For reasons, unbeknownst even to me, this is the only item from AQ2T where I picked up more than a sample size. I tend to dislike apples and mead, and found the tea flavour/base pairing to be… bizarre, which may have held a lot of appeal to my subconscious chaotic self? It’s a mystery.
The loose-leaf is heavy on the apple and honey aromas, with something boozy, while the steeped liquid is deceptively like genmaicha with a touch of honeyed apple. The flavour is pure mead, with a dash of apples and toasty rice kernels which manages to accentuate the mead a lot.
At first I was repulsed, because it tastes so much like mead, but then I got further into my cup and started to love it because it tastes exactly like mead (this sums up my relationship with actual mead too).
Sometimes I lie to myself and say it tastes more like that infused honey apple cider I like to pick up, and it does taste a lot like that! I also get baked apple pie as well. Cider and pie or the only times I like apples, so this tea hit the lottery.
Good job, boozy genmaicha! You muddled my brain and made me your fan, whether I like it or not.
Steep Count: 2
The “headiness” of the flavouring loosens up a tad when the tea allows to cool for a few minutes and on second steep. It’s still pretty citric and sweet though.
Flavors: Alcohol, Apple, Honey, Honeysuckle, Spices, Toasted Rice
