I haven’t had this one for a while. I missed it. It’s like an old friend that I haven’t seen for a long time but think of constantly.
I tried shorter steeps this time around because I wanted to extend the leaves a bit.
1st Steep-10 seconds
Slightly smoky with a sweet raisin finish. I am going to see what shorter steep times can do to this tea. So far so good.
2nd Steep-15 sec
Very very slight smoke. Roasty. There is also a almost breadlike note on the finish. Very thick mouthfeel as well. Shorter steeps seem to be working really well.
3rd Steep-20 seconds
Sorta sweet. Kind of leathery. Smooth mouthfeel.
4th Steep-25 seconds
There is a grape note in there. Sweet and a bit earthy. Like grapes just off the vine.
5th Steep-30 seconds
Grapes and a bit of a spice bite. A little nutmeg in some sips.
6th Steep-40 seconds
Nutmeg just popped right out there. With vanilla. The grape is gone. Still fruity but it’s a different feel to it.
7th Steep-50 seconds
Lightening up quite a bit. The fruit flavor is much clearer. Like a carmelized fig. It’s pretty much my favorite thing ever.
8th Steep-60 seconds
All fig right now. With brown sugar. This one is perhaps my favorite steep because figs are the best thing ever.
9th Steep-1.30 minutes
Lightening up much more. Tastes of vanilla wafers.
10th Steep-2 minutes
Vanilla and a bit of clove.
11th Steep-2.10 minutes
Some spice…clove still…and a floral taste creeping in.
12th Steep-2.30 minutes
This tea is pretty much done. Very floral on the last steep and that’s how I know to quit. Floral + me= no fun
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Its almost like a caramel or brown sugar at the end.
It definitely does. It’s amazing that I didn’t actually manage to compare it to caramel because I was making it at the time with Milk Oolong. I was hoping to get more steeps in but that last steep with the floral spooked me. I think I may have underleafed.
i’ll be thinking of you grace and garret today! trying to sort out my order now that i’m back haha
Sil, I’m sending you some of this. It’s in your box, along with other Mandala samples, which I will finally mail this week, LOL.
soooo you’re saying i should IMPATIENTLY wait to place an order with garret?
Its almost like a caramel or brown sugar at the end.
It definitely does. It’s amazing that I didn’t actually manage to compare it to caramel because I was making it at the time with Milk Oolong. I was hoping to get more steeps in but that last steep with the floral spooked me. I think I may have underleafed.
i’ll be thinking of you grace and garret today! trying to sort out my order now that i’m back haha
Sil, I’m sending you some of this. It’s in your box, along with other Mandala samples, which I will finally mail this week, LOL.
soooo you’re saying i should IMPATIENTLY wait to place an order with garret?