Tangier

Thank you, Queen of Tarts!

So earlier I thought I’d check out a beer growler store actually in my city because they allow sampling. It wasn’t anything exciting except that I bought a fill of a beer called Golden Monkey. So of course as I’m telling the guy it’s a funny name, he interjects here, and I’m like well because it’s a type of black tea!

I was sad to find out that it has nothing to do with the tea. More that it is golden in color and that apparently after 2 bottles you understand the rest, that is what the company says on their website. It is SO strong so I haven’t had much of it.

So for some reason I found myself wanting something a little spicy but not up to the level of a chai. This was the first thing I found close by that fit the bill. It’s mostly fruity, thanks to the apricot, with spicy notes from the saffron. Given that saffron’s a pretty pricey spice (hahaha) it’s not too strong.

I’m also surprised that this black tea, being a Ceylon (or I would assume a ceylon, given it says Sri Lankan), held up so well to being steeped for four minutes.

I let it cool off and the apricot is more pronounced now. It’s one of the best fruity flavored black teas I’ve probably ever had. It’s also really pretty, speckled with red petals.

ATR’s flavored teas are so good, if I wasn’t trying to now save money because I need to do a summer semester again (so I can graduate next fall FINALLY) I would be so into this one, but it’ll have to wait until 2014. Cries.

This is a nice and warm black tea blend. The apricot is muted by the other flavorings so that it is not overly sweet, fruity, or tart. Although saffron is identified as a flavoring, I did not detect any saffron at all. Oddly, this blend just feels comforting and luxurious (as some other Steepster-ite) noted and it is hard to pinpoint what this tastes like.

Backlogging – I had this tea as a cold-brewed iced tea and I think it might have lost something. It tasted fine but mostly just tasted like a peach tea. No saffron flavor, not much black tea flavor. I probably need to try it hot to compare.

Wow this is really good! So pleasantly surprised. I don’t think I’ve ever liked an apricot black tea before. I will admit that the black tea is totally overshadowed by the saffron and apricot, but I’m actually okay with that. The bright fruitiness is really delicious. I’m going to have to nab more of this when I get home and can make iced tea. (Dorm room without fridge is not conducive to the iced tea making- alas, because it’s really hot right now in VT. I didn’t even know it got hot in VT, but I digress.)

The tea base on this one is worth the price on the admission and very S-M-O-O-T-H! It is obviously a good quality black tea and you don’t find that all the time. The black tea base pairs nicely with the apricot flavor and the saffron. I stock this one in my cupboard and it is not one that I will likely EVER allow myself to run out of.

This is a very good flavored black tea. It’s smooth, forgiving (if it gets steeped a bit too long, it won’t turn bitter), flavorful and uplifting. The scent is as delightful as the taste — brewing a cup of this is a sensory experience. It’s not a rich or malty tea, and I’m not getting much “spice” from it; my impression is that of a well-mannered black tea providing a base for the apricot and saffron flavors to “pop.” As I sip this it brings to mind images of biting into a flaky, buttery, apricot tart…yum!

Anyone who likes flavored black teas ought to try this.

This is nice! And my first tea of the New Year! Have a Happy and Safe one everyone!

This is a semi-floral/semi-tangy/semi-sweet blend with hints of this and hints of that…just enough to keep you guessing!

It’s a medium brown in color and somewhat smooth. The Apricot is a nice touch.

Fruity and luxurious. Absolutely one of the best teas I have ever had iced, and it’s good hot too. So sad I’m out; hoping to buy more soon.

This tea smells AMAZING dry, like they didn’t skimp on the saffron at all (which is pretty awesome considering how very expensive decent saffron is!). Whoo boy. Brewed it mellows a lot and tastes almost vegetal more than sweetly spiced, which is tasty in its own right but somehow a little disappointing after that whammy of a first impression dry. Really good, don’t get me wrong, but not as dessert-y as I was expecting. It’s funny, it was sort of the opposite phases of expectations—>dry aroma—>brewed experience from my encounter with ATR’s Toasted Fig. Now that my expectations will be more aligned with final results, I’m sure I’ll enjoy both thoroughly.

I got this as a sample and I really liked it. Smooth black tea and yummy apricots. Much more appealing somehow than other apricot teas I have tried. I am actually not much on fruit flavorings (haven’t really gotten in to Earl Grey) but this is delicious. Will order.

this makes the best iced tea and is great warm too

Delicious! The blend of a good black tea and fresh apricots is a winner.