3 Tasting Notes
I have to admit, I was TERRIFIED to try this. I got into loose-leaf tea through blends, and all I remember of straight black tea is a little lipton bag steeped with waaaaaay too much sugar, that I muscled through at my grandmother’s kitchen table when I was little because I DESPERATELY wanted to be a big kid. So, I held off on trying it… In a fit of bravery, I grabbed the bag and opened it up.
My first impression- “Wow. Hay.” Seriously. All I could smell was hay, with an underlying sweetness. Brewed, it smells a bit like hay, and a bit like wheat bread. A bit intimidating for someone who tends to fruity or spicy teas. Still, I wasn’t going to waste the leaves, and took a sip. I am so glad I did. This tea tastes a bit like honey, maybe with a caramel-y note to it? (my palate is so not refined.) Granted, I did sweeten it with rock sugar, because I am still a bit of a sugar fiend and take everything with a bit of sweetener.
Preparation
I really like this tea. Done right, I can taste both the spearmint and the green tea. The combination is very soothing- not something I would seek out as a first of the morning tea, more of an afternoon to early evening tea, I think. When I opened the tin, the dry leaf smell was REALLY minty, almost like smelling a pack of gum. The appearance of the leaf is tightly curled green tea, interspersed with pieces of dried spearmint. As the tea steeps, the leaves unfurl. After steeping, the minty gum smell is gone, replaced by a much more balanced aroma. As I said earlier, the taste is a balance between green tea and spearmint, with a light taste and a cool finish. I can’t wait for it to be warmer so I can try this iced, I think it would be a perfect summer drink for when I’m tired of water but don’t want pop/juice.
