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I had originally intended to buy the rooibos Pecan Pie but oh well, I don’t mind having another nutty black tea.

It does present a delightful aroma, though it leans more towards almond extract than the pecan pie I had anticipated. The red flowers, however, add a charming touch of visual elegance to the blend.

While it does evoke the essence of a nutty baked confection, the presence of pecans is rather scant. Instead, a distinct marzipan quality predominates, overshadowing the anticipated pecan pie notes. The subtle hint of honey graced the blend, which serves to beautifully balance the overall profile.

It’s globally quite good, though I must say, I’m not certain I’ll buy some more afterwards.

Pleine lune presented a rather jarring bitterness, with a pronounced note of bitter almond. The aromas were exceedingly strong, which might fare better as an iced tea. The mouthfeel was notably thick and accompanied by a certain astringency that brought to mind cough syrup, despite my efforts to steep it gently.

This particular brew struck me as overly perfumed and robust. The flavour combination seemed cluttered – too many flavours without the elegance one might anticipate.

I wonder if my experience was a mere anomaly or a rogue batch that somehow escaped Mariage Frères’s usual quality control. I had good expectations, but I was left disillusioned. It fell short of the grace and depth I associate with Mariage Frères and other French teas.

(Not exactly sure why Steepster marks this tea as unavailable, I just bought it in Paris) The first occasion upon which I sampled this tea blend, my nostrils were regrettably congested (whether due to a mere cold or something of greater concern, I could not ascertain). Upon finally being able to appreciate its aroma, I was nearly moved to tears. The sumptuous scent alone is an olfactory marvel. This exquisite tea, with its deep, rich aromas of sweet chocolate, ranks among the finest I have ever had the pleasure of tasting. I confess, I do harbour a particular fondness for chocolate teas. Although the packaging advises steeping for 5 minutes at 95°C, I reckon a slightly more delicate approach of 4 minutes at 90°C is ideal to avoid any bitterness.

This black tea boasts a delightfully gourmand aroma, swirling with enticing notes I can’t quite place. The website says marron, cookie and caramel, with whispers of orange and apricot. Ever so subtle floral notes emerge after steeping. While pleasant, the overall impression leans generic, the promised complexity doesn’t quite translate in the cup.

Strong smell of amaretto but also something else… vodka? treated wood? marascino cherry? Once brewed, I don’t get that strong smell any more, just a sweet smell of almond essence. It’s good, but I really think that this kind of flavour is best enjoyed with a tea that can withstand a warmer brewing temperature (in other words, black tea).

My nose is still a bit blocked from the cold but its smell is reminiscent of a dessert nut with a strong almond presence like marzipan. While other nutty hints might be there (pecan, walnut), the almond takes center stage. The first sip offers a robust black tea base, but the marzipan-like character translates beautifully. The almond essence isn’t overpowering, but it adds a unique and delightful twist to the classic black tea experience.

This rooibos boasts a comforting warmth with subtle spice notes of caramel and cinnamon, reminiscent of Davidstea’s Alpine Punch rooibos blend. This herbal tea will be good for relaxing caffeine-free evenings

As we open the sachet, there is a nice scent of cocoa. The cup is very good. Not too strong a chocolate flavour as I expected.

I can’t really taste the pastry flavour, mostly just the red fruit at first and then a hint of flowers afterwards. It’s well balanced, I was afraid it would taste too much like potpourri, like “Bali”, but no, it’s very good.

Flavoured green tea isn’t really my cup of tea (hihi) but that’s OK. From the very first sip, a tangy sensation of ginger invades the taste buds. This spicy flavour is then counterbalanced by a sutble lemony freshness that lingers pleasantly in the aftertaste. A subtle fruity note completes the experience, adding a touch of sweetness without dominating the palate. It is particularly suited to those who enjoy spicy, lemony notes.