Violet Black Tea

Did not care for this. I’m a traditional black tea drinker

When I saw this Violet tea on the Simpson & Vail site I was reminded of my beloved Nan who lived with us from the time I was four until I was 12. She grew African Violets but I remembered that she often smelled a violet perfume. Now some people would say who wants perfume in their tea but all I wanted was Nan with me. This tea did not disappoint. The floral taste is genuine not chemical or artificial. Took me back to a kinder, gentler time in life. Hope it does so for you too

Appearance: dark twisted leaves with lovely violet and white petals sprinkled throughout.
Aroma: It is a hard to describe the floral fragrance. maybe like walking through a field after a rainstorm, but instead of a damp and earthy scent, it is a sweet, soft floral, but with a green leaf aroma. The smell is inviting and nostalgic.
Flavor: I taste the black tea right off the bat, but there is twist. The violet flavor sneaks in with sweetness. There is a hint of floral charm that doesn't overpower. This is a classic black tea with a little extra. While floral, it isn't to "frou frou". It says grounded with a nice finish. I watch the clock when I brew this tea. 3-4 minutes maximum. Over-steeping turns the floral note flat. This is a favorite tea of mine. It brings an elegance without losing its down-to-earth charm - like a unicorn at the rodeo.
Rating: 5/5

Awesome flavor

It might be a little light for some, but I remember my first taste of a Choward's violet candy as a kid (I wanted it because it was purple) and finding it *way* too strong.

I'm a lover of floral flavors, but I know full well that some blends can come off way too strong and almost soapy or perfumey for most people. This isn't like that at all. The black tea comes through first, and there's a subtle, but present taste of violet as well. An enjoyable tea that doesn't make me feel like I'm drinking the contents of my shampoo bottle.

This is a keeper. Initially it just tastes like a nice black tea but the violet element comes through after a couple of seconds. The floral flavor is subtle but I can definitely taste it, and it is really good. The mallow adds a nice feel to it, too. Will purchase again.

This Violet Black Tea is a good, floral cup of black tea and S&V does an excellent job blending the ingredients. It does feel very victorian as another reviewer mentioned, but for me the black tea is almost too powerful for violet. I’d love to see a white, green, or rooibos tea with violet — to see if the violet is allowed more space to come through — like candied violets or Chowards’s violet mints.

This was worth getting for the aromatic experience alone. It truly is heavenly. Brewed hot it has a delightful velvet silky quality to it and can be enjoyed unadulterated or for a uniquely rich treat with the addition of cream and sugar. I like to make lattes with this blend and for me creates a cloudlike, silky smooth violet dream experience like no other. Cold brew for an iced tea that will have you commenting to yourself how good it (and life) is.

I was very curious about Violet tea as I knew that some of my English aristocratic ancestors enjoyed it in the late 1800s. I have never been able to find it till now. Simpson and Vail's Violet Black tea is an exotic Victorian floral scented tea that is sure to please. I found the aroma intoxicating and the taste soothing. It pairs well with scones. Delicious all year around. Perfect for a candle lit evening binge of Penny Dreadful or Downton Abbey. Violet is also my February birth month floral. I also made a violet black latte with steamed vanilla almond milk. it was pure heaven. I really love S and V high quality and unique gourmet tea varieties!

This tea is unique, classy, and a bit nostalgic to me (a good thing). The aroma is beautiful, like powdery, light, violets. The taste is slightly lighter than the aroma, and, (as best I can describe,) tastes of a subtle blend of sweet grass, violets, and a bare hint of cedar. That was on first taste of my first cup (which I'm on right now). When I closed my eyes to try to give more of a description for a review, I took another sip, and I was transported to my parents' bedroom in my childhood home, of all places, where mom kept her floral perfumes, dad kept his hand creme, where mom had a large cedar chest that housed many of her childhood memories. It's an odd description for a tea, I realize -- (to describe it tasting like things not usually consumed) -- but for me, it truly tastes like happy, secure-and-loving home memories in the country, where I grew up and spent time seeing, smelling, and sometimes even weeding (!) violets in our large yard.

When I first brewed this tea I was almost unsure what to think because this flavor was so unique! The more I sipped the more I loved it. I've never really tasted anything like this which I assume is the violet. It's floral for sure, but there is also something else that makes this distinctive from other floral blends. I've never had anything violet before, but I knew I could trust S&V since all of the floral tea's I've tried are excellent. If you want a real treat try this with a bit of cream!

I simply adore this tea! It evokes the fondest memories of walks along the street's edge with my grandmother. She always carried and shared with me violet lozenges that taste very similar to this delicious tea. The aroma is wonderful as well and it brews up a slightly sweet floral flavor. I even enjoy it with a second steep. Best served hot.

I had to try this one. Who else carries a violet tea? To be honest, I have no idea what violets specifically smell or taste like. The purple flowers in the blend add a nice touch. But this one is delightful. I'd say there couldn't possibly be a better floral flavor. It has a lovely balance of floral but not too floral, balanced with a delicious sweetness. The black tea base is quite light, but with the floral accent it's not boring. Without the floral, there is no way I'd steep up this black tea by itself plain. I'd say the first cup was perfect. On the second steep, the flavor wasn't how I wanted it to be. Somehow there was quite a spicy flavor that took over? I should have waited a few minutes to steep. However, as it cooled, the flavor returned to that delicious flavor of the first cup, so flavor saved! I'll try to remember that next time. Overall, I have no way to be sure this is accurately representing VIOLET, but as a floral tea, it couldn't be tastier.Steep #1 // 1 1/2 teaspoons for a full mug// 17 minutes after boiling // 3 minute steepSteep #2 // 2 minutes after boiling // 3 minute steep

I can't say enough good things about this tea. It perfectly captures the taste of violets, which previously I'd only tasted in candied violet form. It's a wonderful sweet and floral flavor like no other. I could drink this tea every day!

The fragrance of violets is magical and romantic. However, it is rarely found in a tea. I was delighted to come across this brew that tastes like something out of a secret garden with the depth of black tea being mellowed by this mysterious floral. The fragrance is rich and comforting. This was a thoroughly enjoyable treat!