A rich, earthy, naturally sweet herbal tea that can be steeped many times. Sampled at Velvet Sky Bakery.

Brews a light golden-yellow cup, with a little dust sinking to the bottom of the cup.

The aroma is complex, rich, and warming. I can notice the ginseng, which has a strong, fresh, earthy taste, and which actually dominates the aroma. Next is cinnamon, and I notice hints of ginger as well as licorice or anise. The flavor is bold and rich: quite sweet, but also quite bitter. Finish is peppery, especially on the back of the throat, but leaves a sweet taste in the mouth.

This blend can get pretty strong if steeped long. I liked a 2 minute infusion, using the generous 1 tablespoon serving size Octavia recommends. If steeped stronger, it doesn't get too bitter, but it actually gets too sweet for me, which I disliked. It resteeps very easily though. I liked a 2 minute steep, followed by a 4-5 minute steep, followed by a very long one. Brewed this way, I liked the flavor of the second cup the best.

In spite of having no caffeine, I felt this tea to have a bit of a pick-me-up effect. The price is also pretty good.

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