Organic Texas Iced Tea

The cold that has slowly set upon me has really rallied my tastebuds into a level of noncooperation that I would have previously imagined beyond their grasp. Vanilla tastes like varnish, and pear tastes like soap. Straight tea it is!

I get caught up, sometimes, in how good black tea tastes with different flavors added. I forget that a straight, unblemished black tea all on its own still tastes divine. Call it a little silent blessing that this cold has provided me.

This Texas Iced Tea blend is amazingly rich. There is a depth to this orange pekoe that I haven’t tasted in quite some time, or at least haven’t noticed pushing it’s way past the orange/vanilla/coconut/cinnamon flavors that are in 90% of my tea. It has a layer of almost-spiciness underneath the body of the tea that is quite pleasant.

Definitely a very satisfying black tea to drink, and despite it’s name, preparing this warm proves to be very enjoyable. Come a little later in the spring, when sweet iced tea is more in season, I have no doubt that this will make a delectable iced tea. But for now, I’m quite happy to have it in a nice steaming brew.

This is currently one of the teas on TropicalTeaCo.com’s $1.00 an ounce sale (plus the March coupon), which makes the price unbeatable. I’ll probably put in another order on this and buy enough tea to last us through the iced tea season. The price really cannot be beat, and the flavor is amazing.

My favorite way to imbibe black tea is iced and sweetened. Might have some thing to do with growing up in Nevada. Iced tea is excellent in the summer. I didn’t think I was going to enjoy this tea hot because of my preference, but I did.

The first thing I notice is the hint of some mysterious spice. It reminds me of cardamom or cinnamon. It’s surprising enough to make a person take notice. Orange pekoe is a rich full-bodied accent to that mystery spice. I like the texture, very soft and smooth on my tongue.

One word of caution, it is very easy to make this tea super strong. I used my standard measurements. I was surprised to see it looking “done” with in a minute. I think I can probably use a smaller quantity. I’m guessing this one will be excellent cold brewed.

I know Missy and Dylan love this stuff. Me? It tastes like hay. I can’t get myself all that enthusiastic about tea that tastes like hay. I mixed it with lemonade and a little German Rock Sugar. That made me feel a little less like i was out on the range. I didn’t hate it and I wouldn’t make a second pot.