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I could have sworn I had written this up earlier, but it appears not.

I have the bagged version of this, for work. I think I’m going to get some loose tea for home because, yum.

Today I have been trying out flavored black teas, and after those, this one is plain and simple and with a splash of half-and-half it’s just right. Light and pleasant, exactly like I always imagined Darjeeling should taste. I don’t think it’s bold enough for a breakfast tea, at least not for me. But now, late afternoon, it’s calming and comforting and companionable, and is not making me jangly.

Aroma: smelled pretty and flowery. Very gently flowery, not knock-you-in-the-face flowery. Ladylike. Dusting powder rather than perfume.

Because of my experience with Lord John Grey yesterday, I took care not to over-steep. But alas, the bitterness was there again. It has to be something in the base tea they were using at the time. Or the cornflower petals, which are present in both. (It wasn’t as bitter as the Lord John Grey.)

After awhile of trying it straight, I reheated and added some half-and-half. That helped with the slight bitterness, but It’s still a little puckery for my taste.

Maybe I could just leave it out for potpourri or steam it for a room freshener. I really liked the way it smelled.

Well, this smells rather nice. I was alarmed when I saw what looked like dust floating on the surface after I removed the infuser, but on closer examination I decided it was a like skim of oil — or bergamot, I suppose. Which is in its own way a little alarming as well.

I’ve just realized I can’t see the color very well in my new tea mug. Should have bought a white one instead of a blue one. But I can dip out a teaspoonful and see that it’s a bright, golden amber color.

But oh my gosh it’s bitter. Did I steep it too long? Did I use too much tea? Or, since this is one of those unopened samples I bought a year ago, is it just too old even though it’s been sealed in a foil-lined packet? Advice from more experienced tea samplers hereby solicited.

Anyway, yuck.

I haven’t actually tasted this yet. Hope to do so in a day or two and will add a note at that point. I notice that the ingredient list on the sample packet doesn’t quite match the description on the website and wonder whether the blend may have changed since I ordered my samples. It is listed on their “Blended black” page.

I ordered several samples from this tea company about a year ago and promptly forgot them. This sample bag had been opened when I decided to try it again this morning. It came in a brown paper, foil-lined, ziploc packet, which was zipped, so I am hoping the flavor will still be pretty true.

I brewed it for about 5 minutes. The color is a deep red bordering on bugundy — thanks to the hibiscus, I am sure. I remember selecting this blend because of the tropical notes, especially the pineapple.

It is quite tart! I don’t smell the pineapple or coconut much. Maybe a bit of the apple. I do see some pretty large chunks of pale fruit in the steepings (word?) and when I fished one out it was apple.

This is the last of the packet. Depending on what I think of the rest of my aging samples, which are mostly unopened, I may order another sample of this one to see whether the pineapple and coconut flavors did degrade over time. They do have a number of tasty-sounding “fruit melanges” listed on their website.

Smelled great, not much taste. Disappointed and unimpressed. I really want to find a chamomile tea that I like. This was part of a sampler box so not added to cupboard or shopping list. I bag left.

Hey, it was minty! I was not expecting that at all. (Did I forget to read the other tasting notes and just assume it would be like the original Constant Comment except with green tea?) Anyway — cold brewed, for lunch. Mint not overwhelming, just “there.” Tasty and refreshing. More later, after I’ve tried it hot. Could it be I am learning to enjoy green tea?

Yeah, this stuff doesn’t need another “OMG I LUV THIS!” tasting note. But OMG I LUV THIS! Yesterday I bought a fine-gauge metal infuser so I feel like I finally had a cup of this brewed the way it deserves to be brewed. My aging tea ball was sprung enough to let debris into the cup. But this morning’s cup was clean and smooth and literally tasted like hot chocolate. I’m going to try a second steeping.

[Later} 2nd steeping could have gone on a bit longer, but it’s still smooth and mellow, even if not as chocolatey. So glad I bought the new infuser. I also bought a Curve mug for work — so more loose tea is in my future.

There’s the licorice! It’s at the back of my throat as I swallow a modest sip (as opposed to gulping it down yesterday) and take time to taste it.

The scent is still cinnamon, with cardamom underneath. Tasting is sweet sweet sweet, with the licorice blooming on my tongue if I don’t rush it. I added a lot of half-and-half, which I think is drowning the pepper and ginger.

This is GOOD. Bumping up my rating even higher. I wonder whether I’ll find the orange peel next time?

So, too much caffeine yesterday, keeping it low today. This tea is sweet and delicious, esp. with half and half. Reminded me of Bengal Spice. Next time I will pay better attention, not drink so quickly, and seek the licorice. I mostly got cinnamon this time.