Totem Tea and Spice

A bit of a gift from a coworker who saw this tea while out shopping and thought I’d enjoy it since they knew I adore smoked teas. I’ve had a few Earl Grey and Lapsang blends in the past (the Fortnum one springs to mind) and just rather unimpressed since I find the aromatic, heady bergamot and smoke notes of the lapsang often clash. However, I actually thought this was REALLY well balanced/integrated. Not too perfumey but also not abrasively smoky either. Something about the combo really made me feel like I was in some British parlour/smoke room. Like, a sort of “Sherlock Holmes” vibe. Definitely smooth and easy to relax into flavour wise while still being plenty full-bodied and punchy.

The first tea that was served up yesterday evening!

I think Marika knew that I would just immediately be intrigued by a smoked EG which is why she suggested it – and she was right! It wasn’t an amazing tea; the bergamot was a little metallic tasting and overall there’s just so much flavour going on that isn’t necessarily super cohesive. However, the smoked notes were lovely and it was honestly just kind of nice to be drinking something other than advent teas as well as having a cup of tea made for me…