The ingredients list only states peppermint, lemongrass and spearmint. So why do I smell and taste a dab of black pepper in this? Personally, I'm not complaining; spicy teas appeal to me. Yet I wonder if this sensation stems from a systematic characteristic of how one of the listed ingredients is grown or processed, or if some food-service black pepper is processed at the same plant and happened to waft into the air the day this tea batch was prepared, and some particles got in, if it is a minor unstated ingredient, or if I am just imagining things.

Regardless, black pepper is a consistent background aroma I get from the dry bag (much more so than wet bag or in-cup scent). Then each sip starts off with a background puff of black-peppery sensation as well, even in the mouth and throat going down, though that goes away fairly quickly and rounds off into fairly standard, smooth, likable, "moroccan mint" type of flavor with something of a woody aftertaste. Since I like (not love) this blend, I'll rate it a little better than average, but the unadvertised pinch o'pepper might put off some folks.

Add your own review

Login or Sign Up to comment on this review.