Great Lakes Tea and Spice

Yeah, I don’t know about this one. It’s more than likely a Ti Kuan Yin. The aroma and texture are okay but it has a metallic aftertaste…

Masterful and elegant, a rapturous experience. This tea made me fall in love with Great Lakes Tea and Spice Co.

I’ve been saving this tea for some time, but I was rather stressed out today and decided to treat myself.

Of course, one the major selling points of a flowering tea is its appearance. This one took a long time to unfurl, but when it did it was lovely—even festive!—dull green, red, and white. I didn’t see the “arc” shape promised and pictured by Great Lakes, but it could’ve been that my narrow mug cramped the tea’s style.

In terms of taste, this tea was really comparable to Jasmine Dragon Pearl Green from Teavana (discussed in another recent review). Like Teavana’s jasmine green, Princess Amelie has a very delicate, innocuous flavor—so innocuous that even now, an hour after I put the bud in (without removing it), it’s only faintly bitter, and only upon swallowing. When I hold it in my mouth, it’s floral (…as one would hope!) and it smells sweetly aromatic, almost like perfume.

Flowering teas are relatively expensive, but they are marvelously cathartic. There is something very pure and metaphorical about watching the nondescript bud slowly and unhurriedly transform into something healthful and beautiful, a tangible reminder of mindfulness and patience.

Mmmmm berries…

One of my favorite go-to teas. Good iced or hot, with or without milk. Wonderfully fruity & light on the tannin.

Err…this one didn’t do it for me today. I’m not sure if it’s going bad, or if my sense of smell is screwed up, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that there’s dill in this. Made a cup this morning and couldn’t finish it. I’ll try again tomorrow.

It’s too bad since I’m a huge rooibos fan.

Incredibly fragrant when dry, but not nearly as strong in taste as in smell.

I really like this tea for morning. If you make it a little strong add a little milk and sugar.

Nice green tea, nothing fancy.

It’s just ok. I will NOT buy this one once it’s gone.

Blood red liquor. Distinct smoky flavor with a bit of a tang. Overall pretty good.

Single cup, 1 Truvia

Quite possibly the best flowering tea I’ve ever had. The carnation-jasmine combo rules. The first pot was smooth and rich, and the second pot was surprisingly sweet. I’m trying to get a third infusion out of it. We’ll see how this goes.