75

Another new try from last night. When I tidied ny cupboard last week, I brought the last few untried Bluebirds down to a more reachable level, so that I’d be more inclined to start them. It worked! I brewed this one up for my last cup before bed, and gave 1 tsp of leaf 4 minutes in boiling water.

Brewing, it certainly smells of custard. It’s actually quite surprising, given that this is tea. The leaf is so pretty, too, with the red-brown rooibos, the yellow petals, and the pink/white rhubarb pieces.

Unfortunately, my first couple of sips are almost entirely rooibos. I was disappointed, but then very slowly, the taste of rhubarb and custard sweets developed at the back of my mouth. It’s very sweet and candy like, with the creamy custard developing first, and then a slightly tart, tangy-sharp rhubarb flavour coming through after that. Successive sips develop the flavour further, and bring it more into the foreground. Disappointment turned to delight!

I would like the flavour to be more prominent from the off, so I might try a longer brew, or even a little piece of sugar, for my next cup. Maybe some milk, to enhance the custard flavour? I’m pretty sure my experience of this one can be improved, but I’m pleased that I managed to find both flavours in my first cup. The only slight issue I have with this one is the pre-added stevia. It leaves an artificial sweetness at the back of my mouth that I don’t really care for. On the whole, though, a pleasing first cup.

Preparation
Boiling 4 min, 0 sec 1 tsp

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Bio

Hi :) I’m Sarah, and I live in Norfolk in the UK. My tea obsession began when a friend introduced me to Teapigs a good few years ago now. Since then, I’ve been insatiable. Steepster introduced me to a world of tea I never knew existed, and my goal is now to TRY ALL THE TEAS. Or most of them, anyway.

I still have a deep rooted (and probably life-long) preference for black tea. My all-time favourite is Assam, but Ceylon and Darjeeling also occupy a place in my heart. Flavoured black tea can be a beautiful thing, and I like a good chai latte in the winter.

I also drink a lot of rooibos/honeybush tea, particularly on an evening. Sometimes they’re the best dessert replacements, too. White teas are a staple in summer — their lightness and delicate nature is something I can always appreciate on a hot day.

I’m still warming up to green teas and oolongs. I don’t think they’ll ever be my favourites, with a few rare exceptions, but I don’t hate them anymore. My experience of these teas is still very much a work-in-progress. I’m also beginning to explore pu’erh, both ripened and raw. That’s my latest challenge!

I’m still searching for the perfect fruit tea. One without hibiscus. That actually tastes of fruit.

You’ve probably had enough of me now, so I’m going to shut up. Needless to say, though, I really love tea. Long may the journey continue!

My rating system:

91-100: The Holy Grail. Flawless teas I will never forget.

81-90: Outstanding. Pretty much perfection, and happiness in a cup.

71-80: Amazing. A tea to savour, and one I’ll keep coming back to.

61-70: Very good. The majority of things are as they should be. A pleasing cup.

51-60: Good. Not outstanding, but has merit.

41-50: Average. It’s not horrible, but I’ve definitely had better. There’s probably still something about it I’m not keen on.

31-40: Almost enjoyable, but something about it is not for me.

11-30: Pretty bad. It probably makes me screw my face up when I take a sip, but it’s not completely undrinkable.

0-10: Ugh. No. Never again. To me, undrinkable.

Location

Norfolk, UK

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