Savoy Tea Co

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drank Papa Don't Peach by Savoy Tea Co
3219 tasting notes

This tea came in a handmade birthday card from gmathis! Many thanks!

My daughter happened to be off work on my birthday yesterday and we spent lots of time on the porch enjoying the gorgeous day until after lunch when I had to work. She was with me when I opened the mail, and we both had a good laugh when we saw the name of this tea.

I made it to go with breakfast today, and laughing turned into scheming. How soon can I order without feeling guilty about recent lack of sipdown progress? Because right away, this tea reminded me of some tea that I LOVED but I couldn’t pin it down at first.

Patient mindful sipping and rooting through tea memories came up with the way my first sip of Perseus ever hit at first, but Perseus has some bergamot in it. Could it be Magic from Gurman’s? Maybe. I loved (and reviewed) that one many times on here years ago and all those notes have disappeared into the Steepster void.

The bottom line is that this candy-fruity black tea was stunning with breakfast and needs to be on shelf one day.

I like several peach teas from Harney and Sons and while this tea is peachy there is something about it that has a general fruitiness less specific to peach that made it extra delicious to me.

Thank you, gmathis!

gmathis

Glad you like it. Reminds me of peaches and cream.

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Sample Sipdown

Ashman and I had this as Michelle sent a generous sample that permitted me to make a pot and not a cup.

I drank only a tiny bit of it because I am not used to a lot of caffeine and I read that mate has as much caffeine as coffee. I will say that I didn’t get any jitters nor do I feel overstimulated by this, but it was a really small cup.

Ashman, however, had a mugful! He really dislikes most chocolate in tea as he says it smells like mildew to him, but he had liked the cacao nib tea from Oliver Pluff that gmathis sent recently so I thought he might like this one, too. It really does have true cacao flavor to me and not the artificial smelly chocolate. He did like this one, too!

Somehow the texture of the tea combined with the chocolate and vanilla gave off a little coconut vibe to me, but it was probably mostly creamy coconut texture rather than flavor. If you dislike coconut, you will not be put off by this tea, in my opinion. It was just a vibe.

Thank you, Michelle! We enjoyed it, and maybe Ashman will want to explore other mate blends for his workday breakfasts as a pick me up!

Michelle

Glad you liked it, and one of the reasons to make a Savoy tea purchase :)

gmathis

I’m delinquent, Michelle … I haven’t tried the sample you sent my way. However, as draggy as I am this evening, and with a 50-degree temperature drop predicted overnight, I may set it out to make leaving the house a little easier tomorrow morning!

Michelle

Gmathis – chocolate mate makes even the strongest cold front better!

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drank Papa Don't Peach by Savoy Tea Co
2888 tasting notes

Sometimes you just need a little morning serendipity, especially after two glum winter weeks of lousy weather and more on the way. So I broke into this yet-unopened gift from a coworker in hopes of serendipping. The peaches-and-cream scent actually got a smile out of me before 7:00 a.m. and continues to lighten my mood. Light Ceylon base with strong, but not obnoxious peach flavor. This will make good iced tea come spring, (or if I set the tumbler outside for five minutes today).

ashmanra

I hope you have some sunshine soon! Last Tuesday was torrential rain, two tornado watches, one tornado warning, one “go to your hallway or an inner room immediately” (I took soup to a neighbor instead) and today as I finished raking the mess from earlier this week I realized that we have a high wind advisory and severe storm watch for this afternoon and evening. Sigh. Spring is coming, though!

gmathis

You win as far as variety goes. We did have overnight thunder followed by immediate temperature drop and wind chill advisories/warnings expected through next week. (And next time, you get in that hallway!)

ashmanra

I was diligent to listen for train sounds! And I was fast!

Michelle

I agree with gmathis – get your butt in a safe place!

ashmanra

Yes, ma’ams!

Cameron B.

What is this new Savoy packaging?! Their tins were so cute! :O

gmathis

Oh…I just looked! Those aren’t tins at all, are they? Pooh!

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drank Papa Don't Peach by Savoy Tea Co
2888 tasting notes

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drank Sweater Weather by Savoy Tea Co
2888 tasting notes

This starts out like your standard army-issue chai: Assam tea base, cinnamon, cardamom. But then Savoy got whimsical and tossed in some candy cane-worthy mint. And in doing so, the blend becomes a perky, sassy little afternoon picker-upper. Recommended to keep you company while doing tedious tasks. (Bonus: it’s quite drinkable without milk—some chais are spicy to the point of bitterness and are pretty awful until you dairy them down.)

Kaylee

hehe sassy

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75

This was a sample pack to try this chai and I think I’ll need a bigger pouch of this. Cardamom and clove seem to be the top notes, but there is a carrot cake cinnamon pastry goodness underneath that becomes more prominent as the cup cools. This is a nice change of pace from a caffeinated chai that is interesting enough to drink more than once, and a reminder to let the cup cool while savoring its contents.

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I recently saw Salted Caramel Black tea available from Harney & Sons and was super tempted to order it. I had never seen it before and noticed reviews are only a couple of months old and did find that it was labeled as new, but they really didn’t make a fuss about releasing it so it was news to me. I resisted ordering for the time being.

Lo and behold, Michelle sent a salted caramel shu for me to try! I thought this would give me a pretty good idea of whether I would like the new Harney black tea.

Sniffing the dry leaves brought on a big, “WHEWEEEEE!” That is some fresh barn aroma there! But also lots of sweet caramel!

Steeped, the barn has calmed down a lot. The caramel is so sweet and good! There were two sachets so the other one became a cold latte for Ashman, who is working outside painting the soffit he had to replace on this old-ish house. He said it is delicious. (I sneaked a taste and I agree. Shhhhhh…)

Thank you, Michelle!

Michelle

This one is so good it is sold out in loose leaf so I had to settle for tea pyramid bags. This is definitely a cupboard keeper!

tea-sipper

mmm.. caramel puerh is the best.

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78

The TTB has arrived! So big, so many teas… no chance to try them all!
Tea #27

Cardamom is favourite spice of mine and well this is naturally really cardamom forward.

I am not sure what flavouring was used too but it works well and cardamom can be a little refreshing from my experience too. While it’s not perfect (better base would be essential) it is tasty and warming and great for “sweather weather” hence the name.

Finished remaining amount from the TTB

Preparation
205 °F / 96 °C 4 min, 0 sec 6 g 10 OZ / 300 ML
Courtney

Cardamom is so tasty! I add it to my porridge every day. :)

Crowkettle

Love cardamom too, especially as the weather turns in the fall. Such a cozy spice.

gmathis

I’m glad you got to try a Savoy Tea! They’re about an hour away from my front door.

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drank Carousel Dreams by Savoy Tea Co
2888 tasting notes

Thoughtful gift from a work friend…I’ve been waiting until I had 10 full minutes to steep it. You’ve probably tasted an herbal mélange similar to this one—big hunks of apple and beetroot and other chunky, chewable goodies. There’s enough cinnamon in this rendition to accurately clone the scent of carnival candy apples, but the flavor lags behind just a little bit. It could still use a bit more apple, but it’s certainly not hindering the pleasure of having feet up after a busy day with my nose buried in the cup.

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70
drank Princess Tea by Savoy Tea Co
3986 tasting notes

This one is described as “fruit punch” with strawberry, peach, and apple flavors. It definitely tastes a bit vaguely fruity, and mostly like apple to me. Perhaps just a hint of peach? And a tiny bit of tartness from the hibiscus.

It’s pleasant enough, not too sweet or too tart. But almost painfully generic, so not something I would purchase.

Flavors: Apple, Fruity, Hibiscus, Peach, Sweet, Tart

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 5 min, 0 sec 14 g 16 OZ / 473 ML

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70
drank Prince Charming by Savoy Tea Co
3986 tasting notes

Gotta love how vague Savoy is with some of their tea descriptions – this one gives no indication of what it’s supposed to taste like or any mention of the flavor profile at all.

I would say it tastes a bit cherry-ish? Not in a cloying (to me) cherry lollipop sort of way, it’s a more tart cherry like a Jolly Rancher. I also get a bit of orange maybe, and just a hint of coconut in the background. A nice enough mix. There is some bitterness that I’m not loving near the end of the sip, maybe from the orange peel?

A tasty enough tea, but there are other tart cherry-flavored tisanes that I prefer.

Flavors: Bitter, Candy, Cherry, Citrus, Coconut, Fruity, Orange, Sweet, Tart

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 5 min, 0 sec 14 g 16 OZ / 473 ML

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75
drank Peach Pirouette by Savoy Tea Co
3986 tasting notes

Picked up a few samples of fruit tisanes from Savoy, after loving their Miracle Mermaid blend. So I ordered a tin of that one, plus a sample of each other fruity herbal they offer.

This is nice enough. Sweet and peachy, if a bit thin. I used the whole half-ounce sample for my 16-ounce mug, and still it’s not very strong on flavor. What flavor it has is enjoyable though – sweet peach accented by apple, pineapple, and what tastes like maybe a hint of coconut? I can also taste just a touch of chamomile in the background.

Not one I would order, but I did enjoy the cup!

Flavors: Apple, Chamomile, Coconut, Peach, Pineapple, Smooth, Sweet, Thin, Watery

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 5 min, 0 sec 14 g 16 OZ / 473 ML
gmathis

Noting this one for my next trip!

ashmanra

gmathis: the Miracle Mermaid blend sounds good, too! If you happen to be going, you might as well try both and I am happy for you to blame me for enabling if any eyebrows are raised!

Cameron B.

Miracle Mermaid is so good!

gmathis

I’ve got a tin of Papa Don’t Peach that I haven’t broken into yet Will keep you posted.

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78

Sipdown! (51 | 249)

Last sample from Savoy. They accidentally left this one out of my order, so it was sent along later alongside a couple of free samples.

I’m not a lapsang lover, but this sounded interesting. It’s meant to be whiskey-inspired. Actually though, I feel like I’m tasting banana somehow…? Banana and a touch of caramel, and then of course the savory smokiness and earthiness of the lapsang. Perhaps a hint of cinnamon in the finish.

It’s nice enough, not quite what I expected, but I do enjoy banana teas. Not one I would reorder, but enjoyed sipping through the sample.

Flavors: Banana, Caramel, Cinnamon, Creamy, Earthy, Mineral, Savory, Smoked, Smooth, Sweet

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 3 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML
gmathis

I may have to try a sample size next time I’m at the Savoy storefront. The first time I whiffed it, I passed, but lapsang, at least in smaller doses, is starting to grow on me.

Cameron B.

I’m not the type of person to drink a straight lapsang, I don’t hate it but it’s not something I reach for. But I didn’t find the smoke to be too strong on this one, so maybe it qualifies for “smaller doses”. :P

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82
drank Golden Snail by Savoy Tea Co
3986 tasting notes

Finished off this free sample from Savoy. They accidentally left out one of the teas in my order, and when they sent it out to me, they included two free samples. Thank you!

This is lovely. Thick, malty, but so smooth. Lovely sweet cocoa and honey notes, like a thick slice of homemade whole wheat bread drizzled with honey and sprinkled with cocoa powder. Some nice syrupy fruity notes as well, maybe dried apricot and a touch of golden raisin.

This is really making me want to go and order a bunch of hongcha from Teavivre, but I’m resisting. Maybe once I finish a few of the other plain black teas I currently have…

Flavors: Apricot, Bread, Cocoa, Dried Fruit, Earthy, Honey, Malty, Mineral, Raisins, Smooth, Sweet, Syrupy, Thick, Tobacco, Wheat

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 3 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML
gmathis

I really like this one, too!

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75
drank Sweater Weather by Savoy Tea Co
3986 tasting notes

Sipdown! (33 | 230)

This is an interesting one, a sort of chai with cardamom and mint. Unlike most of their other black teas, the base is an Assam, which I really liked. The beginning of the sip is mostly cardamom, and then I get a bit of that cooling peppermint toward the end and in the finish. I feel like there’s a hint of vanilla here as well? But they don’t say what type of flavor is used.

It’s very interesting. I don’t think I would repurchase it, just because I have other chai blends that I like more. I didn’t end up trying it with milk, but it would probably be nice that way, with a smoother mint flavor. I wish they had used an Assam base for some of their other flavored teas…

Also, with this sipdown, I’ve finished all of my Savoy samples, huzzah! \o/

Flavors: Astringent, Cardamom, Floral, Malty, Menthol, Mint, Peppermint, Sweet, Tannic, Vanilla

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 3 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML

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78

Sipdown! (31 | 228)

I don’t even like chocolate teas, but I couldn’t resist a flavored maté… :P

It’s quite good. The chocolate and vanilla blend together seamlessly to create a sweet and creamy sort of milk chocolate note. The toasty mate adds nice depth and caramelized notes. Overall, just a nice cozy cuppa. There is chocolate flavoring here, and I do taste a bit of that boozy note that’s not my favorite. But I would still maybe consider repurchasing this one? I definitely would if it just had the cacao nibs and no chocolate flavor.

Flavors: Artificial, Caramelized Sugar, Chocolate, Creamy, Milk Chocolate, Roasted, Smooth, Sweet, Toasty, Vanilla

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 3 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML
Martin Bednář

I had a maté (unroasted) during the tea festival. They offer some flavoured ones as well: https://www.muudlabs.cz/

It was nicely refreshing, but that flavour it seems isn’t online (yet?).

gmathis

A Savoy storefront is about 60 miles from my front door, but we don’t go that direction often. When I do, I’ll keep my eye out—this sounds good! A local pie shop keeps a small variety of Savoy tins for sale, but only flavors that would appeal to the, um, more un-tea’d customer.

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drank Birthday Cake by Savoy Tea Co
3986 tasting notes

Sipdown! (28 | 225)

Another one from Savoy where the flavoring is spot-on, but I just don’t love the combination with the base tea. The flavor here tastes exactly like the buttercream frosting on a store-bought birthday cake, I’m even picturing bright blue shells piped along the edge. It’s rich and buttery, but still has a vanilla flavor to it.

But similar to their Caramel Buttercup, it just doesn’t mesh that well with the earthier black tea IMO. Still a pleasant cuppa, but another one that I wouldn’t repurchase because of that.

Flavors: Butter, Creamy, Earthy, Frosting, Musty, Smooth, Sweet, Vanilla, Woody

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 3 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML
AJRimmer

The idea of this one sounds so good! If only they could change their base!

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Sipdown! (25 | 222)

Not a fan of this one.

Savoy’s black tea base is already fairly earthy and musty-tasting to me, so to take that and add dried raspberry leaf to it… It kind of just brings out my least favorite notes of the tea. The raspberry flavoring itself is okay, mostly it tastes like a raspberry hard candy, but there is a touch of tartness at the end of the sip that adds a bit of interest.

Flavors: Artificial, Candy, Earthy, Musty, Raspberry, Sweet, Tart, Woody

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 3 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML

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Sipdown! (24 | 221)

This is an interesting one. Grapefruit and chocolate seems like such an unusual combination, though I guess it shouldn’t since chocolate-orange is quite common.

In this tea, I get the citrus note more at the beginning of the sip, and then the second half is all chocolate. It’s definitely the milk variety, quite light and creamy. The two make an interesting pair, but stay mostly separate.

Definitely an interesting one to try. I don’t tend to love chocolate teas, so I probably wouldn’t order this because of that. But seems like a nice representation of that flavor profile.

Flavors: Chocolate, Citrus, Citrus Zest, Creamy, Earthy, Grapefruit, Milk Chocolate, Smooth, Woody

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 2 min, 0 sec 3 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML
gmathis

This is one of my favorites from Savoy.

Cameron B.

I can see why! If I enjoyed chocolate teas more, I think I would love it as well.

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75

Sipdown! (21 | 218)

I love those Pillsbury orange rolls in the can! Man, I haven’t had them in forever… Might need to be a guilty pleasure purchase the next time I’m at the grocery store. :P

This tea is tasty, but honestly I don’t get much orange from it. It does taste like cinnamon rolls to me, complete with frosting. But just the regular ones, not the orange variety. I do get a little bit of a citrusy note at the very end of the sip, which makes for a refreshing finish.

Very enjoyable desserty tea, but perhaps a bit too similar to some that I already have for me to purchase it.

Flavors: Bread, Cinnamon, Citrus, Icing, Pastries, Smooth, Sweet

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 3 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML
gmathis

Pillsbury rolls are exactly what this one brings to mind! I associate it with cooler weather, so my tin is hibernating on the shelf, but I wonder how it would do as a latte…

Cameron B.

It’s definitely a fall sort of tea IMO. I bet it would be tasty as a latte, but would maybe require a lot of leaf for the flavor to come through.

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drank Surfing Samurai by Savoy Tea Co
3986 tasting notes

Sipdown! (20 | 217)

Honestly, this was a silly choice for me to order, as I don’t generally like coconut in tea. But I can’t resist a flavored genmaicha…

The genmaicha part is tasty enough, heavy on the toasty rice notes. But the coconut is definitely giving me suntan lotion vibes, it tastes quite artificial. Still, does remind me a little of coconut sticky rice, which is nice.

Flavors: Artificial, Coconut, Smooth, Sweet, Toasted Rice, Toasty

Preparation
175 °F / 79 °C 2 min, 0 sec 3 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML
tea-sipper

The NAME of this tea might bring up the best imagery though! Love the name.

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80
drank Elder & Wiser by Savoy Tea Co
3986 tasting notes

Sipdown! (16 | 213)

This one is tasty, but I’m not sure I specifically get elderberry from it. I mostly taste lemon, and there is a vague dark berry sort of note, but I would guess blueberry if anything.

It’s very nice and smooth, good amount of flavor and doesn’t taste artificial. I do wish there was a bit more berry? Because the lemon is definitely the strongest flavor here, with the berry in more of a supporting role.

Flavors: Berry, Blueberry, Candy, Lemon, Smooth, Sweet, Syrupy

Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C 3 min, 0 sec 3 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML

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78

Sipdown! (13 | 210)

Picked this one up on a whim, not sure why but the idea of a white chai just intrigues me. I’ve actually had a couple before, but they never quite lived up to my expectations.

This one is pleasant enough. Nice, large bai mudan leaves. Supposedly it has cardamom, but I didn’t see any pods or seeds in my sample. Taste is light but well-balanced, a mix of the earthy dried ginger with spice flavoring – cinnamon and clove being most prominent.

Enjoyed sipping through the sample. I’m not sure I would order it again, just because in general I prefer my chai to have actual spices and not spice flavoring. I may have to try mixing my own white chai one of these days… :)

Flavors: Cinnamon, Clove, Earthy, Ginger, Hay, Smooth, Soft, Spices, Sweet

Preparation
185 °F / 85 °C 2 min, 0 sec 4 tsp 16 OZ / 473 ML
Daylon R Thomas

Phoenix Herb Company had a good one with pink peppercorn called Josh’s Chai. It also had lemongrass, but it was not prominent and blended with the Baimudan. I also like non-black chais though.

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