This is my second cup. Let’s say I was used to just brew my chai just like any other tea: Aprox 7 min, whip a little milk just to release the barista in me, add honey & ready. Tried this with the first cup & wasn’t pretty good. Today I followed the instructions & turned out perfect. I was a bit lazy but the result it’s pretty much worth it. The only thing that I’m confused about it that if this blend already has the black tea in it, the instructions says to add 1/2 tspn of your fave black blend, may be to add a little strength? but for me the amount of black in the blend is perfect. So far I’m liking Samovar teas a lot.