First of all, I think that Boca Java coffees are good, but not over the top. As for the flavorings, I think they are very imaginative but for my money Kaffe Magnum Opus takes first place in flavored coffees, other than a local roaster that I use. Boca Java flavors just don’t have the intensity that I am looking for. And…you can’t smell them when they are brewing.

Now, Marc says that is because we have a 600 square foot kitchen. Given. It has 11 foot ceilings and that may have something to do with it. But other flavored coffees have filled the kitchen with scent and wafted up the stairs. This one just doesn’t.

Saying that, the Surfin’ Safari is good. First flavor is sort of a nutty buttery caramel followed by the Kalhua and finishing with delicate vanilla notes. The coffee is somewhat rich in the mouth and without bitterness in the aftertaste.

This is a nice afternoon coffee. It would pair well with shortbread cookies or plain biscotti.

image:Boca Java

Post from: Kettle and Cup

In drinking the tea I was surprised by the lightness and delicacy of the flavor.  I think I would have preferred a little more apricot flavor but all in all I thought the tea was a nice afternoon tea- something that would go well with shortbread cookies, or a light snack.  I think it is too light for a breakfast cup and not rich enough for an evening cup, if that makes sense.

The liquor is pale golden with a delicate apricot flavor which is followed by lasting notes of light vanilla.  Not theheady bourbon vanilla, but just a hint of vanilla flavor that enhances the sweet peachiness of the apricot. I do not think i would hold up well for iced tea.

I am most impressed by this tea in its ability to flavor baked goods from frosting to scones.  I am thinking of  making a mousse with it.

All of my kids are tea drinkers as you know, and all are sold on this tea.  If you like a flavored white this is a good one to try.  I do not like it as well as I like their blueberry white tea that I reviewed last year, but it comes in a close second.

Image:Amazon

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If you read my post on the Chocolate Raspberry Bliss Tea you will absolutely understand how visual I am..because I totally picked these up for the boxes and the eye candy. Look at this box, could you walk away from that? Not me.

So admitting that…

The aroma is delicate at first, intensifying as it steeps. It really smelled good but not incredible.

I tasted first without any sweetener and was pleasantly surprised at the faint taste of strawberry, and the slight sweetness. I added my sweetening and tasted again. Definitly jammy. Distinct strawberry jam flavor. The vanilla is a delicate aftertaste and the rose blends well, giving it a floral note without being overwhelmingly rose.

I did the unthinkable (it is Sunday after all) and added heavy cream, just as if it was a coffee.

It was wonderful! Still jammy but with a richness added to it. I was impressed with this tea.

Now, the Chocolate Raspberry was a solitary tea. A tea to pamper yourself with during a long bubbly soak with a LUSH bubble bar. This, not so much. It is a tea to chat with a good friend over, maybe share some simple vanilla cookies. It would be a great addition to a cream tea, because the simple food offerings would be complemented by the complexity of this tea’s flavor. Don’t have it with chocolate. I don’t think it would be good. Still trying to explain..

Umm..this is a country Victorian tea. Verandas, and country kitchens, biscuits and strawberry jam.

Delicious. I highly recommend it. Serve it in an ever-so slightly chipped red transferware cupand drink whilst staring out the kitchen window.

If my mom was alive I think I would probably make her a gift basket with this, some of the rose scones, some of the strawberry jam, and a jar of clotted cream, and then tuck a magazine in the side.

O.k..well, it would work for me!

Image:Marye Audet 

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