Ashmanra’s sipdown challenge – January 2023 Tea #9- A tea by candlelight
Anyone else a fan of those Yankee Candle scenterpiece things? It’s not really a candle, it’s cups that set in a device that warms the scented cups of wax for a couple hours, and they are easily changeable. Anyway, I received one of those scenterpiece systems as a gift years ago, so that gets stoked up once in a while. Honestly, it was better when the scent cups were WAY cheaper a few years ago (especially on sale), but what wasn’t cheaper back then? However, I might yet actually light an actual candle at some point!
The tea! This is very old now and yet still wildly different from any Dan Cong I have ever had! It is not charcoal AT ALL. It’s grapefruit and lemon myrtle and probably other bright fruits. It’s completely opposite from what I expect from a typical Dan Cong. And this is why Steepster is wonderful: my first tasting note years ago, I made sure to note to use very short steep times and very cool water and it made a HUGE difference. Only the last steep had a hint of charcoal. I’m glad I took a chance on a sample but if anyone is looking for a unique light Dan Cong, this is definitely worth trying! Next time a sipdown.
Steep #1 // 1 1/2 teaspoons for a full mug // 50+ minutes after boiling // 1 minute steep
Steep #2 // 50+ minutes after boiling // 1 min
Steep #3 // 22 minutes after boiling // 1 min
Our mall Yankee Candle closed a year or so ago…they were getting so expensive, we don’t miss it much. We’ve found less expensive versions of our favorites.
I never really loved malls, but now that they are disappearing, it’s a bit sad.