Thursday Tea Time

This week - Central Market Organics - "Licorice Peppermint"

Cost: $5.99

Number of teabags: 15

Caffeine: None

Type of tea: Herbal

Steeping time: 2-4, per label directions. I did 5 minutes

Add ins: A little bit of fat-free condensed milk
Teabag fragrance: Peppermint
Ingredients: Organic licorice root, organic peppermint, organic calendula petals

Opinion: An interesting and intriguing combination. The slightly sweet licorice comes in and has a nice kick at the end of the sip. A mugful has a nice warming flavor and feeling, perfect for a wintery day. (I bet it would also taste great, iced with a bit of sugar, too. Could be a nice alternative to all the typical summer/fruity teas.) It's not a strong, but a medium heat/mint flavor. And the calendula flower combines it all together and makes it look pretty, too. In the bag and in the mug.

I think this branding is trying to be similar to two leaves and a bud, Mighty Leaf and other more upscale pricier teas - the cost, the offbeat teabag design, etc. But it didn't have a string?! I just thought that was a little odd. Good thing I have my tea bag spoon/tongs from Williams-Sonoma! The teabag was also sealed in rather thick plastic. OK, but you wouldn't spring for a string?!

Rating: 4.25 For originality and taste!