Woohoo I have been looking forward to drinking this cup of tea. Brewed western style as per the website (*see note at end). Sniffing the dry leaves I get cocoa and malt (pretty much milo for those Australians here) but also baked potato skins. Huh? I didn’t expect that.
First steep?
This first steeping has the aroma of baked potato skins, there is some cocoa there and it is malty too but mostly potato. Having read a lot of other reviews in anticipation of trying it, I was expecting much more cocoa than I am getting. The flavour is quite intense and also predominantly potato skins to me, not exactly what I was expecting or something that I’ll always go for but it isn’t necessarily bad. There is also a pleasant sweetness and smoothness in the mouth which I really enjoy.
Second steep?
The aroma of this is more like what I was expecting, chocolate malty richness, mmmm… There is still a bit of that baked potato starchiness floating around in the background but not nearly so much. This steeping for me also introduced a subtle spicy note, I think cinnamon, which is a great companion to the sweetness and cocoa which is coming through much more strongly now.
Third Steep?
This round isn’t as intense but has the same yummy qualities of the 2nd steep. I’d describe this steeping as malty and sweet, with a touch of vanilla. There is also a pleasant floral note towards the end of the cup that I didn’t get in the previous steeps.
My verdict so far?
I love trying new teas and haven’t tried a tea like this before so have really enjoyed the experience. If it wasn’t for the first steep I’d have ranked this higher as I loved the later steeps. I have enough leaf for at least another session so will revisit my ranking then.
This is a tea I’d love to own because it is so different and those later infusions so yummy. It is the kind of tea I’d love to make for friends so they can experience it too. A huge thank you to Sil for sharing it with me :D
*I wonder if I used too many leaves and that is what went wrong with my first steep? The verdant website says 1 tablespoon to 1 cup and after the season I measured my teacup to find that it only holds 150ML or 2/3 of a measuring cup.
Awesome! So happy you enjoyed it :)