Bird & Blend Tea Co.

I bought this last April (when Bird & Blend was still Bluebird!) but my package was still sealed! I’m not too worried about freshness… it at least smells wonderful upon opening it up to try it! Very chocolately, and I also smell coconut? That actually worried me (given the age), so I double-checked the ingredients. Nope, no coconut. It really smells of it, though! I’m getting strong Mounds candy vibes from the dry leaf aroma… that is only a positive as far as I’m concerned!

I steeped this one slightly longer than I usually steep blacks, just to make sure the marshmallow bits would melt nicely into the brew. The finished tea is a caramelly tan color and still has a Mounds sort of aroma to me, with perhaps a bit of a caramelly sweetness.

The tea definitely is quite sweet; I think this would have more of a cocoa bittersweetness/dark chocolate flavor from the cocoa shells if it weren’t sweetened up so much by the marshmallow. I do still get more of a dark chocolate flavor than milk chocolate, but am curious how it hold up as a latte, and if that would change the chocolate flavor thanks to the addition of milk; I’ll have to experiment and try that sometime. I am still getting a strong coconut note in the flavor, and despite having popped rice in it, it doesn’t present as particularly roasty or nutty in flavor like genmaicha; there are some subtle caramel and nutty notes that pop toward the end of the sip, but cocoa and coconut are the dominant flavors. It does feel quite warm and satisfying and it is quite desserty.

Another I was able to grab in the Boxing Day sale! I was intrigued with this because I thought it sounded similar to my beloved Jelly + Ice Cream blend (all the best blends are never in the permanent collection — I’d love it especially if it didn’t have coconut to ruin faster). This one is mostly fruity goodies and hibiscus, rather than the rooibos base for Jelly + Ice Cream. Sadly, I’ve never had ‘eton mess’ though it sounds amazing. This blend is certainly strawberries and cream! I don’t think I should use more than a teaspoon, because the hibiscus tends to overwhelm the other flavors. But I love the creamy flavor with the strawberry. This blend might have a little too much hibiscus for me. I’m very happy the licorice doesn’t seem to mess with the flavor. It’s a nice similarity to Jelly + Ice Cream, but that one can’t really be beat.
Steep #1 // 1 1/4 teaspoons for a full mug // 3 minutes after boiling // 3 minute steep
2019 sipdowns: 39 (Herbal Infusions – Cherry Jubilee)

A tea I have the chance to try due to a sale from Cameron B! Thanks so much! I wanted to try this one while it was still colder weather a couple days ago. The dry leaves certainly smell wonderful… reminds me of some type of food I eat, but it definitely isn’t mince pie, since I’ve never had mince pie. I’d probably like mince pie if I tried it, but it seems like that was around in the US more when I was a kid. Not so much anymore. The blend is a strong black base with almonds that taste like marzipan. I’m certainly glad I managed to wait for almost twenty minutes and steeped for a relatively short time… the tea was a little brisk even with one heaping teaspoon. So note to self: don’t steep over a teaspoon. I’m GLAD it’s a heftier Ceylon these days though (also, the black tea leaves were fairly small.) The flavor is lovely, it has almost an apple note, without actually being apple, with a nuttiness and baked goods type of flavor. It’s really good. But be careful with the steeps!
Steep #1 // 1 heaping teaspoon for a full mug // 19 minutes after boiling // 2 1/2 minute steep
Steep #2 // 10 minutes after boiling // 3 minute steep

I bought this in the Boxing Day sale. It’s one of those blends that I was happy to see pop up in the sale. Usually they have some limited time blends appear for the sale, which I certainly appreciate. I wouldn’t say this is cobbler exactly — it’s peaches and cream all the way. It’s mostly a black tea base with tiny peach pieces and lovely pink flowers. I went with a teaspoon and half but that many leaves are a bit bitey, so I don’t think it really needs that many leaves. But that means the black tea base isn’t weak, which I wouldn’t prefer either. Both steeps have an equal amount of peach and cream flavor, which I can appreciate. I love it. It’s a GREAT peach flavor too, as some can be very artificial tasting. Not this one. Another unique and lovely cup from B&B.
Sidenote: I’m LOVING CriterionChannel.com. It’s so nice to have these films again after Filmstruck was unbelievably cancelled (by Warner Brothers). These movies are essential and can hardly be found anywhere else. So many of my favorite movies are Criterion movies. sigh.
Steep #1 // 1 1/2 teaspoons for a full mug // 20 minutes after boiling // 2-3 minute steep
Steep #2 // just boiled // 4 minute steep
2019 sipdowns: 38 (Angry Tea Room – Amazing Apricot)

The builders’ tea to end all builders’ teas? Given the mix, though, it’s amazing that the smoke isn’t entirely overwhelming — which it isn’t! It’s rather like drinking a very strong cup of black tea while sitting next to a slightly smokey campfire. I’m not sure this will become a regular cup for me — I don’t know if I’m that fond of Lapsang — but it’s one of the nicer smokey mixes I’ve had.

Not what I was expecting at all! I was anticipating something like a smokey caramel and this is much more like a mulled apple cider black tea: heavy and almost syrupy and very autumn-fruit-y. The smoke is a very light flavor component, not like a full Lapsang Souchong or even very like it.

Delicious! I ordered the 10-pack sampler from Bird and Blend; this was the one that caught my eye on the website so I had to try it first. You can see a couple pictures of my first brew-up here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BwHs2jxHTf3/ I brewed three cups from about 2 teaspoons of leaves. The first was very bright, very clean, almost like having a peppermint candy; the flavors stayed like that through the subsequent brews, just softening a little per brew until the third when it was more like a soft mint tea with much less of a caffeine kick. This was just me brewing in a tea basket at my desk, though, so who knows what it would be like if I had used a gaiwan or something similar.

Hmm, another rooibos blend; another caffeine-free tea. But what else should I drink when I came from Universtity at 7 pm? Okay, I was playing with tea bag from Curtis – Green tea with mango flavour. Maybe it will be tomorrow starter.

I had it already, in thermos; when I was away last Saturday. But I just needed something warm. What was funny, it was warmest day from whole year so far, so no hot tea was needed. So I have finished it at home along with glass of white wine. Weird, but it worked better than I have expected. I do not remeber the wine much, but tea was nice; smooth and lukewarm.

Now time for proper brew. I put about 3-4 grams in a strainer and filled the mug with boiling water. They suggest 4+ minutes brew, so lets see. Maybe I have used too much leaf? It turns dark quite fast. But dry mixture smells bit like cinnamon cake with banana, quite fresh, bit pleasantly sour.

When brewed; dark colour liquor – like a rum. Quite lots of dust went off the strainer. I wonder if it is closed properly, or it is just so fine it goes through mesh. It smells quite pleasant, bananas, bit of wood, maybe bit of alcohol? But I have not added any! But yeah, it has got that aroma.

Ohh, the taste is like biting a cake. Including the wooden board. Yeah, certainly there are some woody flavours made by rooibos. But also a cinnamon, bananas, spiced Captain Morgan. And yeah, it remains still nice smooth without any neck astringency. It tastes like rum, but without alcohol. It is much better than I expected.

I miss this tea so much!

Another attempt on this one.

Took two teaspoons of mix, strainer, hot water and here we go:

Colour is red-copper, clear, not much dusty. Probably better strainer. Anyway, it was very nice.
Aroma – I can´t say with my stuffy nose, sorry :)
Ahh, taste – the most important for me; well it was kind of woody, but smooth aftertaste which consists of honey mostly. Still no English breakfast notes though.

But much better than last time, but bit boring. It tastes like rooibos with little honey taste caused by honeybush I guess.

Okay, sample no. 2; from yesterday received subscription.
I wanted something caffeine-free. It is already 8 pm. Argh!

Teaspoon and half, strainer, glass mug. The tea is mostly brown, fine rooibos with few yellow notes which are apparently sunflower petals. It smells woody with honey after"smell". Nothing fabulous. Let put that in strainer, hot water in and we will see.

I kept that in for about 5 minutes. Dark copper colour with quite lots of rooibos dust which went through mesh of strainer. Probably too crushed “tea”

Aroma is honey-ish, maybe bit malty. They say it should be like English Breakfast blend, but honestly I am not so sure. And woody – as rooibos usually is.

Now to the taste, indeed woody with honey aftertaste. It does not remind me English Breakfast at all. I would say it is just common rooibos blend with little of honey. Not a malty at all. Nor even some kind of black tea scents and flavours. Drinkable well, though.

Another B+B shop blend sample from Cameron B! Thank you very much (and hope you’re doing okay). Such a beaut of a blend here. Green tea with lovely floral colors… it does look like a garden in the description. Sadly it may work better visually than taste-wise. It also mentions this was inspired by an Earl Grey, and I’m not quite seeing the connection. I would have loved if it was a floral green tea with a quality bergamot. However, this is not that. The buttery vegetal green tea makes itself known. Otherwise, a bit of a fruity flavor. The color of the brew does turn a tinge pink, but luckily that hibiscus doesn’t take over. The second steep seems a bit thin. More pleasing to the eye than the palate.
Steep #1 // 1 teaspoon for a full mug // 30 minutes after boiling // 2 1/2 minute steep
Steep #2 // 28 minutes after boiling // 3 minute steep

Thermos time today!
I had to prepare beforehand in French press, as I have not find any filter bags anymore.
It turned out quite well, very pink colour.
I have used heaped spoon for liter or almost that.

It was very similar to last experience, but now bit more buttery and less fruity. Maybe more tea.
Anyway, it was great.

Written on mobile, while travelling home on board of train.
I

Hurray! A new subscription from Bird and Blend Tea company arrives! I was wondering what is in? I don´t reveal that to myself. Hmm, two rooibos blends and one green tea blend. Let´s start with green one.

A chinese sencha does not make me much happy. I prefer “orginal” – from Japan. Hibiscus, orange peel, red cornflowers – okay I guess. Yup, flavouring, they say a natural. We will see.

When I opened the sachet, a grapferuit arome struck my nose. And I was right in the summer! Really fresh scent combined with mouth flavouring aromas. I do not know what makes it but I am really salivate. Hehe.

Took a tea spoon and something to strainer, closed it, boiled water to about 80 °C as they suggest. The leaves are quite big, bit broke though. Big pieces of other stuff, as orange peel, cornflowers and hibiscus. Looks pretty nice.

I just added a water, expected it is going to be green! WRONG! It is turning red, apparently a raspberry red. Became quite dust, lots of small pieces went through the mesh. I don´t mind.

The aroma is unexpectly grapefruit, but bit like other red fruits, like raspberries, strawberries. Bit of mint I smell there ,but it should not be there. None of buttery notes they advertise.

In taste, it is mouth-filling citrus fruits, mostly, again, grapefruit. Slightly tart, as grapefruit is. Bit of green tea notes are in the background. Smooth.

Honestly?
I am puzzled. It tastes good, but no grapefruits there. It is green tea, which turns red. It is tart, but smooth. I can really imagine it iced, but it is just spring. Probably unexpecatbly high rating for this one, as I like it, but it is not really my cup as it is fruit blend. I would rather name it fruit-green blend.

I kinda really like this. Being a rooibos based tisane, I didn’t expect to like it as much as I do. It has a nice ginger zing to it that overpowers any rooibos taste and leaves a fun ginger tingle in the finish. Doesn’t leave my mouth exceptionally dry either, which is a trait I find in many rooibos blends. If it weren’t for the huge shipping fee, I’d consider keeping this one in stock because it’s been a nice flavorful cup to reach for in the evenings. Guess that puts this in the melancholy sipdown category.

Thanks again for the fun sale, Cameron B! I have no idea what chocolate digestive cookies taste like. They seem to be a not-American cookie. However, this tea is lovely. It has a unique flavor… never tasted this in a tea before. It kind of takes over the cup and it’s also hard to describe. Both steeps tasted very similar, with only a hint of chocolate. It was mostly that added flavor — or possibly it’s a combination of all these odd ingredients that make it seem like an added flavor? The cardamom, cocoa, fenugreek and licorice. It tastes like none of these flavors, unless they all combine into a new super flavor. To me I can only describe it as DESSERT but it’s such a unique dessert flavor. I wish I could try the cookie to compare! However, though this base is Ceylon, it doesn’t seem like the older weak Ceylon that B&B used. This is a stronger, tastier Ceylon. Both cups were very dark and flavorful so I’m very happy about the new Ceylon!!
Steep #1 // 1 teaspoon for a full mug // 18 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Steep #2 // just boiled // 4 minute steep

Exactly two months ago I have wrote a review for this one. Time flies.
Anyway, yesterday was my first day without tea (since New Year) – I was whole day in school and when arriving home I really didn´t wanted any.

Prepared western, I did not weigh (but I think about 3-5 grams) for my favourite glass mug of volume around 300 ml. Tea was in water for… maybe 3+ minutes.

Colour is clear yellow-green, little dusty. Aroma is kinda floral, creamy, little notes of sour, or it is rose soap?

Well, in hour and half I should be at dentist. I don´t really want go there, but what I can do? Liteally nothing. It may sound funny, but it is kind of big achievement for me. I was not there for 3 years and before that I was not there for 7 years. Probably avoiding the costs :D . And I forgot about exam today – from Algorithms, it is not really hard, but oh well, it is tiring having each week an exam and from something else.

Okay, first sip is again very floral. But quite sour as well. Not a bad thing though. Certainly interesting blend, not really my cup of tea though. Maybe too much rose soap I notice?

At least the panic attacks are somehow moreless gone. (This must be wrong in English, right?). Feeling tired all the week though. Not just week. I want the semester end and then I should study and study… during exam period. I guess – it is so much to handle. Or I need to stop stereotypic life-style.

Preapared in preheated gaiwan, 85 ml, 80 °C

Dry aroma is strong, floral, roses, fruits.
Lots of rose petals (about 1:1 ratio) with Ti Guan Yin oolong. Few cascara cherries, which makes blend quite interesting.

Wet aroma – creamy oolong with rose notes. Maybe bit jasmine. Overall it is nice.

Liquor specs: Colour changes from slight pink – green colour towards more green, can´t say if clear – because loose petals weren´t strained :) so does bit of dust. but overall it is nice.
Aroma: Really similar to wet leaf aroma, while rose and cream is stronger.
Taste: At first it was bit tart, but now it is creamy easydrinking tea with bit of rose. I never tasted rose though. Floral.

Not really my cup of tea, but it is not so bad and I like it. TGY is getting stronger each brew while roses are disappearing. Leaves itself aren´t so big, but usually they aren´t broken anyways, nor bitten.

Another I get to try from Cameron B! Thank you kindly. Another B&B shop blend – awesome. This one is a sencha base with apple and blackberry. The little cubes of actual apples are something I don’t think I’ve seen in a previous B&B blend. The color of the brew is actually quite darker for a green tea, which worried me… I didn’t want it bitter. But crisis averted… the flavor is fine. Such a full apple flavor to the first cup! Somehow fading on the second cup. I didn’t notice too much to the blackberry, but I’m also very glad that any blackberry leaves didn’t ruin the flavor. B&B says this blend is inspired by cider, but in my opinion, any cider tea would most definitely need spices… and less blackberry? But if I’m taking the tea for what it is, and not thinking of ‘cider’, it’s a straight-forward, tasty blend.
Steep #1 // 1 teaspoon for my smaller mug // 30 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Steep #2 // 30 minutes after boiling // 2 1/2 minute steep

I received a Bird and Blend subscription envelope yesterday. I prepared Cloud 9, but I was too tired to make some notes.

Today I took another one. This one. Mug (300 ml), heaped their tea spoon and strainer. I do not know how much grams.

Aroma: Chocolate, cherries – quite strong for brew. When dry, it smells more like sherry liquor. It reminds me my first (and last) sherry experience. That was when I was 11 years old. I had to admit I liked it.

Colour is as expected – copper with bit of dust. And clear.

Taste: very interesting, quite vivid and changing with temperature. At first it was more creamy and chocolate notes. Now it is much more cherry and bit sour. But it is very pleasant.

Nice black tea blend – I found out that it is with tea, so I hope I will sleep! If I took that as a fruit blend – it is really nice. If I take it as a “real” tea – not so perfect. But still very high rating from me for this one

Thanks again, Cameron B! I’m all there for a fig tea from B&B. I wasn’t expecting much from reading other Steepsterers tasting notes. But thanks to whomever lowered my expectations, because I really like this. First of all, I have no idea what a figgy pud would actually taste like. But I bet I would like it. I do like figs. I wouldn’t say this tea screams FIG but it does have a nice, creamy dessert type flavor with a flavor that could also slightly resemble fig. Any spicy flavor is also just a hint, so doesn’t overpower the unique dessert flavor in the cup. The blend is a very solid balance between the spice, whatever the creamy fig flavor is, and the rooibos. Now I want some actual whatever-the-heck figgy pud is. I will say that when googling pictures of ‘figgy pudding’, a photo of B&B’s Figgy Pud tin is included in the results, so that’s fun.
Steep #1 // 1 teaspoon for a full mug // 10 minutes after boiling // 3 minute steep
Steep #2 // just boiled // 4 minute steep

Edited to add: Now that I’m looking at the ratings for this one again, none are too low, so I was possibly thinking of a different blend…
Also, with more noticeable FIG flavor, that would easily push the rating on this much higher.