81

I could tell from the instant that this was done brewing that I would not be into it as brewed. With the Red Rhythm tea from this company I had followed the provided steeping directions on the box, which were 5g/8oz water, boiling, 3 minutes. This time I went for 5-6g/12oz (which is still a bit high for me) 90°C, 3 minutes. I think I need to go for less leaf or way less time, or both.

This is one of those teas that smells astringent. It has a particular scent that I encounter in black teas sometimes that just kind of turns my stomach. Taste is bitter and astringent. Definitely need to brew this one differently.

Ok, take two, because I have the time and I’m curious. Less leaf (3g? I eyeballed it), less time (1 minute). It still has a bit of that stomach-turning astringency smell, but not so much of it. Now it also has a fruity and floral scent. This is much better. Now it is pretty sweet and fruity.

Definite raisin notes, as well as a rich, cooked-fruitiness like jam. There is a hint of astringency, but it is almost like the fruity astringency of grapefruit. I still don’t love the tea because it’s fruity-floral in a way that doesn’t quite suit me. But I am still so glad I tried this one like this because it is a lot better and I am much more pleased with my experience.

Preparation
195 °F / 90 °C 1 min, 0 sec
Dexter

I am so happy to hear that I am not the only one who likes black teas steeped at a lower temp. 90 C for black seems about right for me.
I am not happy to hear that this is astringent even with the lower temp. I have all three of these blacks and haven’t tried any of them yet. LOL may let you play with it, once your find your perfect steep parameters let me know. :))

K S

I tend to use about 3g/12oz especially with new tea. Though the dryness of astringency doesn’t bother me, my stomach can’t handle some black teas especially Assam.

Dinosara

I updated the note with a new steep of it. I was using more leaf than I usually would as directed by the company, but this is one of those cases where that was a bad idea. With less leaf and less time (and still a lower temp) this is a much nicer tea.

ashmanra

I often do my black teas at 203F just to be on the safe side. Astringent tea makes my stomach very angry.

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Comments

Dexter

I am so happy to hear that I am not the only one who likes black teas steeped at a lower temp. 90 C for black seems about right for me.
I am not happy to hear that this is astringent even with the lower temp. I have all three of these blacks and haven’t tried any of them yet. LOL may let you play with it, once your find your perfect steep parameters let me know. :))

K S

I tend to use about 3g/12oz especially with new tea. Though the dryness of astringency doesn’t bother me, my stomach can’t handle some black teas especially Assam.

Dinosara

I updated the note with a new steep of it. I was using more leaf than I usually would as directed by the company, but this is one of those cases where that was a bad idea. With less leaf and less time (and still a lower temp) this is a much nicer tea.

ashmanra

I often do my black teas at 203F just to be on the safe side. Astringent tea makes my stomach very angry.

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Bio

I am tea obsessed, with the stash to match. I tend to really enjoy green oolongs, Chinese blacks, and flavored teas with high quality bases, especially florals, bergamot-based teas, and chocolate teas.

In my free time I am a birder, baker, and music/movie/tv addict.

Here are my rating categories, FYI:
100-90: Mind-blowingly good, just right for my palate, and teas that just take me to a happy place.
89-86: I really really like these teas and will keep most of them in the permanent collection, but they’re not quite as spectacular as the top category
85-80: Pretty tasty teas that I enjoy well enough, but definitely won’t rebuy when I run out.
79-70: Teas that I would probably drink again, but only if there were no preferrable options.
69-50: Teas that I don’t really enjoy all that much and wouldn’t drink another cup of.
49 and below: Mega yuck. This tea is just disgusting to me.
Unrated: Usually I feel unqualified to rate these teas because they are types of teas that I tend to not like in general. Sometimes user error or tea brewed under poor conditions.

Location

Ohio, US

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