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So, I was going to make this tea, and then saw Golden Orchard and decided to make that one next instead. And then I wasn’t really thinking, and poured milk and water into a pot like I had planned on doing with this tea, not GO, so I guessed that was a sign to make this first instead.

I don’t know if Brenden really is some kind of tea wizard or what, but this is all kinds of awesome. Looking on this tea’s page, I’m realizing that maybe this isn’t meant to be a chai tea, but I made it up chai latte style, and it’s one of the most unique and delicious chai teas I’ve ever had. Theres cinnamon, and what tastes like maybe clove, and something peppery. But then theres a fruitiness from the elderberry, which somehow goes with the spices perfectly. There is a lot of ingredients that I either have never had before, or don’t know what they taste like (elderberries, chicory, holy basil) so they could have easily been gross to me, but it turned out scrumptiously!

Backlog
Thank you Marzipan for a sample of this. I could brewed this and took it to class earlier this week, and forgot to log it, so I don;t remember everything about this tea. I do remember that it was fruity and delicious and that I finished all 28oz about 30 minutes into class and really regretted it when I had to spend the next 90 minutes holding back the urge to go to the bathroom!

I cold brewed this, and was pleasantly surprised to find that after my recent dissapointments, I didn’t hate this one. It’s mostly strawberry, with another fruity note that might or might not be watermelon, and an aroma that I could almost believe is champagne-like. And I realized as I was dumping the leaves, that they looked like they could be steeped again. Oh well, next time.

All and all, I like this, but probably not enough to restock. It is the first 52teas that I received recently that I actually finished all of what I made.

I wanted to love this, I really did, but unfortunately I did not.

I followed the provided directions: 180 degrees F, 60 seconds, 1 tsp to 3oz
This was a rich dark green, and smelled sweet and vegetal, a good sign. Unfortunatly it didn’t taste how it smelled. Theres a strong sharp bitterness to this tea. I can detect a slight vegetal note in the background, but the bitterness masked it. I don’t know if all the little bits at the bottom continued to steep while it cooled, or what, so until I try it again I’ll put off giving it a rating. As is though, it would be about 25.

Steeped this up according to the directions, and this is quite roasty!

Flavor-wise, this is so toasty and roasty, with a slight natural sweetness. It reminds me a lot of a genmaicha, but with a less vegetal green notes. Not bad at all.

This is nice lightly vegetal, clean, sweet green tea. This is very refreshing, and clean green tea. Delicate is the word that comes to mind. This is a very nice tea to have when you’re looking for an easy going green tea.

Backlog
I cold brewed this yesterday and took it with me to Disney. This is delicious, roasty, honey, sweet, cold brewed this was fabulous and refreshing and still yummy when it got hot from the Florida heat. This is on my repurchase list. My favorite of the samples I received from Sampson & Vail.

Backlog
This is what I was afraid that the Nepal Green tea would be like. This is pure astringency. Wasn’t a fan, and didn’t finish.

Backlog
I had this cold brewed yesterday. I must admit, the mention of dryness in the description scared me a bit. But this wasn’t that bad. Sort of vegetal, and only slightly dry, almost like a wetter kind if dry if that makes since. The dryness will still keep me for restocking, but I wouldn’t turn a cup down.

Backlog
This was the tea that made me realize I should really taste my tea before I sweeten it. I cold brewed this and took it to class yesterday. This is not a tea you should sweeten. Trust me. It’s got a savoryness to it that really clashes with any added sweetener. As such it wasn’t drinkable. Since I ruined it I’m not going rate it. It’s a shame, since a savory type tea might have been interesting.