This is a lovely blend that feels quite Holiday-appropriate. (I’m not sure whether it’s meant to evoke said season or not, to be honest!) The scent reminds me of those seasonal shops that (used to) crop up in North American shopping malls around the winter season, where upon entering one’s senses were assailed by the scents of cinnamon, apple, mulling spices, etc. Those scented baggies of pine cones? It reminds me of them – but without so much of the muskiness. (While the connection mentally of cinnamon and apple is there, the ingredients list neither, but rather orange peels, cloves, as well as peppercorns.)
Brewed up, the similarity remains, but is toned down to levels I consider much more pleasant. None of the flavours are at all sickly-sweet, as they can be with similar teas and with some of those shops, or candles – but the association is strong enough to give the impression of the holidays and those scents and tastes we’ve often come to associate with them. With a little milk, it’s subdued just a touch more, and the experience is one of a much more gentle impression, clear and persistent without getting lost, but without ever becoming too sweet, overpowering, or cloying.
There’s a little “oomph” I feel might be missing somewhere – this blend is lovely, but it doesn’t quite stand out either. It’s got charm but it’s almost forgettable – indeed, I had 50g of this hanging around my cupboard and it was only a similar tea running low that reminded me that I had this somewhere – if only I could locate it, it might serve as a good back-up. Maybe if the orange, for example, came through more strongly, it would have left a stronger impression – something to stand out and shine against the lovely backdrop of the rest.
Flavors: Spices
