70

This is another of the fantastic teas from my swap with OMGsrsly. I requested it for my holiday tea project, but it’s striking me more like a summer blend than something specific to the holidays. Here’s how I made it up:

Teaware: Mesh tea ball in china cup
Measured dry: 1-1/2tsp
Temperature: About 170º F (boiled it then got distracted)
Steeping Time: 4min initially, then added 1min
Additives: 1-1/2tsp raw sugar

After I first checked the steep, it was a little light and I wasn’t picking up any plum at all. Adding a minute to the steep helped bring out a fruity aftertaste, but I’m not sure if it’s ever going to be very overt. The black tea is really the predominant note here, with maybe a hint of the cornflower and cinnamon. Because I did over-steep it a little, there is some noticeable astringency.

I have enough left over to make one more cup, and I think the next time I make it I won’t worry so much about pushing it into turning plum and just enjoy it as a slightly different blend of black.

Preparation
170 °F / 76 °C 5 min, 0 sec

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Feel free to browse my cupboard if you’re interested in swapping, but all the mate and pu-erh in our household is my husband’s.

For swapping purposes, please note the apple allergy. Thank you!

I tried to limit my cupboard to teas that were 1oz or larger, but that was a gorgeous failure in terms of swap communication. It’s all going back up.

Okay, I just feel wrong trying to grade things without a rubric – it’s too inconsistent! So, here is the grading breakdown:

0-50: Dump it!
50-60: I might finish the cup
60-70: Possibly finish the pot
70-80: I may keep this on hand
80-90: Cupboard space guaranteed
90-100: Poetry may be involved!

Location

Dallas, TX

Website

http://www.wordsabouttea.blog...

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