Brewed this at 212F in a 100 ml gaiwan. First two infusions tasted like straight up mushroom tea. By the third infusion, the mushroom note was blending with a simple, smooth black tea. Fourth infusion was bland and mediocre, despite brewing time of 1:30. I’m not a fan of mushrooms, so this gets a thumbs down from me.
For years I have disdained tea, because my mother drank Lipton Tea every morning, and forced me to drink it when I had a cold. Also, I grew up in KY, which meant that I was expected to lap up that aberration called “sweet tea.”
Then, Coca-Cola changed their formula for Coke Zero, and I was forced to find something else to swig all day long. I ordered sample sizes from various tea companies, and when I tasted Harney & Sons’ Earl Grey Imperial, I discovered that tea did not have to be an ordeal.
Now, I brew three to four pots of tea a day, and am having a blast trying out all sorts of varieties of teas.
KY, USA
