263 Tasting Notes
Taking a clue from Earl Grey Bravo (Adagio), I tried a 30 second steep. That helps A LOT. This tea is strong and oversteeps super fast. As Earl Grey’s go, it’s still a loss…but it does produced a drinkable cuppa when handled right. bumping my rating a smidgin.
Preparation
Backlog from yesterday. I tried this tea as an iced tea and have to say that its near perfect for my tastes. The bold, clean flavor is excellent for iced tea…especially if you like your tea plain, no sugar.
I used 3 balls, 205 deg water for about 2 minutes, poured directly over ice.
Preparation
Broke this one out again today…daylight savings time change and I don’t get along. As before, this is a good, bold blend. First cup was 45 seconds at 205 deg. F and the resteep about 3 minutes at 205. Both cups are about equal in strength and each has plenty of flavor and a punch of astringent tannins. Just the thing to wake you up!
Preparation
I think I’ve finally perfected this tea. I kept getting bitterness but I’ve overcome that issue with the following: 1 Tsp leaves to 12 oz hot water @ 200 F for 30 seconds. basically, when you’re done pouring and have put the kettle back, its done steeping. I get the nice bergamot aftertaste without the bitterness.
Preparation
Found a rock in my tea this morning. Decomposed granite from the looks of it. Insert bad puns about mineral taste in the tea :-)
This is the end of this sample. I believe I’ll have to get some more. Its a good anytime tea thats a little stronger than average.
A rock :(
not a nice additive….but at least the tea was still good.
yep, came out of the sample bag when I up-ended it to get all the remaining tea out for the last cup. I didn’t see it, I heard it hit the side of the filter with a much louder, more solid thunk than tea leaves ought to make
Slightly embarrassed to realize I’ve been calling this an Irish Breakfast when in fact it is their Scottish Breakfast. Whatever its called, I like it. Needs to cool a bit to get the maximum flavor effect…that is, its a good slurping tea, none of this prissy sipping thing! Strong flavor. Good amount of astringency to leave your mouth refreshed. Malty, as it claims to be. I drink it without sugar and don’t think sugar would go well with it.
