So I got this as one of the three samples in the WP sample offer. And while I’ve tried the other two already, this one I was saving for something special, since it seemed like that sort of tea. I figured nursing a cup while watching my brand new Winter Soldier bluray after work was as good a time as any. XD
I may have under leafed this simply because I couldn’t really get 1 1/2 tsp out of it and still have enough for another cup. (Sorry Brendan, but my tbsp just wasn’t a full tbsp. Lol.)
So onto the brew. It’s cocoa-y and vanilla and oh so tasty smelling. Actual taste wise….I’m getting something similar to cocoa puff milk only with water used instead of milk. Watered down bitter-ish chocolate. Kinda ugh to be honest (/avoids the incoming stones/). Yes yes I know that this one is practically everyone’s baby here, but that’s just what my tastebuds are telling me. I added some truvia because it wasn’t sweet to me and I’m not sure if I just didn’t add enough or what, but it didn’t seem to make too much of a difference honestly. But then, I was afraid of over-sweetening it and then being unable to even drink it, so I ended up playing it safe.
I did get a tart cherry sort of taste to it, which was what I ended up focusing on after awhile. I probly should’ve added more sweetener at that point, but I kinda didn’t want to get off the couch at that point since it was just getting to the helicarriers. Sooooo. XD The very end of the cup was rather gritty but I think that was just the bits of vanilla bean or something? I dunno.
I still have another cup’s worth left and maybe I’ll try a lower temp? Or longer steep? Or shorter? Who knows. I’m even debating doing a steep in warm milk because why the heck not? Lol!
Edit – So I did a second steeping @ 5 min that was better than the first steep, in my opinion. It was more chocolate-y and vanilla without the tart cherries note or any bitterness that I could tell. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to finish the cup before bed/it got cold. But when I tried it cold it tasted like very similar to hot cocoa, though made with water. So I wonder how this would be cold brewed. Not that I’d actually want to drink this as a cold tea, but it makes me wonder nonetheless. XD
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I do mine in a hybrid style and get good results. I normally start with 1.5 tsp and around 4-6 oz water. Then I do 200 degrees for 30 sec, 45 sec, and one minute. I put those all in a mug or sharing pitcher and drink them combined.
I won’t throw stones at you because everyone should be able to share their opinions here! No bullying allowed!!! LOL
Sometimes I put a tsp of maple syrup in mine also, when I want something more desserty. And one final note – GO gets better with time (within reason). It always tastes best to me several weeks after it’s been made because the vanilla has had more time to meld with the tea. Hopefully your next try will be more enjoyable! :)
On my sample it says 1/2 tbsp. per one cup anyway. I followed that for my first try and second try I added a bit more. I’m surprised you didn’t think it was sweet. I normally don’t eat sugar at ALL so to me this was very sweet.
Sarsonator – Maybe I’ll give the shorter steep/less water thing a shot. Dunno yet. Lol! This sample isn’t really that new. I’d say a couple months at this point, but we’ll see with the next cup.
Ubacat – 1/2tbsp = 1 1/2tsp. I barely had the 1 1/2tsp for my first cup, so unfortunately I can’t extra leaf the second. I’m a big sweets/sugar person so maybe it just takes alot of sweet for me to register the taste? Dunno. XD
Yeah, give it a try. If you have maple, definitely give that a shot. It’s amazeballs with the maple! :)
Shadowfall – Just tried this for the first time today and am having the same experience as you. I used just the right amount of leaf and I get no sweetness (usually I can taste it pretty well in tea). It’s not just you! :) Everyone’s taste buds are different!
I do mine in a hybrid style and get good results. I normally start with 1.5 tsp and around 4-6 oz water. Then I do 200 degrees for 30 sec, 45 sec, and one minute. I put those all in a mug or sharing pitcher and drink them combined.
I won’t throw stones at you because everyone should be able to share their opinions here! No bullying allowed!!! LOL
Sometimes I put a tsp of maple syrup in mine also, when I want something more desserty. And one final note – GO gets better with time (within reason). It always tastes best to me several weeks after it’s been made because the vanilla has had more time to meld with the tea. Hopefully your next try will be more enjoyable! :)
On my sample it says 1/2 tbsp. per one cup anyway. I followed that for my first try and second try I added a bit more. I’m surprised you didn’t think it was sweet. I normally don’t eat sugar at ALL so to me this was very sweet.
Sarsonator – Maybe I’ll give the shorter steep/less water thing a shot. Dunno yet. Lol! This sample isn’t really that new. I’d say a couple months at this point, but we’ll see with the next cup.
Ubacat – 1/2tbsp = 1 1/2tsp. I barely had the 1 1/2tsp for my first cup, so unfortunately I can’t extra leaf the second. I’m a big sweets/sugar person so maybe it just takes alot of sweet for me to register the taste? Dunno. XD
Yeah, give it a try. If you have maple, definitely give that a shot. It’s amazeballs with the maple! :)
Shadowfall – Just tried this for the first time today and am having the same experience as you. I used just the right amount of leaf and I get no sweetness (usually I can taste it pretty well in tea). It’s not just you! :) Everyone’s taste buds are different!