This was a sample with my first Whispering Pines order. The dry leaf smells strongly of cinnamon, and actually reminds me of christmas cake. I know it’s summer, and this is another tea that’s hopelessly inappropriate for the season, but I have a sore throat (STILL), so I’m more or less pleasing myself.
I used about 2tsp of this (the packet says 1/2 tbsp, but I don’t have a tablespoon measure with me so I’m guessing a bit!). I’ll have enough for another cup left if I use this quantity of leaf, so hopefully I have the right idea. I’m using a pretty big cup to boot.
I gave this the recommended 5 minutes in boiling water. When I returned to retrieve it, the whole of our office kitchen smelt of cinnamon, and the liquor was a surprising dark brown. Somehow, I wasn’t expecting that!
This is an interesting tea — probably the most interesting I’ve tried in a while. The flavours are pretty complex — the first sip reminded me strongly of chai, but it’s actually quite different in style even though some of the flavours are the same. Cinnamon is the main flavour, followed by elderberry. There are other spices kicking around in the background, I think, but I’m finding it hard to identify them individually. A swirl of spicy heat finishes each sip, although it soon fades. At that point, the bitter-sweet, slightly tart elderberry returns. It’s a pleasant combination, although admittedly not one I’ve come across before. It would make a wonderful winter tea to sip before bed curled up by a fire! Although the ambiance is off at the moment, it IS making my throat feel better, so it’s a definite win with me. One I’d consider repurchasing come winter.
I love teas with a spicy finish! I ordered this one last week, and now I’m really looking forward to it!
One tablespoon is the same as three teaspoons, so keep that in mind when you don’t have a tablespoon measure around. :)