From Daylon R Thomas! Thanks so much! I’m thrilled I get to try some of these Trident teas that Daylon introduced Steepster to a while back. The leaves here COULD NOT look more delicious: Mostly black with the perfect amount of gold leaf, not only is each piece of leaf twisting around itself, but all of the leaves twisting around in a lovely mess in the pouch. It looks like the perfect black tea. From Nepal! The flavor is sweet, malty, honey, a bit of sweet potato but also like little summer squashes — mostly reminding me of a light Chinese Yunnan, but not too light! The second steep almost tastes like a lighter traditional Assam, even though this is not Assam. From the look of the leaf, I’m shocked they compare this to a Darjeeling. Then I re-read Daylon’s note and he compares this to Darjeeling and a Chinese black. I bet this tasted more like Darjeeling a year ago, and now those flavors might be muted.
Steep #1 // 2 teaspoons // 18 minutes after boiling // 2 minute steep
Steep #2 // just boiled // 3-4 min steep
Flavors: Honey, Malty, Squash, Sweet, Sweet Potatoes
The muscatel notes I tasted were the Darjeeling ones, though honestly, I went with the company’s note for that one. I got mostly malt-the most Assam-like quality which was why I was on the border with this one, stone fruit on the occasion, honey, and floral marigolds. I definitely got squash notes too. I wanted more than malt from this particular tea despite how beautiful it is.
I have no idea what marigolds taste like, but I’m glad you noticed squash too! I hardly ever think squash regarding tea flavors. I get being disappointed by mainly malt here — I think the amazing look of these leaves makes me imagine even more amazing flavors before I drink it! But it’s a good tea. Thanks!