My Overall Impression (Score of 86 %)

Thanksgiving is behind us so now on to the Christmas rush.  Being sick the last few weeks with lots to do has me craving more tea than normal.  I decided to open this one up and try it.  I should have done this over the summer as this tea would be a lovely brew as an Iced Tea.

When you open the package, the candied fruit aroma instantly spreads throughout the room.  This is one of the more intense aroma teas that I’ve tried.  It’s big and inviting and the brewed cup does not disappoint.  It’s a big, structured tea that has bold fruit flavors.  I have to say that’s a bit one-dimensional in terms of the flavor but still is a lovely cup to sip on.

The price as of 11/27/23 is $7.80 for 56 gm or 2 oz.

Broken down:

• 56gm / 3 gm for steeping = 18 cups
• 18 cups from package = 43 cents per cup

Typically, I double steep all my teas (use the tea twice) so I can get 56 cups or approximately 22 cents per cup.  This is definitely in range with other teas that I’ve reviewed.

Aromas

• In the bag, highly intense aromas of candied blackberries, raspberries, and toasted malt instantly fill the room. It also shows an interesting fresh cranberry note and floral tones.
• It shows hints of dried ginger, strawberries, grape juice (like Welch’s – yes it does, trust me) and something sweet that I could not determine.
• Once brewed, the intense aromas remain.
• It reminded me of a sweet caramel sugar coasting fresh blackberries or black raspberries.

Flavors

• On the palate, the flavor is muted compared to the aromas but still intensive and full.
• The main flavors of blackberry, raspberries, and cranberries shine over the toasted malt.
• It shows hints of vanilla, toasted oak, white pepper, thyme, and a hint of musty herbs.
• This is a full body, slightly astringent bone-dry tea. While it appears to have sweetness to it, this is due to the aroma.  On the palate, it’s dry due to the lack of sugar and large tannin structure.

Scores

• Aromas (4.6/5)
• Flavors (8.4/10)
• Overall impression (4.2/5)
  • Total score = 86.0 percent (17.2/20)

Foods to Pair and Why

• This is definitely a tea that I wish to brew in the summer when the weather warms up enough. Yes, I can brew it and place it on ice, but I find that sometimes this methods pulls some more astringency out of the leaves.
• I would love to warm up a wheel of brie until it’s just melted and place a dollop of homemade pepper jelly on top and serve with crostini points.
• For a lovely appetizer that should pair lovely, I would take soft rolls (or to be lazy, the small Hawaiian rolls that you can buy at the store) and fill these with thin sliced roasted turkey breast added to a BLT base and a small amount of blackberry or golden raspberry
• Every year, I make these incredible white chocolate, oatmeal, cranberry cookies, and I’d serve this tea right with them.
• In the summer, I love to cedar plank salmon and place this on fresh salad leaves, candied walnuts, dried cranberries, and a blackberry Caesar dressing. That means adding a small amount of blackberry jam to the dressing (trust me, it works fantastic).