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Mixed two parts Fortnum & Mason’s Assam Superb and one part David’s Tea S’mores Chai. I was mostly just trying to use up that mediocre chai. Went with a short steep time to try to accommodate the Assam. It worked pretty well, too! The smoky notes and bitterness kind of disappeared. And the chocolate flavor is not drowned out by the Assam at all. I can still taste graham crackers, too.

I blend my teas all the time and almost never record it to Random Steepings. I’m going to change that!

Backlogging from this afternoon. I still haven’t figured out how to make this right. It keeps coming out almost intolerably strong. I only used one bag for a regular sized tea mug! Maybe it needs a 2-minute steep time?

I still think this tastes smoky. I know I can’t be the only one.

I woke up so thirsty and so unready for a harsh cup of coffee. So I made this sweet and over ice. It’s downright heavenly. I’ll be buying more of this when the weather turns warm again.

Another from Cameron B.! Thank you! I’ve been wanting to try this one for ages!

The loose leaf smells of gingerbread and chocolate. Christmas-y in a way. I’m delighted at the sight of little marshmallows and hazelnut brittle mixed in, but very unimpressed by the ingredients list. Artificial flavors, gelatin, artificial color, and sodium hexametaphosphate? Maybe other tea companies aren’t as honest about this and I’ve been drinking this stuff a lot, but I am a little put off. I just want leaf water and spices. You don’t have to make it weird.

After a splash of 2%, it looks like coffee with cream. To my slight disappointment, the marshmallows did not melt. The flavor is malty and chocolatey. The spices are a little weak for my taste, with hardly any showing through besides cinnamon. However, vanilla is very strong in the aftertaste. Creamy French vanilla. I do like that. But all around, I am not feeling it, like many of you weren’t.

It tastes like a Yankee Candle smells.

I got this from Cameron B.! Thank you! This one looks really exciting. 153 reviews and most of them are glowing. Seeing a lot of 100’s!

I definitely needed something caffeine free this evening after an ill-advised cup of black coffee. Now, I don’t really like rooibos unless the added flavors drown it out. Something about the aftertaste. Though green rooibos, like in this tea, usually isn’t as bad. I’m trusting you guys on this one.

The tiny green and brown needles smell very melony, with a funky kind of musk that’s hard to describe. Though as the tea steeps, it fades away, leaving behind sweet fruitiness. I taste honeydew and cantaloupe in the most realistic way. There is nothing remotely candylike or artificial about it. Just natural, wonderful melon. The rooibos is gentle and in the background, keeping this from tasting like pure fruit juice.

I find myself thinking this might be like Harney & Son’s Earl Grey Supreme in the way that I’ll never find another tea that nails the flavor so perfectly. Lupicia has set a standard for melon tea in my head now.

I’m so glad I have enough to make this again, but over ice… though someone mentioned coldbrewing it and that idea is sounding very, very good.

This is just a note to say that this is not the same as Asian Pear Dragonwell. I talked to some Stash reps on Twitter and they said that the loose leaf version is made with Dragonwell, and Harmony is made with Premium Green tea. They are both wonderful, I am sure.

While I don’t support Adagio anymore after their anti-LGBTQ+ scandal with the CEO, I have to mention that I’ve had this electric kettle for 10 years now. It still works like new. That’s pretty amazing, considering it gets used every single day.

I still wish it had a temperature gauge instead of just a range, though.

Another from Sips by. This is listed as White Tea with Apple and Spice on their website, but judging by the picture and description, I can see it’s the same.

I’m really impressed with the fruity apple aroma, but even more impressed by the ingredients. The white tea base is mostly whole, with lots of long, skinny stems mixed in. There are 1/2" sections of actual cinnamon stick, big slices of dried green apple, and halved dried cranberries. After steeping, the fruit reconstitutes and looks pretty tasty! I should have nibbled.

The tea comes out very lightly colored, sort of like hay. Apple flavor is in the forefront, complimented by cranberry. The spice is mild and lets this come across as very fruit forward. In fact, the spice is almost hidden, despite the big pieces. As is the white tea base. I can somewhat taste the leaves, but not really. This tea is pretty much all apple all the time. Not that I mind!

EDIT: Now that it’s cooled to a little less than room temperature, I can really taste the cinnamon! Interesting!

After the hibiscus disappointment that was Organic Passion Plum, I’m a little hesitant to try this. It’s the same, finely ground style of herbal.

The water changes to a dark hibiscus magenta again. It shouts over all the other ingredients, even the raspberry. Overall, the flavor is tart and fruity and kind of reminds me of children’s cold medicine. I find myself missing the plum version’s cinnamon. This one just isn’t for me. And I usually love raspberry teas! I’ll probably make a big batch to drink as iced tea around the house just to use it up.

I think I’ll be going back to Teapigs herbals…

Oh neat, I didn’t realize we were reviewing tea subscriptions, too!

So, I discovered this on Instagram and was immediately fascinated. I’ve been subscribed for six months now and I am still really happy with it. It’s $15 a month, and you get about 4 cups’ worth (usually a little more) of 4 different teas based on your personal tastes. The quiz you take when you sign up is really detailed and lets you eliminate all kinds of teas or flavors you know you don’t like. So far, I have liked almost everything they’ve sent.

My only issue is that they send paper filters for loose leaf and I don’t need them. I have several reusable infusers. There’s no way to opt out, unfortunately, and I’d feel bad throwing them away, so I don’t know what to do. They’re piling up.

Other than that, this is rad. I’ve discovered so many new tea companies and the discounts you get for being a subscriber are amazing.