Autumn Blend #9

Like others, I felt like this was more potpourri than tea. Very fragrant while dry, but not much payoff in flavor. I would not buy this again.

Steepster has such a sense of humor. The tagline for the description for this tea is, “You’re not gonna want to share this tea!”
Yes, Steepster, you are right. I would not wish this tea on my worst enemy.
This was a part of the October 2014 Select box. While all of the other teas in the box were generally lovely, (Oktoberfest, anyone?) this was the one tea that stuck out like a sore thumb. The dry notes were overwhelmingly licorice – y and clovelike. Which was actually pretty pleasant to my nose. But this tisane does not get better when you steep it. The licorice and the clove increased tenfold, with a small citrus consolation prize. A sweet cinnamon mint after taste helped me forget the whole thing. I couldn’t finish the sample. Too bad too, I could use some new incense.

While I do not think drinking a cup of potourri is even remotely related to drinking tea… I understand that many people do and to each his own. I received this, as many others did, in the Steepster Select sampler package so I felt obligated to give it a try.

Light honey in color, with very upfront aromas of star anise and hints of autumnal spice, including a “cinnamon” scent which reminds me of Red Hots or chewing Big Red gum in the 80s (do they still make that?). Mouthfeel is very very thin (think hot water) and the mint flavors begin to come through. Cinnamon is very very faint, if there at all, and the citrus notes are also totally muted although there is a little acidity on the brief thin finish.
To say it is terrible would be a lie… but to say that I like it would be like saying that I like cats……. a lot. I refused to use my teaware for this, so I got out a nice mug with a bumble bee on it and found that more appropriate. Oh… it does pair well with fortune cookies, if that’s a saving grace (LOL). My wife and I did not finish our second steep as both of us began to feel kinda ill from the taste… This is just not my cup of tea… potpourri… whatever. Here kitty kitty…

Not my cuppa tea. If you like licorice then you will like this tea. I have discovered it’s my least favorite flavor so far in my tea journey. It was also very strong so it was the only flavor I tasted.

This totally smells like licorice candy. I happen to like natrural licorice candy every once in a while but not licorice tea.
It has pretty chamomile flowers and fennel seeds. Also looks like a bit of lemongrass and orange citrus peel in there. It all smells like licorice though.
The brew is a bit cloudy and it is a light golden color.
This smells like licorice and the flavor is straight up licorice. I am getting a hint of the orange but that’s it.

From the Steepster Select Box; October, 2014