i did cream and sugar this one. the smell is incredible. the taste (on this first brew)was not what i had hoped it would be. i’m going to chalk that up to possible operator error. i really like a long steep, especially for a robust tea like this one and i think i may have cut off my steep time. thus far i find this to be a god tea, but not a great one as i was expecting…but i hope my mark will be adjusted.
what is interesting about this tea: i have a heavy brown layer visible through my clear tea cup. if i’m judging by bouquet alone then i am absolutely convinced. once it’s steeped: the chestnut has a significant presence! it makes for a very nice, rich, stable base…. an exotic neutral, if you will.
sadly, at the moment i cannot see having this blend without cream and sugar… but that may change. stay tuned!
UPDATE: for reasons i cannot fathom this tea was loads better on the second steep?!! i have no idea what toned down or how i managed it, but the second steep makes aaaaaall the difference. happily, i am increasing my initial rating! again, the chestnut base in this blend is divine.
