Cameron B. select Send Message

346 Followers / 342 Following

Cameron B. drank St. Petersburg by Kusmi Tea

4161 tasting notes

The first tea to try from my Kusmi order! The tin does not have instructions so I looked on their website. They recommend a 3-4 minute steep at 185 degrees. This seems like a low temperature for a black tea, no? I split the difference on the steep time and did 3 minutes 30 seconds. There was no recommendation for the amount of tea to use so I went with 1.5 tsp (seems like a standard).

While I do enjoy the brew, it mostly tastes like an Earl Grey to me – I’m not really picking up on the fruit flavor or much of vanilla or caramel. I think I’ll try this one later with maybe a 4 minute steep time and hotter water? Maybe more tea? Any suggestions would be welcome! :)

Preparation

185 °F / 85 °C 3 min, 30 sec 1 tsp 8 OZ / 236 ML

I Like This

10 likes

5 comments

boychik
Delete

I really like this tea. 205F 3min and try if you like it. As it cools more flavors will come out. i always keep a full size tin of this and Anastasia. its fool proof if you have guests. Amazing with pastries.

Cameron B.
Delete

Thanks so much! I got the Russian Blends mini tin set so I will be trying Anastasia sometime soon. Do you recommend the same parameters for it as well?

Cameron B.
Delete

Oh and is the 1.5 tsp an appropriate amount of tea to use for 8 oz of water? Thanks again. ^^

boychik
Delete

I always use 1 heaping tsp for 8oz. dont use too much or it may become bitter. for my Kusmi blacks its 205F.

Cameron B.
Delete

Great, thank you for your advice. I really appreciate your taking the time. :)

People who liked this

Comments

boychik
Delete

Cameron B.
Delete

Thanks so much! I got the Russian Blends mini tin set so I will be trying Anastasia sometime soon. Do you recommend the same parameters for it as well?

Cameron B.
Delete

Oh and is the 1.5 tsp an appropriate amount of tea to use for 8 oz of water? Thanks again. ^^

boychik
Delete

I always use 1 heaping tsp for 8oz. dont use too much or it may become bitter. for my Kusmi blacks its 205F.

Cameron B.
Delete

Great, thank you for your advice. I really appreciate your taking the time. :)

Profile

Bio

Hi, I’m Cameron!

I’m a 30-something software engineer currently living in Austin, Texas with my husband and our two pugs, Gobo and Ume. I tend to cycle between my different hobbies, and they include piano, knitting, video games, board games, miniature painting, planners, bento, Korean skincare, and – of course – TEA! But really, what I’m best at is “collecting” hobby-related things… ;)

~ 2024 SIPDOWN CHALLENGE! ~
- November sipdowns: 13
- Total 2024 sipdowns: 156

I prefer my tea lukewarm or at room temperature and without milk or sugar. I steep Western style, and fluctuate between using big mugs or small teapots depending on the season.

I am always up for a swap! Just let me know if you’d like to try something in my cupboard.

Tea Preferences:
I enjoy both flavored and unflavored teas in many forms. These days, I drink mostly flavored teas, and I tend to gravitate most toward black, green, oolong, and herbal varieties. I do have a special fondness for straight Japanese green teas, however.

I do not sweeten my teas, and pre-sweetened teas are usually too sweet for me. I also do not enjoy stevia.

I tend to reach for fruitier flavors rather than desserty ones these days, but I do have favorites from both categories. Willing to try anything once! There are a few ingredients/flavors that aren’t generally my jam, such as coconut, rose, lavender, and chocolate flavoring. But I also have teas that I love with some of those things, too! :)

Favorite Companies:
3 Leaf
Bird & Blend
Dammann Frères
Harney & Sons
Kyoto Obubu Tea Farms
Lupicia
Old Barrel Tea Co
Simpson & Vail
Taiwan Tea Crafts
TeaVivre

Tea Rating Scale:
90-100: Outstanding! Permanent cupboard resident
80-89: Great – a possible staple
70-79: Good, but I wouldn’t buy it
60-69: It’s decent
50-59: Meh… I may or may not have finished the cup
40-49: Ick. Couldn’t finish it.
00-39: Repulsive, I spat it out

I will sometimes refrain from rating a tea if I feel I’m too biased due to my personal dislikes, or if I suspect the sample has been compromised by age or scent contamination.

Cupboard Spreadsheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZEuKf1-ppR-VXajO4vV39zU1N3zjFJteEPAynqD2yl0/edit?usp=sharing