Inkling Send Message

2025 TTB #7

I’m a sucker for tea blends with “cookie” in the name, so this one called to me immediately! Orange was an intriguing addition that I don’t often see in cookie-inspired teas, but I’m honestly not tasting it in this one. I mostly get the robust, malty base tea with subtle hints of almond and vanilla. If I had more to play around with, it would be interesting to see how the flavor would change with milk and/or sweetener. As it is, it’s enjoyable, but nothing particularly special or memorable.

2025 TTB #6

This box is heavy on flavored blends (not that I’m complaining!) but this straight black tea jumped out to me, as I haven’t had many “red” teas (not even sure of what defines that?) and Jesse’s Teahouse is also a new brand to me. The dry leaf was pretty! Tight little curls of mahogany brown leaves and a nice winey aroma. Unfortunately, I ended up on a 40-minute work call while drinking this, so wasn’t able to give it as much attention as I would have preferred. From what I recall, it was bittersweet and fruity and a bit drying on the palate. I tend to prefer a more robust, malty black tea, so I’ll probably be putting this one back in the box for someone else to enjoy.

2025 TTB #5

I haven’t tried much from Neccessiteas and their blends always sound delicious, so I was eager to sample this one! Although I could see dried blueberries in the leaf and smell a bit of berry sweetness as it stepped, all I could really taste was the maple. It was a pleasant, natural-tasting maple…but based on the name, I was hoping for more.

2025 TTB #4

This is such an interesting blend…woodchips? corn? The flavor is also unique: I’ve had bourbon teas and butterscotch teas, but never both in one blend. The flavor is smooth and buttery-sweet with a lingering boozy aftertaste. Definitely more butterscotch than bourbon, but quite yummy!

2025 TTB #3

The dry leaf of this blend is so pretty! Tightly curled, glossy black leaves contrast sharply against big flakes of milky white coconut and shiny nut-brown grains of toasted rice. The flavor is like a deeper, richer version of a Crunch candy bar…the creamy chocolate and crispy rice are both there, but there’s a toasty Unami note instead of sweetness. This is so unique and lovely! Definitely one I would consider ordering in the future.

2025 TTB #2

I’ve tried a number of root beer blends in the past, so I was curious to see what was “radical” about this one. Turns out it’s a healthier take with puerh, dandelion root, and chicory. While I’m sure my gut is appreciating all the good-for-me ingredients, I have to say that the flavor was more earthy and less soda-like than I would prefer. The licorice root is also STRONG in this one, leaving a lingering sweet anise flavor on my tongue. It’s possible I’d enjoy this more cold or with a shorter steep time? But I think I’ll pop it back in the box for someone else to sample.

2025 TTB #1

This one caught my eye right away, as coconut and raspberry are both favorite flavor profiles for me. Sipping it straight, I got a light natural-tasting raspberry flavor but not much coconut. The Assam base was also leaving me with a slightly bitter aftertaste. However, with the addition of a splash of milk, everything smoothed out and the creaminess of the coconut started coming through. A pleasant start to this box!

Devon Bartholomew Advent Day 25

There’s a lot going on in this blend, but somehow it works! The lavender is subtle enough that it just adds a bit of interest to an otherwise typical milk chocolate peppermint Christmas tea. My only complaint is that I found it a bit thin and lacking in body; I think I would have enjoyed it more on a black tea base. Still an enjoyable end to the Advent, though! Now on to trying the new tea I got for Christmas. :)

Devon Bartholomew Advent Day 24

Hope everyone had a lovely holiday! Mine was busy but delightful with three different family gatherings packed into the 48 hours of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day!!! I did find time to brew a cup of this at some point and actually quite appreciated that it was a tea bag I could easily brew at a relative’s house without dragging along any other equipment. I enjoyed it quite a bit more than the other tea I sampled from Eastern Shore! This one had a distinctive chocolatey scent as I was brewing it and a pleasant (though mild) Nutella-like flavor.

Devon Bartholomew Advent Day 23

A new-to-me tea from a new-to-me company…always a treat! The flavoring in this was very light. I got hints of vanilla and amaretto, but mostly just the smooth black tea base.