I bought this because I love dessert teas where I can actually taste the tea, but I do admit I’m a little nervous about this as black non-chai teas tend to upset my stomach.
As soon as I pop the lid on the canister some of my reservations are gone. This smells AMAZING! The sweetness of the cream hits me 1st, but it’s definitely followed by the typical Irish Breakfast aroma and then punctuated by the rum.
1st Infusion:
Steeping method: As directed.
The liquor is not surprising. Typical of a black tea. The aroma on the other hand is anything but typical. The cream hits my nose like powdered sugar frosting, followed by the solid aroma of the Irish Breakfast, then finally the scent of the rum. Nothing harsh about this.
As I take my 1st sip, the cream rolls around my tongue. I was right. Liquid frosting. But will this be a dessert tea where all you taste is the dessert? Nope. The Irish Breakfast gives it the true tea taste and prevents the cream from taking control and making it too sweet. Most dessert teas would end here, but soon the bite of the rum sneaks in as if to say “SURPRISE!”
2nd Infusion:
Steep time: 6 min
A slightly weaker version of the 1st in liquor, aroma, and flavor.
Pairs surpisingly well with the ham and pepper jack pannini w/ roasted red peppers that I had it with. The Irish Breakfast was strong enough to stand up to the food and the Rum cut thru the Cream enough where it wasn’t overly sweet for the sandwhich.
3rd Infusion:
Steep time: 7 min
Lightest and weakest infusion. More red/orange in the liquor. The Irish Breakfast and the Rum are strong enough to stand up to the beef stew I had with it, but the Cream wasn’t enough to clash with the stew. In some ways this is my favorite infusion. It depends on what you have it with.
Conclusions: A wonderful black dessert tea where the true tea taste is very much evident but it does not upset my stomach. Secondary infusions still pair well with foods that aren’t sweet making it a tea you could drink all day. I’ll buy this one again.
