1812 Tasting Notes
As we enter the fourth quarter for 2013, I figured that I should take the opportunity to share a review of this highly relevant tea: Peet’s Anniversary Breakfast Blend for 2013. The blend combines some of the best teas that Peet’s has found that year. I have not tried any of the previous anniversary blends, so this one will stand alone, compared only to itself.
As recommended on the packaging, I begin my tea session by steeping a little over a teaspoon of loose leaf in a cup of water, whose temperature is just off boiling. Four minutes later, my tea is done, and I compare all of the aromas. Dry, the malty, tangy aromas were persistent and dominant with some sweet, grassy undertones. Wet, the smell of the leaves is subdued on the malty front, and the sweet, grassy aromas are joined by a sharp wood scent. For some reason, I am reminded of alfalfa.
Four minutes of steeping has produced a cup with bright, chocolate undertones mixed with a malty Assam flavor, barely touched by a bit of sweetness. Without it being much stronger, this tea could easily stand alone as a solid black tea with no need for milk or sugar. The addition of such may bring out more nuances of the tea. The aftertaste contains just the barest hint of bitterness, but any heavy astringency is offset by other flavors. For fans of heavy black teas, this one should definitely be tried. I would rate it an 89/100 on my personal enjoyment scale.
