My Overall Impression (Score of 84.5%)

This is one that I purchased again from the description, and I was completely blown away with what I received.  This tea shows large fruit on the nose and completely changes once brewed.  This is a food tea.  That means that even though you can enjoy it on its own, this is a fun one to pair in summer.  Over and over again, my ‘Chef Brain’ was thinking either smoked, grilled or long BBQ items.  Now that summer is in full swing, some great peaches grilled or smoked and used would be heavenly.  I definitely want to try this one as an iced tea to see what it brings to the table.

The price on 7/25/23 is $16.80 for 50 grams.

Broken down:

• 50 gm / 3 gm for steeping = 16 brews
• 16 brews from package = $1.05 per brew

Typically, I double steep all my teas (use the tea twice) so I can get 32 cups or approximately 53 cents per cup.  This is a bit pricey for a tea but for the depth and flavor change that makes you wake up and take notice, it’s completely worth it.  Please note that they have lots of sales year-round so get on their mailing list to take advantage of them.

Aromas

• Opening the package, you are greeted with sweet, honeyed notes and toasted malt. This has some floral, dried peach / nectarine and charred wood (love this btw).
• Hidden underneath, you will find hints of cardamom, mace / nutmeg, honeysuckle, peony, and dried thyme.
• Once brewed, the aroma changes completely. You are greeted with deep, intense musty wood notes on the malt.  Then you discover cooked peach aromas with hints of cloves, dried meat and underlying smoked fruit.
• This is such a change but lovely, making me instantly want smoked, grilled and BBQ items.

Flavors

• Starting off, the flavors show high levels of toasted wood and malt that reminded me of BBQ and peaches. This hovers for half of the flavor profile and then drops off suddenly leaving you with hints of citrus, pear/apple, and cloves. 
• This was not what I was expecting from the aroma profile.
• It’s on the edge of off-dry with medium acidity and tannins. It showcases great body and depth to the palate.

Scores

• Aromas (4.1/5)
• Flavors (8.3/10)
• Overall impression (4.5/5)
  • Total score = 84.5 percent (16.9/20)

Foods to Pair and Why

• Grilled stone fruit such as ripe peaches to use on dessert pizzas, in salads.
• I love to smoke peaches and make smoked peach/habanero jelly. This on its own on fresh bread is amazing.  A friend of mine used to make gin cocktails with this but I love these on malted pancakes for breakfast.
• Grilled chicken with apples would work perfectly with sweetness, flavors, acidity, and body.
• Smoked Boston Butt, hand pulled for tacos with grilled apples and peaches would work with the acidity, aromas, and flavors.