Turn of the Seasons Black Tea Blend

"The summer had turned, the summer had gone; the autumn had dropped upon Bly and had blown out half our lights. The place, with its gray sky and withered garlands, its bared spaces and scattered dead leaves, was like a theater after the performance — all strewn with crumpled playbills."

-Henry James, The Turn of the Screw

This fall tea blend inspired by Henry James’s chilling novella, The Turn of the Screw, weaves together rich, evocative flavors that capture the essence of a classic ghost story.

First, the base of the blend is a robust malty Assam black tea, its deep, invigorating notes setting the stage much like the mysterious atmosphere of the tale. This bold tea embodies the sense of foreboding and complexity that characterizes the narrative.

 Swirling through the tea are hints of butterscotch, which bring a touch of warmth and indulgence, reminiscent of the comforting yet unsettling presence in the story. The butterscotch melds smoothly with candy apples, evoking a nostalgic, autumnal sweetness that contrasts with the darker undertones.

Caramel popcorn adds an intriguing twist, offering a subtle, savory hint that complements the sweetness and evokes images of a fireside gathering where secrets are whispered and shadows loom. Finally, a delicate touch of cinnamon spices rounds out the blend, infusing it with a hint of warmth and mystery, much like the story's hauntingly layered plot.

Each sip of this tea is a sensory journey through a tale of suspense and atmosphere, perfect for curling up with a good book and a hint of autumnal intrigue.

1-2 teaspoons in 8oz of water

Steep at 212° F for 3-5 minutes 

Ingredients: Assam black tea, black tea, honeybush tea, apple pieces, rose hips, cocoa nibs, butterscotch flavor, natural candy apple flavor, sweet blackberry leaves, flavoring, cocoa peel, cinnamon pieces, cream-caramel pieces (sweetened condensed skimmed milk, sugar, glucose syrup, butter fat, wetting agent: sorbitol, emulsifying agent: mono- and diglyceride of edible fatty acids), popcorn, chicory, cocoa nibs, dandelion root, marigold flowers.

Want to read the book that inspired the tea?

Want to read the book that inspired the tea? Find Henry James' Turn of the Screw on Bookshop.org! How does it work? When you select your local bookstore on the map provided on their site, they will place a cookie in your browser that identifies you as that store's customer, and your local store will get the full profit from all your Bookshop.org purchases (30% of the book's list price). What a great way to shop local and online at the same time!

Download the FREE ebook on Project Gutenburg here!