Ostfriesischer Sonntagstee

Another tea sample from the Secret Santa package Adham sent. The package the teas came in smells so wonderful. I’m not sure if it is the combined fragrance of the teas, or if one of the teas is really overpowering the rest.

These dry leaves smell spicy, not in a caliente way, but as in chai spices. There is a vanilla sweetness to the leaves as well.

I brewed this at 3 minutes after reading Adham’s note that it brews quite brisk. Seeing how dark the infusion became after hitting the 3 minute mark impressed and scared me a little. Tasting this tea I definitely get the strong malty notes of assam. Wow, this is a full bodied tea. I’m glad to have chosen this to drink this morning, I need the pick me up. I’m glad the vanilla is in this tea, it makes it a bit different from other teas.

Bam! This is definitely shake-you-by-the shoulders tea. The name translates to “East Frisian Sunday Tea”, and all I can say is that those East Frisians really know how to make a strong cuppa. This particular example has vanilla pieces in it, so the smell of the dry leaf is a wonderful mix of malty tea leaves and warm vanilla.

Although I usually steep black teas for four minutes, I’m going to hold this one at three minutes for this first tasting, just to be on the safe side. It comes out a dark, clear brown with a really enticing sweet and spicy aroma. In drinking the first bit without additives, it’s like the two sides of the tea are both shouting – “I’m black tea! Taste ME!!” and “I’m vanilla! Taste ME!!” which for me means it’s time to calm them down a bit with some half and half and sugar.

Ahh, that’s better. Now it’s much silkier, but the black tea and vanilla flavors are both still very much there. The creaminess has also opened up a hint of coconut. Great way to wake up the palate!