This was an impulse buy at Trader Joe’s the other day. It was cheap ($3 for 51g) and the dark curled leaves interspersed with blue and yellow petals were quite attractive. While I’m glad to see grocery stores stocking more loose leaf teas, the flavoring on this one was too heavy for me.
The tea smells very powerful, almost medicinal. Vanilla is the dominant note but I also pick up bergamot, lavender, and licorice. When steeped, it tastes like a floral cherry coke or root beer.
Seeing as how it was unsuitable for drinking straight, I tried using it to make a london fog latte which I found a little more drinkable. I steeped 1.5 tsp in half a cup of boiling water for 5 minutes then combined with 2/3 cup of steamed milk and a teaspoon of sugar. The milk helps temper some of the medicinal flavor but there still remained a cough syrup like quality to it. As it cooled, the lavender and vanilla notes became more prominent.
I’ve had a couple of bergamot scented teas before which I found very cloying. Unfortunately this falls into the same category. Will continue searching for a subtly scented Earl Grey that doesn’t taste like potpourri.
Flavors: Cherry, Lavender, Licorice, Medicinal, Root Beer, Vanilla
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Thanks, I hadn’t thought about cold steeping. Given the warmer weather recently, I’ll try that and see if it tames the tea.
Also I find blending with a straight tea helps when the flavoring is too strong.
Good to know: I was tempted to buy this tea at TJ’s as well. But to be honest, I am tempted to buy most of the things at Trader Joe’s: they just KNOW how to get you interested.
Is it the liquorice root that has taken it over the edge do you think?
Evol Ving Ness, I didn’t see licorice root in the ingredients list. But there is that mysterious “natural flavoring” that could be the culprit
Thanks, I hadn’t thought about cold steeping. Given the warmer weather recently, I’ll try that and see if it tames the tea.
Also I find blending with a straight tea helps when the flavoring is too strong.
Good to know: I was tempted to buy this tea at TJ’s as well. But to be honest, I am tempted to buy most of the things at Trader Joe’s: they just KNOW how to get you interested.
Is it the liquorice root that has taken it over the edge do you think?
Evol Ving Ness, I didn’t see licorice root in the ingredients list. But there is that mysterious “natural flavoring” that could be the culprit