311 Tasting Notes
The background story on Simpson & Vail’s website about George the customer, and the inspiration for this tea, was heartwarming. As usual, Simpson and Vail has a good hand with blending their teas and for a good price. It’s a nice brisk breakfast or afternoon blend with black tea and oolong. There is a touch of fruit in there but I didn’t pick it up really. It mainly comes across to me as a straight out tea blend but a good one.
A fun, almost astringent, fruity black tea. I’m not actually a huge fan of tart and this doesn’t go overboard at all with it for me, so I think they did well with a pleasant balance. The raspberry is brighter than “puckery” and the almond in the background is always a nice touch to black tea when it’s not too artificial or heavy. So far have drank a few cups and will mark this one as a keeper, almost done with my one ounce order.
A strong, robust tea. Would work well for a breakfast tea as well despite the afternoon name. Matches summer heat here in Florida. A satchet for the cup at 5 minutes. Buries a cube of sugar so not naturally sweet. Flirts with borderline bitterness. I think next time I’ll try a four minute steep due to that buried in the background.
On a visual note, the collectable tin is lovely.
I couldn’t’ resist some Disney tins and others in a recent Harney and Son sale. If I hate the tea, at least there’s the tins I suppose. I got Mickie, Minnie, Peter Pan, Disenchanted, and Snow White.
I’ve only had one cup of this one. Reached for a satchet for a nightly cup of decaf the other night, not expecting much honestly, but it was surprisingly good. I could taste the hibiscus but it wasn’t overpowering, and the tea was strong with fruity flavors. I was not, as they say, disenchanted. You never know with Harney’s blends, so it was a pleasant surprise
It does say mint is in there, but I couldn’t really sense it other than adding layers to the tea.
