Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: New Mexico Tea Company
Tea Description:
The true candy-like spice character of the cardamom comes through in the cup. Lovely aroma.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I seldom find a tea that showcases the spice cardamom as the main flavor profile, so when I noticed this Cardamom Tea from New Mexico Tea Company, I knew it was one I had to try. I love cardamom, and usually, I am able to enjoy cardamom in chai teas, but, I don’t usually find cardamom as the sole flavoring in a tea like it is with this one.
And this is LOVELY! It is so delightfully fragrant: exotic, warm, and heady with a perfume-y quality. It smells very special, and what I like especially about the aroma is that it isn’t hitting me over the head with cardamom notes … it’s almost mysterious … alluring.
The flavor is very enjoyable. The black tea is the strongest flavor, and that’s just how it should be. It is a robust black tea … good and strong! It has a nice earthy undertone with notes of sweetness in the background, and a hint of malty flavor. There is some astringency to this as well, but it isn’t an overwhelming characteristic of this cup.
The cardamom in this cup is very much like the spice itself … very bewitching! It is “strong” in the sense that it stands in the foreground and is tasted in every sip, but, it doesn’t overpower the cup. It tastes sweet, warm, and almost has a candied citrus like quality to it. Quite nice!
The flavors are orchestrated perfectly … the black tea and the cardamom. A simple combination? Perhaps, but one that is simply beautiful!
Green Plum & Pear from New Mexico Tea Co.
Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Green
Where to Buy: New Mexico Tea Co.
Tea Description:
Pan fired green tea, safflowers, and marigolds with plum and pear flavor
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
Oh yum!
This tastes so good. I’m often afraid when it comes to pear flavored teas that the pear flavoring will be somewhat lacking, but, with this blend, the pear comes through quite nicely. The plum tastes slightly tart, and this tartness is especially noticeable in the aftertaste, and the pear arrives at the start of the sip, and maintains its sweetness throughout.
I like that while there is some tartness to the plum, it isn’t a strong flavor. I am not particularly fond of anything too terribly tart. Here, the tartness is experienced primarilyin the aftertaste with a sort of tarty twinge on the tongue. Not strong, but, somewhat acidic, like the sensation from a bit of the powder from a sour candy on the side of your tongue. Together with the sweetness from the green tea and fruit flavors, it’s an intriguing contrast.
The green tea is a sweet, broth-y kind of green tea that has a creamy, mild vegetable taste to it. Somewhat buttery, smooth and nicely complements the flavors of pear and plum. It is a summery kind of flavor, something that I think would be excellent served iced, but, I am quite enjoying it now, on a chilly autumn afternoon, served hot.
Another enjoyable tea from New Mexico Tea Company!