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Beorhthraefn included a sample of Taj Mahal by Sereni-tea in the Secret Pumpkin package. Thank you!

I didn’t examine the leaf, but I remember it being close to a typical masala chai, containing whole but short leaf black tea, cinnamon, clove, cardamon , etc.

Brewed on the stove-top with almond milk. I shouldn’t made this with almond milk. It was my first time having it ever and I wanted to try masala chai with something other than 2% milk. Not only did it not properly boil, but it didn’t taste all that good (even by itself). But underneath that I could still tell that this blend tasted strong, malty, slightly peppery, and cinnamon-y. Average but OK.

kieblera5 sent me a generous sample of this some time ago. Thank you very much!

Had a gongfu session with a ceramic gaiwan. 10 second rinse. Steeping times: 20 seconds, 15, 15, 20, 40; 1 minute, 2, 5, 10.

The dry leaf aroma smells of chocolate and earth. The chocolate is strengthened in the rinse and wet leaf aromas.

The first infusion is very light – light in color (orange) and light in flavor (mushrooms). This shou gets going right after this, though. Both the color and flavors strengthen. Lovely shade of dark red in the pitcher, when held against sunlight. My session was split in about half, not counting the first cup. I had to take a four hour-long break. There is a difference in taste and texture. Infusions 2-5 are deliciously creamy, sweet, and cocoa-filled. I didn’t give much to my tea pet, Georgie. Sorry not sorry, buddy. The cocoa is still there in 6-8, but it is more bittersweet than sweet. And the texture is not quite as smooth but still thick.

Overall, a clean and light shou. Not heavy like other chocolately shous I’ve had perviously. Don’t underleaf, like I did in the first session (this review is based off of my session), otherwise it’s far too light. Very glad to have tried this! The price for a cake on Tea Urchin’s website is more than reasonable.

Beorhthraefn included a sample of this in the Secret Pumpkin package. Thank you! Brewed in an infuser mug. Steeping times 1 minute, 2, 4, 8.

Steeping this Western style doesn’t yield anything complex, unfortunately. Full body, clear liquor. Sweet and vegetal. In the aromas and liquor, I discerned notes of sauteed dark green vegetables with red onion. This was a new experience, purple maocha. I wasn’t really taken with it, but at the bare minimum it is drinkable. Also, I do love eating kale with red onion or broccoli rabe.

Beorhthraefn included a sample of 8 Immortals Dancong by Sereni-tea in the Secret Pumpkin package. Thank you!

Brewed in an infuser mug. Steeping times: 2 minutes, 4, 8. The wet leaf smells muscatel and like wet rocks. The liquor is clearly golden, full-bodied, and juicy with white grapes. Can’t really evaluate the quality considering my lack of experience with Dan Cong, but this was nice to drink.

Beorhthraefn included a sample of this in the Secret Pumpkin package. Thank you!

Brewed in an infuser mug. Steeping times 2 minutes, 4, 8.

This is a Tie Guan Yin. The light green liquor has a creamy texture and medium body, and is powerfully floral with a juicy peach aftertaste. In spite of the previous comment, it has a light, sunny feel. I feel so-so about lightly oxidized Chinese oolongs, but this one was enjoyable.

This blend was produced before the ownership transfer.

This is a bitter dark chocolate kind of chocolate-flavored tea. I’m a fan of dark chocolate – I have a high limit for bitterness (85% – heck yes). The marshmallow root ingredient contributes to the bitter taste. Taken with a splash of milk, this blend is still bold, tastes like hot cocoa and has a smooth texture. It’s one of the better chocolate-flavored teas I’ve had. I’m glad it was included in my clearance sale grab bag.

Beorhthraefn included a sample of this in her Secret Pumpkin package. Thank you!

Very aromatic overall – my mug smelled even long after I finished the last cup. The wet leaf aroma has notes of chard and grilled vegetables. Almost sweet, like they’d been cooked with red onion. The liquor tastes like smoked red meat initially, and then as it cools down, it begins to have flavors similar to the wet leaf aroma. The aftertaste is interesting – smokey, filling the mouth, as if I’d been inhaling smoke (not a negative thing).

Beorhthraefn included a sample of this in the Secret Pumpkin package. Thank you!

I’m the kind of person who likes fruit flavors that naturally come from oolong, rather than have it added. However, if you do like flavored oolong, I recommend this. The pear flavor tastes very nice. It’s a good “pearing” with the rolled floral oolong base, which has similar fruity flavors. Additionally, the texture is creamy.

Beorhthraefn included a sample of this in the Secret Pumpkin package. Thank you!

For those who dread hibiscus in their teas, this is one herbal blend to try. The hibiscus is so light that it’s barely noticeable. It’s the rose that stands out. Relaxing evening cup.

Beorhthraefn included a tea bag of this in the Secret Pumpkin package. Thank you!

I was skeptical. This has an aroma of butter and heavy cream. OK, I’ll try. This turned out to be one of the worst experiences I’ve had with tea. It didn’t taste anything like oolong or ice cream. Chicken soup. I almost felt nauseated. I couldn’t finish the cup.