This is actually my second note on this tea since I was silly and put it under random steepings. Last time I under leafed it. This time, it is pretty good. I still prefer the Russian Host Estate because of its more chocolaty profile, but this one is yummy. This one also has a cocoa-malt quality, but more cocoa malty than straight chocolaty. Overall, it’s super sweet for a black tea, thick, smooth, and juicy. Not sure what fruit to pin point it as. A little bit more on the berry side but also close to something like an apple or maybe a plum. First steep at 30-45 seconds. Second around two minutes. The rest: don’t ask. I just winged the rest of it. As it cooled, it got really, really sweet. Like sugary iced tea sweet.
Bottom line: a great black tea worth a try, or those of you looking for a fruitier black tea without artificial flavoring. ..or, if you want iced sweet tea without adding sugar, or a great base for a Long Island Iced Tea.
Flavors: Astringent, Berry, Cocoa, Fruity, Malt, Smooth, Sweet, Thick