Marco Polo

I’m having my favorite this morning, but it’s with the horror of realizing I’m almost out. I MUST ORDER MORE. I think I let it steep for too long. Anything past three minutes and it gets bitter, even with the sugar, but if you steep it just right, it tastes like rainbows and magic.

Nothing more to add other than I liked it with milk this time.

Thanks to Ricky for sharing this incredible tea with me!
The leaves smell rich, inviting. The first sip….strawberry…real strawberries, just the right amount of sweetness. I could eat this up, so smooth, so rich tasting. I think I just found my dessert tea that I have been looking high and low for:)

Hmm. This doesn’t make the best of iced teas: the tea flavor and the berry flavor are both there, but they never quite mesh.

Disclaimer: My tin of Marco Polo is embarrassingly old, which is surely affecting the flavors it produces.

This is so perfect. I wouldn’t do anything to change it…it’s so dreamy. I need to get some of this pronto. Perfectly fruity and slightly floral…..desserty with milk and sugar. Oh my.

Simply delightful!
I ordered a tin of the loose tea based on its reputation. The dense, compact leaves smelled as if I had somehow landed in a delectable strawberry field. I was transformed from a dreary November afternoon into a fruited dream world of sweetness. I thought of some of the lucious music I know—-if you like Puccini at all, this tea is the equivalent of that gorgeous candied aria, “Chi il bel sogno di Doretta” from “La Rondine”. Ah! mio sogno! Felicita!

But I really should be referencing the sweets of France—perhaps this tea has an Italian name because it well represents the robust spectacle which is Italy? It is based on tea leaves from China and Tibet, so it really is an international melange.

I am now lusting after the jams made by Mariage Freres.

I typically try a tea dark and then decide whether I want to add sugar and/or milk. I think that Marco Polo could handle those but I was into the deliciousness so much that I could not bring myself to change one single thing.
I understand that this tea is more costly, but it is worth it.

He made the journey to my house and arrived yesterday evening.
After such a long trip, I had to try him. He is my new best friend. Yes, Marco Polo lived up to his reputation. At first, I wanted to wait, as I had a huge fear of possible disappointment. But at my daughter’s urging, we forged ahead. Once I told her that I ordered him because when I googled “best tea in the world” his name popped up, there was no waiting. At first whiff out of the sealed bag, he instantly took me back about 50 years to the smell of my dad’s cherry blend pipe tobacco. He smelled like leather and tobacco with a mysterious fruity fragrance… is it cherries, strawberries, raspberries, or some berry type blend? Then we brewed, being ever so careful with timing and temperature. The aroma fills the senses like a great wine. The taste and flavor fills your mouth with a full bodied chewy goodness that you don’t want to ever leave. I love him. There was no bitterness, just smooth fruity and full bodied black tea goodness. Can you tell I love a good black tea? Why did I only order 2 oz.? Foolish virgin!

This morning, I did a second steep using the same leaves. I couldn’t bear to throw those leaves away. Its even smoother, more velvety and has lost some of the more pronounced berry and cream flavor. There is still great yummy goodness. It is still fragrant with good body. What is in this tea??? Does anyone know? Marco Polo and I may go on a long journey together. I love him!

THIS IS DAMN GOOD.
I usually dislike black teas.. wow, I can’t believe I liked it this much! This is a perfect tea =D

I bought this after receiving a gift card for William Sonoma. I have had this tea on my shopping list since I first joined steepster. And I finally cracked it open. The smell that came out was amazing. Smells of strawberries, freshly baked chocolate cake, deep vanilla, and some floral. What a perfect Valentine’s Day tea! :)

The brew wasn’t as strong as it smelled. Still a lovely black tea, very enchanting. With the name Marco Polo, I was thinking more spices in the tea. I love the ending taste of the tea, that has to be the flowers. This is a very original flavor. I just wish it was more affordable.

I had this for the first time this morning. It’s wonderful! I went lightly on the steeping time as I don’t add milk or sweetener. It smells like black tea with strawberries and cream. It’s heavenly!

Brewed with the Breville at 200 degrees for 2 minutes.

Once made, it still smells wonderfully! It’s fruity and creamy. The taste is nice. Slightly bitter, but not outrageously so. The strawberries are pleasant tasting and not overly sweet. It tastes creamy, but doesn’t feel heavy. It does have a slight drying effect in my mouth afterward. I really like this tea and had been looking forward to trying it. I’m so glad I found it yesterday! It didn’t let me down.