95
drank Chocolate and Mint by Teapigs
2238 tasting notes

These “new” Teapigs have been in my stash so long they’re not new any longer! Fortunately they’re packaged and wrapped, so they’ve not deteriorated at all in the time it’s taken me to get to them. I’m pleased I only bought “Piglets” (2 bag sample boxes) also, because I think my instinct at the time was to buy the full box of 15 and in hindsight that would have been a bad idea. Not because I don’t like this tea – actually, on first acquaintance, I’m really impressed. Just because of all the other stuff I’ve got going on, the more limited amount of tea I seem to be drinking at the moment, and the size of my cupboard.

The tea, though. It’s a herbal, and those aren’t always my thing. It’s a really, really GOOD herbal, though – the kind I could make an exception for. I left the bag for 5 minutes before I took it out, because tiny sips told me that I was happy with the balance of flavours at this point. The early sips were really just peppermint, but as the chocolate chips melt this becomes something far more indulgent. After 5 minutes, it tastes like liquid After Eight, and that’s no exaggeration. The chocolate is dark, intensely rich and a touch bittersweet, with a slightly dry cocoa-like edge. It pairs really well with the mint, which is fresh, cooling, and even a little sweet-tasting against the chocolate. I’m also reminded of mint choc chip ice cream, largely because of the cooling effect the mint is having.

This is a herbal I’d keep around. It’s bagged, which isn’t my preference, but that does give it added convenience. I can see myself drinking it all year round when the occasion for caffeine-free arises. There’s nothing else like this in my cupboard, and the flavour is amazing. A total (and unexpected!) win.

Preparation
Boiling 5 min, 0 sec
Fjellrev

Impressive rating for a bagged tea!

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Fjellrev

Impressive rating for a bagged tea!

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Bio

Hi :) I’m Sarah, and I live in Norfolk in the UK. My tea obsession began when a friend introduced me to Teapigs a good few years ago now. Since then, I’ve been insatiable. Steepster introduced me to a world of tea I never knew existed, and my goal is now to TRY ALL THE TEAS. Or most of them, anyway.

I still have a deep rooted (and probably life-long) preference for black tea. My all-time favourite is Assam, but Ceylon and Darjeeling also occupy a place in my heart. Flavoured black tea can be a beautiful thing, and I like a good chai latte in the winter.

I also drink a lot of rooibos/honeybush tea, particularly on an evening. Sometimes they’re the best dessert replacements, too. White teas are a staple in summer — their lightness and delicate nature is something I can always appreciate on a hot day.

I’m still warming up to green teas and oolongs. I don’t think they’ll ever be my favourites, with a few rare exceptions, but I don’t hate them anymore. My experience of these teas is still very much a work-in-progress. I’m also beginning to explore pu’erh, both ripened and raw. That’s my latest challenge!

I’m still searching for the perfect fruit tea. One without hibiscus. That actually tastes of fruit.

You’ve probably had enough of me now, so I’m going to shut up. Needless to say, though, I really love tea. Long may the journey continue!

My rating system:

91-100: The Holy Grail. Flawless teas I will never forget.

81-90: Outstanding. Pretty much perfection, and happiness in a cup.

71-80: Amazing. A tea to savour, and one I’ll keep coming back to.

61-70: Very good. The majority of things are as they should be. A pleasing cup.

51-60: Good. Not outstanding, but has merit.

41-50: Average. It’s not horrible, but I’ve definitely had better. There’s probably still something about it I’m not keen on.

31-40: Almost enjoyable, but something about it is not for me.

11-30: Pretty bad. It probably makes me screw my face up when I take a sip, but it’s not completely undrinkable.

0-10: Ugh. No. Never again. To me, undrinkable.

Location

Norfolk, UK

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