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Thursday, May 6, 2010

The Republic of Tea Loose Leaf Black Tea 'Bing Cherry Vanilla'

Tea Information:
Tea: Bing Cherry Vanilla
Type: Black Tea
Packaging: Loose Leaf
Company: The Republic of Tea
Purchase: Here
Description: Share the Bounty Black Tea - This tea recalls the best part of summer - when the trees are full of ripe fruit. The sweetness of vanilla complements the deep, juicy flavor of bing cherries. This full-leaf black tea offers a most smooth and complex taste. This tea is a limited edition exclusive offering from our collection of partnership teas with Whole Foods Markets.
Country of Origin: India
Ingredients: Organic, Fair Trade Certified TM black tea, cherries, natural flavors and organic, Fair Trade Certified TM vanilla beans

Steep Information:
Amount: 3 heaping teaspoons
Water: 750 milliliters filtered, 212°
Tool: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker BTM800XL (Black, Strong, Auto start)
Steep Time: a little over 3 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: Strong vanilla, hints sweet cherry not fake but real fruity scent
Steeped Tea Smell: Sweet vanilla black tea
Flavor: Astringent, slightly bitter black tea a hint of vanilla
Body: Full
Aftertaste: Astringent, slightly bitter
Liquor: Mostly opaque dark brown with slight reddish orange hints

Post-Steep Additives:
+German Rock Sugar - no more bitterness, brings out the vanilla, still not getting the cherry
+Lactose-free milk - less astringency much better

This is from LENA in the wonderful little Tupperware containers! Yes another one I have been hiding away and am finally getting to.

This tea is a good strong wake you up black with a bad astringency problem. I am very glad I didn't order a whole tin! Thank you again LENA for helping me satisfy my curiosity and not end up drowning in 'Meh' tea.

Rating: 2/4 leaves


Leaf system:
1=Bleh! not again if it were free
2=Acceptable, if it were free or there were limited other tea options
3=I might purchase this tea from time to time, or select it while out
4=A staple in our cupboard from now on, I will purchase and keep purchasing





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