Grace Tea Company

I’m seriously trying to control my desire for this tea … but that isn’t working.

I’m having this while finishing up my homework assignment. So good and the husband even liked it.

Okay Steepsterites, I’ll come clean. I really wanted a glass of wine. Yes, at 8:45am. But since: 1 – That is a bit crazy and 2 – I have a ton of homework to get through today, I decided to compromise and go with this tea. Which seems like a much more realistic choice at 8:45 in the morning.

This tea really is unlike anything I’ve had. It seems that every English Breakfast blend tends to be just really plain and sometimes bland but this one is intriguing. I think you would have to enjoy a bit of red wine to really love this tea but I think non-wine drinkers would like it as well. Just not as much. Like I’ve said previously, it can get a bit astringent when taken plain but just the smallest amount of milk and sugar mutes that enough for it to be quite enjoyable.

2nd infusion is much smoother than the first. I did add milk/sugar to it mainly because I felt like it but the tea really doesn’t need anything. It is quite good plain. This is just so different and I think that is why I like it so much.

I love tea. I love wine. So it goes to reason that when I saw this tea, I really just had to try it. The dry leaf is various sizes of black and brown leaves and smells rich. There is another aspect of the scent that is familiar, but I can’t place it. I brewed 2tsp in boiling water for 5 minutes per the vendor’s instructions. The tea brews up a brown-red shade. Very red for a black tea, but hey, it is supposed to be like wine. The taste of the tea is very interesting….astringent yet smooth. Very much like a good red wine.

But since this is an English Breakfast blend, it needs to pass the test of additives. Taken with a pinch of sugar and a dab of milk, the winey qualities are still able to come through but the astringency is a bit subdued. Which for me is good. There is a fruity character to it (again, with the wine). I like this. I have to say that this is the most unique English Breakfast I’ve had. In fact, it may be the most unique tea I’ve had.

When I need something that goes with anything I reach for this tea, just as I did this morning. The deep amber-red liquor has a medium-full body that tastes of tea. No, really. It tastes like regular, comforting, no strings attached, black TEA. No bells or whistles, no apologies. It is what it is and sometimes you just need a cup of something that won’t tease or hide behind itself.

Having a cup of this right now and I’m snuggling my KATI as I drink it…NomNomNom…

This is just one of those teas you MUST have in your cupboard as a go-to if you like medium to medium-strong black tasting teas. I don’t know if I would compare it to an English Breakfast as it does in the description but it sure is nice to have on hand! It’s a nice, straight-up sort of tea…very crisp!

This time around with this tea – I didn’t get much of the woodsy notes I pointed out before. Because it’s such a different review as my prior entry on this tea I thought I would post another review – almost like it’s my first time posting – and what I (may have) done different this time around…

I doubled the loose leaf amount! I went with about 1.5 T and at 4 minutes.

It’s dark brown in color – with a nice reddish hue. I’m not saying it smells like a pastry but that’s all I can think of when I smell it…like a croissant, maybe…or maybe I just really want one now that I am drinking this tea…perhaps – I am craving one!? Not sure…regardless I like this tea better now than before. I’m going to up the rating a tad. It’s almost chewy…if that makes sense. As it cools it turns a tad bitter but not in a bad way. NomNomNom

I’m not real sure how to describe this tea…but I like it just fine. It’s strong without being bitter but it’s not a stereotypical black tea taste it’s more of a masculine woodsy, earthy type taste. It has a bit of a woodsy aftertaste too but nothing I can’t deal with.

It’s a very strong tea that I’ve been drinking after meals, instead of coffee. I like it a lot. Be careful brewing too long because it can get too bitter quickly.

The leaves are fairly small and twisted. Mostly bits of leaves, but some larger leaves as well. I’m getting the astringency on the nose and in the liquor. Added a splash of milk but still has a slightly chemical tone hidden beneath. Not the greatest standard black for my tastes.