I picked this up, along with a couple of other Piper & Leaf teas, at the market last month with my mom. Piper and Leaf typically offers several loose leaf teas for purchase, but the main “attraction” is always the iced tea. They serve it up in big quart jars for guzzling while browsing the local wares. We always fill our jars with this sweet iced tea when we go, and this time my mom chose the Front Porch Special. One sip of hers and I knew I had to grab some of this to take home for myself.
As usual with the Piper & Leaf teas, this blend is very fragrant and smells very sweet. There are at least two types of black teas in here from what I can tell, though I’m not sure what they are. Both are small, but one is long and twisty and the other resembles tiny pellets. The mix is flecked with blue and yellow flower petals and green mint leaves. It’s quite colorful.
I used roughly 8 ounces of water here, but by the end of the steep I was left with only 6 ounces of liquid or so. Those leaves were thirsty! Once the hot water hits the tea leaves, the aroma of the mint completely takes over. The flavor of the mint is there, but it’s been overwhelmed by a certain bitterness. After the addition of honey, I can taste the mint more clearly.
Second Steep
8 ounces + 195 degrees + 4 minutes
The color on this second cup is lighter than the first but still dark enough to make me believe that this will be a good cup. I dropped the temperature this time around and it has certainly helped with the bitterness. The mint flavor has dissipated and left me with a still-satisfying cup of black tea.
Flavors: Bitter, Mint, Sweet
Preparation
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Try slightly more than the teaspoon, for three minutes. See how that goes.
To help with the bitterness? I will try it – thank you!!
Hi—I was wondering if you have tried “velvet bliss” from piper and leaf? I have tried some of their flavors, and love supporting local and family business….
I haven’t! Is it a good one? I love the name. I’ll have to look for it next time I see them at the market.
Try slightly more than the teaspoon, for three minutes. See how that goes.
To help with the bitterness? I will try it – thank you!!
Hi—I was wondering if you have tried “velvet bliss” from piper and leaf? I have tried some of their flavors, and love supporting local and family business….
I haven’t! Is it a good one? I love the name. I’ll have to look for it next time I see them at the market.