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This is one of the better apple teas out there. It reminds me of those caramel apple lollipops that are perfect, but will stick to your teeth, forcing one to feel as if they have lockjaw, but are worth the struggle. sigh Anyway, I enjoyed this one!

I understand that there’s a massive cult following with this tea due to its appearance every Leap Year. I’ve been sitting on my sample for a long time from the second to last order received from Adagio (I had a few ounces ordered amongst the lost/last order, and Adagio never made it right…I’ve since parted ways after having lost $100 of tea + awards.) Maybe it’s the sample or me, but the tea is okay. It has all the components of a good breakfast tea, but without the 3oz, I’ll never know if it was the uneven portion from the sample or the tea itself.

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I’m typically one for the deeply roasted teas (e.g. Lapsang Souchong, Wuyi, etc.), but this one didn’t make the cut. S&V has had a nearly long streak of luck with my palate and has blown me away with most of their teas. Did I expect to keep that streak running until I’ve managed to get through as many teas in their catalogue? Yes and no. Yes – that’d have been special. No – I know that this idea was only a fantasy. This one bad session doesn’t mean that this is the end of my relationship with S&V though! We’ve a long way to go :)

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The first and second cups of this tea left me satisfied with bursting flavors of cranberry and citrus. However, the last cup was overly medicinal and bitter. One thing I’ve noted on the bag was that this tea’s brewing instructions _must- be followed; otherwise, anything over the recommended 5-minute steeping time will result in the third cup.

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I made the rest of this for the drive into work on Monday. I didn’t have time to sip this for tasting notes prior to leaving the house, so I brought the packet along with me to add my tasting notes on the back. Luckily for me, I only noted, “Awesome! Strong enough to awake the deepest of sleepers and have them ready in a jiffy. Malty, strong, and needs a touch of milk to cut the intensity.” Thank you, past self for making this easy on me. Ha-ha.

Backlog & Sip Down

I acquired a 25g sample from a vendor I met through Instagram. There was a time when I was researching teas for a potential side business, and this was a vendor that was recommended to me. I spent $75 around that time and the vendor showered me with tea samples (something ranging between 15 25g samples); most of the teas received were good quality leaf!

Dry leaf: Reminded me of a GABA Oolong (roasted, caramel, and a touch of fig/date), yet very similar to a purple sheng (mineral and earthy).

Tasting notes: Lightly roasted with sweet fig, honey, pecan, and dates. The longevity of the session was short lived—4 strong infusions—which lowers the rating due to the desire for more.

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Opening the bag, I immediately thought of Captain Crunch’s Crunch Berry cereal! Thankfully, there isn’t the same type of waxy coating on the roof of one’s mouth, as with the cereal. I marked a few food items that this tea reminded me of, aside from the strawberry jelly donut, which include, Fruity Pebbles, Crunch Berry cereal, strawberry milk, strawberry milkshake, and strawberry ice cream. It’s safe to say this is a far better option over the actual jelly donut.

The session wasn’t anything extraordinary. The tea had a mildly buttery taste, but overall, the tea fell flat after 5 infusions.

Sip Down & Backlog

The aroma is heavenly with a nice perfumy (floral, vanilla, & pear) note dominating the room! The floral note takes the lead with this mug, and offered a unique tea experience.

Backlog

Petrol, whiskey/scotch, & a lot of body from the mouthfeel.