Ok. Something must be addressed before I say anything else.
WAY TO ROCK HARD, STEEPSTER OVERLORDS.
I am FULLY digging the new update. It’s like opening a present, that is in a box, and inside the box is another box, and in that box is a key, which you use to open a chest… I’m sure I haven’t seen everything that has been tweaked yet, but MAN ALIVE, you guys have been working hard. It is MUCH APPRECIATED. And now that I can go back and adjustate and accuratize and other made up words all the stuff I’ve logged before you’ve given me quite a pile of stuff to keep me busy. AWESOME.
So yes. Eight at the Fort. I think I need to play around with the steeping time on this because it came out a bit bitter for me. It definitely is smooth, though.
The tin has that distinct dark, almost earthiness in the scent that I have come to associate with black teas, but with an almost fruity undertone. In the infusion, that sweetness is lost to me. Looking at the tea itself, it’s comprised mainly of the dark twisted leaves typical of black teas, but there are a few sprouts intermixed that are quite downy. There are also some lighter, near lighter brown, near golden leaves.
Eight at the Fort makes me wish I knew more about black tea, or tea in general really. I can’t even begin to pick out what the hell is in this because it’s very well blended and makes for a solid, singular taste. It’s certainly is going to have me jumping for a while trying to figure it out. I think that I’ve been drinking so much stuff that’s flavored lately that I’ve lost a semblance of what some teas taste like as a standalone. As it is right now, the tea doesn’t really taste like anything to me. Just…tea. It’s not an unpleasant taste by any means, I just don’t have anything to compare it to.
The aftertaste has an extremely pleasant, grounded sweetness to it that is reminiscent of some of the subtler dark chocolate I’ve had. It’s not obviously sweet like Hershey’s, you have to wait for it, and when it comes it’s not overwhelming. It’s just there, and it lingers in the recesses of your mouth before leaving as quietly as it arrived.
Right now, I like this tea. With some adjustment and attention, I think that I could REALLY like this tea. If anyone has any suggestions on steep times or temperature or whatnot, by all means send them my way. I didn’t steep it as long as the packaging suggests, but it’s already bitter for me at 4:30, so I’m thinking I don’t want to go much longer if any longer at all.
Preparation
Comments
I think we should sign off our emails as “The Steepster Overlords” from now on. What do you think guys?
Thanks Takgoti :]
The updates are sweet arent they? I like how we’re able to view other users’ Shopping Lists. :D
I steep this tea round the 4-4.5 mark and like it just fine, but one thing I’ve been thinking of trying is using cooler water just because of the presence of green in the mix. So yeah, next time around maybe don’t use boiling water?
And like I said in my entry earlier today I think milk/any dairy products would totally wreck this tea.
@Mike Excitement is something I can definitely provide in spades. Especially when the subject of that excitement is awesomeness.
@Jack Cheng I vote DO IT.
@Jillian I usually don’t add stuff to my tea anyway, but I can totally see what you mean about milk living this in ruins. I think it would make it all taste very watery. I’ve got some pretty hardcore studying to power through over the next few hours, so I’m going to try this again at a lower temperature as per your suggestion. I kneel at the alter of your knowledge.
haha, thanks Takgoti! Glad you like the update. Excitement like yours is why we do all of this :)
I think we should sign off our emails as “The Steepster Overlords” from now on. What do you think guys?
Thanks Takgoti :]
The updates are sweet arent they? I like how we’re able to view other users’ Shopping Lists. :D
I steep this tea round the 4-4.5 mark and like it just fine, but one thing I’ve been thinking of trying is using cooler water just because of the presence of green in the mix. So yeah, next time around maybe don’t use boiling water?
And like I said in my entry earlier today I think milk/any dairy products would totally wreck this tea.
@Mike Excitement is something I can definitely provide in spades. Especially when the subject of that excitement is awesomeness.
@Jack Cheng I vote DO IT.
@Jillian I usually don’t add stuff to my tea anyway, but I can totally see what you mean about milk living this in ruins. I think it would make it all taste very watery. I’ve got some pretty hardcore studying to power through over the next few hours, so I’m going to try this again at a lower temperature as per your suggestion. I kneel at the alter of your knowledge.
I agree that the update is FABULOUS! I know I haven’t been around long, but I got so excited when I noticed. I can’t wait to drink something in the morning!
Good luck on tweaking the tea, it sounds like it’ll be delicious!