Bonfire Toffee

Not what I was expecting at all! I was anticipating something like a smokey caramel and this is much more like a mulled apple cider black tea: heavy and almost syrupy and very autumn-fruit-y. The smoke is a very light flavor component, not like a full Lapsang Souchong or even very like it.

Well, it took most of a 50 gram package for me to figure out how to make this one work, which is: 1) Open package, 2) Duct tape it to face, 3) Inhale amazing, fabulously fragrant apple toffee tea fumes all day.

No kidding, though, this might be the most best smelling tea ever. For most of my actual brewed cups, however, my tongue didn’t quite pick up on the hype my nose was laying down, and it most often tasted too watery, too weak, too under-toffeed and not at all smoky. Sadly. Nevertheless, now toward the end of my pack, I find that it comes much closer when I make it extra strong and add a nice dollop of honey, which does a good job of coaxing along some of that tantalizing toffee promise of the dry scent. The apple is nice and juicy-tart in this, and the base stands up to that challenge nicely if I leaf generously … and if I leaf generously, there’s maaaybe just a bare hint of smokiness? Anyway, it’s a very, very polite bonfire!

But I’m really enjoying my last few cups of this, and it’s definitely good enough to reorder. I probably won’t, though, because it’s twice the price of a Dammann Frères or Mariage Frères scented tea, while not quite delivering on the promise. (In fact, I could buy 3 Dammann Frères 100-gram packages for the same price as 150 grams of Bonfire Toffee.) It’s been nice, but for now, at least, I’ll spend that tea budget exploring some new flavors.

Be well, Bonfire Toffee, I enjoyed our brief friendship and will miss your lovely perfume … perhaps we may meet again!

I’m feeling like this could potentially be a good cup if I figured out the right steeping parameters. I stepped away when steeping this morning and ended up with a bitter cup. As it cools, the bitterness wears off a bit and I get a better cup. I get a little smoke in the rich deep sip. The apple toffee comes out in the finish and was more prevalent when the cup was hotter, it seems to be less noticeable as it cools. I do wish the apple toffee flavors were stronger, which is my complaint with most of the B&B teas I have tried, but maybe with some adjusting I can make it pop out a bit more.

So, with all the fireworks going off in the neighbourhood this evening, this tea felt like an apt choice. It was part of my October Tea Club subscription from Bird & Blend and I’ve been saving it until closer to Bonfire Night.

As a rule I don’t usually drink anything caffeinated after seven PM, but… it’s the weekend! Plus, I’ve been over at my allotment plot most of the afternoon, digging and weeding away until it grew dark, and now I’m home, I’m absolutely exhausted! A caffeine boost is definitely needed if I want to refrain from falling asleep on the sofa already!

This smells of apple and cinnamon in the packet. Slightly smoky, but nowhere near as smoky as I was expecting. Taste wise, this does actually manage to nail the toffee part. It has a distinct toffee apple flavour to it, with a hint of smoke. I feel like this could be a lot smokier, but on the other hand perhaps that would overpower the toffee-apple-cinnamon thing going off? This is OK, but to me it’s just a slightly smokier version of a toffee apple tea already in my cupboard… and I much prefer that one!

I think this tea will not appeal to everyone, but personally I love it. I like the blend of the smokiness of Lapsang Souchong, the sweetness of caramel and the warm spicy feel of the rest of the ingredients.

Another cup down!
I’ve written here before about the thrill of watching the “times drunk” counter go up on Steepster. Its an odd moment, when a tea you don’t like surpasses a tea you love. The power of the work cupboard!
But that’s part of my current sipdown goals. I am working on it so my cupboard has a strong spine of teas I love and drink often, and a smaller component of teas that I am trying, as opposed to what I have now- teas I love being neglected as the other teas swamp me.
I feel better equipped to enjoy tea when I don’t feel overwhelmed by it. Its been one of the major lessons of my adult life- less is more, when it comes to my enjoyment of things.
And one of the things I am not really enjoying is this tea. It will be good to see it go. Soon!

The steep time is an absolute delight: all carnival and candy, reminiscent of fairgrounds in the early fall. Carmel apples are definitely what are coming through, like a bold candied cider.

The sweetness isn’t so much there as I expected from the tiny toffee pieces, and the flavor isn’t as present as the aromas would have you expecting. Still, I keep finding myself hovering over my mug just to take in the scent.

First brewing score: 65
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Update: Brewed a travel mug this morning before setting off to lab and dressed it up with a little cream and sugar. Good God, this is brilliant for a milky tea. I remain interested in seeing if I can’t get these same flavors to pull through on their own with a longer brewing time (tried 5 minutes with a heaping tsp last time), but this really hit the spot this morning. I sipped it down in half the time it usually takes me to finish off my tea as I kept finding myself reaching for my mug over and over. Updating this to the upper 90’s because this experience was…magical.

It’s so weird in Oxford right now. Like, it’s grey and dreary and drizzly and blustery, but the temperature’s gone above 10, so I’m bundled up for the wet and wind, and end up sweltering by the time I get where I’m going. So weird. But at least I’m wearing my Star Trek: TNG cardigan (in science blue, but of course) and thus I feel fabulous.

These weird blustery days are calling for warming teas, so I went for one with bonfire in the name. It’s toasty and buttery and warm but not quite cooked apple, and it’s got a really pleasant character.

Another sample from Nattie!

I admit I didn’t notice the apple until I read the description. Obviously the name doesn’t suggest apple at all.

I noticed a mild toffee with some mild smoke and a milk black base. I had added 10% cream.

I did enjoy it, I was happy it wasn’t super smoky because the idea of smoky teas still terrifies me. There’s a whole world of lapsang out there that I’m afraid to touch with a ten foot pole.

Ultimately I wouldn’t buy this, but it made for a good mid morning “snack”!

Thanks Nattie :)

My tea of the night while I watch Russell Brand on The Trews, highly entertaining! Granted I’m a over a month late with sampling this one I am still happy for the de stash.

The tea (once steeped) smells sweet yet dark with malt, mild toffee and a toasted sense that reminds me of popcorn or cereal (like rice crispies or cornflakes).

Sampled without milk or sugar.
Flavour is strong with a dominant smoky tang that is paired with a malt bitter black base. It does have a slight sweet taste though not as strong as the smell and I could certainly not define it as toffee. So really the flavour is yay on bonfire and nay on toffee.

Sampled with milk.
The bitterness has been toned down a little though it is still highly smoky and strong. Still not getting the toffee notes, and honestly the smoke is not balanced greatly by the thick base.

Sampled with milk and sugar.
Even the sugar has failed to restore balance for this blend.

Ok I don’t think this one is for me. I like smoky teas from time to time but this is just too harsh and is not blended well.