Last time I had some of this is was probably one of the worst tea experiences I’ve ever had, and by far my worst experience with any sort of peppermint tea. Basically, I had attempted to infuse some of this into a mug of hot chocolate and the result was the most foul, rancid tasting drink I’ve EVER consumed.
I’ve been tip toeing around trying this out again since that awful experience, for fear that the same thing will happen again. Peppermint tea is my safety net – the tea most comforting to me whether I’m sick or just having a poor day: I can’t imagine how devestated I’d be if my whole giant tin and bag of this just suddenly had “gone bad” or what have you. I take good precautions to store my tea properly: air tight tins, minimal to no light exposure, kept in a dry environment…
So, steeped about a tbsp. (my usual amount) of this in my timolino for five minutes. When it comes to this blend, I’m used to just throwing DT’s brewing guide aside and making super strong cups and double or triple their recommended amounts of leaf/time.
I’m drinking it now, and I’ll be honest I gagged a bit on my first sip. The initial taste is this nasty, “rancid” kind of tasting grass crap. It’s not pleasant. However, in small sips I’m handling this now. Small sips are equaling a less grassy and more natural and normal tasting peppermint (and even in large gulps, this funky tasting brew is still better than that God awful hot chocolate mixture).
…I think maybe I’ve figured out how to explain it. Thye taste is some kind of love child of the taste you get when you get soap or shampoo or whatever in your mouth and what one imagines bug spray would taste like – with a little mint mixed into that.
I’m not giving up hope though, this tea is dear to me and I’m not tossing it without being absolutely sure there’s something “wrong” with it. Maybe I just need to dial back the leaf and steep time a ways. Next time I make this I’m gonna try doing it by the brewing guide, and then proceding from there…
Fingers crossed
