This is the first of the Steepster select teas I have tried. I was initially pretty unimpressed by the amount of tea in the packet, as I would generally use more tea to fill my mug. But I wanted to get the right flavor, so I measured out 8oz for each of my two steeps, and I would say this amount of tea is perfectly suited for 8oz of water.
I thought the dry leaf smelled like other plain black teas – nothing too significant about it. I prepared according to the instructions, and thankfully didn’t get the wet dog scent that others have noticed.
I find that this is a smooth and tasty black tea. On both steeps, I got similar flavor profiles, just less intense on the second go-round. It’s definitely slightly fruity, with a pleasant mouthfeel and no acidity or astringency whatsoever. It has a light, smoky flavor, and it’s not a strong tasting black tea, but I do like it.
For a plain black tea, this is a winner. I would recommend giving it a try if you get a chance!