Woody Tonka

Today, I’m trying out a pot of Woody Tonka for the first time! Tonka is such an amazingly rich ingredient with a fantastic vanilla-like flavour, and I think it’s a total crime that it’s not used more commonly in tea blends so when I saw this tea while placing my advent calendar order I knew I just had to give it a try. It steeps up quite potent and aromatic, with a complex and heady nose of vanilla and florals coming off the steeped liquor with just a hint of cocoa.

I was a little surprised by the steeped taste since there are a lot of flavours at play, which makes for a really bold brew. The initial one that I’m hit with is, thankfully, the one I most wanted to come through: the tonka. For those less familiar with the taste of tonka, don’t expect something super creamy and custard-like the way a lot of North American vanilla flavoured tea blends tend to be. Instead, this tasted is more perfumed and, like the name of this blend implies, woody with a subtle almond or marzipan-like nutty undertones.

The rest of the taste is a mix of decadence and spice conveyed through a rich and slightly molasses-tinged combination of ginger and chocolate. It very, very much read to me like gingerbread, which I didn’t expect but did quite enjoy. Very cozy, comforting and absolutely perfect as we head into the holidays!!

Tea Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/DCAHY8pyXoJ/

Song Pairing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLK3n1yeK7Y&ab_channel=YouHeardItHereFirst%28YHIHF%29