This smells so sweet and buttery, like sweet potato pie, or butterscotch. The flavor is more rugged, showing grain and the peppery side of yunnan rather than chocolate or cream. There is a sweetness though, as I sip longer. The description suggests honey and butter on toast – that seems about right, but it’s a hearty wheat bread, well-toasted and crunchy.
Sometimes when I first sip I’m convinced that I oversteeped this, but then the bitterness never actually materializes, it just rolls into that rumbly dark toast taste.
I’m also going to wager that this is highly caffeinated, from the way it’s going to my head already.
Overall, a good strong black tea to drink straight-up and start the day
ETA: On my 3rd steep now, more mild but still flavorful, getting more sparkly spice and a bit of fruit.
western style, 2 heaping tsp to 8oz water
