This was a nice sample included with my recent order and a nice evening dessert for me.
I’m a chocolate lover for sure (anyone else?!)!
I brewed a little pot Western Style and steeped the suggested time
of 5 minutes. Tic Toc….
The wet leaves smelled like raisins and sour bready black tea.
(No chocolate or malt)
I took a big drink of tea, looking forward to the chocolate…my love!
There wasn’t any chocolate flavor, but a medium bodied black tea taste without any malt or cocoa. It’s a nice enough, slightly acidic black tea with tiny hints of smoke (most of Whispering Pines Tea’s I’ve tasted so far have had a some bit of smoke…and I like smokiness).
I added some sweetening and then I added some cream. (These would possibly bring out a cocoa or malty chocolate flavor if there was
some in the tea, I thought.)
But alas, even though the tea was good tasting black tea, I couldn’t taste chocolate let alone Black Chocolate.
Steepsters, I’m not picking on Whispering Pines. I’m rarely critical in my comments about tea and everyone knows this. Maybe when the tea was created the chocolate flavor was stronger and later faded. Possibly a maltier tea would have been better with the nibs.
I have to compliment the creative energy Whispering Pines is putting into their tea’s and the many unique blends. They are listening to their customers also which is what I appreciate when I purchase tea!
Interesting…I specifically taste-tested that one before sending out — definitely chocolate to me. You truly couldn’t smell or taste the cocoa? Very interesting…I’m going to go brew a cup of it now to see if perhaps I’m imagining it. Thanks for the feedback! :)
You know what, you’re totally right! Very strange…this is the first cup I’ve brewed of this blend that has this sour bready smell to it. The dry leaf, however, is like being punched in the face with cocoa to me. Wondering what happened here…back to the drawing board tomorrow!
Lets see what others think but I have pretty sensitive taste buds. I can’t try it again since it was a little sample but maybe I’ll try it again next time. I always like to give second chances.
I love when I can see people take constructive criticism well. And when people give it in a way that isn’t hurtful. I am going to check out Whispering Pines’ tea and put a couple on my shopping list for later.
Thanks Skulleigh!
Skulleigh — when the customer is the most important thing, ya gotta take that into high consideration :) I appreciate any feedback. Even if Bonnie WAS picking on me, it would help achieve a better product :)