Very glad I finally forayed into the world of aged teas because this is a standout thing. Charming, foil wrapped mini tuochas easily crumble into brewable form. The smell is strange, but inviting. As advertised, there’s a strong sticky rice presence underwritten by what to me smells like tortilla chips, and a hot metal note that must be the minerality described. The color is unusual for a tea— it has a ruddy pinkish orange cast I attribute to the other herb involved.
The taste opens with comforting, toasty basmati rice. There’s not a ton of tea flavor then or at any other point, but I don’t miss it as much as you might expect, given my disdain for weak teas, and it provides structural support even if its flavor is a subtle whisper of cedar and a dab of smoke. It provides backbone and bulk that keeps this from being wishy-washy and thin the way tisanes tend to be. The roasted corn note is what intrigued me enough to purchase this and I’m happy to report it’s real and spot on and wonderful. Tastes like it’s been done in its own husk on the grill. Lovely to get a slice of summer in what’s otherwise a cuddly, winter-ready tea. A reminder the warm times will return. At the end of each swig up pops a spout of fruity flavor. I can’t decide if it’s more like a tangy wild blueberry or sugared ground cherry, but it’s strong and clear.
Flavors: Blueberry, Cedar, Corn Husk, Hay, Metallic, Pleasantly Sour, Rice, Sawdust, Smoke
