Williamsburg Ginger Cake

Other than the orange element, there is no way I could not tell this is supposed to be like gingerbread. Which is odd because I don’t normally pair orange with gingerbread. But Orange and Ginger is a really good combination. The after taste is wild how much this gives gingerbread vibes. There’s a faint sweetness, but not too much.

As it cools, the flavor becomes significantly more orange and clove with a bit of ginger. Not a fan of the combination of orange and clove.

Second steep, sweet orange and ginger when hot, orange clove when cold.
The feeling of gingerbread has died out as well. I think because the ginger is fading and the orange and clove are standing out more. I could do with more of a hint of orange than the strong orange I am getting. And the clove could go jump off a cliff.

I got excited right after the first steep, but the feeling I got then changes so much as this goes, and its moving into a direction I don’t enjoy.

I had a lovely cup of this over the holidays at my SILs cabin in the wilds of Virginia…it was just wonderful, the spiced molasses flavor strong, but not too strong. perfect for a cold winter afternoon right after a hike up a mountain.

I saw this tea when I was looking on the Harney & Sons website for my favorite Gingerbread Festival tea. In honor of the season, I decided to give the Williamsburg Holiday Heritage tea and this one a try as well. At the first sip there is a warm, spicy flavor but no one particular spice stands out. After the initial warm spice flavor, there’s a subtle molasses taste but it’s not as predominant as it is in the Gingerbread Festival tea. There’s also a subtle orange flavor but, again, it’s very blended and, for me, no one flavor dominates.

I have no idea how a Williamsburg Ginger Cake tastes but if it’s anything like this tea I may have to find a recipe. I think this will become one of those seasonal Harney teas that I will splurge on every winter. I only wish it was available loose as well as in the sachets.