oh this tea is a delightful surprise!
first brew: 6 oz of water at 160. very subtle, but very flavorful, if that makes any sense. it’s got a lot of flavor, but like, the volume is turned way down.
second brew: 6 oz of water at probably 180 ish, a little longer. ooooh, flavor turned up a wee bit! delish!
third brew: 6 oz of water at just off boiling – about the same as second steep, although flavors have changed from “YUM” to “huh, now it’s a lot less sweet and perhaps a little … salty?”
overall, really like this unusual tea – definitely one to linger over, not to try to slam, as the quietness of the flavors are conducive to a slow exploration, not a wham bam thank you ma’am slurping. the dry leaf is crazy looking (and beautiful!), but smells rather MEH which is probably because it’s the gentle steeping that finally draws out the flavors. i recommend this tea, although i don’t believe i’d re-stock. not that i’d say no if someone sent me some.