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I really wish they sold this one in grocery stores… but alas. I’ve been meaning to try it for a long time now, and since I’m on a bit of a “coffee alternative” kick with yaupon and mate in the mornings and caffeine-free herbal alternatives like dandelion and chicory in the afternoons, I finally gritted my teeth and paid the $6 Amazon wants for a single box of it. My grocery store sells other CS blends for like $2 or $3 a box. T-T
The dry teabag smelled very strongly of cinnamon and not much else. However, the SECOND the hot water hit it, the liquor released a very strong roasted barley scent, in addition to the cinnamon. The scent was very faintly reminiscent of coffee, but it really reminds me more of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, minus the sugary component.
Once I sipped, I tasted the anise, barley, chicory, and cinnamon. Didn’t get much in the way of carob or allspice.
Overall, this tea tastes like biscotti. I see what CS was going for here, and it’s a very pleasant, warming, roast-y cuppa, but it doesn’t taste like coffee and doesn’t satisfy the 2:00 PM coffee urge the way that Teeccino’s Dandelion Dark Roast does.
Still, I’m not mad at it. I’ll definitely enjoy the rest of the box and maybe even consider re-stocking it, if I can continue to get it online.