Helloooooo, Florence!
I’m of Italian descent, although I’ve never been to Italy. I don’t belong on Jersey Shore – I’m pale as a ghost, actually. I didn’t buy a sample of this one because it was labeled Florence. Random fact: Firenze is my favorite Italian word. Rather, I bought it for the flavor profile, which sounded delicious and sort of like a Nutella tea.
As soon as I ripped the tabs off the sampler, I could smell the goodness within. And sure enough, this one smells absolutely delicious. Like chocolate and hazelnut, with the tiniest bit of black tea smell underneath. It’s really strong and potent and wonderful. Everyone came in the kitchen after they caught a whiff of it to smell the dry leaves.
The leaves look like a fairly standard black. I steeped this up and watched as the tea darkened to a beautiful cocoa-brown. And it smells awesome. The chocolate and hazelnut combine together, and both aromas are really authentic and true to their real-life, non-tea-related counterparts. But it also smells strongly of black tea, which is always a huge plus for me! If I wanted an all-cocoa drink, I’d drink drinking chocolate.
The taste at first actually shocked me! I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this. I’m actually pleasantly surprised! What first hits you is the real nuttiness of the hazelnut. And if anyone has tasted hazelnut before, it’s really that signature, kind of bitter, kind of sweet nut-like taste that manifests in the flavor profile of this tea. This gives was to a rich chocolate taste. The tea isn’t creamy, but it almost fools you into thinking it is, the way these two interweave. The black tea base isn’t assertive, but it’s definitely there, supporting the dueling, wonderful flavors.
This is probably the best chocolate-flavored tea I’ve had. I could see this one being really good with milk, but I’ll probably never do that. My mom keeps stealing sips, even though she’s allergic to caffeine. She says it’s her favorite tea that she’s tasted from my batch. But then again, she’s a chocolate addict, and loves Ferraro Rocher chocolates, so… this was a match made in heaven for her!
I’m not the hugest fan of chocolate + tea in general, I’m finding, but Harney has real success with the flavors that are at play here. It tastes true and real and nowhere near artificial, and it’s really lovely to sip. Especially on a cold and snow(?!) filled day like today!
Our Florence blend is an amazing feat! It really does hit the spot, without being fake or outrageously sweet. I don’t drink many flavored teas, but what I like about ours is the aroma is authentic, but the flavor isn’t overpowering.
Did any of our other flavored teas interest you? I could help you pick out the next sample if you wanted!
Sounds delicious! Florence remains my favorite place in Italy, of the places I’ve been often or long enough to form an opinion. Good to know the tea may do the namesake justice! Definitely going to have to go on the shopping list.
AH! Makes me wanna go back! And have a spoonful of nutella to go w/:)
I love nutella! I love Italy! (my family is italian) I love tasting the tea in my flavored black teas! Perhaps this needs to go on my list…and perhaps I need to visit Florence again. hmm…. :)
@Harney, I’ve actually got Tokyo, Bangkok, and Paris here as well, hehe! I actually have waaay too much tea to buy more right now (I ordered 14 samples last time I ordered from Harney).
@sophistre, my sister brought home beautiful pictures of Italy, Florence specifically. I think she liked Siena the best though? I can’t remember now…
Cofftea and Laura, nutella is like, one of those amazing spreads that you can just eat out of the jar!
teaplz, that’s my favorite way! On graham crackers is nice too. I’ve found putting it on anything else just ruins the sinfulness LOL:)
You guys just inspired me to make a Nutella Swirl Pound Cake for my coworkers birthday tomorrow – totally changed my baking plans because I MUST have nutella ASAP!
http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/nutella-swirl-pound-cake
Oooh! You could always steep this tea in some milk and then let cool for frosting:)
A great recipe for Tea Buttercream frosting is such:
7 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
3.5 Tablespoons milk
1-2 teaspoons tea
2 egg yolks
1/4 cup granulated sugar
Soften the butter. Pour the milk into a saucepan and boil. Add tea and turn off heat. Steam for about 10 minutes. Break egg yolks into a bowl, add sugar and whisk till about white. Add milk/tea mixture via strainer, and push the leaves to get all the flavor out. Mix thoroughly. Return total mixture to heat, simmering it till it becomes thick and creamy. Pour mixture into a separate bowl, allowing it to cool. Using an electric hand beater, begin to beat mixture, adding the butter in 3rds. By the time you add the last portion of butter, the frosting should begin to take form. Beat to texture desired, and voila! Amazing Tea buttercream frosting! I used this when I made macaroons at the Tea Shop over the holidays, it’s PHENOMENAL!
That looks amazing! Harney & Sons The Store – you are such a great addition to Steepster! Thank you!!!
Harney & Sons The Store, could you please post this in the cooking w/ tea thread? I don’t want this to get lost in the mass amount of future tasting notes :)
Awesome frosting recipe! I don’t know what I could put it on top of, but it really does sound yummy. And I’m pretty sure that Florence would taste good in it!
Jacqueline, yay! I’m happy I was able to inspire you, because Nutella is ALWAYS an awesome treat!
Teaplz – I have an idea for the frosting – simple but good chocolate cupcakes, Florence tea buttercream frosting, a single hazelnut on top as garnish.
Mmm, that tea sounds so good! I’m not the least bit Italian but I am terribly addicted to Nutella. XD
I love this one! I need a tin of this. I had this tea three days straight when I had the sampler. It was just soooooo delicious!
Great review. I love Florence tea and am about to post a review of how it tastes iced.