Diamond Espresso's Beach Berry Iced Blend

Samurai Travelling Tea Box – Tea #50

Last tea that I pulled from the box; I originally had 48 teas that I’d identified as things I wanted to try but that was so close to 50 that I decided to just grab two others.

I don’t know what I expected from this tea, but it was weird. Kind of fruity but really generic/hard to pin point in what regard and then there was a different and more “rich” type of tasting note that made me think of chocolate but wasn’t chocolate. It was kind of all over the place, and while it didn’t taste unpleasant I think it was just forgettable overall.

This sounded like a strange one from the tea box, so I brewed some up! I’m drinking it cold, and the flavor is mostly hibiscus. It’s a pleasant hibiscus – not too tart at all. It tastes all right, but I’d rather have an herbal version since I don’t love the way the black tea combines with the hibiscus. It was rather a long steep, but that didn’t seem to bother the tea, which was a relief.

‘Samurai’ Traveling Teabox – Tea #4
A tea company I’ve never heard of before. And reminding me of one of my favorite bands: BEACH HOUSE.  Check out their album ‘7’ which might be my favorite, if you’re new to them.  This blend is white and black teas with all sorts of berry in the mix.  I really wish there wasn’t hibiscus — it takes over.  dang it.  I’d love to be tasting all sorts of berries on this unique base instead of sour hibiscus.  To be fair, I think this is supposed to be an iced tea but I hot brewed it.  But I could swear this blend is 100% hibiscus in the resulting flavor.  What a shame.
Steep #1 // 1 1/2 teaspoons for a full mug // 19 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Steep #2 //5 minutes after boiling  // 4 minute steep