One of my favorite flavored teas. The first time I steeped it, I did it for slightly more than 5 minutes. WRONG, THIS IS VERY WRONG. Not only was it way too astringent, the fruity flavor overpowered anything else that might have been in the cup. Open the tin. Take a whiff. That is some pretty strong flavor. Therefore, there’s no need to steep this for any more than three minutes. The blended flavors are best light and subtle, otherwise you won’t be able to taste the black tea base at all.
So! Now to the tea. This is my second attempt to brew at home. The pot I tried in store was very light and subtle with the fruity flavor, with no astringency. Success! A steeping time of less than 3 minutes has yielded the same result. The primary flavor is still that black currant-y, dark berry taste. Drink a little more, and the bergamot comes through. Right after the black currant shakes you by the shoulders, the vanilla and bergamot are just kinda like, hey! I’m here too. And they’re so very welcome. I love the smooth taste of vanilla with the bright, tangy currant.
This is a tea you reach for when you’re craving candy. It’s not quite a morning tea and too sweet to be a daily drinker. Nah, this is a blend that can get you through an all nighter writing a paper or watching a walking dead marathon. This is a tea you sip when you’re craving candy or soda but want to be classy about your sugar fix.
