Bonfire Customer Reviews

Oh, Bonfire, how can I do you justice? This is the best tea for when I'm moody and have very big feelings, but still have to sleep at some point. There's something very Edgar Allen Poe about this flavor. And it turns out that I first discovered this tea 3 years ago, but forgot until I stumbled upon it this fall and fell in love all over again. Strong base of Lapsang Souchang and Honeybush, but very nuanced -- smoky, earthy, spiced. The exact feel of being wrapped up on a cool night and staring meditatively at an actual bonfire. Adagio, please make this a year-round tea!

5 min steep · 212°F · 2 helpful votes

It's warm and relaxing. I plan to get more. Just what I need for a late night cup of tea before bed. It reminds me of fall nights by the fire with family.

Have a wood burning fireplace in my home, I light a fire, make a cup of bonfire, incredibly relaxing and I don't even miss camping.

This tea is not to my taste at all. It has a musty smell. I was hoping for a Smokey cardamom scent, but there was a lot of pepper too. The flavor was bitter and had a musty taste. I tried adding cream, then sugar. Tasted like drinking ashes.

3 min steep · 212°F

One of my all-time favorite tea blends! Smells comfortingly warming and toasty with a touch of anise sweetness. A very warming and sweet autumn tea!

3 min steep · 190°F

Really really good! One of my favorite fall teas this year. @adagioteas

5 min steep · 205°F

this is my second batch of bonfire, i was a bit hesitant the first time cause of smokiness; but, it is so smooth. this tea is very calming for me

Dry tea smells like the smoky lapsang souchong with a hint of orange. Once brewed, the resulting cup is a light medium brown with a smoky orange scent. When hot, the smoky lapsang souchong was overwhelming. When warm, the smoky flavors subsided and some of the orange and hazelnut could be tasted. The overall composition of this blend will be polarizing since lapsang souchong is such a strong flavor profile, but waiting for it to cool into a smoky orange tea is worth it. I could not really taste the peppercorns beyond the smoky flavors, and did not see one in my packet. Brewed at 200 for 3 minutes.

2 helpful votes

i will buy this one again cuz i loved it and enjoyed it

I really liked this tea. It had a very slight kick. Wish I would have gotten a bigger bag. Feels like fall.

This tea is savory, but in an almost meaty way that I'm surprised that I really like! Smokey and spicy.

1 helpful votes

I really don't like this tea. There's a medicinal flavor to it that I associate with a disgusting throat numbing spray I once used as a child. I know the flavor comes from the Lapsang Souchong, and maybe if this blend didn't have that, and I used a smokey tea I know I like in it's place, I could actual like this tea. Unfortunately, this one is not for me whatsoever.

1 helpful votes

This was an enjoyable cup. The smokiness was mild and the only other flavor that stood out to me is orange. It was an interesting and surprisingly good combination. Cream and sweetener mellowed the the smoky flavor but I liked it plain as well.

13 helpful votes

I really enjoyed this tea. It has the perfect balance of smokiness, spiciness, and fruitiness. No one flavor dominates the other, they really do harmonize very well. I would definitely get this tea again.

212* for five minutes

2 helpful votes

CommuniTEA packet tasting, I enjoy smokey lapsang souchong teas, in moderation. They are rich, and robust. This one is perfect for a chilly fall evening by the fire! Happy sipping!

21 helpful votes

Tried this as a part of the October 2021 Communitea box. I think smoky teas like lapsang souchong are an acquired taste to begin with, and it's usually not a tea I would associate with all the sweet accompaniments in this blend. While on paper a smoky essence paired with warm holiday flavors sounds comforting, this tea fell quite a bit short. It just tasted off. I finished the whole mug but regretted it; it left me feeling a bit sick for the rest of the day.

1 helpful votes

Today's CommuniTea packet is bonfire, which is made with honeybush and lapsang souchong tea, apple pieces, aniseed, cocoa nibs, cinnamon, rose hips, cloves, orange, red peppercorn, safflower and cinnamon, hazelnut and orange flavors. The tea is pretty to look at, and I found it more drinkable than the lapsang tea earlier in the year, but smoky is not a flavor I look for. The lapsang over powers whatever is put with it. 12 ounces of 200 degree water for 2 minutes.

11 helpful votes

You notice the smokiness first, and as it dies down, there’s a touch of fruitiness. Delicious!

2 helpful votes

I have a really hard time getting past the smell. And while some teas have a flavor that belies how their aroma, this one tastes EXACTLY how it smells. Straight liquid smoke.

23 helpful votes

I hesitated to review this tea but simply had to since I disliked it so much. I really love outside bonfires but being inside my home made it smell even worse.I’m not used to many varied add ins burning along side the logs. There was no way I could identify the ingredients and one sip was all I could tolerate

8 helpful votes

Bonfire, the name suits it - the Lapsang Souchong adds the smoky flavor, which I liked, but otherwise the tea is okay, nothing special and one that I will not be buying.

1 helpful votes

Ahh, lapsang souchong, my old frenemy. My packet seemed to be fairly light on the smoky tea and rich in aniseed, but just to be sure I also treated the cup more like green tea than black or herbal. The result is a lovely, soothing sipper that perfectly suits an early autumn evening. The mix of pine smoke, clove, and apple/orange puts me just a little in mind of a good roast beast of some kind, while the tea, cocoa nibs, and anise take it in a sweeter direction. I don't think this is one I'd buy more than a sample of, but I could see myself getting a hankering for it once in a while. (3 mins @ 175 F, no additions)

1 helpful votes

I think this tea is good in small amounts. I wouldn't buy too much at a time

2 helpful votes

Wonderfully cozy tea today!! I love the tones of hazelnut and cinnamon being tied together with tangy fruits. Delicious combination that puts a smile on my face! Definitely a favorite!

1 helpful votes

I don’t like this, smoky is not for me. Could not drink it.

14 helpful votes

A sweet and smoky blend that will have you dreaming of a bonfire. There is a heady aroma of a wood fire when the packet is opened. I steeped the tea at 212°F x 5 minutes. The Lapsang Souchong doesn't overpower the tea, but you definitely know it is there in smell and taste. The honeybush and hazelnut added a rich smoothness, and the apples brought a touch of sweetness. The orange rind and spices, although not noticeable on their own, added complexity to the tea. I enjoyed it with a little sugar, and found the flavor a bit addicting as I sipped.

18 helpful votes

I can tell it's high quality and it looks beautiful as it steps in my cup, like the forest floor unraveling. But I've been scarred for life from a previous oversmoked blend, and I can't find my way through the smoke flavor to the other elements of the tea.

3 helpful votes

From the communiTEA packet there's a strong smokey aroma. It definitely tastes like a bonfire, but if you add some cream and sugar it tones down the smokiness.

21 helpful votes

Smokey, just as the name would suggest, but unfortunately it’s not my cup of tea. I’ve tried this tea more than once and have decided it would be great for someone that like Smokey flavors.

5 helpful votes

I was so worried about trying this one, since the reviews of it have been so divided. But I've grown to like smoky teas over the past couple of years, and this one fits right in! It's certainly got a smoky smell and taste, but it's not so strong that I don't also get hints of hazelnut, peppercorn, apples, and other spices. It really does taste like I'm holding a cozy little fire in my hands. I bet it would be even better on a snowy afternoon with a good book in hand!

8 helpful votes

Although I like all the flavors in this tea separately, they didn't work put together. The combination of smoke, sweet and fruity from the orange, and the hint of background spices fought each other. Although I couldn't taste it when drinking the tea, I had a lingering aftertaste of hazelnut. Adding sugar brought the flavors together some, but not enough for me to truly enjoy this tea. It's drinkable, but not something I would have again.

5 helpful votes

Oh smoke, we are not friends. Brewed at 195 for 4 minutes.

10 helpful votes

This one is like a smoky cup of apple cider, with no chocolate or hazelnut to be detected. Sweetened and mellowed with a touch of cream, it’s not bad.

13 helpful votes

I had a pretty bad experience with the notorious lapsang souchong before, so I'm really hesitant to try this but I want to keep and open mind and give this tea a chance before I judge it.
Ah, there's the smell of lapsang souchong that I know so well, akin to one of smoked ham.
And it tastes like it did the last time, like liquid smoke. I really don't enjoy this type of tea because it feels like it overpowers the other flavors of the tea. It's just not for me :(

A very unique tea. Not one I would go for on the regular. It definitely held up to its name. It brought all the memories of bonfires to mind.

5 helpful votes

Smokey fire aroma from the dry leaves along with a bit of fruit. This carries through to the taste. Smokey LS up front with a hint of citrus and apple sweetness on the finish. Unfortunately, I did not get any cinnamon or hazelnut flavor from this. I think the Smokey LS overpowered it a bit much. If I did buy this I would blend in another black tea like hazelnut or even oriental spice to help balance the flavors a bit. Steeped 200° for 3 mins. Cheers!

8 helpful votes

I was hoping to detect more of the spices in the flavor of this blend--but maybe that is because of what happened to be in my CommuniTea packet. I mostly taste and smell smoke, hazelnut, and a hint of sweetness. The hazelnut became more dominant as the tea cooled. I like this, but I wish I could taste those other spices!

3 helpful votes

I really enjoyed this tea. The smokiness was a bit more subtle than I have tasted in other blends. Although I couldn't identify the other ingredients, I knew they were there and complimented the lapsang.

23 helpful votes

This is one of the first Adagio teas I tried at my local tea house. I fell in love with it! I think it is the most unique tea they offer, and I am here for that. To be fair, I'm Team Lapsang, so a little smokiness never bothers me. I find it intriguing. Here all the other flavors (and there are a lot!) mingle together to make the lapsang more approachable and conjure up that 'campfire in a cup' notion without being overpowering. A divisive blend for sure, but count me in for this bonfire! Happy Sipping!

16 helpful votes

This tea is very different from any tea I’ve ever tasted. I’m pretty sure I like it, although one cup isn’t enough to make me completely sure. One the other hand, my husband only needed on sip to know this wasn’t the tea for him. I really can’t even describe the taste. There is something unfamiliar to it, but also cinnamon, nutty, smokey , and fruity. I added some honey, and the tea left a spicy cherry flavor lingering on my tongue. I’d definitely try it again.

3 helpful votes

Let us say that this tea's name and description are extraordinarily accurate. It's a tea I enjoy for its novelty for not quite a whole cup, and I'm glad I don't have to drink another cup until it comes up again in the CommuniTea rotation. Really unique, but not something I want to drink more than once a year. (I think I'd feel differently about it if I didn't live in a fire zone of California.)

3 helpful votes

The first thing I smelled upon opening the package was the scent of orange, with a hint of chocolate or hazelnut.

This is a very unique tea indeed. I understand why it's called Bonfire now. I can taste the smokiness I would've never thought to taste in a tea (and it kind of lingers in your mouth afterwards, which I don't actually mind).

It has nice strong orange notes and hints of chocolate and a nuttiness.

I quite enjoyed this unique tea, but I can see how it can be off-putting if you don't like the smoke flavour

2 helpful votes

I'm a sucker for the smell of bonfires. There's nothing that feels more ''tis the season' in my opinion. This tea is a very faithful interpretation but that doesn't make it very drinkable (at least for me). If you like lapsang but don't want to drown in it, this tea is for you, it's just not for me.

8 helpful votes

It did remind me of a bonfire but the part where the smoke chases you around when you just want to sit and relax. Too much smoky flavor for my taste.

1 helpful votes

It's just too smoky. I wanted to enjoy this tea but I just didn't.

16 helpful votes

This is interesting. Definitely tastes like a bonfire which is super interesting for one cup. Not something I’d want more often, though.

6 helpful votes

Smoke and sweet and a little zing all mixed together in this tea makes for a wonderful, distinctive cup. Really enjoyable!

16 helpful votes

This tea has a smokey, almost peaty smell while steeping. It actually put me in mind of a Laphroaig 18 year old single malt Scotch, my favorite from Islay, that breathtaking and rugged island off the West Coast of Scotland. I petition renaming this one to Islay Peat.

4 helpful votes

I didn’t review this one last time it was in the CommuniTEA because I hate giving bad reviews, especially based on personal preference. I decided to give it a shot again this year, you never know til you try. Lapsang is an acquired taste that it definitely not for me. Even though there’s only a little bit in this blend, I still don’t like it. All I taste and smell is smoke. It overpowered everything else in the blend to me. It wasn’t as bad as last year but it’s not something I would ever choose to drink on purpose.

21 helpful votes

Better than any other tea containing lapsang that comes to mind, I just don’t like lapsang in any quantity. It does remind me of a bonfire. From what I can taste of the other flavors behind the smokiness, it would be a nice fall tea with cinnamon and orange.

11 helpful votes