Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea by New Mexico Tea Company

I steeped 1 tsp of this tea for 5 minutes in one cup of 212 degree water.

First of all, this tea isn’t kidding when it says “hot.” (Currently I’m able to smell the cinnamon flavor through the bag even though I double-bagged it, which means it has about the same strength as lapsang souchong). You can clearly see, when measuring it out, that there’s tons of cinnamon in the tea leaves. The ingredients list says it has natural and artificial flavorings too in addition to the three types of cinnamon–I didn’t know three types of cinnamon existed, did you? But apparently they do.

I don’t expect the black tea flavor to come through much at all at this point (it’s probably mainly there for caffeination purposes.)

It smells very spicy and strong as it steeps, too. After steeping I note that it has a very dark brown, fittingly cinnamon-ish color. It’s nearly opaque and has bits of dissolved cinnamon in it. Kind of like spiced cider. It also has a faintly sweet cider-ish smell, but of coursewithout the apple factor. (It does have clove and orange peel though, so that’s probably why it’s reminding me of cider.)

First sip: yes, it’s quite sweet and quite spicy. And no, I don’t really taste the black tea at all. There is a slight bit of astringency, but I’m not sure if it’s from the black tea or from the cinnamon. There’s a depth to the cinnamon flavor, which is probably caused by the blending of several types of cinnamon and cinnamon flavorings to create a more complex cinnamon blend rather than one that hits you all in a wave. It’s very effective, too. It’s like a tour of cinnamon.

With milk (no sugar needed as it’s already sweet): it’s creamier, of course, but the milk doesn’t really bring out the tea flavor the way it usually does with spicy teas (though maybe there’s a hint). The excellently warming, invigorating cinnamon flavor isn’t quelled by the milk either, though perhaps a bit tamed.

Overall I like this tea very much both with milk and without. I’d recommend trying it both ways to see which strikes your fancy the most.


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Black Tea
Where to Buy:  New Mexico Tea Company
Description

.This blend brews very sweet even though no sugar is added. A cinnamon lover’s dream come true. A combination of hearty Chinese and Indian black tea and invigorating cinnamon.
Many cinnamon teas have a watery aftertaste due to the use of low grade teas. The black tea here has the stamina to last through the whole tasting process

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!

Black Ruby from Terroir Tea Merchant. . . .

Today is one of those days where I need all the caffeine to keep going.  I literally bring a tote bag full of tea wherever I go so I dug into my lovely portable tea stash and landed on this lovely option.

Black Ruby from Terroir Tea Merchant is a black tea described as having a smooth, sweet, and cinnamon mint flavor. That description alone peaked my interest. I’ve tried a few offerings from Terroir Tea Merchant and I have to say, even though I typically reach for flavored teas, they’ve even turned my head and made me re-think my mostly flavored tea stash and possibly add in more straight teas.

Brewed up with fresh prepped water, I accidentally allowed this tea to steep a bit to long. Recommendations called for 3 minutes and I think the tea steeped about 5 (at work and failed to multi-task properly).

I will say this tea had gorgeous cinnamon notes going in to steep but has an incredibly strong malty flavor. Even though I did steep the tea longer than I should have the flavors were stop on with a slight twinge of astringency (which is totally my fault).  This tea is one of those that gives you that whole mouth feel and demands your attention. I can’t say that I picked up any hints of mint, the cinnamon was present.  Combine that flavor and the malty tone, you’ve got yourself one heck of a cuppa tea.

I think I have enough in my sample to brew up another cuppa properly and this time I’ll pay closer attention to my steeping parameters. I’m hoping with a bit of patience, I can draw those minty notes out because a cinnamon mint tea just sounds so darn interesting!


Here’s the scoop!

Leaf Type:  Black Tea
Where to Buy: Terroir Tea Merchant
Description

cinnamon and mint flavour. This tea is guaranteed to excite even the most jaded taste buds.  Flavour:  Cinnamon, mint and malt sugar

Learn even more about this tea and tea company here!