94
drank Spicy Chocolate by Kusmi Tea
30 tasting notes

Well, this one is a surprise to me. Intellectually, I’d say it isn’t very good tea, but the empty tin on my countertop would say otherwise. This flavor is the 3rd regular (4.4 oz) tin of Kusmi that I’ve consumed in entirety. The first was Petrushka, which I’ve since replaced with the jumbo (8.8 oz) tin. That blend comes in as near perfection to my taste buds. The second was — shockinly — Violet. Yeah, wow, who’da thunk it? I ordered the 4.4 oz just because the smallest quanitity of what I figured was a novelty flavor. I am now awaiting the Fedex man to bring my second 4.4 oz tin of Violet.

Which brings me to the subject at hand, the Spicy Chocolate. I mention all the above to establish the fact that I am a Kusmi fan, I have been won over and it is my current reigning favorite brand. I like their subtlty. I like that it’s “tea first — added flavoring second”.

So why am I surprised that I evidentally like the Spicy Chocolate? I think, it may have to do with the naming of the tea. I think maybe it’s a bit unfortunate to call it “spicy”. I don’t think it is particularly spicy. I also think it’s a bit … perhapse…. misleading to call it “chocolate”. But it does contain chocolate, so it’s not a falsehood, but I think it does the tea a disservice because it sets a person up to expect something like hot cocoa. Which it doesn’t resemble in the least. So, if that’s what the name led you to believe, then you’ll be disappointed. But taken for what it IS, Camellia leaves with cocoa nibs and some spices, then it is good tea. That’s just it…. it’s very tasty drinkable TEA.

Ysaurella

oh ! we don’t have this Petrushka blend in France ! how is this possible…Kusmi is a French brand … I’m going to complain to Kusmi :D
await so to read your review about this blend as well

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Ysaurella

oh ! we don’t have this Petrushka blend in France ! how is this possible…Kusmi is a French brand … I’m going to complain to Kusmi :D
await so to read your review about this blend as well

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WARNING: OPINIONATED

I take my tea plain, no sugar, no milk. I don’t think I should have to wheedle nudge or cadjole the flavor to reconcile it to the name on the label. If it’s good, it should stand up by itself.

Excellent Video on how to prepare matcha http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NRB93In-rE

Favourites—Chinese tea. European blends. Black, puerh, oolong, spiced and Guayusa. Kusmi, Butiki
Meh to Ick—White tea, Indian tea then green is pretty far down on my list.
Dislikes—Rooibos. Matcha. Anything with hibiscus. Lipton. Celestial Seasonings. Bigelow. Red Rose. Red Leaf Tea.

I just love my camelia. Even if I hate a certain kind of tea, I still find it’s provenance interesting. The cultural aspects are every bit as fascinating as the flavor aspects, or maybe more so. Empires have been built and bankrupted over the humble tea leaf.

Becomming cynical about tea companies that are too hyped. Certain tea companies that use candy in their blend, certain tea companies that give away free tea for reviews posted all over the internet with links back to their store. Once someone has posted that kind of review, I tend to discredit their objectivity. I’m no longer interested in reading their reviews. sorry.

FYI—female—married— to a coffee drinker (but he is willing to try my exotic teas, bless him)

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oregon, but forget what you’re thinking, this is the dry side

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