The first time my roommate and I tasted this, we HATED it. I think she actually poured her cup out, while I felt forced to sweeten mine to make it palatable to drink. All I remember is that we thought it tasted like dry nuts with no redeeming qualities.
But, since there’s still some left (and I received a sample in my last online order), I get the chance to give it a second shot!
The dry tea smells like dry almonds. That’s the only smell I’m getting from it, despite the other ingredients. It doesn’t smell objectionable, but not terribly interesting either.
Steeped, I am still mostly smelling dry nuts, just in a weaker form. Hmm, this seems like it may turn out the same as last time. There’s a bit of a sweetness overtone that counteracts the dry aroma a bit.
Drinking it, I can taste the nuts, and I think I’m getting a hint of chocolatey flavour and sweetness from the cocoa nibs. I’m not sure if there was a goji berry in my teaball, but I’m not tasting anything that leads me to believe there was one in there. I’m also not tasting any licorice whatsoever (fine by me!) nor the white tea, even though there was some present. Perhaps I should have steeped this longer? I’m also feeling like it’s rather weak.
Either way, I don’t think this is a tea for me. I’m not sure why we were so put off by it the first time, but it’s not terrible, it’s just nothing special. If I want a nutty tea, Mulberry Magic is the winner for me.
ETA: After a bit of thought, I am wondering why this tea wasn’t called Forever Nuts instead of the nutty cider that Forever Nuts actually is? Secret Weapon is far nuttier…
ETA again: Second steep for who knows how long results in a similarly nutty brew. Really nothing special. And I checked – there were two goji berries in the tea ball. Not much anticipation for future steepings.