Sampling new Charleston Tea Plantation teas

It's been several years since I visited the Charleston Tea Plantation in South Carolina, and I'd dearly love to go again one day. I never tire of looking at tea plants and talking to tea people!

Fortunately for me, my friend Lisa recently visited and returned with a postcard and some new tea samples to remind me of what I'm missing! Though I attended a First Flush Festival and enjoyed some of that tea, I have not actually sampled some of their other American Classic Tea blends, so I was delighted Lisa was willing to share!

First I tried this Rockville Raspberry tea, which was in a nice silken pouch and had a smooth berry flavor but without that tartness that sometimes turns me off with berry-flavored teas. This one was great!

My favorite sample, though, and the biggest surprise, was this Charleston Breakfast tea. From the moment I opened the packet and sniffed the woodsy scent of the tea, I was smitten. This was such a fresh tasting tea, and I must say I've rarely experienced the rich, fresh flavor of loose tea in a teabag but I certainly did with this one. It was a great tasting black tea with no astringency, and I got two steepings from the one teabag. I'm definitely sold on the Charleston Breakfast tea and will be buying a box next time I see it in a local store!