Steeped this is my new gaiwan, with a quick flush and then a 2 minute brew at 185. The aroma is very smokey, much like a campfire that everyone is describing. The infusion is thankfully less intense with a bodied smokey taste with a bit of pine at the end. The second infusion was more to my liking as the flavors are toned down enough to drink rather than sip. I must say sticking my nose into the bag of this tea isn’t exactly the most pleasant experience due to the strength of the armoa of the tea leaves.
However, I am convinced I need to roast a duck or hen and add this tea as part of a rub, perhaps even added to a pork tenderloin schweinebraten, that would be some very awesome eats.
I usually very thoroughly enjoy a good oak/wood aged stout or ale, and wanted to equate this tea to those tastes, but it was not the similar experience I was expecting.
If only it snowed in Texas, I’d like to sit out and sip a small cup of this.
