I could tell from the instant that this was done brewing that I would not be into it as brewed. With the Red Rhythm tea from this company I had followed the provided steeping directions on the box, which were 5g/8oz water, boiling, 3 minutes. This time I went for 5-6g/12oz (which is still a bit high for me) 90°C, 3 minutes. I think I need to go for less leaf or way less time, or both.
This is one of those teas that smells astringent. It has a particular scent that I encounter in black teas sometimes that just kind of turns my stomach. Taste is bitter and astringent. Definitely need to brew this one differently.
Ok, take two, because I have the time and I’m curious. Less leaf (3g? I eyeballed it), less time (1 minute). It still has a bit of that stomach-turning astringency smell, but not so much of it. Now it also has a fruity and floral scent. This is much better. Now it is pretty sweet and fruity.
Definite raisin notes, as well as a rich, cooked-fruitiness like jam. There is a hint of astringency, but it is almost like the fruity astringency of grapefruit. I still don’t love the tea because it’s fruity-floral in a way that doesn’t quite suit me. But I am still so glad I tried this one like this because it is a lot better and I am much more pleased with my experience.
I am so happy to hear that I am not the only one who likes black teas steeped at a lower temp. 90 C for black seems about right for me.
I am not happy to hear that this is astringent even with the lower temp. I have all three of these blacks and haven’t tried any of them yet. LOL may let you play with it, once your find your perfect steep parameters let me know. :))
I tend to use about 3g/12oz especially with new tea. Though the dryness of astringency doesn’t bother me, my stomach can’t handle some black teas especially Assam.
I updated the note with a new steep of it. I was using more leaf than I usually would as directed by the company, but this is one of those cases where that was a bad idea. With less leaf and less time (and still a lower temp) this is a much nicer tea.
I often do my black teas at 203F just to be on the safe side. Astringent tea makes my stomach very angry.