I wasn’t sure about this one when I smelled the leaves…..it smelled a bit sharp so I was hesitant to try it. I brewed a pot because okay……the smell tempered a bit and became more gourmand fruity as it steeped.
I had it with sugar and milk. This tea is wonderful. Truly. I though with the notes it had it would be overly candied and cloying but instead it reminds me of the scent of a fruitcake. The cherry and pineapple with the toffee create a rich sweet aura that is heightened when the sugar is added and it truly feels dessert-like. The orange is a fantastic touch, adding the element of ‘holiday’. It’s the scent of a memory, delicious and the kind of scent that in the moment you can’t quite put your finger on.
I brew teas with scents at a slightly lower temperature for black teas……typically around 195 to 200. I find that this helps boost the scenting of the tea rather than having it dissipate. The ‘flavor’ of this tea was apparent from its hottest state to its coldest. Definitely will be a regular cupboard favorite!
