Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Conundrum Tea
Tea Description:
This double-roasted black tea has almost no astringency or dryness to it but it contains some very complex, full flavors. It tastes of molasses, raisin, and sweet potato with more subtle hints of grape and caramelized sugar. It has an incredibly sweet aftertaste for a black tea. The orange color of the brewed tea reminds us of a fire and the leaves have a strong, sweet fragrance along with a root vegetable smell which is common for the high-altitude teas of Nepal.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I’ve only had a few Conundrum Teas in the past but what I have tried has been amazing! Right from the start I knew this tea was going to be different and a nice change of pace. The dry leaf had such a lovely robust feel to it.
Brewed this up like a black tea -212F prepped water with about a 4 minute steeping time. Never having this tea before, I wanted to error on the side of caution. I didn’t want to oversteep.
Took my first sip and the description of this tea fits this tea perfectly. Sweet with hints of a sweet potato like finish. Almost and I hate to say it, dirt like? But take that as a good thing. This tea is delicious. The sweetness really mixes well with this malty note that is going on. I didn’t so much get the grape flavor but all the rest I did. Such a cool tea. So many different notes and flavors going on. Each sip I take I sit here and try to figure out exactly what I’m picking up.
This is why I started to drink tea. It is just such an adventure. . .especially when you are drinking a delight like this one. So good with so many different attributes. I think I need another cuppa!
Pomegranate Melon from Fusion Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green Rooibos/Yerba Mate
Where to Buy: Fusion Teas
Tea Description:
This unique combination merges tangy pomegranate and sweet melon into a surprisingly complex tea. Every sip takes you on a journey of flavors that is sure to intrigue and delight.
Tasting Notes:
candied apple, rainforest, campfire
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Let’s start this review off with talking about how gorgeous this blend is. I love the pops of bright colors. Just makes the tea blend so warm and inviting. The aroma I get from the dry leaf is the same. Sweet and alluring. From the beginning, I’ve got high hopes for this tea.
Brewed this tea up like an herbal- 5 minutes at 212F and just let the aroma take me away. This tea reminds me of summer. Summer pool parties and the beach. The melon fragrance is very prominent, giving you that summer feel. After the five minutes was up, I took my first sip.
This tea has such a lovely melon flavor. Melon in tea is hard to accomplish but they’ve done it with this blend. This reminds me more of a cross between watermelon and honey dew. Almost like the fruit you would see at a pool party. That is exactly what this tea tastes like. A huge bowl of fresh cantaloupe, watermelon, and honey dew. The pomegranate flavor is there but it is more in the background giving a slight tart contrast. The green rooibos is giving the tea an extra tang of sweetness while the yerba mate is bringing it back down with a grassy finish. This tea would be a phenomenal iced tea in the summer months or if you need to brighten up your day, this tea would definitely do it.
This may not be a tea I could see drinking everyday but I think this would be a great tea to serve at a party or over ice with some fresh berries in it while relaxing outside. Such a tasty treat!
Crackling Fire from Beacon Hill Tea Company
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Beacon Hill Tea Company
Tea Description:
This myriad of autumn flavors simply smolders. Grab a blanket and warm your soul with this spiced blend. Ingredients: honeybush tea, apple pieces, aniseed, lapsang souchong tea, cocoa nibs, rose hips, cinnamon, red peppercorn, orange peels, cloves, natural cinnamon flavor, natural orange flavor, safflower, natural hazelnut flavor.
Learn more about Beacon Hill’s Monthly Subscription Plan here.
Taster’s Review:
I’m running a little behind in my reviews lately, but I’m glad I’m seeing a light at the end of the tunnel in regards to my November teas. Crackling Fire was an offering the Beacon Hill Tea Company’s November box. The tea itself has such a lovely description. I took one whiff of it tho and I knew this tea and I were not going to be the best of friends.
This tea has a rather rich smoky flavor. One that I just couldn’t get behind, but I wanted to give it a try anyway. The rest of the tea sounded amazing. I brewed the tea up per the packaging instructions (212F-5 min) and took a sip.
If you are one of those that love that campfire smokey flavor. . .this tea is for you! The honeybush and apple pieces bring a sweet and tanginess to the tea while the hazelnut and cocoa nibs give this tea real definition. I wanted to like this tea so much but the smoky flavor just kept hitting me wrong. If that smokey flavor was just a bit less, I can see this being an insanely amazing tea. But for me, it just doesn’t work. All of the other flavors are fanastic, tho and for a flavored smokey tea I would have to say this is one of the better ones I’ve had. But-that’s ok that I didn’t like it. This is the first tea from Beacon Hill Company that I haven’t really liked. You can’t like them all and to each his or her own cuppa!
Jungle Fire Assam from Condundrum Tea
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Conundrum Tea
Tea Description:
This Orthodox (whole leaf) Assam tea is a lot different from your typical Assam. The tea leaves are hand-picked and hand-processed. This results in a bold, flavorful, and complex tea. It tastes malty and woody with hints of honey. The brewed tea has a nice sunset orange color and it smells of a subtle campfire.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Ever had a tea that made you appreciate the little moments life? I swear this tea just did that to m
Conundrum Tea is a new tea company to me but I’ve heard rave reviews about them. After trying this tea, I can see why. This tea is like heaven in a cup!
Jungle Fire Assam doesn’t have the same flavor notes and profiles like other Assams I’ve had in the past. This tea has a malty sweetness that you pick up from the very first sniff of the package and keeps on going right until that last drop. The honey like flavor is remarkable and really something memorable. The woodsy flavor is present but more in the background. No astringent factors at all. Just a smoothness that I’m devouring.
I can honestly say this is one of the best Assams I’ve ever had and it will be one I’ll be visiting and wanting again and again.
I think I found my new best friend in a tea!
Gingybread Tea from Geeky Teas
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Geeky Teas
Tea Description:
A new seasonal favorite is here in the form of a gingerbread tea! Natural gingerbread flavor is layered with cinnamon bark, ginger root and orange peels on a black tea base. Mmmmm… tasty!
“Eat me! I mean, drink me!” -Gingy
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Who doesn’t love Gingy from Shrek? That lovable little character always makes me giggle. So it seems that Geeky Teas picked the perfect character to create a holiday tea around.
To be honest, I’m not the biggest ginger fan so I was a little worried about how I would feel about this tea, but I have to say, this tea is a delight! Brewed up like a black tea with water prepped at 212F and steeped for about 3 minutes, this tea is a sweet take on a gingerbread tea. The first note you get is the gingerbread flavor with a hint of cinnamon. The orange peel gives off a nice citrus twist. There is a sweetness in there that I can’t place at the moment.
Such a lovely tea and it has such a nice feel to it. Warm, cozy, soothing. . .this tea has it all! This tea really does remind you of a gingerbread cookie. I mean, can you ask for a better holiday tea?