Upton Sampler Buying Spree Tea #12:
Time for a break from the Earl Grey/Earl Grey-like teas!
This stuff is really fine, it almost seems ground – is it pretending to be coffee? It brewed up quite dark and very strong. I think I may have used a little too much – too used to the more leafy teas. On the other hand, this would be perfect if it’s morning and you’re running late and you forgot to leave enough time to boil water and steep your morning tea and you are in danger of going to Chinese class tea-less and WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO.
As far as taste goes, as expected it’s a strong black tea flavor. Not subtle at all, this stuff. It’s got a sort of undertone that I’ve never really been able to describe well, but appears especially in oversteeped teas – like, super-saturated tea-ness, I don’t know. Anyway, this is definitely a good morning tea, especially if you have trouble waking up. (like me!)
Preparation
Comments
If I’m remembering correctly, Scottish breakfast teas are all made from those smaller, broken bits rather than being at all tippy. I suspect this is a bit of ethnic humor by the English, implying that the Scots can’t afford proper tea leaves.
Given that structure, you’re going to end up with a denser scoop than with a more tippy tea, which could account for both your strong result and your astringent over-steeped sense, which all Assam seem to be susceptible when brewed too strong.
If I’m remembering correctly, Scottish breakfast teas are all made from those smaller, broken bits rather than being at all tippy. I suspect this is a bit of ethnic humor by the English, implying that the Scots can’t afford proper tea leaves.
Given that structure, you’re going to end up with a denser scoop than with a more tippy tea, which could account for both your strong result and your astringent over-steeped sense, which all Assam seem to be susceptible when brewed too strong.
Ooooooh…man you know stuff about tea! Now that I think about it, yeah, I seem to get that over-steeped taste most with Assam. The more you know! (rainbow)