This is third for me to try out of my Russian blends (thanks again to Boychik for setting me straight on how to brew these :)). Like the previous two, upon opening the tin, the smell of bergamot is overpowering. I think I can catch a little whiff of lime though, which makes me excited to try this. I did the usual brew of 3 minutes at about 200 degrees.
The aroma of the brewed tea is mostly bergamot, but I am able to pick up on some sweet orange and a little note of lemon. I’m not sure whether the lime is there because I find it difficult to separate all these different citrus scents from one another. I had fully intended to try this one without any sugar (I feel I should wean myself off of sweetening my teas in general because I feel like, in some cases, it interferes with my tasting of all the flavors). However, I don’t think I can drink a bergamot tea straight – I found it unpleasantly bitter or something. So I added just under a teaspoon of sugar (foiled again!).
When I first tasted this as it was still very hot, I could mostly just taste black tea with bergamot. I’m beginning to see this as a pattern with these Russian blends from Kusmi. I let it cool, taking a few sips every so often to see how the flavor was changing, and it’s interesting to note how the effect of sugar becomes more and more apparent as a tea grows colder (at least, in my opinion). I found that I enjoy this tea much more when it is just warm as opposed to hot, and I can now pick out the flavors of lemon and orange, and possibly a slight floral note (I take it this is the orange blossom). The lime seems to manifest itself as a kind of aftertaste on the back of my tongue. Overall, I really like the combination of citrus flavor in this tea.
(thanks again Boychik for all of your helpful advice)
Flavors: Bergamot, Floral, Lemon, Lime, Orange
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Yay to shared knowledge, boychik is awesome :-)
And don’t worry about the fact that you “foiled again”. I personally very rarely add anything to me tea, but it is recommended to add a bit of sugar sometimes to bring out the flavour in flavoured tea. The beauty is, you’ are your own tea master, you get to choose what you like best. After trying with and without sugar, if you like it best with sugar and it helps you appreciate more whatever tea you are drinking, then what’s wrong with that? :-)
So true, TeaFairy!
yes the bitterness is one reason I don’t really care for bergamot.
@*TheTeaFairy*: Yeah, I tend to prefer tea with a little bit of sugar, but I think I will definitely try to taste everything without sugar for at least a few sips just to see the difference. Bergamot may be an exception, I find it a little offensive without sugar.
@*TeaBrat*: For me, it depends on the level of bergamot, but sweetener definitely helps to cut that bitterness. I can’t imagine drinking an Earl Grey without it…
Anastasia + Napoleon is best combo. this is how napoleon looks like. never made it, I’m baking challenged
http://letthebakingbeginblog.com/2013/07/best-napoleon-cake-ever/
I love to bake so I might need to try that recipe. :P
just for the record, i didnt do anything special,just suggested parameters that work for me.
Well it was very helpful, whether you think it was special of you or not! Don’t worry, I’ll stop mentioning you in posts if it’ll make you feel better. :)
you can mention my name all you want. its just the place i came from i have to be humble. we grew up not being praised no matter what
Awww, that’s sad… Well here, it’s the opposite…you’ll be praised, no matter what :-)
While that sounds like a hard upbringing, humbleness is a quality that I prize in people. :) That being said, it’s okay to accept praise every once in a while!
Yay to shared knowledge, boychik is awesome :-)
And don’t worry about the fact that you “foiled again”. I personally very rarely add anything to me tea, but it is recommended to add a bit of sugar sometimes to bring out the flavour in flavoured tea. The beauty is, you’ are your own tea master, you get to choose what you like best. After trying with and without sugar, if you like it best with sugar and it helps you appreciate more whatever tea you are drinking, then what’s wrong with that? :-)
So true, TeaFairy!
yes the bitterness is one reason I don’t really care for bergamot.
@*TheTeaFairy*: Yeah, I tend to prefer tea with a little bit of sugar, but I think I will definitely try to taste everything without sugar for at least a few sips just to see the difference. Bergamot may be an exception, I find it a little offensive without sugar.
@*TeaBrat*: For me, it depends on the level of bergamot, but sweetener definitely helps to cut that bitterness. I can’t imagine drinking an Earl Grey without it…
Anastasia + Napoleon is best combo. this is how napoleon looks like. never made it, I’m baking challenged
http://letthebakingbeginblog.com/2013/07/best-napoleon-cake-ever/
I love to bake so I might need to try that recipe. :P
just for the record, i didnt do anything special,just suggested parameters that work for me.
Well it was very helpful, whether you think it was special of you or not! Don’t worry, I’ll stop mentioning you in posts if it’ll make you feel better. :)
you can mention my name all you want. its just the place i came from i have to be humble. we grew up not being praised no matter what
Awww, that’s sad… Well here, it’s the opposite…you’ll be praised, no matter what :-)
While that sounds like a hard upbringing, humbleness is a quality that I prize in people. :) That being said, it’s okay to accept praise every once in a while!