So this Valentine’s blend never falls on the right day, so here it is now. I’ve had this a couple times, but the cup today was my favorite yet. Using one teaspoon, I don’t think the flavor was working for me. I think the magic is using more than one teaspoon. I saw plenty of big cocoa nibs in the blend, as well as something red (I guess raspberry bits and hibiscus). The flavor on both steeps is a lovely cocoa chocolate. Probably one of the best chocolate teas I’ve had so far (especially a chocolate tea that doesn’t include cocoa shells). Sadly, there is never a noticeable raspberry flavor. But luckily I’m also never tasting any hibiscus… I really love chocolate and raspberry together so a great jammy raspberry flavor with THIS chocolate flavor might be the most amazing tea ever. I definitely might have to indulge with this tea and use TWO teaspoons at least to see what happens, though the black tea itself seems dark enough and the perfect briskness with a teaspoon and a half, so I shall see. Both steeps were very similar in the amount of chocolate flavor. I dumped half the second mug on the rug… I rarely do that… I was really enjoying this tea too.
Steep #1 // 1 1/2 teaspoons for a full mug // 16 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Steep #2 // just boiled // 4 minute steep
The next day, I tried steeping two teaspoons while following the same parameters otherwise. Somehow this steep session was slightly less chocolatey than yesterday. However, now I’m noticing some hibiscus which is interesting. Obviously the hibiscus is not overpowering if I barely noticed it before. A little while ago, Mastress Alita mentioned a nice chocolate/hibiscus blend that actually sounded delicious, so it’s funny I actually HAD a chocolate/hibiscus blend around here. I do think the flavors are an interesting combination. I’ve had some unappealing chocolate teas, so this chocolate flavor being actually chocolatey is great. I guess the flavors that result are also in the luck of the scoop. The tart hint of hibiscus with chocolate is great. So basically I wanted to try the two teaspoons to make sure the black tea wasn’t too astringent, and it isn’t to me. I think the black tea strength was similar to yesterday’s 1 1/2 teaspoons. So I do prefer this tea with 1 1/2 or 2 teaspoons. This might get a rating of 79 with one teaspoon but using more tea makes this a tea I’d like to stock up on. And with a jammy raspberry flavor, this blend would be one of my very favorites.
Steep #1 // 2 teaspoons for a full mug // 16 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Steep #2 // just boiled // 4 minute steep
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Glad to know the hibiscus isn’t really noticeable. I’ve been tempted to try this since I love chocolate and raspberry, but the presence of hibiscus in anything tends to balk me.
I don’t think the hibiscus is too bad at all. It actually adds an interesting element to it – like a tangy note that lends to whatever raspberry is there. I don’t think I noticed any hibiscus in any of the steep sessions that I only used one teaspoon. It was more noticeable with two teaspoons, and I like it that way, so I’ll probably use two teaspoons in the future.
I made the mistake of reading your note after I tried this tea and now I’m regretting using only one teaspoon. Maybe that’s what I was missing!
Shae – I was going to ask if you used two teaspoons when I saw your note. You are more than welcome to try it again! I think I included this in the teabox because it was on your wishlist anyway? And if there is any remaining when you mail it, can you write on the package “try with two teaspoons”? I should have done that. :D
Oh my goodness, that was so thoughtful of you! Thank you for including it. I will try it again with two teaspoons and I’ll be sure to make a note on the package when I send it on.
Hope it’s tastier for you with two teaspoons!
Glad to know the hibiscus isn’t really noticeable. I’ve been tempted to try this since I love chocolate and raspberry, but the presence of hibiscus in anything tends to balk me.
I don’t think the hibiscus is too bad at all. It actually adds an interesting element to it – like a tangy note that lends to whatever raspberry is there. I don’t think I noticed any hibiscus in any of the steep sessions that I only used one teaspoon. It was more noticeable with two teaspoons, and I like it that way, so I’ll probably use two teaspoons in the future.
I made the mistake of reading your note after I tried this tea and now I’m regretting using only one teaspoon. Maybe that’s what I was missing!
Shae – I was going to ask if you used two teaspoons when I saw your note. You are more than welcome to try it again! I think I included this in the teabox because it was on your wishlist anyway? And if there is any remaining when you mail it, can you write on the package “try with two teaspoons”? I should have done that. :D
Oh my goodness, that was so thoughtful of you! Thank you for including it. I will try it again with two teaspoons and I’ll be sure to make a note on the package when I send it on.
Hope it’s tastier for you with two teaspoons!