By The Tea Writer
I got this tea quite some time ago at a coffee shop in Portsmouth, NH called Breaking New Grounds. While many teas become less appealing over time, I feel that this one has actually improved.
M. and I made the trip up to Portsmouth with my brother and his partner after a family wedding a few years ago. We had a great time exploring the city and happened upon this cozy shop on a gray, rainy day. We sat forever at a table by the window sipping tea and coffee and people watching. One sip of this tea sent me directly back to the counter to purchase loose tea to brin home.
It is a dark, well-formed tea studded with cinnamon and orange rind. The scent is spicy and bright with cinnamon. The liquor is a beautiful red-brown. What I love most about this tea is that the flavors are beautifully balanced. I had previously tried other cinnamon teas and found the cinnamon so strong that it was abrasive. The Breaking New Grounds version has a mellow, smooth tea flavor (Indian tea I would guess) with a light citrusy note and a perfect amount of cinnamon spice. I do add a bit of sugar to this tea to point up the cinnamon. I would recommend giving this tea a try if you’re in the area. (Although I cannot confirm that it is one they still sell. It has been awhile.)
Tea: Cinnamon Orange
Source: Breaking New Grounds, Portsmouth, NH
Type: Scented black tea
Brewing details: 1 1/2 tsp at 212 degrees for 4 minutes
Comment: A nice warming cuppa.
