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Like others here, I was summoned to buy this tea by Merlin on its box. Alas, that was where the magic ended. This is a pedestrian tea. It’s not bad for evenings, due to lack of caffeine and mildness on the stomach. It steeps to a light brown, due no doubt to the chicory, which I couldn’t taste. I couldn’t really taste the cinnamon or orange peel, either. As much as I enjoy the wizardly art on the box, I don’t think I’ll be buying this one again.

I bought this for the cute-as-hell little red double-decker bus tin. I’m reviewing this from memory, so I don’t recall steeping time, temp, or those details, since it was probably a year and a half ago I finished the last bag. I do remember it wasn’t as strong a black tea as I generally like. Others have mentioned Assam, but I think there was more Ceylon, since my experience is Assam is a stronger black tea (and I LOVE Ahmad Barooti Assam). This was definitely more delicate, which is how I’ve experienced Ceylon teas. Likewise, I remember being surprised when reading the label that it was supposed to have bergamot in it, since it didn’t taste like Earl Grey to me at all. Still, it was a nicely civilized tea, clean with a smooth finish, and I did enjoy it, even if it seemed weak to me. (And while I don’t remember specific steeping times or temps, I do remember preparing it the way I usually would Assam, and it was nowhere near as strong.) And now I’ve got the cute tin!

Clean peach, nice perfume. This has a nicer perfume than the other peach or ginger peach teas I’ve tried. It’s a more natural peach flavor, too. Still, that gingery essence is also stronger than most ginger peach teas, and it hits the back of one’s throat. I enjoy this very much, but I like it best when combined in a pot with other peach teas; that mellows out the ginger (and heightens the peach of the other teas, as this one is better). One of the teas I always make sure I have on hand.

A very mellow tea. In general I like to make a blended pot of more than one peach flavored tea; it averages out any ‘lack’ or ‘over-do’ in flavorings. Today I thought I would rate this tea individually. The smell is peachier than the peach taste in the hot tea itself. I noticed the black tea flavor first, then a very muted peach flavor; I didn’t really taste the ginger. I found myself less impressed with this tea by itself, than when blended with other, lighter peach blends. Still, it’s very mellow, and it was enjoyable—just not as ‘ginger peachy’ (in the old slang way) as I had thought it was. I would still recommend it.

‘Bright and clean’ is my impression. For years I have used a bag of this while making a blended pot of herbal and other peach teas. Alas, it’s another one Lipton has discontinued. Today I decided to rate it on its own. I’d previously loved it for its rich peach scent, and ability to blend beautifully with other teas. Today, though I really noticed its mango qualities. There’s that ‘edge’ of mango taste throughout, with a bare peach sweetness at the end. The white tea essence is there yet understated. It’s got a lovely clean quality, very drinkable, as in numerous cups without getting tired of it. Lipton seems to have abandoned their boxed sets of pyramid teas, this among them. I’m very sorry to see it go.

I too was very sorry to find I couldn’t buy this anymore. I like to make a pot of black, green or white tea blended with herbal tea(s). This Lipton Honey Lemon was the perfect bag to finish a combination with. Likewise, if I didn’t want to have too much caffeine when brewing a pot of black tea (which I drink with lemon and sugar or honey), I would substitute one or two bags of this one. It would keep the flavors going, but insure I didn’t get too much caffeine. I suppose I could look for a substitute, but I’m still nursing my last dozen bags of this!

It’s only fitting that for my first review here I start with English Tea No. 1 by Ahmad, one of my favorite black teas. I first bought it a few years ago, thinking it was an English Breakfast kind of blend. For all intents and purposes, it is. One can hardly taste the bergamot, especially if like me, you take your black teas with lemon and sugar. The blend is strong but not overwhelming, not bitter. I would agree with others who describe a dry finish, with a white wine note. A splendidly drinkable tea, good for all day.