Pomegranate Blackberry Shou Mei

How exciting, for the second time I’m the first person to review a 52teas blend! This is one I probably would have skipped (sadly, because I love pomegranate), since before I tried to limit myself to 2 of their blends a month. The tea of the week club is SO worth it, since now I don’t miss any of them! Though the white blends never seem to be as popular as the other ones, maybe because you get 1 ounce instead of 2?

Just a few days ago I was decrying the lack of teas that actually taste like pomegranate, but this blend has actual dried pom seeds in it so my hopes were up. Though, really, if I want a pomegranate fix it is the season for them—in fact I devoured half of one just last night! Yes, I am a pom addict.

I made this iced and it took me all day to get through it—not because it’s bad, but because I am freezing! I am so used to the balmy temperatures of my apartment, where it’s about 75 with the heat OFF because I’m on the top floor and everyone else has it blasting. My parents live about 60 miles up from the city and good lords is it chilly here. Not really iced tea weather anymore. But even with my hands feeling like they are going to fall off I enjoyed this blend.

The blackberry is the dominant flavor here, and (I guess unsurprisingly) it reminds me of the watermelon blackberry honeybush that I adore. Sweet and juicy! The pom is a supporting note, but for once it actually tastes like pomegranate! Tart and crisp without the raspberry vibes pom blends usually give me. I’m probably going to save my pouch for the summer, I imagine a big pitcher of this with a slice of lime would be divine.

Smells a lot like Black Currant Bai Mu Dan, but tastes way better, IMO. Fruitier and with more body. I’m enjoying this one, although had it occurred to me that it would taste so much like Black Currant BMD, I wouldn’t have picked it up.

ETA: Re-steep was ok, although I only had a bit before forgetting it in on the dining room table for about 36 hours…

So I tried this mostly because I got it from my 52teas subscription and I believe that I should try everything once before I reject it out of hand, but white teas have never been my favourite thing, or even close to it. Imagine my surprise when I actually like this tea! The flavouring is subtle, fruity but not overwhelming and the white tea tastes like white tea but it doesn’t have that je ne sais quoi that I have never liked about it, somehow.

I think I steeped this correctly at 175 degrees for 2 minutes, but if anyone has suggestions on how to make this even better, please feel free to share, I haven’t steeped many white teas.

Not a bad white blend, and I by no means dislike it. I just wish I hadn’t ordered the Black Currant Bai Mu Dan with this tea, because there are similarities, and I do enjoy the BCBMD much better. This will be my cold-steep tea for the week. The pomegranate makes this tea slightly tart, but that blends well with blackberry. The leaves are massive and reasonably well-intact. If you like tart and slightly sweet white teas, this is a great blend. If you like over-the-top juicy white tea that can re-steep forever, go with the Black Currant Bai Mu Dan.

Swap from Alphakitty! This one smells so good!

I’m slowly getting through all the swaps people have sent me. Now that I’m on break, I’d imagine I’ll have more time to really sit and enjoy some teas.

Smell: Dry this one smells heavily like blackberry with hints of pomegranate. It’s also got a bit of a buttery scent to it, which I found in the one unflavored Shou Mei I had. Yum. Nice and sweet/refreshing. Once brewed it smells even better! Slightly tart, deliciously sweet, and FRUITY! I’m getting the blackberry mostly, but that’s totally ok. The pom is very light. The buttery scent of the Shou Mei (also a slight “earthy” flavor) adds a bit of depth to the cup. I can’t wait to drink this one!

Taste: The tartness is a little more evident in the taste, but it’s nicely balanced with the sweet notes. The blackberry is spot on, not candy-like or artificial. The pomegranate notes are also fresh and delicious, even if they are less pronounced. The cup is smooth, and the mellow white tea base is perfect here! Mildly buttery, earthy, and sweet. I’m also getting this wonderful cooling effect at the back of the sip…don’t know where it’s coming from, but it makes for a very refreshing cuppa.

Overall, I’d say this tea is a big win. Love the flavors, the mouthfeel, and the crisp, refreshing nature of the brew!

I know feel like I need to buy this tea! I need MORE. haha

Brewed 2 quarts using 185°F water for 3 minutes. Put the pitcher in the refrigerator to chill overnight.

Delicious fruity tea. I definitely taste the pomegranate and blackberry, but the pomegranate is more prominent to me. It is naturally sweet and has a lovely sweet, white tea aftertaste. This actually reminds me of the Forest Berries Silver Needle VIT.