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Can’t really decipher the taste because I steeped it 2 minutes too long. Just bitter. Sigh. It was fun to watch the little pellets unfurl. The leaves smelled grassy when dry and are now a nice woody scent.

Oh my goodness I’m in love. As I lean in to take a sip, it smells strongly of tangy ginger. But on first gulp, all the other flavors just slightly pop out. A little peppery, some cardamomishness, then it finishes with a lingering sweet mint on the roof of my mouth. Such a nice spice rack journey from ginger, to chai, to mint. I will have to buy more of this immediately.

The scent is right, but the rest is all wrong. For once, celestial seasoning’s obsession with propping up fruit teas with tons of hibiscus tartness would make sense. But no! There is no tart cranberry or hibiscus flavor in sight. This is a dull plasticy flavor that tastes very synthetic. I don’t know how else to describe it. Wait, I do! It has the same aftertaste as old jolly rancher candies. What is that weird flavor?

I haven’t developed the palate or vocabulary to describe green teas, so I’ll defer to others’ descriptions here. The leaves definitely smell like hay (in a nice nature way, not in a way that conjures up images of horses and petting zoos). I keep wondering if I’ve under steeped because the color is so light, almost like white tea, and the flavor is slightly stronger than water. But I steeped for the recommended 6 minutes and I think I even used more leaves than recommended. So…hmmm…I’m undecided on this. I think I like it, but its not anything I’m going to crave in the future.

This is from my Adagio Fall Tea Sampler which I’m happy to revisit now that tea weather has officially hit Texas. Not my favorite chai, but a nice change of pace. I do love the spicy apple potpourri scent, but the actual taste is more watered down.

My last cup of this (from the Rishi rooibos sampler). Loved it from start to finish. Such a strange combination of spices. Peppermint? Black pepper? Fennel? Ginger? What!? I taste different flavors each time and its great with soy milk & sugar. I’ve enjoyed this on its own, with sweet breakfast foods, and with last night’s curry. Yum all around. Because I’m so sensitive to caffeine, I really appreciate having a good rooibos based, caffeine-free chai. I’m debating ordering more.

My opinion of this improves each time I try it. I think changing my expectations makes all the difference. The word “spice” should be completely removed from the name. This tea is all about the subtle flavor and sweetness of pumpkin. When I load up on the sugar and milk this is a fantastic rival for hot chocolate or lattes. It might actually be good with something added from the home spice rack next time.

Grabbed a bag of this at Panera. Simple and straightforward flavored black tea. More peach than ginger flavor. Great with honey. I loved the last few heavily sugared sips at the bottom of the mug.

Better this time. Longer steep, turbinado sugar, soy milk, thick mug instead of thin tea cup. Soothing, like hot chocolate. But ultimately boring