73

Hmmm, I’m not sure about this one. I like the idea of an elderberry-based herbal, but the dry leaf smells odd. It’s hard to put my finger on, I think its the fennel. Fennel in tea?

It brews up this crazy purpley-black color. I’ve never seen a tea brew up so black. Steeped, it smells sweet, tart, fruity, and spicy. It was kind of familiar, and I figured out it was mulled wine. There’s also something to the aroma that is a location-based olfactory cue… it reminds me of Montana, and I don’t know why. Weeeeird. I can also smell the similarities between this and Campfire Blend, a somewhat toasty, pastry-ish aroma that must be the coriander, carob, and cinnamon, which these blends have in common.

I used the recommended steeping parameters but was surprised at a one minute steep time. The flavor is a little weak. I expected more berry, I think. I will say that brewed it smells and tastes way better than it smells dry. Thankfully, since I have a few more sessions with this tea. It’s still an odd blend to be sure, but it’s reinforcing how cool this blends club is… I get to try experimental, odd blends that most other companies wouldn’t dream of, and get introduced to all kinds of odd ingredients. Educational and fun!

Preparation
Boiling 1 min, 0 sec
Bonnie

I put a bit of honey in it and liked it. I think the idea of using this as you would use a mulling spice is something I’ll play with. I steeped it about 2 minutes.

CelebriTEA

This has carob in it?
I didn’t taste that at all.
Where did you find a list of ingredients (very curious…they were not on the bag)

CelebriTEA

I actually LOVED the fennel it~fabulous twist ;-)

CelebriTEA

Just read you are a birder! How Awesome.
I have an African Grey, and years ago I had a Lilac Crowned Amazon
Who was extremely sweet when she fluttered her eyelashes as flirting ;-)
What are your favorite birds?

Dinosara

There was a sheet of paper that came with your blends club package that has a description of all the blends and their ingredients. I’m not the biggest fan of fennel in general so that’s probably my issue.

It’s hard to choose my favorite birds but I have a soft spot for plovers and shorebirds in general.

Whispering Pines Tea Company

Plovers <3 I spent 2 years doing a piping plover habitat restoration and protection project in Michigan a few years back :)

Dinosara

Wow, that’s awesome! I would love to work with plovers. :D

CelebriTEA

Thank you…I didn’t read the sheet of paper…
I will learn not to make THAT mistake again :-( lol

CelebriTEA

Thank you,Dinosara, I found that sheet of paper and it does, indeed,
Make mention of the carob. I do not taste the carob, but I love this blend,
And I am saddened I have consumed every last drop of mine already…
I hope it will be made available for purchase :-)

Bonnie

Send a note on the Verdant website. I already sent a msg. to them about the Chai too.

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Comments

Bonnie

I put a bit of honey in it and liked it. I think the idea of using this as you would use a mulling spice is something I’ll play with. I steeped it about 2 minutes.

CelebriTEA

This has carob in it?
I didn’t taste that at all.
Where did you find a list of ingredients (very curious…they were not on the bag)

CelebriTEA

I actually LOVED the fennel it~fabulous twist ;-)

CelebriTEA

Just read you are a birder! How Awesome.
I have an African Grey, and years ago I had a Lilac Crowned Amazon
Who was extremely sweet when she fluttered her eyelashes as flirting ;-)
What are your favorite birds?

Dinosara

There was a sheet of paper that came with your blends club package that has a description of all the blends and their ingredients. I’m not the biggest fan of fennel in general so that’s probably my issue.

It’s hard to choose my favorite birds but I have a soft spot for plovers and shorebirds in general.

Whispering Pines Tea Company

Plovers <3 I spent 2 years doing a piping plover habitat restoration and protection project in Michigan a few years back :)

Dinosara

Wow, that’s awesome! I would love to work with plovers. :D

CelebriTEA

Thank you…I didn’t read the sheet of paper…
I will learn not to make THAT mistake again :-( lol

CelebriTEA

Thank you,Dinosara, I found that sheet of paper and it does, indeed,
Make mention of the carob. I do not taste the carob, but I love this blend,
And I am saddened I have consumed every last drop of mine already…
I hope it will be made available for purchase :-)

Bonnie

Send a note on the Verdant website. I already sent a msg. to them about the Chai too.

Login or sign up to leave a comment.

Profile

Bio

I am tea obsessed, with the stash to match. I tend to really enjoy green oolongs, Chinese blacks, and flavored teas with high quality bases, especially florals, bergamot-based teas, and chocolate teas.

In my free time I am a birder, baker, and music/movie/tv addict.

Here are my rating categories, FYI:
100-90: Mind-blowingly good, just right for my palate, and teas that just take me to a happy place.
89-86: I really really like these teas and will keep most of them in the permanent collection, but they’re not quite as spectacular as the top category
85-80: Pretty tasty teas that I enjoy well enough, but definitely won’t rebuy when I run out.
79-70: Teas that I would probably drink again, but only if there were no preferrable options.
69-50: Teas that I don’t really enjoy all that much and wouldn’t drink another cup of.
49 and below: Mega yuck. This tea is just disgusting to me.
Unrated: Usually I feel unqualified to rate these teas because they are types of teas that I tend to not like in general. Sometimes user error or tea brewed under poor conditions.

Location

Ohio, US

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