruit in there but I didn’t pick it up really. It mainly comes across to me as a straight out tea blend but a good one.
A fun, almost astringent, fruity black tea. I’m not actually a huge fan of tart and this doesn’t go overboard at all with it for me, so I think they did well with a pleasant balance. The raspberry is brighter than “puckery” and the almond in the background is always a nice touch to black tea when it’s not too artificial or heavy. So far have drank a few cups and will mark this one as a keeper, almost done with my one ounce order.
A strong, robust tea. Would work well for a breakfast tea as well despite the afternoon name. Matches summer heat here in Florida. A satchet for the cup at 5 minutes. Buries a cube of sugar so not naturally sweet. Flirts with borderline bitterness. I think next time I’ll try a four minute steep due to that buried in the background.
On a visual note, the collectable tin is lovely.
I couldn’t’ resist some Disney tins and others in a recent Harney and Son sale. If I hate the tea, at least there’s the tins I suppose. I got Mickie, Minnie, Peter Pan, Disenchanted, and Snow White.
I’ve only had one cup of this one. Reached for a satchet for a nightly cup of decaf the other night, not expecting much honestly, but it was surprisingly good. I could taste the hibiscus but it wasn’t overpowering, and the tea was strong with fruity flavors. I was not, as they say, disenchanted. You never know with Harney’s blends, so it was a pleasant surprise
It does say mint is in there, but I couldn’t really sense it other than adding layers to the tea.
Preparation
Another one I like! I’m hitting gold lately with all these samples. I love almond if done right, and that’s the predominate with this one. It’s better when piping hot rather than cooled. Do like enough to buy more of it. And of course the name rocks.
Preparation
This tea is not a bad tea, but it’s not to my taste. It is tannin heavy and becomes a bit more brisk and drying the more I sipped. The sage is interesting and they did a great job with balanced fruits as backnotes – but it flirts with borderline bitterness and it’s not something I find desirable to drink again. Not a keeper, but not an awful tea – some enjoy heavy tannins compared to me.