I actually work in a Teavana, and I’ll say that the prices are sort of painful – but this tea, being the least expensive unflavored black the store sells, is actually well worth its money.
The trick is in knowing how much tea to use and how long to steep it, and I’ll be the first to admit that nearly all of the info on the Teavana page is incorrect. It takes time to figure out each tea’s specifications, and when prepared carefully, there’s no bitterness in the copper knot brew. The water shouldn’t be boiling, first of all. Add a small chunk of ice and let it cool the water down first. This tea requires maybe two minutes’ steeping to drink hot, and I don’t cross 2:40 to ice it. If you double the amount of tea to make it iced, it’s absolutely delicious. I use a full teaspoon per 8oz of water and it comes up perfect (nearly) every time.
When it’s made right, the copper knot has warm honeyish caramel notes and a gorgeous reddish-gold liquor. I’d say 2-3 resteeps are good; I’ve done more, but after 3 they go downhill. Just be careful about how you steep it, and it will come up well.
