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I’m typically not a fan of “plain” (unflavored) black teas… not sure why, but my tastebuds need/want/require flavor. But this is the one tea that is the exception to my “rule.” Even though it’s technically a “plain” tea, you can immediately smell and taste the cocoa aroma/flavor in your first whiff and then first sip. I do usually add some sweetener to this (says the sweet-tooth queen) but honestly, that’s just me. This is sweet enough on its own. I love the cocoa wake-up flavor. Now if I could just get my body to accept the fact that it’s A.M. and I should at least appear to be awake for work, I’ll be all set. ;)

This is quite a colorful tea! Bright and merry with all the colors of the rainbow. I let it steep for about five minutes, enjoying the pleasant fruity and herbal aroma. Then I indulged…into one of the best cups of tea I’ve had in a long time! Don’t let the liquor fool you; it brews up hot pink, and I starting thinking, “NO, not the dreaded hibiscus!” But the redness comes from goji berries and dragonfruit. So it’s not tart and won’t have you running for the hills.
The flavor is as soothing as one would hope with a name like Feng Shui. It’s calming and warm plus peaceful. Hints of fruity flavors, plus citrus and lemongrass, and herbal tastes blend together perfectly. Perfect harmony? This tea is aptly named. So glad I went out on a limb and tried this one!

I really enjoy this cuppa – it’s a tropical chai, which you might not think goes together well, but this manages to carry it well. Not much else to say. It’s delightful and definitely a cupboard keeper. :)

So far, I’m intrigued…and I haven’t even sampled the tea yet! I am just enjoying the citrusy aroma, which contradicts its rosy liquor. The aroma reminds me of oranges and mint, which is, as a favorite character would say, “curiouser and curiouser.”

I’ve steeped it for a good five minutes now, which is the shorter of the times recommended. But I fear the Revenge of Hibiscus, as many herbal samplings offer.

I need not worry! Even though this liquor is hot pink, it tastes orangy, minty and ginger-y all in one cuppa. Yum! And the orange flavor is natural tasting, not like that artificial-cleaning-product smell.

Second sip, I taste a vegetative quality – slightly grassy, but utterly herbally. There’s a sweet aftertaste, which I think may be the tangerine.

Third sip. This is a calming, mellow tea. I wouldn’t wake up with this blend, but it’s relaxing me after a hard day at work.

Definite cupboard contender.

Whoops, let this steep too long. I got wrapped up in character development and lost track of steeping. So this cuppa is kinda bitter. This is a stand-in for my holiday fave, Sugar Plum Spice from Celestial Seasonings, but it’s not nearly as wonderful.

IMO, the flavors in this are too bland, and there isn’t enough spice. It’s more plum-y than spicy. Of course I’m comparing it to the aforementioned Sugar Plum Spice, which isn’t entirely fair, but my tastebuds are in a picky mood today.

This is drinkable, and is nice in the PM, as an after-dinner tea. But I still think it needs more spice. I think I added my own spices to it once, and maybe I should do that again… There is hope, hang on!

This chai is…interesting. I’m not quite sure what to make of it. I don’t know if it’s really a chai, that’s my hang-up. It’s spicy, yes, with cinnamon, ginger, anise, and cloves against a backdrop of bold, strong black tea. But I don’t immediately think “chai,” when sipping.

I still like it, don’t get me wrong. It’s bold and spicy. The aroma is spicy too – so you know what you’re getting into when you brew it up.

A decent tea, but I’m not sure I’ll reorder…

NOTE: halfway into the cup I realized why I don’t consider this a chai. There is too much of a rootbeer flavor! Not sure where that comes from, if the medley of flavors just makes it happen or what.

This is the first tea I’ve tried from this company, which graciously sent me a number of yummy samples. Boy, am I impressed! A couple of items to note as I wait for the tea to cool off a bit: the packaging of this tea was superb. Individual bags inside a larger bag (which were then inside a box)… and each individual bag looks like it will yield at least two cups, more if you resteep.

The aroma of this tea is so nice. There’s a hint of caramel and lots of hearty warmth.

Now on to the taste: toasty caramel, strong and bold. Now this is an awakening cup of black tea! Lately I’ve been trying to drink my tea straight up with no sweeteners, but honestly, even a sweet-tooth sugar queen like me doesn’t need anything to enhance this tea’s flavor. It’s robust and sweet at the same time.

This is a new cupboard essential. And a new addition to my morning wake-up call.

Heaven!

This is a wonderfully refreshing cuppa! This tastes pretty close to that elusive, expensive Aveda tea…but better! I steeped for over 6 mins, which means I can’t resteep, but that’s OK. This cuppa is delish! I taste hearty flavors of the following: licorice, cinnamon, fennel, ginger, cardamom. For all you anti-licorice fans, don’t worry – the licorice root adds a touch of sweetness in the after taste. The aroma is to-die-for as well. This is truly a relaxing, calming tea. A new cupboard staple…and a must-have for anyone who encounters daily stress. I feel relaxed already.

This is an interesting cup. I taste both sweet strawberry and a slight tartness, which I’m guessing is the lichee. There’s also a floral taste, more in the after taste. There’s a pale liquor, and a light overall taste. It’s not bad but not all that wonderful either. I definitely prefer Enchanted Forest over this one.

Just started my morning off with a cup of this. No rating as it’s my blend. I do love the medley of strawberry, peach, citrus and a hint of jasmine…and the pink pearl sprinkles give it that extra luxe touch. (If I do say so myself. And I do!) :) I also enjoy that you can steep for the length of the cup; no bitterness, just a brighter flavor.