Pumpkin Caramel

I got this in my Christmas Stocking (yep, I bought this one too, and stuffed it in my own stocking. Sad … but true) This is the second time I’ve tried it, the first time was less successful. I wasn’t getting a whole lot of pumpkin or caramel in the sip, just spices and bitterness. It wasn’t bad … exactly, but, it wasn’t as pleasant a cup as I hoped for. This time, it’s better. I found that a splash of milk really improves the taste here. the caramel is accented, the pumpkin comes out a little more, and the spices are not as prominent, but instead provide pleasing background notes to the caramel and pumpkin flavors. It’s not as good as 52Teas Caramel Pumpkin Cheesecake … of course, but, it is certainly enjoyable, and this one has a bit more of a spiced taste to it than the cheesecake version.

After we went to a very lovely French bakery for tarts (oh my, those tarts), my sister picked this one out on her birthday (because I’m slowly getting her into tea).

I just got around to making it, and I was skeptical, but it was ridiculously good. My sister complained of a slight astringency so I might lower the steep time just a tad.

I agree with LiberTEAS, I’m getting a slight “spiciness” off of this tea, but not in a chai sort of way. It’s more like… well if you’ve ever walked into a Spice and Tea Exchange store, the scent of the shop, it kind of tastes like that. It’s a very savory sort of spice, like eating pumpkin soup.

I still very much taste the pumpkin though and I quite enjoy the savoriness of the spice behind it. I think, though, the most incredible part of the blend is the caramel flavor.

I’ve noticed that the caramel comes out more once its cooled a little and the pumpkin/spices are a bit more subdued. It’s crazy though. I’m transported back into a time when I was very young, eating caramel drizzled ice cream at The Macaroni Grill (why does that look way less meaningful than it is in my head…)

Anyways, upon cooling a bit, it tastes just like caramel. Silky smooth texture and all. I’ve never experienced such a thing in a tea until now, so this impressed me the most.

My only regret: Not buying more.