Republic of Tea Blackberry Sage Black Tea

It's a really nice balance of fruity and earthy. The blackberry comes through as a sweet, smooth fruitiness without being overpowering or candy-like, while the sage adds an earthy, herbal depth that keeps it interesting. Most people describe it as smooth and well-balanced - the two flavors complement each other rather than competing. It's not bitter at all, and there's no artificial aftertaste that sometimes comes with flavored teas.

It's genuinely versatile and works great both ways. Several tea drinkers specifically mention enjoying it hot in cooler months and switching to iced during summer. The blackberry-sage flavor profile holds up well either way - you're not sacrificing taste by choosing one method over the other.

This is actually perfect for beginners because it comes in convenient tea bags (50 of them), not loose leaf. Even better, these are the simple sachet-style bags without strings or paper tags to fuss with. The tea is also very forgiving when brewing - it doesn't turn bitter easily, so you don't need to stress about precise timing. Long-time tea drinkers appreciate it, but it's absolutely approachable if you're just getting into quality teas.

It uses natural flavors rather than dried fruit pieces. If you're looking for visible fruit chunks, you won't find them here. That said, the natural flavoring is well-done - reviewers consistently describe the taste as genuine and pleasant rather than artificial or chemical-tasting.

The tin itself is gorgeous and well-designed with a good seal to keep the tea fresh. However, there's a shipping issue to be aware of: several customers report the tin arriving dented or damaged. It's a shame because the packaging is actually high-quality, but the shipping protection isn't always adequate. If the decorative tin is important to you (say, as a gift), you might want to contact the seller about reinforced packaging, or just know that the tea inside should still be fine even if the exterior gets dinged.

While it's enjoyable plain, several reviewers specifically mention that it's wonderful with cream and honey - they describe it as taking on a creamy, sweet character that really enhances the blackberry notes. So if you're someone who likes a little something in your tea, this blend takes to it beautifully. It also works well as a base if you like blending teas together.