Late Summer, 2020; Camellia sinensis, Mentha piperita, extract of Menta spicata var. crispa ‘Moroccan’; Kelanimulla, Angoda, Uva, Sri Lanka; Young Hyson Green Tea,Peppermin leaf & “Moroccan Mint” Natural Aroma; 900m-1500m #TodaysTea, #今天的茶, #JīnTiāndeChá.
Infusion: 1 spoon (2g) per serve and, “one for the pot.” Unsweetened.

Dry Leaf Aroma: strong, dominantly “Spearminty,” sharp, solvent-like;
Wet Leaf Aroma: Spearmint, aniseed balls, aromatic, sweet;
Liquor: Golden yellow colour, with a minty, peppery, scent;
Mouthfeel: moderate texture, pronounced bitterness, stimulating, mouthwatering finish;
Taste: dominantly minty, (perhaps peppermint) and fresh, with a camphor/menthol aftertaste, and late hints of licorice.

Opinion: I have mixed feelings about this tea. It does have a place, especially at times when mint might not be readily available.

As such, if being able to knock out a pot of, “Moroccan Mint” tea at the drop of a hat in the middle of Armageddon, or a global pandemic, then you can’t go wrong with this tea.

However, I find the solvent undertone in the leaf smell, and the strident minty, “aroma” from tin to cup, to be somewhat confronting… and I am not sure if that is, in a good, or bad way. The jury is undecided.

The Tea seems to be Young Hyson Green tea (according to one website) in style, rather than Gunpowder rolled. There is a significant mix of whole large leaf, broken leaves of various size, some stems and the occasional bud.

Unfortunately, I cannot tell if I’m looking tea leaves, or mint leaves, even though I do actually know the difference. I do love the packaging though, the tin is absolutely lovely, but the only thing “Moroccan” about it seems to be the addition of “Moroccan Mint” aroma.

Originally, I wanted to get some, “Gunpowder Green Tea” to explore Moroccan Mint Tea, and I stumbled across this on Taobao. So, I thought I’d try it out.

I am not a fan of aroma scented teas, that includes everything from Earl Grey, through Jasmine, to Peach, etc., so when I discovered this tea was pre-scented (albeit with “Natural Aroma”) I was somewhat deflated.

I prefer to control the addition of fresh, natural substances to my tea myself.

Further in researching this tea, I found so little information, and much of that so dubious and inconsistent, even on #Balisur’s various Corporate Websites, that it was more work than I wanted to put in.

Would I drink it again? Yes, “…for Science!” but not by choice. Don’t misunderstand me, it is… good tasting… tea… especially with sugar, but with so many other choices of tea on my shelf, it’s no front runner. And to be brutally honest? If I had no other tea on the shelf? I’d probably prefer to just drink the water.

It seems my prejudicially, discriminatory POV towards, “Flavour Enhanced” Teas has unfortunately raised its ugly head, yet again. 🤪