Violet Black Tea

Sipdown no. 55 of 2018 (no. 411 total).

This did grow on me some, though I still find it a tad soapy and I prefer the Kusmi overall. So I’m bumping the rating.

I had considered trying this cold, but ultimately decided against that. I figured the cold wouldn’t help the tendency toward soapy/lotiony. Part of me feared it would create suds.

Violets, intriguing.
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this tea. I like the look & smell of violets. Their vibrant purple petals remind me of springtime in Wisconsin.
I can’t say that I’ve ever tried anything violet flavored. I believe I ate a violet in a salad once, but I couldn’t tell you what it tasted like. I know candied violets are rather popular, but I’ve never crossed paths with the sweet treat.
This is not the cup of tea I was expecting. Quite honestly I didn’t know what to expect with this one. The aroma is unmistakably violet. The strength of the aroma was unexpected, but pleasant. The maltiness of the black tea is the perfect complement to the sweetness of the violet. It’s sweet, much sweeter than I anticipated. I thought this tea would be a soapy, perfumey mistake. I ordered it because I was intrigued and it turned out to be an excellent choice.
I can’t quite place it, but the tea has a fruity undertone. Make no mistake, it’s floral….but balanced. Tasty, unique, and refreshing. I can’t wait to try this one iced.

EDIT: I have contacted S&V and they are replacing my entire order – this time double-bagging and ziplocking. I feel a little sad that they had to do this, but I’m glad I contacted them. Thank you, Nichole and TeaBrat for encouraging me to say something. I have trouble standing up for myself sometimes.
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I am facing a tea tragedy. Violet teas are one of my absolute favorites. I basically convinced myself to place my most recent order on the fact that Simpson & Vail makes a violet tea.

However, S&V sent their teas to me in rolled up paper bags, like the ones you get coffee beans in. They were by NO means airtight. I knew when I received the box that they had poorly packaged my order because I could smell it through the cardboard. Sadly, one tea in particular, Strawberry Cupcake, had contaminated basically the whole box. It absolutely reeked of Tootsie Roll chocolate.

So, I can tell this is good underneath it all! The black tea base isn’t too bitter or astringent. The violet is mild, but very much present. It doesn’t taste like I’m drinking soap or old lady perfume. And the little purple flowers mixed in are just lovely. But! There’s also a very distracting and unwanted chocolate taste. Thus, my tea tragedy. :(

Rating based on what I could taste beyond the contamination.

This is the first time I’ve ever tried a violet tea. Normally rose and lavender are my florals of choice, but I decided to try something new.

Anyone else remember the violet candy that came in the purple wrapper? It smells like that. As it should, considering it’s violet-flavored. I remember wanting it once as a kid because it was purple (my favorite color, ha) and spitting the first piece I put in my mouth out immediately because it tasted HORRIBLE to me. I figured that now that I’m older, I might be able to appreciate a floral flavor more. Like I said, I adore lavender and rose.

It reminds me of that candy when I add sugar. Not quite as in-your-face VIOLET, but I still remember it. I think I like this because the violet is more muted; too strong and I’d probably be spitting it out too. Probably not the first thing I’d go for when I want something flowery, but I could see myself buying it again on occasion.

I can’t believe this still tastes like Violet! It’s an old sample from Fjellrev, I think. :)

Still candy-soapy-violet. Decent enough with cream, but reminds me of Thrills candy with the soapiness.

Haha. Not really recommended, but interesting to try.

Thank you!