Sammy Kay Send Message

Typically, I keep a rose black tea stocked in my cupboard. Also typically, I get one called Rose Congou from a local tea shop, but I had no plans to make the treck and get myself downtown, so I thought I would try this from Harney. This rose black is VERY strongly scented, very floral. It’s a yummy flavor, but it is not as full bodied as the one I am used to. The rose flavor almost borders on fruity, especially when iced, but it does not take away from the rosiness of the tea.
Lately, if I do not know what tea I want, or cant decide, I just reach for this. It also blends very well, I sometimes mix a pinch with some white tea, or to genmaicha for a floral/nutty balance. I very frequently mix this with fruity black teas.

What can I say, it’s a genmaicha and its a very good price for the amount. Sometimes I will get some from my local asian markets but I do enjoy the tin that Harney sends. This has all the hallmarks of a well done genmaicha, the flavor is warm and nutty and there are cute little popcorn pieces in the tea leaves. The leaf condition may not be superb, it does have a fair amount of brokenness, but for the price and for a daily drinker, this is very good.

A very good, robust assam that is excellent in the dead of winter. The calendula does give it a bit of a unique flavor that is slightly different from a basic assam, and the addition of the flowers does certainly make it an attractive loose leaf to look at in the bag.

Usually with chai, the spice for me is underdone or not well balanced. Too much cinnamon in some, anise in another, etc. This is a well balanced chai for me! It has the good bite of spiciness that some of its category lack, while not having one particular spice overpower the others. This will be my go-to chai unless I am able to find a better one.

This is a really good tea, the honey flavor is done so well and not at overwhelming like I was concerned it would be. I don’t drink it very often because the texture of the pollen in the tea is a bit uncomfortable for my mouth and throat, but adding a dab of honey and a splash of milk makes it much much easier for me to drink.
The black tea is smooth and malty, which is an excellent pairing for the honey.

This tea is everything I would want from a tea of its’ name. It’s got that delicious lapsang taste, not flavored but actually smoked, and the juniper berries add an earthiness and a ruggedness to the flavor that I just adore! I have ordered this twice and am about to run out, so I will need to get more when I do a WWTC restock.