52Teas Loose Leaf Black Tea 'Strawberry Zabaglione'

Tea Information:
Tea: Strawberry Zabaglione
Type: Black Tea
Packaging: Loose Leaf
Company: 52Teas
Purchase: Here
Description: Our premium Indian black teas blended with real freeze dried strawberries and all natural flavors. Creamy, strawberry deliciousness.

Anyway, when I first got the suggestion, I realized I was going to have to MAKE some Zabaglione to try, because not only had I not tried it before, but I had never HEARD of it before.

Well after trying it (for those of you who never have, I would say it is something like a custardy (flavor, not texture) whipped cream with a hint of wine. After trying it, I was not at all sure that we would be able to make a tea that hinted of the complexity of Zabaglione, but after some trial and error, we now have…
Ingredients: Premium black teas, freeze-dried strawberries, and natural flavors

Try #1

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 heaping tsp
Water: 12 oz 160° hot spigot water
Tool: kati loose tea system (my Review here.)
Steep Time: 4-5 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: sweat cream, strawberry, a little acidic
Steeped Tea Smell: black tea, sweet
Flavor: creamy strawberry black tea
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: bitter, astringent
Liquor: translucent dark red-brown

Too bitter! It distracted from the deliciousness.

Post-Steep Additives: 1 packet white sugar

Try #2

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 heaping tsp
Water: 500ml 212° filtered water
Tool: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker BTM800XL
Steep Time: 2 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: sweat cream, strawberry, a little acidic
Steeped Tea Smell: black tea, sweet
Flavor: creamy strawberry black tea
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: astringent, bitter
Liquor: translucent light red-brown

This was a bit weaker, in fact too weak, and bitter. This was better than the first try though.

Post-Steep Additives: rock sugar

Try #3

Steep Information:
Amount: 2 heaping tsp
Water: 500ml 185°F filtered water
Tool: Breville One-Touch Tea Maker BTM800XL
Steep Time: 2:30 minutes
Served: Hot

Tasting Notes:
Dry Leaf Smell: sweat cream, strawberry, a little acidic
Steeped Tea Smell: black tea, sweet
Flavor: creamy strawberry black tea
Body: Medium
Aftertaste: slightly astringent
Liquor: translucent light red-brown

This was the best so far. It was creamy and delicious with slight astringent and bitter hints. I think 190-200°F would have been better, but 212°F was too hot.

If it was decaffeinated this would be a wonderful dessert tea, as it is the tea is a wonderful afternoon treat.

Post-Steep Additives: rock sugar

Rating: 3/4 leaves


Leaf system:
1=Bleh! not again if it were free
2=Acceptable, if it were free or there were limited other tea options
3=I might purchase this tea from time to time, or select it while out
4=A staple in our cupboard from now on, I will purchase and keep purchasing