4 Tasting Notes
As I drink this cup of firewood, it is about 5 degrees outside with a negative wind chill. That may be weighing in on my opinion here but I have never had a tea quite like this (it is my first Russian Caravan, that being said)
Smells like smoke. In the good way that a tasty cheese might bring to your senses.
Tastes about the same. Actually, this is about the equivalent of smoking a cigar/ette in tea form (don’t think ashes, think nice rootsy tobacco)
There is a very subtle black tea undercurrent but the smoke is at the forefront. If you are trying to stay warm or just want a unique take on tea try this one.
Long term opinion – not a tea I would return to, but a nice diversion.
Preparation
Try steeping the first infusion (1 tablespoon) for 30 seconds @ 190 degrees with the lid on. Then throw this infusion away – it can be a bit funky.
At this point the leaves should have unfurled and it should smell quite rank (I mean that in a good way!)
The next infusion go for 30 seconds more and it will taste pretty good.
The second infusion for 45 seconds gets much more complex, a hint of sweetness but very malty and smooth. If you like dark teas I think you will tend to like this more than others.
Very complex tea – you could experiment with brew times and the amount of leaves and spend a good few hours coming up with new flavor profiles. I come back to this one a lot.
Preparation
Solid black tea. Smells like amber, tastes a bit fruity with just enough astringency to bring it all back home. I would classify this as a “session tea” much like a pilsner or brown ale if you want a beer analogy. It’s not going to blow you away necessarily but it is a reliable choice.
