Today’s is the most enjoyable cup of this tea that I’ve had. I was only planning to steep this for 3 minutes but had to step away from my desk. It was a happy accident that the 5-minute mark turned out to be nearly perfect. Now that I’ve found what seem to be the right parameters for me, I’ll gladly up my rating on this one. It’s now only slightly astringent, the tiniest bit bitter. With added honey, it’s sweet and fruity. I still taste peaches, not roses, but it’s working today. I might even attempt a re-steep since I’m enjoying it. I’ll have to look back on my previous notes to see if this will still be somewhat flavorful. I might try this with a 4.5 minutes steep next time (or 4 minutes, 45 seconds maybe) just to test it, but the temperature seems right.
Second Steep
8 ounces water + 175 degrees
Past notes have shown that this has the potential to re-steep well so I’m trying it. There is a lone chamomile flower, a whole one, floating at the top. It’s quite pretty actually, like a cream-colored jellyfish or one of those pouf cushions. Perfectly round, each petal easily distinguished. The tea itself is broken and torn, varying shades of hunger green and brown. The color of the liquid is dark enough but there really isn’t much flavor here. Maybe I should have let it steep longer. It’s still a bit drying.
Flavors: Astringent, Bitter, Drying, Fruity, Peach