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Very straightforward mint tea. Spearmint on the body and peppermint on the finish.

Good, but nothing special.

Enjoyed iced with some honey. Delicious refresher!

Surprised myself with this one, I’m more of a traditional tea guy. Dark, smoky, even bitter.

I purchased this as part of a sampler box to expand my horizons. It was very economical, and I was already ordering some nice loose leaf.

The aroma is strawberry hard candy or lollipop, all the way. This steeps while releasing the flavor and introducing you to the blend with aromatic flair.

What I was worried about with this flooding of smell, is that the black tea would be washed out. After all, this is a black tea with strawberry, not the other way around.

What you end up with is a lovely afternoon black tea with strawberry nose, some berry juice notes in the body, and a malty black tea finish with just a kiss of strawberry skin added in.

I feel it is well balanced and very good considering how inexpensive it was. My recommendation is to add fresh strawberries to the pot while infusing, if you have the luxury to do so.

Looking forward to trying this tea iced with strawberries and a touch of sugar.

Your homework for the cuppa: Strawberry Fields Forever – The Beatles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtUH9z_Oey8

By the third steeping, this tea has developed a light and sweet essence to it. Really surprising but proof that multiple infusions can bring out notes you had not picked up before with a single infusion.

To be honest, I am always a little skeptical of a tea that touts itself as an “herbal supplement.”
Usually that does not incite the kinds of flavors I would enjoy. In this case, what you can expect in the taste department is: nothing.

Initial notes were of hot water, the finish has a little bit of licorice that creeps in. Perhaps someone is zesting a ginger in the next room over? For how the blend smells dry, it simply falls flat on its face.

I steeped an extra minute and a half on the instructions both to make up for the lack of true tea leaves and because my water supply isn’t at a rolling boil. I can’t think of anything that might help this tea other than cooking it with rolling water for some inconsiderate steep time. Then again, I do not play on having this supplement again.

At the end of the cup though, this tea feels more like taking my vitamins, but without any flavor.

When I compare to the English Breakfast I started the day with, well, there is no comparison. This is not tea.

Enjoyed first thing in the morning, out of a tin enamel mug.

I had this tea before I had breakfast, since the morning was a bit rushed.

This is a very straightforward tea. A little bit of malt, but the same smoothness you would find in a solid black tea. There is some tannin on the finish, with a tasty body that doesn’t overload the senses. I brewed mine a bit strong but that’s how I like it, and for that it didn’t acquire any of the bite you might find in Scottish or Irish breakfast teas. Some people are looking for that bite however to counter with some cream or sugar.

This is a solid choice for a bagged tea, with traditional flavors. It’s limited due to that but I would have no qualms about enjoying a cup each morning.

The caffeine fix was definitely noticed within about 20 minutes, this blend is a great standard for workers and homebody’s alike.

Honestly, got this tea for free and really enjoyed it.

When I smelled this, there was an instant teleportation back to some distant memory of mine from the past. This is a melding of orange zest, chai-like spice, and the hibiscus background to add some light floral bitterness. It’s my theory that Bigelow uses this to simulate more body in their herbal infusions which is fine so long as it is not overdone.

The orange has a little orange oil feel to it but more of an essential oil than a synthetic flavor, which is nice.

Overall I enjoyed this tea especially as it is a caffeine-free blend that still packs a punch with lots of flavor to savor. Much better than a mint or chamomile herbals to me, and I would enjoy it after late dinner or before bed. A caffeine-free fix!

Steeped 5 minutes in one-mug infuser.

It is worth noting that this tin was found in storage and shows a date from 4 years ago. This may be an expiration date so it is possible that the tea is even older than that.

This is the un-smoked version of Lapsang Souchong.
I did find it a delightful blend even if it is technically out of date range.

The bouquet is sweet tea leaves, taste starts with a base of earthiness (perhaps it is old?) but with a sweet cereal consistency like honey wheat.

This sweetness is very subtle and light, but adds to this already golden delicate tea. With this delicate body is no shortage of flavor, and I think the loose leaves would stand up to a second infusion with slightly longer steep time.

I would recommend this tea as a great Chinese classic. Interested to try other variants and possibly from a fresher source but I was surprised with this one.