Hallowe'en Party (formerly A Haunting in Venice)

Not what I initially imagined from reading the ingredients list, though I am still finding this quite enjoyable.

I’m not really getting any pumpkin. The ginger is the predominate flavor. I expected more of a raw ginger flavor, but I think I prefer how it comes across here. The cinnamon is more in the back of the sip than you might expect. Its so common for cinnamon to dominate, but that is not the case. The maple and vanilla are more in the aftertaste, rounding everything out. I don’t think I am getting much in the way of caramel, though it may just be blending with the vanilla and maple.

Overall, I am quite enjoying myself. I’ve been looking for ages for a spiced tea that was neither so strong there was no sign of the tea anywhere nor smacking you in the face with clove. This appears to be filling that niche quite nicely.

Second steep still has a good amount of flavor, though the base is standing out more now. As a flavored tea, this is not unexpected. But still, likely will not go well with my steep the same leaves repeatedly all day method of making tea.

Third steep and I have ruined my sense of smell sniffing all of the new flavored teas I picked up. I’m no longer sure what I am smelling from where at this point and my office is smelling like a craft store at Christmas. But it is confirmed. Two steeps seems to be all this tea can realistically give. I let it go a nearly 10 minutes but the flavor is decidedly anemic at best.

Argh. It’s faintly tea colored water than anything else. Boo!

Sipdown! (1 | 403)

Haven’t been around much in the last week because my mother-in-law was staying with us. Let’s just say, I’m relieved that she left this morning ha ha… ^^’

Anyway, this tea. It sounded so good to me, but I just don’t love it. I get maple in the smell, but not the taste. The combination of the pumpkin (I think) and the ginger together just comes out so earthy, it’s odd to me. And then there’s a touch of candy cinnamon in the background. Just a strange combination of things to my palate.

Anyway, not a fan. But I’m partially glad about it, since this is yet another tea that is only offered in sachets in a tin…

I was a little worried when I got this blend, I’m not going to lie. I am not typically a fan of Harney and Sons’ Pumpkin Spice but this blend is not that at all! It’s a pumpkin (without the spice) black tea with some spices along with vanilla and maple flavors. This blend tastes like a hot cuppa paired with some freshly baked pumpkin bread. It’s super yummy, buttery, and somehow light at the same time. I think I may need to grab some more before it sells out, plus the tin is gorgeous!