Passage du Desir from August Uncommon. . . . .

Fun fact – If you google “Passage du Desir”, your top result will be for an adult shop and not this tea. I suppose that makes sense given that roughly translates to “Passage of Desire”. However, it took me by surprise because for some reason, in light of my tea obsession, I always figure that the teas I look up will be the top result.

Anyways, when I finally found the webpage for this particular blend, I noted the description said it was a rich black tea with chili and chocolate. So imagine my surprise when the first thing I tasted was roasted chestnut?! I scrolled down on the page and realized that that flavor was indeed supposed to be present so I kept drinking. The nuttiness builds and compliments the cocoa flavor. Since it is cocoa husks, it is a little earthier than I personally like but by no means offensive – just preference on my part. As per the site, this should also taste of honey and dark rum and though I can sort of see where the rum component is coming from, the honey, much like the chili, is lost on me.

Ultimately, I don’t think this blend was for me. The flavor notes I was looking for seemed to be hidden from my taste buds while those tastes that I don’t particularly enjoy have taken over. This is not to say that this is a bad tea as it is very rich while still being smooth. Though I can see how this would be well liked, it just wasn’t to my personal preferences.


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Black Tea
Where to Buy:  August Uncommon
Description
Early morning in Paris rewards you with rich aromas from winding cobblestone streets. A steamy gust of croissants and sugared brioche hits. Moments later, it’s molten chocolate from the chocolatier being dripped into fantastical shapes. Dense flavors engulf the senses. Another turn brings a thick blast of honeyed chestnuts roasting on a tin drum. Winter is nipping at your heels.

Ingredients: black tea, cocoa husk, hazelnut brittle pieces, cocoa beans, flavoring

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Staring at the Sea from August Uncommon Tea

staringattheseaTea Information:

Leaf Type:  Green

Where to Buy: August Uncommon Tea

Tea Description:

Comfort from the hearth while gazing at fog as it gently drifts over the sea. The odor of warm buttery country bread rises to your nose, tenderly warming your face. A faint note of macadamia and bits of crust browning on a brick oven floor linger on the tongue. Hints of sweet grasses spring forth to brighten and balance the thick, chewy texture. Come in from the cold.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

I have heard so much about this company on Steepster that I was very excited to see it in one of the traveling tea boxes that hit my house late last week.  This was the first one I grabbed to try.  I’m such a green tea fan that I couldn’t wait to dig in and try out some new green teas.

August Uncommon Tea has unique tea blends that I’ve heard varied reviews about.  This particular blend is a Japanese Green Tea with Barley in it.  I brewed this delight up like all my green teas with the help of my handy dandy Breville and allowed the brew to cool off for a few moments.

Took my first sip and this is a different tasting green tea for sure.  And one I’m enjoying. The green tea base is buttery and smooth.  The barley that has been added in provides a nice nutty background that gives the tea an added richness.  Like the description says, there is a crust like flavor and even faint notes of macadamia nuts.

This is one of those teas where the description really matches and translate well into the flavor you are given.  I’m curious what this one would taste like as a cold brew and hope to be able to try that soon.

The more I drink of this one, the more I really like it.  This could easily be an every day sort of tea for me for sure!