I think I brewed this tea incorrectly the first couple times, but on the third steeping it tasted fine. Not great…maybe black teas (without heavy cream and sugar) need to grow on me. I had to add a little sugar to really enjoy it. I did catch the chocolate scent in the dry leaves, but I didn’t taste any chocolate at all in the brewed tea. Maybe I have newbie taste buds, or maybe the fact that I’m a high-end chocolate connoisseur/addict hinders me from tasting such a subtle cocoa flavor. In any case, I’m not real excited that I bought 2 oz of this.
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This is almost certainly a case of the most recent harvest being poor, than your brewing technique. I’ll probably write my own post about it soon, but yours caught my eye. I was worried the moment I tried this latest batch that people would be trying it for the first time due to its score, and be severely disappointed. This harvest does not reflect at all the amazing quality of the previous ones, and I find it very unfortunate that it maintains its score. Don’t be put off from black teas! This tea used to have the most amazing and unmistakable chocolate/cocoa notes; among others. I’m sure it will again, but until then I believe it’s score should be heavily reevaluated.
Matsu, that is very interesting…thanks for letting me know this. I’ve tried brewing it a few more times, and it is so, so bitter on the first steeping. I can’t drink it at all. I’ll order it again later in the year (or next year?) to try a different harvest.
This is almost certainly a case of the most recent harvest being poor, than your brewing technique. I’ll probably write my own post about it soon, but yours caught my eye. I was worried the moment I tried this latest batch that people would be trying it for the first time due to its score, and be severely disappointed. This harvest does not reflect at all the amazing quality of the previous ones, and I find it very unfortunate that it maintains its score. Don’t be put off from black teas! This tea used to have the most amazing and unmistakable chocolate/cocoa notes; among others. I’m sure it will again, but until then I believe it’s score should be heavily reevaluated.
Matsu, that is very interesting…thanks for letting me know this. I’ve tried brewing it a few more times, and it is so, so bitter on the first steeping. I can’t drink it at all. I’ll order it again later in the year (or next year?) to try a different harvest.