Frog Friend

I was fortunate to receive Frog Friend as a complimentary sample with my inaugural order from Friday Afternoon Tea. This Stardew Valley-inspired blend wasn't one I would have selected based solely on its description, as the combination of ingredients—green yaupon holly, blue pea flower, black tea, ginkgo, clove, and pine smoke—seemed like an unusual marriage of flavors that I couldn't quite imagine harmonizing together.

The moment I opened the package, I was greeted by a pronounced smoky aroma intertwined with earthy undertones that immediately evoked images of nighttime forest walks in the rain—perfectly capturing Sebastian's contemplative character from the game. This aromatic profile creates an immersive sensory experience before the first sip.

Upon brewing (at the recommended 195°F for 3-5 minutes), Frog Friend reveals itself as a remarkably complex tea. The flavor profile is predominantly earthy, with damp forest notes that serve as a foundation for the more assertive elements. The clove's presence is distinct and powerful, providing a warm spice counterpoint to the earthiness, while the pine smoke weaves throughout, adding depth rather than overwhelming the palate.

What makes this blend truly exceptional is the careful balance achieved between these bold ingredients. The tea presents itself best when enjoyed pure, without milk or sugar, as additives would disrupt the intentional equilibrium of flavors that creator Narah has so skillfully crafted.

For enthusiasts of unique, atmospheric teas that tell a story through flavor, Frog Friend offers a contemplative drinking experience that genuinely embodies its inspiration—perfect for those moments of quiet reflection when the darkness and the damp speak to your soul.

The first thing that struck me was the color of this tea, the most perfect shade of blue-green because of the blue pea flower. The second was the smell, it smells like a campfire and my wife said it smells like a really good BBQ joint and I was a bit worried the tea would taste like accidentally inhaling smoke from a campfire but nope, it's absent in the taste entirely - either not there at all or drowned out by other flavors. Between the color and the taste, it's a perfect rendition of the character in tea form and I love it!

This tea is the most beautiful shade of purple-blue (I guess I am trying to say indigo, lol). It has a really nice flavor and is easy sipping. I even let it go cold on accident, it was still good cold!

Right from the start, as everything floats up in the infuser, there's a watery vibe as I poke things down and it's all soft and water-weedy. The pea-flower purple is deep and rich. First time trying a Yaupon blend, so I'm not sure which note is the holly. The clove stands out at first (mostly because I love clove). But everything else is very well blended into a slightly mineral, faintly smokey cup that leaves the edge of my tongue tingling with clove. Kept me going all afternoon halfway through this dragging, time-change week.