After two minutes at 180°, I get a bright amber liquor with a heavily jasmine, slightly puerh-like dirt aroma. It's intriguing, though worrisome because a puerh flavour could come across as either smoky or dirty, and dirt doesn't blend well with flowers, except in my garden. Or, more specifically, someone else's garden because my garden doesn't actually manage to grow flowers.

It's creamy with a heavy floral flavour to match the heavy aroma. There is an underlying dirt flavour, but rather than tasting like soil, it balances the strong floral tone, and it's countered with a smooth texture. My second steep is mellower and good.

This is a gritty, earthy jasmine blend. Whereas a delicate, aromatic blend is a dainty female ballerina, dancing lightly on the palate, this is a male ballerina: Throwing your tastebuds around with its raw strength. It's not subtle, it's not lacking grace. Is it my new jasmine? Not likely, but I do like that it has something to set it apart.

— To purchase Tea District Organic and Fair Trade Jasmine #1 Green Tea, or for more specific information on ingredients or the story behind this particular tea, click here to go directly to the manufacturer's web site.

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