Once again, "value" per amount of product hurts a Republic of Tea tea. I got this as a roughly 1/4-cup free sample near the front of a World Market. Free is great, free is fun! I saw the shelf price, and had to run.

Paying $12 per 50-count cylindrical can isn't fun, nor about $8–10 at chain grocery stores that sell this. That value problem magnifies when the bags are small, round pouches that hold less than half the content by volume of similar-quality spiced herbals from, say, Celestial Seasonings or Bigelow. As with others of this brand I've tried and reviewed here, one has to double up on bags to optimize flavor, meaning the per-cup price gets troublesome at 25 doses for $8–$12.

Nonetheless, if you like tea in dainty little cups, or are willing to double up in a common teacup because you really love this particular flavor combination, it may be enough to please. It's pretty much a friendly, unassuming, somewhat warming apple-cinnamon drink that can evoke nice tidings of reminiscent cheer on a chilly winter day. The flavor does get surprisingly bitter if allowed to sit for awhile cold, but while hot, is fine on its own, and somewhat cider-like if sweetened. Perhaps this tea's strong point is its sassy, more cinnamon-heavy dry-bag aroma, especially combined with the others in the tin; however, that's not the reason most folks buy tea. The wet bag, as with many holiday teas, is pleasant to inhale in a dry room as well.

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