Tea Information:
Leaf Type: Black
Where to Buy: Ovation Teas
Tea Description:
Black tea with caramel pieces, cacao nibs, and hazelnuts with caramel praline flavoring.
Learn more about this tea here.
Taster’s Review:
I had been drooling over this tea every time I’d visit the Ovation Teas’ website, so I finally had to break down and order some. I could no longer resist! I had to try it!
And am I ever so glad I finally gave in to my temptation concerning this tea, because it’s spectacular. The first time I brewed it, it was tasty, but I was just a wee bit disappointed by the bitterness I tasted. I suspected that the black tea base had something to do with it so I decided to try it again and steep it for just 2 minutes, to see if that would improve the results.
Unfortunately, with the two minute steep time, I found that the flavors were not as strong as they were at 2 1/2 minutes … but, I have discovered the way to make this tea absolutely perfect!
This tea is one that you should allow to cool slightly before sipping, because the flavors really emerge as the tea begins to cool. Not cold, or even warm or tepid … this is still hot, but it isn’t fresh-from-the-teapot hot. Steep it for the 2 1/2 minutes (in the Breville One-Touch… otherwise, change the brew time to 3 minutes), and then allow it to cool for about five minutes or so before drinking. Perfection!
The black tea base is a hearty black tea, I suspect it is an Assam or a blend containing Assam. I think this because there is a hint of malty taste, as well as the tendency to become bitter with an extended brew time. The base offers a good, solid background of black tea flavor: earthy and rich. It melds together nicely with the flavors of caramel, hazelnut and chocolate.
And … YUM! Caramel? Hazelnut? AND chocolate? Yes please! With my first sip or two, when the tea was still piping-hot, I noticed the caramel most distinctly. Now that the tea has cooled a bit, the three flavors seemed to have merged into a super-flavor, exhibiting notes of each component without interruption. In one sip, I notice notes of sweet, creamy caramel along with the nutty flavors of the hazelnut and the smooth richness of the dark chocolate. The flavors are all there and they work together so well – like a chocolate covered, hazelnut and caramel confection. Imagine that, dropped into a cup of hot tea, and allowing it to melt.
That’s what I taste right now. And it’s so delicious!
