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Sipping on this now that I have some breakfast in my belly. Blueberry waffles topped with a spiced mango compote and a drizzle of maple syrup.

This tea was kindly provided as a sample from M. What-Cha in my most recent order, thank you!

SFPTPOEIOPFDOD I’ve seen these letters so many times and know what they stand for but now I forget. I do know it stands for some top grade chit. Opening the pouch, I was hit with a very strong rose, maybe some orchid, and the classic black tea aroma. Hesitancy crept in because of the strong florality. Though what a fine looking leaf! TIny, twisted multi-colored tippiness was oh so fluffy in the palm of my hand.

Gone western: 2tsp, 8oz, 205F, 2 steeps at 3 and 5 minutes.

I brushed aside most of the hesitancy and skeptically sipped the first cup. The aroma was still very floral rose with red berry and citrus midtones and undertones of malt and perhaps cedar. It took several sips for both me and the tea to open up. Like eyeing somebody as you approach each other walking down the sidewalk but then realizing it’s one of your neighbors in the building, so you smile and open the front gate for them (city living in a rough neighborhood). Most of the tastes presented mid-mouth and back for me with malt, cedar, citrus, rose. After the swallow, I noticed a woody tannin drying on the tip of my tongue and some light tingling throughout the mouth. Then all of a sudden a bloom of red berries like raspberry-strawberry-cherry, citrus and butter opened up in the back of the mouth. This aftertaste persisted for a long time. I feel like there might also be a cooling quality in the mouth – eucalyptus? It all made me smile and feel content. It’s quite a body warming tea.

I don’t have much more to say about it. I don’t necessarily find it complex tastewise — it’s a fairly straight-forward black tea but the aromas and tastes are well played. A strong floral aroma, a good balance between darker malty and woody notes, citrus tang, fruitiness and some umami butter and the way it lights up different areas of the mouth all make for a pleasant experience. This SFHGORODFDK is good chit.

Edit: I’m now noticing some returning sweetness that seems to be coming from the depths of my chest and is tickling the back of my tongue. The tea is a hint bitter, but smooth and light-bodied.