Hmmm, I’m glad the bag didn’t say loose LEAF tea because that would violate the truth in advertising standard. This is loose….stuff. Not quite as large as CTC but bigger than dust, I guess. When I see tea bits that are this size, it scares me. I want to lower the infusing basket into the water with one of those grabber thingies while wearing a hazmat suit. I am a tea wimp.
The directions say to steep for 4 to 6 minutes or to desired taste. HA! At six minutes, this stuff will stage a coup and there will be an international incident. I went with 2 1/2.
And it really could have gone a little longer. I tried to like it plain, but it hurt me. This was a bit bitter without being flavorful. The color was reddish. I added milk and sugar to redeem the cup, and I suppose it did. This is now a pretty typical breakfast tea with a malty Assam flavor. I do feel more like I am drinking coffee. I don’t drink coffee, by the way. And the color looks like a Hershey bar with that reddish tinge some chocolate bars have.
For Breakfast blend lovers, malty lovers, and Assam lovers, this isn’t terrible. I will drink it, especially when I don’t really want to pay attention to my tea. Ooo, I bet it will be good as really sweet Southern style iced tea! Grateful to oldest daughter for picking it for me when she was in N. Ireland.
I am surprised. I can definitely finish the pot, and I will try steeping a little longer next time and resign myself to adding milk and sugar to this one every time.
