Not an extensive review as there are many other reviews.
I bought a four-ounce tin of loose leaf tea.
First impression:
Steeped 3 minutes to endeavor to discern more than the kickstart factors that come out at five minutes. Still came out kickstart strong.
Water boiling. Used Pyrex glass for steeping, and stainless steel mesh ball. Drinking from Corelle glass tea cup.First cup drunk black to discern what I can.
This is a jumpstart, get-up-and-go tea. Bit of astringent pucker, but mostly full caffeine slam.
Harney’s website states:
Briskness 4 (out of 5)
Boldness 5
Aroma 1.
I agree with that assessment.
Here is the description from Harney’s website:
“Dry Leaves: A mixture of dark brown leaves, the smaller pieces of Assam and Ceylon and Assam CTC (cut, tear, curl) method make for a stronger tea.
Liquor: This is one of our darkest teas, brewing a very dark brown color. Many Scots would lighten it with milk.
Aroma: Aroma is not the point of this tea, so there are only hints of suggestions of malt.
Flavors: Strong and simple, this tea is meant to be drunk with milk.
Caffeine Level: Caffeinated
Body: Full-bodied. A strong, full body is the purpose of this tea, and it delivers. It is perhaps the strongest tea we offer.
Brewing Time: 5 minutes
Brewing Temp: 212º”
I am rating this tea a 98, because, to me, it is exactly what Harney’s states that it is. (Somehow rating teas according to how much I like them does not seem as though it would be very useful to others, as age, diet, DNA, and many other factors determine ability to discern flavor/aroma, texture, etc, and preference. So, I am rating according to how accurate the company’s description is.)
I think this tea would also do very well with cream, or Kerrygold butter, or clarified butter and salt, or to add meat/bone broth, if one is looking for a nourishing winter tea broth recipe.
It is not unpleasant drinking it black, but one can tell the choice of leaves is intended for dairy and perhaps something else to be put into the cup.
If you want a jumpstart tea, this one will do well.
If you are looking for complex bouquet, multi-faceted wonders to enjoy, this is not, in my opinion, the tea for that kind of experience.
At first glance I read the title as “Scottish Mom” and that caught my attention, hah!