Another Dexter sample. THANK YOU! :D
Oh, was this tea fun… how it changed with each steep! It started out real malty and caramelized sugar like, and then a hint of stone fruit showed up in the scent of the liquor. It really smelled like an opened jar of apricot jam. I didn’t begin to actually taste that stone fruit element until the 5th steep, which was so interesting to me. The caramelized sweetness transitioned into rock sugar, while the malty bread note was present from beginning to end (although, I’m not done drinking yet….8 cups in…).
I really enjoy this tea! I love a tea that takes you for a ride, and this one surely does.
Short steeps were my thing here, along with the 85-90 C temp recommendation.
I found an old imitation thermos in my basement yesterday, and that has made keeping my water warm for gongfu so much easier. It’s not the best quality thermos type thing…but it does the job if I don’t need the water boiling hot (with this tea, it was perfect!).
:)) I find lowering water temp can do some amazing things for black teas in general. I hardly ever using boiling anymore. I’m not sure about the apricot stone fruit thing in this one – may have to revisit it.