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This sort of tastes like a fruity soda, or maybe even limeade. I’m not sure if I can separate the cucumber and mango flavors, but they are pleasant together. The base is smooth, with just a little bit of a hay note. There’s not much aftertaste; this is a very clean-feeling tea. I don’t think it’s a restock but I’ll have no trouble finishing the sample. Maybe I’ll ice some of it.

This cup comes to me from Jennkay. Thank you! This one is nice and mellow. It’s a little sweet but not in a sugary way: more like in a fresh green beans way. Something about it is just relaxing, and I definitely recognize the flavor from the Bancha Houjicha I liked before. I think Bancha could earn a spot in my cabinet.

This thing I get out of this the most is dried coconut. I happen to love coconut, so no problems there. There’s also a tangy, creamy flavor that’s probably the honeybush but it works to taste pretty close to cheesecake. I’m liking this more with every sip, so I’m really glad I have a large size of it. Another seriously good cup.

Resteep. I thought the second steep might tease out some of the chocolate notes, but it doesn’t seem that it was meant to be. There’s a sweeter aftertaste that’s sort of white-chocolate-y? Maybe? It’s trying but not quite getting there. I do love the genmaicha flavor with the sweet aftertaste, though. This doesn’t quite live up to the description but it’s a good cup.

Whoa, I’m loving this one! There’s definitely rum and raisin. I’ve actually never had this as ice cream, so I can’t compare it to that, but it reminds me of some kind of pastry instead of ice cream. Like a loaf cake or something. Whatever it is, it’s delicious.

Now I’m starting to get sad that 52teas doesn’t have their blends available all the time. I guess I’ll look out (and save up) for reblends.

Cold steep resteep; about 18 hours in the fridge. More hay notes and a slightly floral finish, but it’s not as nice as the first time around. It reminds me a lot of straight white tea but much stronger in flavor. I don’t think I’ll be getting this one again, and I’m starting to consider putting it in the swap pile for someone who’ll like it more. I still have at least half the bag.

Another one from LiberTEAS’ box. Sadly I lose 50 nerd points for not having watched Firefly (yet, it’s on the list). However I did want a genmaicha and I remembered this was in my box, so here we go. My first 52teas tea as well!

I’m not getting a lot of chocolate in this, but there is something that could be chocolate. It’s sweet and smoother than a regular genmaicha, but the problem is that the rice takes over the flavor more than anything. There’s definitely something, but I wish I could coax it out a little more. Still a nice cup, though.

First cup of the morning because I had to go to the doctor earlier. I oversteeped just a little but I don’t think it’s too bad so I’ll go ahead and comment on it.

This one isn’t quite as aromatic as other cardamom teas I’ve had, and it has a little more of a savoriness to it. It’s not bad, but there’s sort of a powdery mouthfeel I’m not enjoying. I’ll wait to rate it until I’m sure I have a better-steeped cup, but so far it’s pretty average.

Put this in a big mug tonight. I’m trying to watch the Olympic opening ceremonies but I’m suddenly kind of tired. We can’t have that!

Reading MissB’s reviews made me a little nervous, because I don’t like not knowing what’s in my food/drinks. It’s more of a habit than an actual worry about this particular tea, because I doubt there are peanuts or significant amounts of wheat in here. It smells really good, though, so I guess it can be excused. It’s like marzipan but slightly fruitier.

Sadly I think I messed this one up, because I thought it was entirely a black tea. Turns out there’s green in here too. It’s bitter but at least it’s not completely undrinkable. The aftertaste is pure marzipan. Sadly this is a sipdown, so I won’t be able to experiment further with it, but even with me messing it up it’s not bad.

Sipdown! Oh, wow. This is even better this time. I steeped it lower because I was making white tea at the same time and I seem to have seriously found the perfect parameters. Up goes the rating! It’s mind-blowingly flavorful and creamy. I have no idea anymore if this is carrot cake (it’s so fruity!), but it is delicious, whatever it is.