My Overall Impression (Score of 84.5%)

I typically brew this tea at 175 F for 3 minutes and place this into fine China and drink this with some jazz on.  When I’ve had a day, this is a tea that I turn to relax and zone out for a while. 

Last year, I decided to try this tea sun brewed (like the directions above).  Wow!!!  This is a multi-dimensional brew that is complex.  In the glass (also when it’s brewed hot), it has so many nuances that make it special.  Nothing is distinctive.  You are always looking and finding new aromas and flavors that’s linked with great structure.  Add in the hints of smoke and this will pair with grilled items for sure.

The price as of 6/10/23 is $24.95 for 100 gm Canadian.

Broken down:

• 100 gm / 3 gm for steeping = 33 brews
• 33 brews from package = app 76 cents per brew (4 – 8 oz servings)

While this initially may seem high, let’s look at the brew servings.  After dividing out for 4 servings at 8 oz, the cost per cup is app 19 cents per 8 oz serving.  Please note that this is in Canadian pricing.  It’s already a great price but the exchange rate works in the favor of US purchases.

Aromas

• Opening the package, you are greeted with intense notes of candied flowers, cassis, rose petals and peony followed by notes of lime zest and toasted oak (vanilla).
• Once brewed, you will find that the aromas are muted but have changed significantly.
• It shows deep cassis tones followed by orange zest and some floral tones. Hints of fresh peach, pears, vanilla, and toffee tones follow. 

Flavors

• This tea brews like its hot version showing muted flavors of cassis, berries, peach, rose petals, dried pears with toasted smoky malt. This is deep in the brew meaning you have to look for these flavors (which makes this tea so interesting and enjoyable).
• It brews dry with good acidity and tannins with close to a full body mouthfeel. This will allow it to stand up to grilled items exceptionally well.
• Please note that it’s smooth on the palate and easy drinking, but the structure is there for pairing. After a few seconds, you can feel that its full body as your palate changes (exceptional).

Scores

• Aromas (4.4/5)
• Flavors (8.3/10)
• Overall impression (4.2/5)
  • Total score = 84.5 percent (16.9/20)

Foods to Pair and Why

• One mint leaf makes it refreshing. I went outside a snipped a piece of mojito mint and added this to the tea.  While it muted some of the flavor, it added the spiciness of the mint and created beautiful nuances.  Sometimes, the simple things work the best.
• Applewood Smoked chicken. The smoked chicken has enough body and mouthfeel to match the tea.  However, the aroma and small flavors from the smoke will bring out more of the tea’s flavors.
• Cedar Plank salmon rubbed with brown sugar and smoked paprika. This is one of my favorite meals to make as it’s quick and easy.  The cassis tea will lend itself to the salmon’s flavors, smoky aromas from the cedar and match both the body and acidity of the tea.  The tea tannins will disappear from the cedar tones imparted to the salmon.
• Grilled poundcake served with a fresh berry compote. Who does not like poundcake to start?  Grilling it will caramelize some of the sugars along with adding a hint of smoke.  Using the compote will help match the tea’s flavors, aromas, sugar levels and body.
• Breakfast tacos of chopped brisket with eggs and cheese in corn tortillas. After several wonderful years living in Texas, this has to be one of my favorite breakfasts.  The tea with its hints of smoke, full body, good acidity, and flavors will match the tacos components making them taste better.