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When I brewed this the first time, I used boiling water (212 degrees) for the black tea, expecting full-bodied black tea behavior. A little disappointed in the bitterness, I dropped the temp for a fresh pot the second time around and was rewarded with a red cognac color and a smooth, tasty cup. Figs and apple are as promised, which I raised with a squirt of stevia liquid. A little sweetness is all that was needed, however. Overall, a rewarding cup of tea. Very drinkable. The color is my favorite attribute in this tea, however. I’ve taken to drinking it in a wine glass, just so I can fully appreciate it!

Heavier bodied than I expected, but still airy. I made the mistake of drinking it with a pumpkin breakfast custard, which I thought would be a good pairing- intellectually, it was. I was imagining the whole natural taste-vibe, but the pumpkin overpowered the grass in the Sencha. It wasn’t until the pumpkin had vanished from memory (5 minutes) and the tea had come down to room temp before I truly appreciated this cup.

The first steeping was smooth with light caramel. I brewed it with a cooler water temp than most black teas because I was too lazy to wait for the kettle, opting for the instant hot water tap. (Embarrassing, I know.) By the time I got around to the second steeping, the life had bounced back into me and I boiled a proper kettle and brewed it at a much higher temp. The second cup smelled more like soup, the swish brought me the mushrooms and earth I was expecting. For the last cup, I added a pinch of dried rosemary and really went with the whole idea of savory soup!