I got a generous sample of this from CrowKettle earlier this week, and decided to make it my morning tea…I do a double steep for two mugs. Sometimes I cold steep in one and hot tea in the other, but with the colder weather, I get lazy and just double steep and split each steep between the two vessels. Occasionally, I bag up something separate in one and steep simultaneously if I have the extra time.
Anyway, my morning steep of this was astringent and strong, and I was grateful I under-filled my steeper on the second go, as I had room to fill in my timolino, and I added milk to top it off. I was able to mix it into my other mug to make it milder, but I found that I had used too much milk because I lost some flavour.
I did a shorter steep with new leaves at home and it was better. I did add the tiniest drop of milk (what was left in a measuring cup used for dinner) and that made it a bit creamier. I found that the shorter time was better for me, and it was not so astringent, but it was still a little tart.
I wouldn’t say this is a favourite tea, but it isn’t too bad, especially with the lower steep. What makes me thing of getting some is the raspberry leaves, since they’re healthy. I might also cold steep. I don’t drink much cold liquid i the winter, except water (at room temp) so cold steeping probably won’t be for 6 more months.
I’m glad to try this, and will use the last of my sample soon, I think.
