First, a general note: I don't know what magnolia tastes or smells like, so it is difficult to say whether that particular flavor is present in this magnolia pu-erh tea. Numi advertises it as a tea with many subtleties or surprises, and it follows through on that claim. It is difficult to pin the tea down, but that is hardly a mark against it. It just makes it difficult to review.

As for steeping, I recommend steeping it for 15-20 seconds and saving the tea bag. This magnolia pu-erh definitely changes over several steepings and remains tasty, and a short steeping time prevents it from becoming bitter. It is best drunk without any milk, honey, or lemon.

Now, aroma. At first, I find it slightly unpleasant. On first steeping it smells almost sour, and not in a delicious-sour-candy kind of way. After the bag has been removed the odor becomes more of an aroma, and is actually quite pleasant. Subsequent steepings don't seem to give off the same unpleasant sourness at first and are just pleasant all around.

This tea's flavor is very good. It shows off both the green and black elements without allowing either one to overpower the whole flavor. There are definite floral elements, though I don't taste (or smell) any of the vanilla alluded to by Numi. At times it is almost sweet, but throughout it remains earthy. It tastes like something you would find in the Earth Kingdom in the world of Avatar (no joke, friends). The flavor is suitable both for mornings and evenings.

While steeping, this tea quickly becomes dark. Moving the tea bag releases dark (and slightly bitter) clouds, but the appearance compliments the floral and earthy tones of both the flavor and aroma.

I recommend this tea as something for your regular bagged tea rotation. It will please most green and black tea drinkers, and offers enough subtlety to be interesting.

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