This is one of the older Butiki teas in my cupboard, so even though it’s almost summer and not even remotely autumnal outside, I’ve brought this one to work with me today. It was calling to me, somehow. I guess I’m a year-round pumpkin fan, and not just seasonal one. I used 1 tsp of leaf for my cup, and gave it approximately 3 minutes in boiling water. No additions. The resulting liquor is a medium golden-brown, and the scent is deliciously pumpkin-y, with a hint of cinnamon.
To taste, the first thing I can detect is the spicing. It’s very cinnamon heavy, with maybe a touch of cardamon or clove? It’s a little bitter right at the end, in the way that heavy spice sometimes is. The mid-sip is beautifully creamy, and it does put me in mind of a creme brulee. There’s a hint of slightly-burnt caramel as well, that really conjures up the crispy crust. The pumpkin emerges right at the end of the sip, almost an afterthought, and adds a squashy, sweet potato-y note to the overall cup that works really well with the other flavours. I wish it was a little more prominent throughout, but you can’t have everything. However you look at it, this is one delicious tea!
I added a couple of small pieces of crystal sugar at this point, just to see what the effect would be. After a couple of sips, it’s obvious that sugar really does help to bring out the creaminess, and it also seems to smooth out a little of the bitterness from the spices. Definitely a worthwhile addition!
This one is a little unseasonal, but as I’m just recovering from my latest cold it’s actually pretty well suited to the way I feel at the moment. It’s warming, creamy and sweet, with a spicy edge. A real comfort tea – delicious!
I, too, am a year-round pumpkin fan. I have been known to make pumpkin scones in April…