Backlogging.
This was a custom blend from Design a Tea. I love pear flavored teas, and I thought the spice might lend a poached pear flavor. The tea I received had a lot of spice. So much so that I set the tea aside for several moths hoping the flavors would mellow a bit. It worked! I’ve found with a shorter steep (3 minutes or so) I get a nice pear flavor and the cinnamon and nutmeg from the spice in a much more balanced cup than I had when I first ordered the tea.
The next time I order from DAT I’m going to get pear tea with no additional flavors. I think the company has a wonderful pear flavor – very juicy and sweet – and Id rather have that than pear plus whatever else.