Violin in C Sharp

 When I opened the package, the immediate nose on the dry tea blend was very strong and very sweet plum.  When the water first hit the leaf, the plum faded into the background behind the suddenly very strong clove, but as the leaf opened the aroma became more bergamot and blackberry.  It was a very interesting progression. The plum is present both on the top note and the final note, and I enjoy that it is a tarter plum than some other teas I've had with plum who go instead for the cloyingly sweet side of the plum.  The tarter plum pairs nicely with the nice assam that they've used in this blend. For as dark as the brew turned after the 5 min steep, I expected more tannin and bitterness, but instead the end note is a mix of clove and citrus peel with a milder less tannin filled finish.  I think my favorite part is that in the mid note when my mouth is full of the liquid, I can really taste the nutmeg and the mallow flower which is not a combination I would have thought I'd l

 Today I decided to try out the second blend in the Republic of Tea gift sample box - the Chai. Now, those who know me know that I have rather high and specific standards when it comes to chai.  For me, the spicier and pepperier the better.  This particular blend is not peppery, but I can taste the spice blend. On the nose, before steeping, what I smell most is actually the orange peel.  After steeping, the nose is mostly the chinese star anise and the cardamom seeds. Flavor wise, the orange peel and cardamom make up the bulk of the flavor and I actually taste them more than I taste the actual tea.  It's a nice mellow tea - but I enjoyed it much more after I stopped thinking of it as an actual chai. I was surprised by the lack of color that came in after the full 5 minute steep - but I was also surprised at how much I enjoyed the mellow spicing and the not too strong black tea flavor. Final thoughts - it's nice and pleasant.