I had heard about this tea and knew that since I would not get to try it (from anyone else) I would have to buy it myself.
The scent of the leaves is strong, very strong bacon upfront with a lingering maple smell. Based on the scent of the leaves, I was skeptical that I would like it.
The tea brews nicely, combining the flavor of black tea, with a smoky quality that has to be from the bacon and a sweetness that is coming from the maple. The aroma of the brewed tea is predominantly bacon/smoky and I must say unappealing, but the flavor is not bad.
I think the flavor would be improved by sugar (to bring more of the sweetness out) and by some milk, to maybe help meld the flavors together a little better. I will have to try it and get back to you.
UPDATE:
So I tried it again with milk (1%) and rock sugar, it was better, the flavors did marry more and it was easier to drink. The maple-syrupy flavor is enhanced at the front of the tea, then the bacon/smoky flavor is more pronounced and at the end of the tea, the aroma is also toned down a little so it is no longer like inhaling bacon.
Also, I steeped it a second time (adding milk and sugar) and drank it with breakfast: ham, egg and cheese on a croissant. It was probably a little easier to drink with the food, but the tea still had the descriptive qualities mentioned above.
This improves my rating a little (previously 56). However, as I have said, I do not like to give teas that rely on having additions too high of a score.
Did you have this with anything to eat? Wondering how it would taste w/ breakfast, a salad, or sandwhich.
no, i will try it with breakfast tomorrow, possibly jump right into the milk/sugar combo also. i’ll let you know :)