This was a really nice mid afternoon tea. The dry tea smells like boxed apple juice or jolly ranchers apple candy and has dark broken leaves scattered with broken white rose petals. The tea brews to a translucent broth that reminded me of the colour of a liver chestnut horse. It smells of sweet potatoe, apple and a spicy smell I associate with lavender. It’s flavour profile has a top note of apple, followed with a cooling floral note with a touch of bitterness. This bitterness mimics the flavour of biting into apple skin a little.
There is a slight astringency that comes off not as a tartness but a dryness in the mouth, maybe from the rose petals. The apple flavour is a cross between granny smith, gala and a juicy red delicious. This is a pleasant light tea to drink without additives. The base has a slightly sweet earthiness which doesn’t have a strong presence. Sugar would strengthen the fruity aspect of the tea but isn’t needed as the apple taste and flavour is very present.
This tea would be great in summer as it seems to have a cooling effect on me. The flavours of apple, the tea base, and rose balance nicely. The apple flavour intensifies as the tea cools. This tea may be nice iced.
Thanks to Laurent and Sophie for their kindness in providing me with the oportunity to try this tea!
Preparation
200 °F / 93 °C
2 min, 30 sec
