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I just finished my second sipdown of this tea. I really like it but I have to say I don’t think this tea is for everyone. When I open the bag the dominant aroma is the ginger. That’s also the dominant flavor when I take my first sip. As it cools down a bit, the currant flavor comes into play as well as other sweet, fruity flavors and a pepperiness that maybe the ginger. I would have to say that my overwhelming experience of this tea is easily described as hot & spicy. However it’s not a Sharp hot like one would experience with a red hot candy but more of a warming heat reminiscent of getting warm in front of a fire or a beautifully balanced spicy curry.

As I said in the beginning I think this is a tea that would appeal to anyone who likes that kind of a flavor profile but I doubt it’s for everyone.

I added a tablespoon of leaves to 16 oz of water brought to about 205°. I steeped it approximately 3 to 4 minutes, then I added some half & half and sweetener. This is definitely the kind of tea whose flavor develops more as it cools down a bit so I recommend letting it sit for a few minutes before taking a sip. Having said all of this, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this tea

I found this is very interesting tea. It definitely has a subtle chocolate flavor. At first, I thought the chocolate flavor was weak, but then I realized it’s supposed to be milk chocolate not dark chocolate. The orange flavor smells so juicy when you open the bag. It doesn’t quite maintain that juicy flavor when brewed into a tea, but it is still a pleasant, noticeable addition.

As I’m starting to do with any of my flavored teas, I boil the water to approximately 200° and let it steep for 3 to 4 minutes. Then I added a touch of sweetener and some half & half and let it cool a little before drinking. The puerh base added something deeper than I’m used to but it was enjoyable. It did remind me a bit of those chocolate oranges.

I’m glad I tried this tea and was pleasantly surprised by its flavor but, to be honest, it probably isn’t something I’ll buy again once I finish this batch.

I first purchased this tea a few years ago and really loved it. I thought it did an amazing job of capturing the flavor of a chocolate covered cherry in a teacup. I recently had the opportunity to purchase this wondrous blend again. In fact, I was so enthusiastic I ordered an 8 oz bag, only to be completely disappointed when I tasted it.

I don’t know if supply chain issues force them to change vendors or what happened but this tea is not what I remember. The chocolate flavor is so understated as to almost not be present. The cherry flavor is similarly muted, although at least it doesn’t taste like artificial cough syrup. I’ve tried making it several different ways to determine if my preparation technique was diluting the flavor. Unfortunately it doesn’t seem to matter how much extra Tea leaf I use or how much cooler the temperature of the water is, I’m still getting a very disappointing cup of tea.

I feel a little guilty writing this review because I just learned that Simpson & Vail has discontinued this tea. It’s a shame because it is genuinely one of the best strawberry flavored teas I’ve ever had. I think it beautifully captures the flavor of a strawberry cupcake with a natural, fruity, strawberry flavor. The first time I tasted it it threw me because for some reason I thought it was supposed to have a chocolate taste to it as well but it’s not. It simply tastes like a fresh baked strawberry cupcake.

I usually make it in my Grosche Aberdeen gravity feed steeper by adding 1 Tbls of tea to 16 oz of water (I prefer strong tea). I bring the water to about 205° and let it steep 3 to 4 minutes. Then I add a touch of sweetener and some half & half and I settle into enjoy my sweet but not caloric treat.

I was rather surprised at how much I enjoyed this tea. I often find the Bigelow’s flavors I’m okay but nothing to write home about or that I would go out of my way to find. This tea might become an exception. My typical way of preparing it is to bring the water to just under boiling, add two tea bags to my 10 oz tea mug, top off with some half & half and a touch of sweetener, and sip. I do find that letting it cool down a touch enhances the flavor. It might not fool me into thinking that I’m drinking eggnog, but it definitely scratches the itch for that flavor profile.

I was a little cautious about trying this tea because I’m not a big fan of rooibos and this has a green rooibos base. After tasting it, I have to conclude that it’s red rooibus that I don’t like because this tea was delicious!

I didn’t bring the water to a full boil, but probably about 205°. And I steeped it for around 3 minutes. Then I added a little bit of sweetener and let it cool before taking a sip. It really does taste like a glazed lemon pound cake. I’m addicted! What makes it even more appealing is that it’s caffeine free, so this is a great way to have a warm, sweet treat that won’t keep me up just before bedtime.

I LOVE this tea! It is, bar none, my favorite pumpkin flavored tea. When I add 2 teabags to my 10oz mug along with some cream and a touch of sweetener, it tastes like pumpkin pie in a mug to me. I love how balanced the pumpkin and the spice flavor is. I only wish this was available as loose leaf because I would buy it by the pound.

I recently ordered this tea because I like the flavors of white chocolate and orange and decided to give it a try. Imagine my disappointment when I realized that this tastes exactly the same as English Tea Store’s Chocolate Orange blend, where it sells for a significantly lower price.

It’s not a bad tea, although I honestly it smells better than it tastes. When I open the bag the chocolate and orange aromas are subtle but noticeable. When I brew the tea, the flavors disappear almost entirely. I’m going to make other attempts using slightly cooler water and shorter steeping time to see if that helps bring out the flavor.

Unfortunately, I’m so irritated by the fact that I paid almost twice as much for what seems to be the same blend as the one sold by English Tea Store, that it’s hard for me to recommend this.