SBT: Maple Bacon

When I got my huge package from Zoomdweebies after the first of the Kickstarter campaigns, I got two packages of SBT Maple Bacon since this tea was in the 12 Days of Christmas package too. The first time I steeped it for the 12 Days of Christmas review: http://sororiteasisters.com/2013/12/29/fifth-day-christmas-southern-boy-teas-edition/ and I wasn’t all that crazy about it. It just didn’t work for me.

So that’s why it took me so long to finally brew this additional sachet. I knew I wasn’t gung-ho about it. This time, I cold-brewed the tea, and this worked WONDERS! This is actually quite good. I will actually up my rating from 51 up to 70 because as a cold-brewed tea, this works great. I’ll even try hot-steeping the bag now that it’s been cold brewed once … maybe it will be good. Let’s hope!

Anyway … not so much of a strong bacon flavor as a maple flavor. I get a good, brisk black tea flavor, smooth and flavorful, and a hint of bacon-y goodness. This is much better cold-brewed. COLD BREW THIS ONE!

I’ve been avoiding this one for ages, because frankly I’m scared of it. I mean, bacon. In tea. I must have been feeling pretty brave yesterday evening, though, because I bit the bullet and made this one up for work today. It got the usual SBT treatment – 3 minutes in ¼ litre of boiling water, topped up to 2 litres with cold water, and then into the fridge overnight. I’m back to being scared this morning.

I took my first sip very tentatively, and was surprised to find that I’m actually okay with this one. It’s mostly maple – and the maple is so strong it’s almost like drinking maple syrup. I love maple syrup, so that’s more than fine with me. There is a tiny hint of smokiness and something a little like those bacon salad crispies, or just bacon-flavour crisps, right in the mid-sip, but it’s fleeting and really just barely there. I’m a little relieved about this, but actually it works rather well with the maple and as I drank more I found myself thinking that I could take it a little stronger. A surprise if ever there was one! On the whole, I’m pleased this is mostly maple. Maple tea I can understand! I had to try this one just for the novelty value, but I’m happy that I ended up enjoying it as well. Wonders never cease.

I was a little wary of trying this one but….not bad. I can taste maple and bacon, a little less of the bacon. It’s still kind of throwing my mind that it’s a maple bacon iced tea so I don’t think this goes on my list of favorites though.

TTB Samples Only

I’m happily working my way through this TTB. Many teas to chose from, not much time! This one sounded interesting. I added the suggested salt and maple syrup. The first couple sips were good but as the cup cooled it lost something. Now it is somewhat bitter and not very interesting. Maybe there was something wrong in my brewing :(

So I let my brother talk me into this one. It is not my favorite but it is not as scary as I always expect it to be, especially given the strong artificial bacon bit scent. Tastewise it is mostly maple black tea with a touch of smoke. However, the smell is strong to get past so the next cup will need to be in a more narrow glass I think. That or I will just pawn the rest of this off on my brother and his friends at tomorrow’s game night :P.

BACON. Well, I’m not a big bacon fan – those vegan years in university molded me to not being a big meat eater. Though, I am always up for trying new, wild things! I got this SBT as part of the kickstarter, for fun. Not too long ago, I had some really GROSS rotting death bacon soda, so I was worried about this tea being not that great.
Turns out – this iced tea isn’t that bad. It’s got a savory hint (more apparent if sampled hot), but lots of nice malty maple flavor. Makes a good southern iced tea. Overall quite happy that it’s a fun convo piece for being bacon, enoough savory for interest, and easy to drink (and not scary).

Full review on my blog, The Oolong Owl http://oolongowl.com/maple-bacon-iced-tea-southern-boy-teas-zoomdweebies-oolong-owl-tea-review/